About Us
Our association is the Oregon State Chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters.
About OAHU
OAHU is a non-profit organization of insurance professionals dedicated to serving the public by strengthening the insurance marketplace, advocating for effective legislation, ethical leadership and professional standards, and by educating our members and the consumers they serve.
The Oregon Association of Health Underwriters (OAHU) is the state's largest association for health insurance agents, brokers and other professionals. Our members help millions of Oregonians find, purchase and use their health care coverage, resulting in greater health and financial security. We recognize the health care system can be overwhelming for consumers who interact with it only occasionally. Through education and training programs, we enhance the ability of our membership to provide better and more complete service. Through our members' community and political involvement we seek to improve communities throughout Oregon. Through our legislative efforts, we have fought for the rights of consumers relative to costs and the ability to continue purchasing health care and the financing for it through the private sector. Our members have a unique understanding of consumer health care needs, the perspective of business owners and the economic realities of health insurance markets.
About the Agent, Broker or Consultant
OAHU health insurance agents, brokers and consultants are highly qualified professionals who are trained and experienced in guiding individuals and employers through the complexities of choosing appropriate, affordable health plans. These professionals must be licensed by the Oregon Department of Insurance. An agent must complete continuing education in order to keep that license. Through OAHU, they keep abreast of new developments and standards in the health insurance industry, learn about new options that may better serve their clients, and, because they usually represent a number of insurance companies, can offer a wide range of options and alternatives.
The independence of the agent offers a very important distinction in that their objective is to keep the client for a lifetime. Since the client can end the relationship at any time, the agent is motivated to help the client decide on the best possible plan for his or her needs, and provide ongoing service after the sale.
OAHU believes that our members hold a unique position as an advocate for the health plan consumer and can be a valuable player in progress toward the right kind of health care reform.
Thank you for visiting our website, and please contact any of our board members for additional information.
OAHU Board of Directors
| President Reine Morris Kaiser Permanente e-mail: reine.c.morris@kp.org |
President Elect e-mail: |
| Treasurer Linda Huiras The Hecht Group e-mail: Linda@hechtgrp.com |
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| Legislative Chair Jamie Sewell The CHP Group e-mail: jsewell@chpgroup.com |
Membership Chair Jason Fullan PacificSource Health Plan e-mail: jfullan@pacificsource.com |
| PR/Media Chair Sally Kallianis Willamette Dental e-mail: skallianis@willamettedental.com |
OAHU PAC Chair Steve Doty Northwest Employee Benefits, Inc. e-mail: sdoty@nwebi.com |
| Awards Chair Maully Brinson Mercer Health & Benefits e-mail: maully.brinson@mercer.com |
State Convention Dawn Miller Hagan Hamilton Ins. e-mail: dawn@haganhamilton.com |
| State Convention Jamie Sewell The CHP Group e-mail: jsewell@chpgroup.com |
PNEBC Jennifer Young UnitedHealthcare e-mail: jennifer.young@phs.com |
Local Chapters
Portland Association of Health Underwriters - PAHU 2011
2011 Board of Directors
President Mike Welch
President-Elect Chelyn Briand
Past President Kevin O'Toole
Secretary Ruben Garcia
Treasurer Jennifer Wakayama
Education Chair Leonora Aranda
Legislative Chair Tim Rasch
Membership Chair Tim Bloom
Membership Retention Audrey Schumacher
Spring Forum Chair Kelly Pastore
Awards Chair Leigh Colgan
Programs Chair Shelly Solorzano
PR/Media Chair Melissa Kemp
Willamette Valley Association of Health Underwriters - WVAHU
2011 Board Members
President Jeff Friedhoff
President Elect
Past President Lisa Tracy
PR/Awards Co-Chair TJ Sullivan
PR/Awards Co-Chair Gina Thomas
Programs Chair Marci Stauffer
Treasurer Mike Beyrouty
Legislative Co-Chair Terri Olson
Legislative Co-Chair Doug Sheffer
Secretary Amy Barnwell
Membership Dawn Miller
Membership Chris Boone
East Cascades Association of Health Underwriters - ECAHU
2010 Board of Directors
President Jerry Krug
President-Elect Kristine Pareira
Immediate Past President Jerry Mitch
Secretary Pam Vallans
Membership Chair Ehrin Cline
Treasurer Darla Owens
Communications Chair Brad Westphal
Programs Chair Tammy Cassell
Media Relations Chair Darlene Thompson
Legislative Co-Chair Ali Challacombe
Legislative Co-Chair Cain Credicott
Administrative Office
OAHU, c/o VanNatta Public Relations
Harvey Gail
Ruben Garcia
PO Box 493
Salem, Oregon 97308
Phone number (toll-free) 1-877-412-OAHU(6248)
Fax number 503-585-8547
