Advisory Board Members

Dr. Baase serves as the Board Chairperson of the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MIHIA), a multi-stakeholder collaborative dedicated to improving the health of people in 14 counties of central Michigan through the transformational initiative THRIVE (Transforming Health Regionally in a Vibrant Economy). Dr. Baase is a member of the Stewardship Council of Raising the Bar an initiative funded by RWJF to set bold new principles for the role that health care systems. She is a member of the National Alliance to impact Social Determinants of Health, NASDOH and serves as a senior advisor to HealthBegins focused on upstream efforts in healthcare. She is also on the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences Advisory Board at UC Irvine. Dr. Baase served for years as a member of the Roundtable on Population Health Improvement of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and served as the initial chair of its Business Collaborative. Catherine Baase retired from her role as Chief Health Officer and Global Director of Health Services for Dow, a position she held for 20 years of her 32 years there. Under her leadership, their health programs were extensively recognized for their innovation and achievement around the world. She has co-authored more than 30 publications and received many awards for leadership in the health field. Throughout her career, Dr. Baase has been involved across the landscape of health including public health, healthcare, health policy, health promotion and occupational health. She is a Fellow in the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Baase is married with four children and eight grandchildren.

Beth Charlton became the President/CEO of Covenant HealthCare on July 1, 2021. Prior to that she served as the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. During her long career at Covenant, she has served as the Director of Critical Care and Progressive Care departments, the Vice President of Patient Services/Chief Nursing Officer and has held many nursing and leadership positions. A lifelong community member, Ms. Charlton began her career at Covenant (formerly St. Luke’s Hospital) in 1989 as a student nurse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Saginaw Valley State University, as well as a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. Ms. Charlton serves as a member on the following Boards: Boys and Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, CMU Medical Education Partners, Hospital Council of East Central Michigan, MiHIA, Mobile Medical Response, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, and the SVSU Foundation. Beth is also a member of the Michigan Organization of Nurse Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Brenda Coughlin grew up in the Great Lakes Bay Region, earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and a Bachelor of Arts in German from Michigan State University, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Virginia and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan while serving as Great Lakes Bay Health Centers (GLBHC) Medical Director. In 2012, she became President/CEO of Great Lakes Bay Health Centers. Dr. Coughlin is passionate about providing excellent health care to anyone who seeks our services in the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond. Her mini-mission is to create an environment where the Executive Team, Managers and Directors can be successful while enjoying a fulfilling and successful personal life. She loves to spend time with her husband, three children and two dogs.

Shane Hunt has been working in Healthcare for over three decades. He is a registered nurse since 1989, earned a BBA and most recently a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University. Currently working as the Vice President of Nursing at MyMichigan Medical Center in Saginaw. Shane is the Vice Chair to the Hospital Council of East Central Michigan, a member of the Michigan Hospital Association’s Council for Small and Rural Hospitals. Previously a Board Member of the Underground Railroad for Saginaw County and past president of the Michigan Association of Air Medical Services.

Dr. Dan Kehres, DC is the owner of Kehres Health & Chiropractic which has six locations in Michigan, the first opened in Saginaw in 2010. Dr. Kehres learned the value in taking care of his body from a young age. After a football injury in high school, he was told he would never play again, or be able to walk without a limp. He learned there was a lot more to healing the body beyond surgery. With strenuous rehab, Dr. Kehres went on to play football again at Alma College and graduated with biology and chemistry degrees. Knowing the importance of treating the body as a whole, Dr. Kehres knew chiropractic was the perfect fit for him. He graduated with his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Port Orange, Florida. In 2015, Dr. Kehres was named the first Doctor of Chiropractic added to the Saginaw Valley State Athletic Training Department. He has been the Team Chiropractor working with athletes from all sports for more than seven years. Community involvement and awards: Junior League of Great Lakes Bay - community advisory board member, Saginaw County Medical Society, Saginaw Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of Chiropractors, Public speaker for hundreds of community events, businesses and health seminars, RUBY Award Winner in the Great Lakes Bay 2014, Michigan Association of Chiropractors Community Champion Award 2016.

