Meet Our Staff

Sue Neal is the Executive Director of BGHC and has over three decades of experience with a strong focus on various aspects of healthcare. Since 2014, Sue has steered Battle Ground Health Care through significant challenges and growth. Under her leadership, the organization successfully navigated the complexities of the pandemic, relocated to a new facility, and substantially expanded patient services. Her dedication to the vision of creating a healthier community is evident and she is deeply committed to fostering a positive environment characterized by teamwork and collaboration. Sue holds a nursing degree from the OHSU School of Nursing and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

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.

Jessica Santillan joined BGHC in 2023 and serves as our Community Health Worker. In this role, she helps patients identify and navigate various health and social resources they need. Jessica establishes trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement. She is also a team member of our Diabetes Education Program. Trained as a medical assistant, her bilingual skills are invaluable in serving our diverse community.

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.

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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.

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