Meet Our Staff

Dana Miller serves as the Interim Executive Director of Battle Ground HealthCare. He joined the organization following his retirement from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, where he led the Trust's grant staff, programs, and related processes for 16 years. Prior to his tenure at the Trust, Dana held senior leadership roles in three different institutions of higher education, including Vice President for Advancement at George Fox University. He holds degrees from Kent State University and Friends University.

Alissa Watkins serves as Development Director of BGHC. She joined as a Development Specialist contractor in 2019 and was appointed Director of Development in 2022. She brings a wealth of experience in marketing, communications, and the nonprofit sector, with a strong focus on community engagement, relationship-building, and fundraising. Alissa is dedicated to engaging and building partnerships with community members who share the goal of making healthcare more accessible to everyone in southwest Washington. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from James Madison University and a graduate degree in Marketing/Marketing Research from Penn State University.

Kathryn (Katie) Pence, PA-C currently serves as the Associate Director of Medical Services at BGHC. She graduated from UC Davis and boasts an impressive 29 years of experience in Internal Medicine and Family Practice. Throughout her career, Katie has held numerous leadership roles, including ACP Coordinator, Chairman of Internal Medicine, and President of Allied Health Professionals. Under Katie's leadership, access to medical services at BGHC has significantly increased. Her dedication and innovative approach have greatly enhanced the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

Krista Pietila serves as our Dental Coordinator, overseeing the activities of the dental clinic to ensure its smooth and efficient functioning. With over 20 years of dental experience in our community, Krista joined BGHC in 2020. Under her leadership, dental visits have quadrupled. She has successfully recruited a variety of dental professionals to become BGHC volunteers. Krista works personally with our patients to ensure they receive the compassionate care they need.

Robyn Johnson serves as our Patient Navigator helping our patients enroll in health care coverage. Born in Canada and raised in Spain, Robyn is bilingual, which greatly enhances her ability to assist a diverse patient population. With experience in the healthcare field since 2015, she considers it a privilege to serve our patients and help them find the healthcare coverage that is right for them. Robyn holds a BA in Business Administration from Averett University.

Coming Soon

Dr. Sepe joined BGHC in 2023 as our part-time dentist. He works closely with the dental staff and volunteers to provide screenings, diagnostic services, restorations, extractions, dentures, and hygiene services for our patients. Dr. Sepe graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and has practiced dentistry for 44 years. Until 2022, he operated a solo practice in Ridgefield. In 2016, he received a Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry, the highest honor and one of the most respected designations within the profession.

Audrey Adames is a dedicated Clinic Nurse and Care Manager graduated 2009 and for the last 15 years has spent her career working with a variety of patients in all walks of life which has at BGHC, enabled Audrey to focus on enhancing community health by creating pathways for individuals to access healthcare despite social barriers. Audrey's work and positivity continues to make a significant impact, reflecting her unwavering dedication to both her role and the community.

Jocelyn Gomez-Melchor is a Registered Dental Assistant with 1.5 years of professional experience. She graduated with honors from Evergreen High School in 2024, excelling in Spanish and Geometry, and earned certificates in Dental Programs 1 & 2 from Cascadia Technical Academy. Jocelyn was a Student Dental Assistant at Cascadia Technical Academy Dental Clinic and is now serving as a Dental Assistant here at BGHC. She is committed to fostering positive environments and improving patient care, providing effective healthcare solutions to all those who need it.

Lauren Miller joined Battle Ground HealthCare as our Administration and Development Associate in August of 2024. With 7 years of experience in project management, team leadership, and admin support, Lauren plays a key role in enhancing our operational efficiency and supporting growth initiatives. At BGHC, Lauren is dedicated to expanding our impact and believes our community’s resilience and strength is amplified when health care is accessible to all.

Sandra Akrawi is the Diabetes Education Program Coordinator at Battle Ground HealthCare. She works collaboratively with the clinic team to provide personalized medical nutrition therapy to a diverse patient population and coordinates the Diabetes Prevention Program. With over 20 years of experience, Sandra is dedicated to delivering quality health education and inspiration to diverse populations, colleagues, and the community. Sandra holds a graduate degree in Nutritional Science and Education from San Jose State University and an undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Food Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Since Battle Ground HealthCare opened its doors in 2011, Dr. Jens Metzger has served as its Medical Director. In this role, he has devoted countless hours to providing medical direction and patient care. As the Preceptor for the Legacy/Vancouver Clinic Internal Medicine Residency Clinic, Dr. Metzger is guiding the next generation of physicians who complete part of their community health rotation at BGHC. Dr. Metzger earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle, WA. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, in Sacramento, CA.

Susie Clairmont has been a healthcare chaplain at Battle Ground HealthCare since 2022. She brings over 40 years of experience in healthcare as a registered nurse, 6 years of experience as a pastor, and 4 years as a chaplain in disaster relief and healthcare settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from DePauw University and is a licensed pastor with the Foursquare Church, with ordination pending in October 2024. In her role as Chaplain at Battle Ground HealthCare, Susie provides a listening presence to patients, their families, and staff experiencing loss, challenges, and various forms of pain. She has formed and leads an intercessory prayer team for the clinic and believes that spiritual care by the chaplain and support by the prayer team contribute to the holistic care of individuals, which is the foundation of Battle Ground HealthCare.

Dr. Steven D. Hokett has served as Co-Director of Dental Services for BGHC since 2013. He earned a Master of Clinical Research degree from the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School at San Antonio. Dr. Hokett is currently an assistant professor at the Post-Graduate Residency in Periodontics in the Department of Periodontology at the Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Dentistry, where he helps to train periodontal residents in surgery and with their research projects. Dr. Hokett has authored or co-authored many articles and is licensed to practice in Washington and Oregon.