La Clinica is a community-based nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. The board is responsible for strategic planning and fiscal oversight. Board members are volunteers and serve without compensation.
Victoria Bencomo
Victoria Bencomo, a counselor with Southern Oregon Education Service District’s migrant education program, joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2020. She also has been a La Clinica patient and did her counseling internship at a La Clinica school-based health center.
She has a bachelor’s degree in human communications from Southern Oregon University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Portland State University.
Victoria moved to the U.S. from Mexico with her family when she was 16 but found health care was often out of reach except for in the most extreme situations. Her father spent his career working in forestry, but Victoria didn’t get routine wellness checks or see a dentist until she was an adult.
Her personal and professional experience has shown her the importance of providing care for all, especially for immigrants, migrants, and anyone who might struggle to connect with needed healthcare services. She is committed to bringing high quality, affordable health care to the Rogue Valley’s Latinx population.
She has worked with nonprofit agencies such as UNETE, LISTO, Migrant Education, and youth programs at Southern Oregon University, including Academia Latina, to build connections and opportunities to the Latinx community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and daughter.
Sara Collins
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Sara Collins joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2017.
Born and raised in Medford, Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Oregon in 1995, then spent a year in Costa Rica teaching English to elementary-aged children. Upon her return to the United States, Sara attended the University of Oregon School of Law, graduating in 2001.
Her legal career has taken her from a judicial clerkship in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Lane County Public Defender’s office to a post at the Oregon Department of Justice in Eugene, Oregon, where she represented the Department of Human Services. She returned to Southern Oregon in 2010 and practiced criminal and family law. She is a founding partner of Collins Rowan LLP. Sara has a passion for helping people resolve criminal charges, dependency cases, and domestic relationship issues. She was appointed circuit court judge in 2023.
Outside of work, Sara spends time with her family, and tries her best to squeeze in time for running, skiing, relaxing in the sun with a good book, and traveling.
“It is an honor to serve on the La Clinica board as it is an organization that I deeply respect,” Sara said. “In my line of work, I see the positive impact La Clinica has in our community on a daily basis.”
Larry Gibbs
Larry Gibbs is an associate professor of sociology at Southern Oregon University and he chairs SOU’s healthcare administration program. He joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2023.
Born and raised on the island of Jamaica, Larry completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in demography at the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica, near Kingston. He later moved to the U.S. where he earned his doctorate degree in sociology with a specialization in family demography from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
He enjoys developing and conducting community-based research, especially related to the social determinants of health. His research has explored reproductive health issues and healthcare inequities for people living with disabilities. Larry considers La Clinica a southern Oregon “institution” and a bridge-builder organization that works to enhance the well-being of community residents, especially those who are underserved and marginalized.
Larry is married to his best friend, Latoya, and they do lots of traveling, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.
Scott Lewis
Scott Lewis, a real estate broker with John L. Scott and former longtime TV meteorologist, joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2023.
He has been involved in nonprofits in Jackson County as a volunteer, donor, and board member. Through this work he has seen the high demand for quality health care and the importance of making care available to anyone who needs it without regard to their ability to pay.
“Health care to me should be a fundamental right and is a service obligation of a developed and caring community,” he said.
Scott is pleased to put his ability to connect people, build community, and raise awareness to work for La Clinica.
He graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and journalism and a minor in science. He also has credit from six other colleges and universities. Scott went back to school for intensive studies in meteorology, climatology, and geosciences, then earned two professional accreditations.
Scott has volunteered with Britt Festival, Mount Ashland Ski Patrol, the local Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program, and Children’s Miracle Network, and more recently the Oregon Wine Experience. Scott credits Wings Seminars, now part of La Clinica’s The Learning Well service, with having a “profoundly positive” impact on his life and health. He lives in Medford with his wife, Cherie.
Lynne Lowe
Lynne Lowe is a community volunteer who joined La Clinica’s board in January 2023.
