Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy (NBHCP) has named Bernadette Thomas, APRN, DNP, MPH, as Medical Director. Bernadette began serving in the role in September and also provides primary care as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Bernadette brings more than 20 years of experience providing care in community settings, including primary care, school-based health and health care for people experiencing homelessness. Her clinical experience includes chronic disease management for conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, liver disease, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, HIV and Hepatitis C. She also has experience providing LGBTQ+ care and caring for other populations with specialized health needs.
Bernadette has held leadership roles spanning nursing, clinical services and health care operations, including previous experience as a medical director and in executive leadership. She earned nursing and public health degrees from Yale University and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. She is certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
As Medical Director, Bernadette provides clinical leadership focused on consistent, evidence-based primary care while working closely with NBHCP staff to understand community needs and identify opportunities to strengthen services.
“Bernadette brings a strong combination of clinical experience and health care leadership to this role,” said Gail Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy. “Her focus on listening to patients and staff, strengthening primary care and identifying opportunities to improve access will be an important asset to NBHCP and the communities we serve.”
Bernadette is particularly interested in bringing innovations to North Tillamook County that can help close gaps in access to specialty care. Her approach to patient care emphasizes listening to patients about their experiences, priorities and goals and providing the information patients and families need to participate in shared decision making.
“I’m looking forward to learning about the community and staff, what is working well and where there are opportunities to improve,” Bernadette said. “As both a provider and Medical Director, I can learn firsthand about our patients and the surrounding care community, which helps me better understand where our services may need to grow, change or improve.”
Bernadette became Medical Director in September as Dr. Jeffrey Luty transitions toward retirement at the end of the year.
Bernadette is currently seeing patients at Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy.
About Nehalem Bay Health Center & PharmacyNehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the North Oregon Coast. Based in Wheeler, Oregon, NBHCP provides primary care, dental care, behavioral health and pharmacy services to patients of all ages and backgrounds. Financial assistance is available. Learn more at nehalembayhealth.org.
