Heritage Health names new board members
Four community leaders recently joined the Heritage Health Board of Directors.
Kathie Lyon, George Rohlinger, Liz Montgomery and Paul Amador will help guide the growing community health center into the future.
Heritage Health, a nonprofit, has 15 members serving on the board, and the majority are patients.
“It’s what makes us unique,” said CEO Mike Baker, in a news release. “Community health centers are nonprofit organizations governed by a board of directors comprised of patients actively using health center services. This model ensures that patients and health care providers are managing care, rather than insurance companies or shareholders. This is an incredible model and it is one that continues to adapt and evolve as the healthcare needs of the community change.”
Lyon went to Eastern Washington University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and she obtained her CPA certification shortly thereafter. Lyon has been active in the business community in several roles, including as the principal CPA in her practice for many years. In 2007, she was one of the founders of Community 1st Bank, a local startup bank in Post Falls that currently has branches in both Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene.
“I’ve always felt that it was good and right to do a little bit of good wherever you are, and the group at Heritage Health does just that as if they are the hands and feet of God,” said Lyon. “I am privileged to be a part of it.”
Rohlinger is a Harvard Business School graduate who has worked in health care and investment banking for more than 25 years.
“Heritage Health delivers services that positively impact our whole community,” said Rohlinger. “I am proud to participate on the board and nurture this vital and respected resource.”
Currently, he is the executive vice president of corporate development at Apogee Physicians; an advisor to Ovation Fertility, a company he helped form and secure private equity capital; and a co-founder of Redyns Medical, a medical technology development company. He serves the Patient Family Advisory Council at Kootenai Health and is a board member of Books for Tots.
Montgomery, who is the founder and executive director of the Inland Northwest SIDS/SUID Foundation, is an advocate for raising awareness and educating people about the best safe infant sleep practices.
“I believe that everyone, no matter if they have health insurance or not, should have access to quality healthcare in their community,” said Montgomery. “Heritage Health provides this to my community and I am honored to be part of their team. I also have a passion for child safety and plan to support the pediatrics program in any way that I can.”
After the death of her 5½-month-old son, Mason, due to an accidental sleep-related death in 2003, Montgomery has been and continues to be passionate about educating the public on safe infant sleep practices and providing support to those who have experienced a pregnancy, infant or child loss. In 2012, she founded the nationally recognized non-profit, Inland Northwest SIDS/SUID Foundation.
Montgomery is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Amador, a state representative, said he is excited to contribute to the legacy of Lidwin Dirne, the founder of Heritage Health.
“Providing affordable and accessible health care is critical to the well-being of any community,” said Amador. “Heritage Health has been a leader in this regard for thousands of Idahoans over the past several decades.”
Amador previously worked for the University of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene, as director of program planning and development. Currently, he has an education and development consulting business with his wife, Julie, and owns a small family farm with his brother and sister.
The new board members will join Heritage Health’s existing team of Dr. Jana Hull, Brinnon Mandel, Christopher Way, Mark Hampe, Michael Schmidt, Linda Johann, Donna Austin, Ann Dare, Ron Beecher, Pam Thompson and Ryan Bones.