She lives in Medford. Lynne grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and moved to the Rogue Valley in 2013. She worked as an administrative assistant at University of California, Santa Barbara; Children’s Home Society, and Yardi Systems, a tech company in Santa Barbara, California. Her career also included work as an information specialist and bookseller.
In Oregon, she has helped Oak Grove Elementary School students build literacy and a love of reading as a SMART Reading volunteer. She was also active at her church in Medford, serving as a greeter.
Lynne volunteered with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for 13 years. She also was an event coordinator for festivals celebrating film and independent zines, comics, and other small press publishers.
She first came to La Clinica as a patient of the Mobile Health Center. She serves on La Clinica’s Patient Insight Council.
“I am passionate about helping others,” Lynne said.
She is proud to be an ambassador for La Clinica and to work to make sure everyone has access to excellent and affordable health care.
Monica Morales
Monica Morales is chief financial officer at Addiction Recovery Center. She joined the board of La Clinica in February 2018.
Monica holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain, and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Cadiz in Cadiz, Spain. She is a certified public accountant. She is a board member of the Family Nurturing Center and the Rotary Club of Ashland.
Monica was born in Spain and moved to southern Oregon in 2003. Before moving to the United States, she practiced finance in industries in Spain and France. Monica enjoys running, reading, and travelling with her husband, Joe Davis, and their two children.
Joanne Noone
Joanne Noone is director of Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing’s master’s in nursing education program, in which she also teaches. She joined La Clinica’s board of directors in October 2023.
She first connected with La Clinica as OHSU School of Nursing’s Ashland campus associate dean, placing nursing students for clinical experience. She also collaborated with La Clinica on other community work.
Joanne’s scholarly and community work focus on health equity. She is dedicated to eliminating inequities and improving nursing workforce diversity. She is committed to and has deep connections across nursing education.
She previously served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, as well as on state and county public health advisory boards and nursing organizations.
Joanne has earned her doctorate in nursing from University of Hawaii, her master’s degrees in nursing from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and her bachelor’s degree from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York.
Joanne lives in Ashland and enjoys hiking, the Oregon coast, Zumba, and pickleball.
Lisa Parks
Lisa Parks, dean of workforce development at Rogue Community College, joined La Clinica’s board of directors in March 2023.
In previous roles at Rogue Community College, Lisa was director of allied health and director of the Southern Oregon HOPE grant that aimed to provide people living in poverty with training and support to build healthcare careers. She also teaches communication courses for healthcare students for the community college. Lisa worked as a senior program manager at Rogue Workforce Partnership, a business-led nonprofit dedicated to workforce development. In that work Lisa partnered with La Clinica to develop healthcare training programs and help get students clinical experience as part of their education before gaining employment.
Lisa grew up in the Rogue Valley and has life experiences that inform and support her commitment to removing barriers to social support, education, and health care within our community.
Lisa has an associate of arts Oregon transfer degree from RCC, a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Southern Oregon University, and a master’s degree in communication and curriculum development from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jeanne Pickens
Jeanne Pickens is chief operations officer at Rogue Credit Union and joined La Clinica’s board in 2021.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Southern Oregon University and an executive master’s degree in business administration from Washington State University.
Jeanne has lived and worked in Southern Oregon since 2000, building connections in the community and seeing how La Clinica fills gaps and provides care for vulnerable people who might otherwise struggle to get their healthcare needs met. Her husband works for Medford Police Department’s Livability Team, giving her insight into the complex issues related to healthcare, mental health, and housing faced by people who are homeless.
She is interested in helping people in underserved communities overcome barriers and improve their lives. In both her career and her volunteer efforts, Jeanne loves finding ways community organizations can work together to make Southern Oregon a better place for us all. She is happy to advocate for La Clinica and the people it serves.
She and her husband and two children enjoy rafting and camping trips during the summer.
Linda Reid
Board president
Linda Reid is a housing program specialist for the city of Ashland. She joined La Clinica’s board in January 2018.
Linda attended Southern Oregon University and earned a bachelor’s degree in history with minors in Latin American history and women’s studies and a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University. She has completed two social work internships: one with Oregon Action and one with Veterans Affairs.
