Student Services Coordinator at Confluence Health​

Casey began her tenure as Wellness Place board member in May 2020.  Her position as Student Services Coordinator for Confluence Health, as well as serving on the Advisory Committees for Nursing, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Tech Programs at Wenatchee Valley College and other area colleges, brings a unique healthcare perspective to the board.
 
Casey has many family members who’ve been affected by cancer.  Both of her Grandparents, her father and Aunt are all cancer survivors.  Her sister also had a breast cancer scare.  

Casey grew up in Wenatchee.  Her father was a Cardiologist for Wenatchee Valley Clinic from 1980-retirement in January of 2016.  She left to pursue a career in Exercise Science, attending PLU (Bachelor’s) and University of Montana (Masters) and worked in both Montana and Brewster, WA, before settling back in Wenatchee to work for Confluence Health and raise a family with her husband Jesson.  Together they share daughter Elsa (5) and Monte (3).

Chief Financial Officer at Cashmere Valley Bank​

Mike recently joined our board and brings previous nonprofit organization experience, along with a personal connection to cancer. Mike, his wife Kendall, and their 6 year old twins moved to Wenatchee Valley three years ago. Kendall is an Oncology RN at Confluence Health, so they both know what a cancer journey entails. He also lost his grandmother to cancer when he was 13, and has friends and family who also lost relatives. Before moving to NCW, he spent a number of years as a volunteer board member for the nonprofit organizations Child Start and Mentis Finance Committee, both located in Napa, CA.

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His extensive Finance and Audit experience, as well as Human Resources supervision, will be a great asset to Wellness Place.

"I believe services provided by the Wellness Place are essential to our community and I would like to assist any way I can," says Mike.

Retired Director of Geophysics at BP​

At the invitation of Wellness Place founder Dr. Carl Kjobech, Stephen joined as a board member in the fall of 2019.  He currently serves as Treasurer of the organization. ​

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Stephen himself is a prostate cancer survivor.  His mother survived a battle with breast cancer.  However, he lost his father from complications related to Lung Cancer.  He has also lost close friends to cancer.  Stephen states “I felt very lucky to have the means and support to help me through my ordeal, but many are not so fortunate.  It feels so good to be part of an organization that provides help to people when they need it most.” ​

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Stephen and his wife Susan retired in Wenatchee in the summer of 2015.  They looked everywhere from Denver to Bellingham, and found Wenatchee to be  a great decision for their retirement home. They enjoy their life here and are glad to be involved in the community.

Physical Therapist, Associates in Physical Therapy

Kendra grew up in upper Wenatchee Valley near Peshastin, before moving to the west side to attend the University of Washington for a B.S. in Psychology.  She went on to attend the University of Puget Sound and obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy. After completing her residency program to become an orthopedic certified specialist, she moved back to her roots to the upper Wenatchee Valley with her growing family. 

Kendra was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and unfortunately her sister received the same news less than two months later. While undergoing treatments and later survivorship, she found a young adult cancer survivor support group in Seattle to be a valuable resource for information and camaraderie that only this group could provide. After moving back to the Wenatchee Valley, she wanted to give back to her community by helping to advocate for this often under-served young adult population and found Wellness Place in 2017 to be an inspiring place to volunteer as a board member, and now she is the board Secretary. 
 

While living on the west side of the mountains, Kendra really enjoyed playing recreational soccer, running, road cycling, and dabbled in triathlons. Now that she has moved to the Wenatchee valley, her priorities have shifted to her growing family. 

Volunteer/Community Advocate

Anne first became involved with Wellness Place in 2005 as a cancer survivor.  She joined the board in 2017 and currently represents the Chelan area as a board member.  

Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005.  Her sister-in-law was diagnosed 4 months later, and they walked their journeys together.  While Anne is now a survivor, unfortunately her sister-in-law lost her battle in 2016.  Anne continues to stay involved in the cancer community as a faithful supporter of Wellness Place and by facilitating a Breast Cancer Support Group in Chelan, WA.  

“My husband and I met at Mt. Rainier National Park as rangers,”  she says.  “But he was born and raised in Chelan.  So when he retired (in 2000), we moved to Chelan with our 2 sons.”  Anne states she loves being involved in such a vital and important asset in our community!