Janey J. Lamar is a native of Saginaw, Michigan, where she was appointed Magistrate of the 70th District Court. She is the first Black woman to assume this role. Janey graduated from Michigan State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Janey later earned her Juris Doctor Degree at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. After obtaining her Juris Doctor Degree, she was admitted to practice law in Michigan and California. Prior to being appointed Magistrate, Janey managed her own law practice where she represented clients in a variety of both civil and criminal matters in Michigan's state and federal courts. She is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Great Lakes Bay Region. She is also a member of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Women of Color Task Force (WOC) where she collaborates with other women of color attorneys to increase the presence of women of color in the legal profession. She has been recognized by NAACP’s Saginaw Branch for contributions to others in support of social justice and equality. Janey takes great pride in being able to positively contribute to the legal profession.

Stacey has over 28 years of experience as a registered nurse with emphasis on professional practice, nursing education, and leadership. She serves McLaren Bay Region as Vice President Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer. In her short time with McLaren Bay, her focus on building relationships led to successful collective bargaining agreements, Joint Commission accreditation, all while improving quality and safety across the organization. Prior to her current role, she led the SVSU RN to BSN Program as their Coordinator bolstering enrollment through recruitment while providing professional development and mentoring to our associate degree nursing population in the State of Michigan. Stacey also demonstrated success with operational goals while serving as the Director of Medical Surgical Services at Covenant HealthCare from 2017-2021. Her previous years of service at Covenant included roles such as staff nurse, charge nurse, preceptor, resource team staff nurse, nurse educator, clinical nurse specialist, program coordinator, and nurse manager. It is with these opportunities that she has developed the skills to lead and develop teams who embrace change and strategy, resulting in goal attainment in our Great Lakes Bay Region. As a visionary leader, Stacey has had continued success in driving organizational and nursing excellence through innovation and strategic collaborations. She is best known for creating partnerships among educational and healthcare organizations who share passion for growth, opportunity, and clinical excellence. She continues to be a voice in this region as a board member of MIHIA, SVSU Board of Fellows, and SVSU Health and Human Service’s Advisory Board.

Marissa Palmer is the Vice President of Nursing Services at MyMichigan Health. Palmer received her bachelor and master’s degrees in nursing between 2011-2014. In May of 2021, she earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Saginaw Valley State University. She has been with MyMichigan Health for more than 16 years serving in a variety of roles including patient care as a nurse in several departments, community education, clinical quality nurse specialist, quality improvement manager, director of quality and patient safety and, most recently, director of trauma and critical/progressive care. The scope of Palmer’s new role is one she’s eager to embrace. “I am looking forward to advancing my nursing practice at MyMichigan by being an active participant in our organizational growth toward generational sustainability,” she said. “This is an exciting time to be in health care, and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to lead nursing in a time of transition while having the foundational advantage of a strong, shared-governance culture.” When not at work, Palmer enjoys spending time with husband, Kal, daughters Rylin and Leighton, and their fur family members, Winnie, Clove and Betty. Many hours are currently spent at their children’s sporting events. They also have fun camping and spending quality time with family and their tightknit friend group.

Dr. Delicia Pruitt is the wife of 26 years to Brian Pruitt. She has 4 children: Brianna, Destiny, Brian, and Diamond. One of her life’s joy is her family. She enjoys being a wife and mother. In addition, she has been practicing medicine for 19 years as a Family Medicine Physician. Her current job is the Medical Director of the Saginaw County Public Health Department where is gives medical guidance to the residents and medical professionals of Saginaw County. Her former job was Program Director at Central Michigan Medical Educational Partners in Saginaw, MI. In this position as the lead educator, she led the training of medical residents and students. Dr. Pruitt has led an active role in her church with running youth ministries with her husband. She is an educator to both the public and medical profession about health, wellness, family values and multiculturalism. She has spoken at Dr. Delicia Pruitt is the wife of 26 years to Brian Pruitt. She has 4 children: Brianna, Destiny, Brian, and Diamond. One of her life’s joy is her family. She enjoys being a wife and mother. In addition, she has been practicing medicine for 19 years as a Family Medicine Physician. Her current job is the Medical Director of the Saginaw County Public Health Department where is gives medical guidance to the residents and medical professionals of Saginaw County. Her former job was Program Director at Central Michigan Medical Educational Partners in Saginaw, MI. In this position as the lead educator, she led the training of medical residents and students. Dr. Pruitt has led an active role in her church with running youth ministries with her husband. She is an educator to both the public and medical profession about health, wellness, family values and multiculturalism. She has spoken at many conventions, conferences, and churches over the past 30 years. Her goal is to positively impact the people in the State of Michigan for the improvement of families, health, and wellness.

