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Social Health Program

Waterfall Community Health Center’s Social Health Navigation Team

It is the vision of the Waterfall Community Health Center’s Social Health Program to provide patients with the opportunity to receive equitable access to integrated health care, regardless of any barriers they may experience. As such, we recognize that Social Determinants, such as lack of transportation or financial strain, play a centralized role in a person’s overall health or lack of health and well-being. The Social Health Program provides services and links to local resources for Waterfall patients who are experiencing certain barriers to their health. We hope to empower our Waterfall community with the services, and education needed to live whole and healthy lives.

Health Insurance Enrollment

Waterfall has a long standing history of working with community members who have health insurance questions. We have qualified and trained assisters who will help you check your eligibility and work with you to enroll or re-enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.

Call us at 541-756-6232 and make an appointment with our Social Health team today!

Please bring the following information to your appointment for OHP applications: (Any questions please feel free to call our Social Health Navigation Team prior to your appointment.)

  • Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members, even if they are not applying for coverage.

    (The term “household” applies to anyone that is, or would be if you filed, included on your tax returns.)

  • Income verification for all household members, even if they are not applying for coverage.

    (wage stubs, social security award letter, unemployment benefit letter, etc.)

  • Any immigration documentation for all family members.

Social Determinants of Health

We understand that your health needs and goals may encompass more than what is covered by your medical exams. We care about you and your well-being and our Navigators will work with you to overcome any barriers you may be experiencing.

Ask us about our personal care options.

Are you cold? Are you hungry? Let us know.

Are you having trouble getting to and from your medical appointments? We will explore transportation options that will fit your lifestyle.

Are you struggling with housing issues? The Social Health Team can help you navigate available housing assistance programs.

Do you struggle with medication costs? We can help you search for prescription assistance programs.

Are you in need of employment or education? Social Health staff can connect you with an array of job, school, and training resources.

Are you experiencing high levels of STRESS? We can refer you to a weekly on-site stress management class run by Waterfall staff.

Ask us about available eye care and dental assistance programs.

Are you a Veteran? A member of a Native American Tribe? A senior? A member of the LGBTQ+ community? Are you feeling isolated and unsure of what services may be available to you? We can connect you to community support and resources.

Veggie Rx Program

Waterfall’s Veggie Rx program is designed to address food insecurity and increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables for our patients.  This program is open to all patients free of charge, and patients can come by once a week to get a bag of produce.  If it’s your first time visiting us, you get a free reusable grocery bag to take your food home with! Waterfall also has a produce station available without prescription to all youth at our Marshfield School Based Health Center.

Social Health Program Staff

Jody Tolman, THW

Social Health Program Manager

Jody Tolman is a Coos County native, as were both of her parents. She has never lived anywhere else! Jody has worked in the medical field since she was 19. She has had many different positions at Waterfall Community Health Center ever since she started in the front office here in June of 2012. She obtained Community Health Worker certification in 2017 from OSU through a course they offered at SWOCC. Jody became Social Health program manager in June of 2022. Gardening and taking drives off of the beaten path are some of her and her husband’s favorite weekend pastimes.

Nicole Norris, MA, THW

Chief Quality Officer

Nicole Norris is the Chief Quality Officer and oversees the Social Health program and all quality improvement processes that ensure the delivery of quality care to Waterfall patients. Though she was raised in San Francisco, Nicole spent quite a bit of her youth visiting her grandparents in Oregon, camping and exploring all the different and beautiful Oregonian landscapes, from the high desert to the mountains to the coast; she has been a resident for more than 25 years. Nicole has a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Oregon University and a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Oregon. She was an Anthropology instructor at Southwestern Oregon Community College from 2005 to 2021, as well as a tribal archaeologist and Tribal Historic Officer for the Coquille Indian Tribe. She finds the unique beauty of the landscape features on the South coast interwoven with its rich human history invigorating and with her human and canine kids, is happy to call Coos County her home.

Heather Malcomb, THW

School-Based Patient Navigator

Heather Malcomb has called Coos County “home” her whole life.  She was born and raised in Coos Bay and graduated from Marshfield High School.  When she joined the family at Waterfall Community Health Center in August of 2021, she was brand new to the medical field, but her extensive background in customer service laid a great foundation for her role at the front desk.  Heather loves to help those around her in whatever way she can, so when a position for a Patient Navigator opened the following year, she felt it was an excellent opportunity to explore this strength.  She earned her Community Health Worker certification in 2023 and truly feels this role was made for her.  In her spare time, Heather loves to create art of all kinds, go roller skating with her old derby teammates, spend time with her family, and work on keeping her small collection of houseplants alive.

Kara Kutch

Patient Navigator | OHP/Marketplace Liaison

Kara Kutch was born and raised in Coos County and is a true Oregonian at heart. From camping in the forest to hiking at the beach, there is not much of the Oregon Coast that she hasn’t encountered. Along with exploring the outdoors, her other hobbies include reading, gardening, playing with her two cats, and learning new things. As a Patient Navigator at Waterfall Community Health Center, Kara is dedicated to helping members of the community gain access to resources that will improve their lives. She is passionate about assisting patients with whatever needs they may have and is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Delpha Coffman

Patient Navigator

Delpha Coffman is a local, being raised in Coos Bay – though spending holidays and summers in Phoenix, Arizona. Delpha earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University and received his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. Over the past 10-years, he’s taken on several roles in his career, working in: Education, behavioral health, and social services. Delpha is passionate about ensuring equal access to public goods and services – advocating for individuals and the greater good for our communities. He enjoys spending time with his chiweenie friend, Iggy, reading, listening to music, and learning new things.

Ginger Ewing

Patient Navigator

I have lived in Oregon my whole life from living in the rural farming community of Eastern Oregon to Bandon- by-the-Sea, where I graduated High school in 2019, to more recently where I spent four years to complete my bachelors’ degree in public health at Linfield University in McMinnville, I hope to continue my education by getting my master’s in public health. Growing up I have been immersed into the health care field though various reasons including personal, educational, and family careers. Ever since I could remember helping others and people in my community has always been my goal. Here at Waterfall Community Health Center, I can achieve that goal without a doubt.

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