Leadership
CMH's leadership team
The leadership team at Columbia Memorial Hospital is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, and we believe that excellence begins with each of us. Our diverse backgrounds; collective professional experiences in the health care field; and our shared vision for achieving the highest level of quality, safety and patient-satisfaction helps us to grow and support our team of more than 900 caregivers.
Members of the leadership team are responsible for achieving the organization's overall strategic goals for 2023–2027, which include:
- Provide the highest quality, safest care.
- Grow health care services to meet the needs of the region.
- Improve community health and wellness.
- Remain the best place to work.
- Ensure long-term financial health.
We invite you to contact any member of the CMH leadership team if you have a question or concern.
Meet the team
Erik Thorsen, MBA, CPA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer
Erik Thorsen has served as CMH's Chief Executive Officer since 2010, and has been part of CMH's leadership since 2003 when he served as both chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Under Thorsen's leadership, CMH has achieved and sustained the distinction of a Planetree Gold-Certified Hospital.
"Working to improve the health and well-being for those living on Oregon's North Coast region is a true privilege. I am honored to serve our community, as well as the caregivers at Columbia Memorial Hospital who are dedicated to the advancement of patient care, safety and quality."
Nicole Williams, MPA, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer/Assistant CEO
Nicole Williams joined CMH in April 2017 as the director of Human Resources and Operational Development. She was named the organization's chief operating officer in February 2018. In this role, she oversees day-to-day operations of the organization. She is also the assistant CEO, assuming full responsibility for the organization when CEO Erik Thorsen is unavailable.
"I am grateful to be part of a health care organization that takes pride in the community and the services it provides."
Brandon Parker, MBA, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Brandon Parker joined Columbia Memorial Hospital as the chief financial officer in 2023. He has held several leadership positions in both the higher education and health care spaces, including at the Adventist Health system.
"Having worked in a Planetree-certified hospital, I strongly resonate with the model of person-centered care," Brandon says. "Using a framework for evidence-based decisions to drive excellent patient outcomes, increase employee retention, and promote an energized and engaged workplace culture is something I'm very excited to be part of."
Jimmy Heilman, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Jimmy Heilman joined Columbia Memorial Hospital as the chief medical officer in 2025. Before becoming CMO, Dr. Heilman was the member representing OHSU on CMH's Board of Trustees for six years. He is an experienced physician leader with a proven track record of implementing strategic initiatives and improving operational performance. He worked at OHSU for more than a decade prior to joining CMH.
"CMH is an incredible organization with a clear mission to serve the community by helping people live their healthiest lives. I look forward to listening and learning from everyone and to helping to lead collaborative efforts to consistently provide support and enhance systems of care for patients and caregivers. Improving the coordination between CMH and OHSU in clinical and educational spaces is also a top priority and something I look forward to working on.”
Jarrod Karnofski, PT, DPT, ATC, MSHCA, Vice President of Ancillary & Support Services
Jarrod Karnofski has been a valued leader holding various management positions at Columbia Memorial Hospital since 2009. In his role as vice president of Ancillary & Support Services he is dedicated to setting and monitoring the strategic priorities of CMH.
"I am proud to work with caregivers who are dedicated to the mission of CMH and whose first priority is providing outstanding patient care."
Jennifer Peach-Guzman, RN, BSN, MBA, Vice President of Patient Care Services
Jennifer Peach-Guzman joined CMH as the vice president of patient care services in 2025. With a strong background in innovative management, Jennifer has a history of implementing successful processes and marketing initiatives designed to increase patient volumes and grow revenue and staff engagement in the health care setting.
In her role, Jennifer oversees nursing services, pharmacy, clinical education, employee health and surgical services."What I gained from my interactions with many of you [while interviewing] is that Columbia Memorial Hospital is not just a team of individuals, but a community bound together by shared purpose and a common goal to provide the best quality health care to our community. I look forward to collaborating with you, am eager to work alongside you and am excited for the journey ahead.”
Christopher Laman, PharmD, MBA, Vice President of Strategy
Chris Laman has worked at Columbia Memorial Hospital since 2006. He started as a staff pharmacist and was then promoted to Pharmacy manager, director of Pharmacy and Cancer Center Services, then vice president of Strategy in July 2021. In his role on the Executive Leadership Team, he keeps the organization focused on its vision and mission.
"Working in an independent organization in a rural community presents unique challenges every day. The spirit to rise up an meet these challenges is part of the culture in our coastal community and that can be seen in everyone who works at CMH. This is what makes our community and our hospital such an amazing place to be. Knowing we are the primary source of care for so much of our community makes what we do very personal and fulfilling."
Nicole Perez, BSHA, MSITM, Vice President of Health Information Services
Nicole Perez joined Columbia Memorial Hospital in 2015. She has been a leader during several organizational changes over the past several years, and her leadership has helped support and improve processes throughout the organization. She previously served as director of Information Technology, overseeing the IT Applications and IT Infrastructure Departments.
"I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing organization that is dedicated to serving our community and providing the best place to work for our caregivers. I'm honored and excited to continue to lead our health information services in this new role."
Doug Mays, MHA, Vice President of Facilities, Security and Environmental Care
Doug Mays joined Columbia Memorial Hospital in 2025. He previously served as senior director of support services at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in California, where he worked for a decade. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in hospital support services, Mays has led capital projects, ensured regulatory compliance with various agencies, and delivered multimillion dollar savings through contract negotiations and operational efficiencies. He has been recognized for his strategic leadership, crisis management and creating safe, efficient and compliant health care environments.
Board of Trustees
As a not-for-profit organization, CMH does not have shareholders. Rather, it has people and groups who benefit from the hospital's quality services. Those groups include patients and their families; people who live and work in the communities we serve; as well as our caregivers, health care providers and other businesses.
The CMH Board of Trustees' primary responsibility is to protect the interests of those groups. The CMH Board of Trustees consists of 15 dedicated volunteer community members. They set the vision and mission of the organization and work toward the shared goal of keeping our hospital viable, and ensuring the delivery of safe, quality health care services.
Captain Doug Kaup
Board President
Sheriff Matt Phillips
Board Vice President
Jean Danforth
Quality Chair
Mike Autio
Treasurer and Finance Chair
Bill Landwehr
Strategic Planning Chair and Secretary
Dave Nygaard
Constance Waisanen
Nancy McAllister
Heather Seppa
Brian Duty, MD
Regina Mysliwiec, MD, MS
Ex-Officio Trustees
Linda Moreland
CMH Foundation Board President
Rev. Lori Cavender, MDiv.
CMH Chaplain
Rev. Laurie Larson Caesar, MDiv.
Bishop, Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Emeritus
Katherine Hellberg
Trustee Emeritus
Served March 1982 to May 2015