She is a member of the Jackson County Homeless Task Force and secretary of the Oak Grove Parent-Teacher Organization.
Born in Southern Oregon, Linda now lives in Medford with her husband, their son, two basset hounds, and a rescued shelter cat. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, camping, renovating old houses, and baking.
Linda said she has always admired La Clinica and the work the organization does in the community. “When the opportunity to contribute to that work arose, I was excited to step up,” she said.
Paul Rostykus
Paul Rostykus is a retired family and emergency medicine physician and a longtime supporter of La Clinica who joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2020.
Paul moved to the Rogue Valley in October 1987 to work as a family medicine physician at Clinica Azteca, the predecessor of La Clinica organized to provide care for agricultural workers and their families. He worked for La Clinica briefly in its early years and was a board member in the 1990s.
During a career that spanned more than three decades in the Rogue Valley, Paul worked in a variety of settings, including family medicine, emergency medicine, occupational health, public health, and emergency medical services. These experiences give him a broad view of the interrelationships and complexity of our healthcare system with its many opportunities and challenges.
From the emergency room, Paul often referred patients without an established primary care provider to La Clinica for follow-up care. Over his almost 30 years as EMS medical director for 20 of Jackson County’s fire and ambulance agencies, he learned how to bring groups with diverse interests and priorities together for the common good.
Paul earned his medical degree and a master’s degree in public health from University of Washington. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Washington State University.
Paul lives in Ashland with his partner, Jan, and continues to explore the outdoors through hiking running, biking, skiing, and kayaking.
Brad Russell
Brad Russell is CEO/executive director of the Rogue Valley Family YMCA. He joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2016.
Brad holds a master’s degree in recreation management from Springfield College in Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine. He is a board member of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon.
Born in Pennsylvania, Brad lived in New York, Texas, and California before moving to Oregon. He and his wife, Stella Russell, a registered nurse, settled in Central Point with their three dogs. He enjoys outdoor activities, water sports, and learning about different cultures.
In the community, he helps lead the local gang prevention task force and organizes the annual Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference and trainings conducted by the Rogue Valley Nonprofit Network.
La Clinica was a good fit with his interests and values.
“I admire the cause, the organization’s history, and the current board and staff,” he said.
Lindsey Trautman
Lindsey Trautman is chief financial officer for People’s Bank, where she has worked since 2005. She joined La Clinica’s board of directors in 2021.
Lindsey is a Southern Oregon native and graduate of Eagle Point High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in management accounting at Southern Oregon University and has completed continuing education for community bankers through Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, a training program created by professional associations and the University of Colorado.
She has been involved in nonprofits supporting youth through health programs in schools and activities. Her volunteer work has included serving as secretary for the People’s Bank of Commerce Foundation; treasurer for Greater Medford Rotary; chair of the local chapter of the Risk Management Association, an organization for financial service professionals; and auction committee chair for the D9 Foundation, which supports scholarships and dental and health programs for Upper Rogue communities in Eagle Point School District 9.
Lindsey recognizes that the Rogue Valley is a regional hub for health care and sees opportunities to make sure quality health and well-being services are available in our community, especially to those with low or moderate incomes who may be uninsured or have inadequate insurance.
Lindsey lives in Central Point with her husband and two boys. She enjoys reading, outdoor activities, and crafting.
Christie Van Aken
Christie Van Aken served as the director of social services at the Housing Authority of Jackson County for 24 years before retiring in October 2017. She directed educational and life enrichment services for people living in housing authority properties and supported residents’ employment goals through a family self-sufficiency program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As a social worker, she saw how vital accessible, affordable health care is for the well-being of individuals and families. She long worked with La Clinica as a community partner and served on the La Clinica board from 2009 to 2018, then rejoined the board in 2020.
Christie received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. She moved to the Rogue Valley from Santa Cruz, California in 1988 and raised her three children in Jacksonville. Christie enjoys taking care of her land in the Jacksonville hills, her two dogs, and two cats. She also likes exploring the surrounding areas with family and friends.
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