Naturopathic Physician

Dr. Villano has worked in conjunction with Wellness Place over the last 15 years from loose involvement with another local non-profit.  She is a co-founder of EASE Foundation, and sat on their Board of Directors for 15 years.  She joined the Wellness Place board in May 2019. 
 

She is a local Naturopathic Physician whose life has been significantly affected by cancer.  She is passionate about preventive education and easing the burden of those affected by cancer.  She feels honored to serve as a board member for Wellness Place and inspired by the important assistance WP provides across NCW communities.​
 

Dr. Villano has suffered the loss of family members and loved ones to cancer.  She also has several family members who are survivors.  Her passion is helping others with cancer and bringing her experience to the cancer community we serve.​After graduating medical school over 16 years ago, she moved to the Wenatchee Valley and married her husband, whose grand-parents and parents created Ohme Gardens, a beloved local historical treasure.

Internal Medicine Physician, Confluence Health​

Dr Graham has a love for NCW, as she was born and raised in Moses Lake.  After finishing eleven years of school and training she returned to Wenatchee three years ago, and joined as a Wellness Place board member November 2019.  She has been impacted personally and professionally by cancer, having lost three grandparents to cancer, as well as many friends you have had their own cancer battles. 

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​As a Primary Care Physician at Confluence Health, Dr Graham has cared for many of her patients and families through their journey with cancer.  "I am constantly inspired by their strength, grace and hope and I am grateful to be able to be a part of an organization like Wellness Place that provides such important support and resources during this difficult time in people's lives." 

Contact Center Specialist at Confluence Health

Sharon began her tenure as Wellness Place board member in May 2020.  She works as a Contact Care Specialist at Confluence Health.  She has experience in fundraising, as she has participated in cancer fundraisers for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and CHOC walk at Disneyland (which funds research & awareness to help cure Pediatric Cancer).   

Sharon has a very personal connection to her previous fundraisers and the pediatric cancer community.  Her grandson, Carter, was diagnosed with Leukemia as a 4-year-old, and tragically passed from treatment complications at the age of 6.  She also lost her sister-in-law to colon cancer.  

“As Carter’s grandma and his daddy’s mother, I was initiated into the all consuming Cancer Community.  His parents became fierce advocates for him and other families. I am grateful and honored to become a WP Board Member and excited to serve on a local level, while honoring my sweet grandson.”

Retired Oncology Physician - Confluence Health

In 2003 Dr Carl Kjobech, a Hematologist and Oncologist (1969-2002) at Confluence Health founded Wellness Place, and spent many years as President of the Board of Directors.

"In 1999 I moved from the Physician's seat to the patient's chair when I was told I had prostate cancer. Because of my professional and personal experience with cancer, I see how the patient's needs at the time of diagnosis and thereafter go beyond formal medical support. These needs can best be met by a non-profit organization.  We provide information and compassionate support for the patients diagnoses each year in our area." 

Co-owner of Icicle Brewing Company and München Haus​

Pam has a vast amount of experience in non-profits, and has served on non-profit boards and committees since 2003 including her recent President role at the Washington Brewers Guild, and currently serves on the board at Community Foundation of NCW, Leavenworth Rotary, Cascade High School CTE Advisory Board, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and more. ​

She and her husband Oliver and their three kids (Gabrielle, Josh & Elise) moved to Leavenworth nearly 20 years ago​ and opened München Haus Bavarian Grill and later Icicle Brewing Company, two favorite Leavenworth establishments. ​

"In 2014 I was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Wellness Place was such an amazing resource when I was undergoing chemo and radiation and beyond into survivorship, so I look forward to being able to give back to this amazing organization."

Development Director of the Numberica Performing Arts Center.

She is a WSU and WVC graduate and Wenatchee native with over a decade of marketing and fundraising experience for nonprofits and several years of nonprofit consulting. After undergoing aggressive breast cancer treatment as a young adult, Marissa has been a champion for cancer awareness and support, which is what led her to assist in coordinating the 2023 Wine Women & Shoes and join the Wellness Place Board in 2023. Marissa also serves on the NCW Arts Alliance Board, YP NCW Committees, First United Methodist Church Council, and WVC Graphic Design Advisory Committee.

Many thanks to our past board members for their service

Linette Gahringer
Megan Kovanen
Thomas Halgren, MD 
Patrick Aylward
Callie Klein

Maggie Kaminoff
Mary Gunkel
Melissa Knott
David Weber, MD
Justin Harris, DPT