PeaceHealth Announces New Providers
PeaceHealth is pleased to announce these new providers:
Virginia Durrett is a nurse practitioner with the inpatient Palliative Care team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She completed the adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program at Grand Canyon University based in Phoenix, Ariz. She has worked in the medical field for over 15 years in various roles, including as an RN, nurse’s assistant and licensed practical nurse.
Sarah Erb, a family nurse practitioner, has joined the Trauma team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She has a special interest in bone health and osteoporosis. She earned her master’s degree of nursing, family nurse practitioner from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as a nurse practitioner in orthopedic trauma at the University of New Mexico Hospital Trauma Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
Dr. Mariko Ferronato has joined the Trauma Surgery team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned her medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences: College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, Calif. She previously worked as a trauma and acute care surgeon at Salem Health Medical Group. “I believe that access to high-quality healthcare is a basic human right,” she says. “I chose to practice medicine — and surgery, in particular — because I enjoy helping people when they need it most.”
Kemble Green is a nurse practitioner with the inpatient Palliative Care team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned a masters of science in nursing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. She believes that “every patient has the right to know the truth about their healthcare status, the effects of treatments and their prognosis.”
Dr. Ben Huneycutt has joined PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend as a hospitalist. He earned his medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine in Greenville, NC. He says he believes in providing “effective, efficient care to everyone.”
Kerin Konkler, a nurse practitioner, has joined the Pediatric Surgery team at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned her master of science in nursing: family nurse practitioner from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. She previously worked as a family nurse practitioner at The Corvallis Clinic. She says, “my goal for patients and families is to empower them to be their own advocate – giving them control of their health – by providing comprehensive, empathetic care coupled with tailored education.”
Julia Koos, a nurse practitioner, has joined the Cardiology team at Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute (OHVI) at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned her master of science in nursing from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. She is returning to OHVI where she was a telemetry tech and certified nursing assistant from 2011-2016. She then worked as an intensive care unit staff RN at Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. She strives for patients to “leave our visit feeling like their concerns have been heard and they are able to achieve an understanding and acceptance of their individualized plan of care.”
Jessica LeDoux, a physician assistant, has joined the Cardiology team at Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute (OHVI) at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned her master of physician assistant studies from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Mont. She is returning to OHVI, where she was a certified medical assistant from 2016 to 2020. “Knowledge is power,” she says. “I want to help take away the fear of the unknown when it comes to my patients’ heart health.”
Dr. Joshua Skufca has joined PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Family Medicine team. He will be based at the University District clinic. He earned his medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Iowa. He previously was a Family Medicine doctor at Sanford Health in Fargo, N.D. In describing his practice, he says,” I believe each person is an individual and needs individualized care.”
Benjamin Smith, AuD, has joined PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Audiology and Ear Nose and Throat team at University District. He earned his doctor of audiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has over a decade of experience providing audiology services and interventions to people of all ages, from infants to older adults. “I strive to enhance each patient’s communication, quality of life and enjoyment of sound through evaluation, technology and informative counseling. I enjoy helping each patient find solutions to their hearing and communication challenges — no matter how complex.”
Dr. Amber Vester has joined PeaceHealth Medical Group’s West Eugene Urgent Care clinic. She earned her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, Calif. “Practicing medicine allows me to combine my love of science and anatomy with my passion for caring for people,” she says. “The art of medicine is being able to apply the science to the individual patient sitting in front of you. That challenge and personal connection keeps me engaged and committed to patient care.”
Brett White, a physician assistant, has joined PeaceHealth Medical Group’s West Eugene Urgent Care clinic. He earned his masters of science, physician assistant studies from Idaho State University in Pocatello. “I believe healing comes in many forms: meeting people where they are in life and listening; teaching and advocating; providing guidance through the complex and often unfamiliar world of medicine; offering knowledge and experience with up-to-date treatment options.” He was a teacher and a firefighter before becoming a physician assistant.
Heather Wolfe, a nurse practitioner, has joined the Cardiology team at Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. She earned her master of science in nursing, family nurse practitioner at The University of Texas at Arlington. She previously worked as a family nurse practitioner at Healing Hearts Clinic in Conroe, Texas. She says she strives “to provide high-quality empathetic care that is personal to each individual. I believe individualized education empowers each patient to improve their health outcomes.”