Joel Strasz is the Health Officer with the Bay County Health Department. He has served in this capacity since 2013 and prior to being appointed was the Public Health Services Manager since 2005. He has over twenty years’ experience in public health, including extensive work in community organization, data analysis and evaluation, environmental health issues and public health operations. He previously served as a Board member for the Bay County American Red Cross, the Crossroads Center for Recovery and is a current Board member of the Bay County Habitat for Humanity. He holds a BA from Michigan State University and an MPA from the University of Michigan-Flint.

Gretchen Wagner is the Director of Early Childhood Education at Bay-Arenac ISD, responsible for the direction of programs and services for families and young children in general and special education. Her administrative work over the last eleven years, is rooted in being a leader dedicated to creating inclusive, engaging, united environments for individuals and the community. Prior to administration, Gretchen served as a speech-language pathologist in the school system for eight years. Working at the Bay-Arenac ISD, Gretchen has led BAISD Early Intervention implementation of several research-based practices. She has supported and implemented professional learning for both general education and special education teachers in the areas of early literacy instruction, positive behavior supports, adverse childhood experiences, and inclusion. Additionally, she has presented to the Michigan Board of Education on the Great Start Readiness Preschool programs in Bay and Arenac Counties. Gretchen collaborates with education, business, non-profit, and government partners to form strong community relationships in order to strengthen systems that serve families and young children. Her visionary counsel has earned her the reputation of a hands-on problem solver with the various committees and boards at the local and the state level she serves. At the state level, Gretchen has worked on the Michigan Poverty Task Force to develop recommendations for the annual report; she participated in the review and revision of the Early Childhood Standards of Quality with the Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start; and is an ACE Master Trainer with the Michigan Ace Initiative. Locally, Gretchen is actively involved in board governance for the Bay-Arenac Diaper Bank, Arenac County Multi-Purpose Collaborative Body, Bay County Human Service Collaborative Committee, 211 Northeast Michigan, YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region, Messiah Lutheran Church, and the Bay Arenac Trauma Informed Community Taskforce. She is an active member in the Bay City Morning Rotary and volunteers regularly with the United Way of Bay County. Earning her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University in 2001, Gretchen continued her education to earn her Master of Science degree from Loyola College in 2003. In 2017, she earned the status of Education Specialist from Saginaw Valley State University. Currently, she resides in Essexville with her husband and son. She enjoys spending the summer at their cabin and the fall in East Lansing watching football!

Stacey Webster is an occupational therapist with 12 years of experience working across the continuum of care including acute care, sub-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and home healthcare. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Saginaw Valley State University and her Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University. Her clinical expertise involves working with the geriatric population including implementation of evidence-based programs for dementia staging, Parkinson’s Disease, incontinence, and fall prevention. Her passion is promotion of successful aging in place. Stacey has presented and published on topics including falls efficacy, interdisciplinary care in home health, LSVT BIG treatment, mindful leadership, animal-assisted therapy, fine motor centers, and chronic fatigue syndrome. She currently works as a clinical instructor and assistant research advisor in the occupational therapy program at SVSU and as an adjunct professor at Chatham University.

Kingdom Man, Servant Leader, Loving Husband, Involved Father, & Community Champion Pastor Chris V. Pryor is a passionate servant of God whose life is driven by three key roles: being a servant leader, a loving husband, and an involved father. These roles form the foundation of his life’s purpose and passion. Pastor Chris currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Victorious Believers Ministries COGIC (VBM), where the church’s motto is "Passionately Seeking God, Joyfully Serving Others, and Intentionally Loving People. In May 2010, he was appointed as the successor to his father, the late Bishop Marvin C. Pryor, by the International Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake. Pastor Chris’ love for God and His people is evident in his vision to build the five pillars of ministry at VBM: family, discipleship, evangelism, missions, and community development, all undergirded by prayer

