Archives: Bios

Unity Care NW service bios.

Adam Van Ness

Adam comes to the board with a background in finance and education. He has spent the last several years teaching continuing education courses on personal finance and investments at Whatcom Community College. Adam moved to Bellingham from Seattle in 2016 with his wife and two kids and has loved every minute of it. He is a firm believer in the healthcare exchange and that healthcare is a human right that should not be tied to employer choice.

Teresa Mansoor

Teresa was born in Whatcom County and graduated from Ferndale High, and left after graduation to see the world. She lived in King County off and on for many years and also had the opportunity to live in Cairo, Egypt for 10 years. In 2006, she returned home to Bellingham. In 2015, she returned to school earning an AA degree in 2017, and has been employed for the past 6 years with an organization that “Powers the World.” Having struggled in many areas in life and come out on the other side, she was happy at the opportunity to give back to the very organizations that were so kind during those times. She is honored to have been elected as a Board member and wouldn’t be where she is today without the help of Unity Care NW, Opportunity Council, and Work Source Whatcom County.

Cataline Harkleroad

Caty has a background in Molecular Biology and Virology. She received her BA in Public Health from Sacramento State in 1981. She retired in June 2021 after 40 years in the Biotech field where she worked as a Principal Scientist on various Diagnostic Tests used to protect the blood supply, and later as a Laboratory Supervisor, where she oversaw 70+ Research and Development labs. She is a transplant from the California East Bay Area and settled in the Blaine area where her husband’s family is from. She is currently the lead for the Blaine Emergency Response Team. She joined the UCNW Board in March 2024 and looks forward to serving the Whatcom County community.

Rachael Hagin

Rachael was born and raised in Whatcom County and is currently a Custer resident. She graduated from Whatcom Community College at the top of her class with an Associate in Arts & Sciences degree in Criminal Justice, and is part of Phi Theta Cappa honors society. She joined the Unity Care Board in February of 2024 in order to serve the community and to give the Board a different perspective as a member of the younger generation of people of Whatcom County.

Kim Burns

After working in the outpatient orthopedic setting for 12 years, Kim noticed inequity in the system and that insurance payouts, rather than medical necessity, often end up dictating the quality and quantity of medical care. When she opened her business, she modeled it in a way to be true to her belief that quality health care is a human right and limits or priorities should not be dictated by insurance reimbursement or ability to pay. Kim is honored to serve on Unity Care Northwest’s Board to be part of the solution and providing good, quality health care to all who need it. She has extensive experience with the population served by Unity Care and is very familiar with how socioeconomic stresses are compounded by physical pain and sometimes psychological trauma, too. Kim is excited to bring her unique experience in the rehabilitation profession and passion for equitable heath care access to her service to the Unity Care Board.

Chandler Hodge, DDS

Born and raised in Bellingham, Washington, I traveled across the mountains to receive a BS Degree in Biology/Biochemistry from Eastern Washington University. I then moved to the Midwest and completed my DDS degree at Creighton University School of Dentistry. During my time at Creighton, I was able to explore my passion for public health and community service, traveling to different locations throughout the state of Nebraska and providing dental care to underserved communities that have limited access to primary care services.

Working at Unity Care NW gives me the opportunity to work with a like-minded team, providing quality care to those I need. In my free time I enjoy snowboarding, biking, and spending time with family and friends.

Laurel Berard, RDH

I joined Unity Care in 2024.

Since earning my Associates Degree in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene from Lake Washington Technical College in 2010, I have been dedicated to promoting oral health and wellness throughout Whatcom and King County. I am passionate about my job and find fulfillment in fostering relationships to empower others to lead healthier lives through oral health education.

When out of office, I love to explore the outdoors and enjoy quality time at home with my husband, kids, and lively English Springer Spaniel.

Kelsey Scoggins, SUDPT

I joined Unity Care NW in 2024.

I have a BA in Addiction Studies and Psychology from Eastern Washington University, and an MA in Advanced Addiction Therapies from Eastern Washington University.

I am certified as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee by the Washington Department of Health.