Manda Draper is a nutritionist who graduated from the Masters of Science in Nutrition program at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM). Manda is the coordinator for the Food as Medicine Institute. She teaches the FAME series, a 12-week, community based, cooking, and nutrition course. Prior to completing her masters degree, Manda served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, West Africa. As a Food Security volunteer she created a nutrition and feeding program for mothers with malnourished children. Manda’s passion is to encourage the growth and wellness of local communities through cooking and nutrition education. Manda will be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from April- September while maintaining an entirely whole foods based diet.

Heather Pratt is a natural born foodie with a passion for the medicinal effects of food. She is a Master Nutrition Therapist and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition and has been helping people to improve their health with nutrition for the past 10 years. She works for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage as a Nutrition Writer and regular contributor to the Natural Grocers Health Hotline Magazine, where she educates staff and customers alike on how to use food and supplements to enhance their health. She also teaches nutrition classes to the public and offers individual nutrition counseling.

Susan Barendregt is a Functional Nutritionist and is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition. She has also earned a degree in Statistics and a certificate in Massage Therapy. Susan is a former Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. She has been a practicing functional nutritionist since 2006.

Alan is an Irish educated paramedic with previous experience in a variety of settings in Ireland, Europe, North America and the Middle East. He is adjunct faculty with Portland Community College, faculty in the paramedic programs at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada and a Paramedic Educator with Hamilton Health Sciences in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is also a Prehospital Emergency Care and First Aid Program Manager with the International Committee of the Red Cross. He provides consultancy services to a number of organizations worldwide on research, clinical governance and educational matters. He is an editor and peer-reviewer for several publications including the Irish Journal of Paramedicine, and has affiliations with several organizations around the world as a paramedic researcher. 

Alan joins the Functional Nutrition instructor team to bring his expertise of research to the program. As a functional nutritionist, it is vitally important to discern between science-based and non science-based research. Alan has a background in teaching paramedics, and for the Functional Nutrition program he teaches the Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nutritional Therapy course in Term 1. 

Alan also teaches in the Foundations of Clinical Research program in the modules Good Clinical Practice and Overview of Study Design.

Congratulations Wes!

The Institute for Health Professions at PCC CLIMB Center is pleased to announce that instructor Wes Harwood received the American Heart Association’s 2014-15 Regional Faculty Exemplary Service Award for PALS in Oregon.

Dr. Daniel Blickenstaff teaches restorative dentistry and has taught at PCC for 5 years and at CLIMB for one. Dr. Blickenstaff feels dentistry is a great profession and wants to share his knowledge and skills with others so that his students can succeed. Learn more about Mr. Blickenstaff below.

Courses You Teach at PCC CLIMB: Dental Restorative 64-hour Program

Olga Hice is a Phlebotomy instructor at PCC CLIMB. She has taught at CLIMB for five years, and finds both teaching and making a difference in others' lives extremely rewarding. Read more about Ms. Hice below.

Jerry Hutchison teaches the Basics of Sterile Processing at PCC CLIMB. Jerry just started teaching at the CLIMB Center in June 2015, but he can't wait to help people start their new career in Sterile Processing. Jerry has over 20 years of leadership experience, and is excited to be teaching such a new class. Read below to learn more about Mr. Hutchison.