Dallas Rau is the Executive Director for the Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership where she works to ensure that everyone knows where to turn for help when struggling with a mental health challenge, seeks help without fear of stigma and receives prompt access to excellent care. Prior to this role, Dallas served as the Director of Program Development at the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance. Dallas graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwood University with her BBA in Business Management. She is a 2020 graduate of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Institute for Leaders, Leadership Midland class of 2022 and a member of the Rotary Club of Midland where she served on the board for many years and as President in 2021-2022. Dallas currently serves as a Director with the Midland Rotary Foundation and on the Leadership Midland Steering Committee. She also serves on the Crystal M. Lange College of Health & Human Services Advisory Board at Saginaw Valley State University. In 2022, Dallas was recognized by the Midland Daily News as the inaugural “Citizen of the Year”. Dallas resides in Freeland with her family and enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering for her son in all his sports activities, and volunteering.

Valerie Waugh, OTD, OTRL, RAC-CT, is a dedicated leader in geriatric rehabilitation, driven by a passion for empowering therapy teams and improving patient outcomes. After earning her MSOT from Saginaw Valley State University in 2012, she quickly found her calling in skilled nursing, where she discovered the transformative impact of strong leadership. By 2015, she had stepped into management, leading teams toward excellence in clinical care. Her career spans roles as Program Director, Regional VP with Encore Rehabilitation Services, and currently, VP of Operations for Michigan at Ovation Rehabilitation Services. In 2020, she earned her post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Gannon University, focusing on leadership and policy change in therapy services. Valerie is passionate about equipping OTs, PTs, and other therapy providers with tools to create lasting change in their patients’ lives and workplaces. She lives in Bay City with her husband, also an SVSU alum, and their two daughters.

Amy Livsey-Sommer is a clinical supervisor of rehabilitation services at MyMichigan Health. Amy competed her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Eastern Michigan University and her Master of Organizational Leadership from Northwood University. She has been with MyMichigan Health for more than 36 years involved in various clinical, supervisory and managerial roles within rehabilitation services. Her experience has covered the spectrum of clinical care of inpatient, outpatient, inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing. She has held various roles as clinician, supervisor and manager for rehabilitation services. During her time with MyMichigan, she has been closely involved with program development and community collaboration. Examples of multidisciplinary projects include cancer rehab, comprehensive multi agency programming for pediatrics/autism, sports rehab, bariatric care and neurological/stroke programming. Amy has served on the advisory board for the school of occupational therapy at SVSU, as well as adjunct teaching. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four grown boys.

Nicole has spent more than a decade in the non-profit sector after earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University in Dietetics, leading her on a path in equitable food access, teaching healthy options and addressing food insecurity. This triggered a passion in her to dig deeper into the needs of our community, and eventually led her to the United Way, where the mission focuses on ensuring every person has the opportunity to thrive through access to healthcare and a quality education that leads to financial stability. She is involved in the community and region through a variety of taskforces, committees, and collaborative projects. Nicole currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Human Services Collaborative Committee in Bay County, a member of the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance (MiHIA) Board of Directors and is completing her eighth year with the Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region, holding many leadership roles. Other commitments include sitting on the Business and Education Partnership and the Blue Cross Blue Shields Advisory Council for the Great Lakes Bay Region. Most recently, she has worked with more than thirty organizations to execute a Community Information Exchange in Bay County. This innovative technology integrates educational institutions, healthcare systems, and social services together to send bi-directional referrals ensuring closed loops and more efficient, collaborative work overall. She is also a member of the Bay City Morning Rotary Club and is a graduate of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance Leadership Institute. Nicole likes to spend her free time exploring everything the region has to offer, loves kayaking, reading and traveling, but most importantly spending time with her family.

Megan has had experience in the fitness field since 2010. She was drawn to the field from her participation in sports during school. Megan attended Saginaw Valley State University and graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science and double minored in Athletic Coaching and Health Science. Megan is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, TRX Certified Group Exercise Trainer, NETA Certified Wellness Coach, FitforBirth Pre & Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist and Pre & Post Natal Diastasis & Core Consultant. She prides herself on pushing others to the next level and bettering their lives through fitness. Megan strongly believes it is important to live a fun and healthy lifestyle by maintaining the motivation to continuously achieve your goals while having balance in life!