Archives: Bios

Unity Care NW service bios.

Rebecca Hora, DDS

Since starting at Unity Care NW in 2003, I have enjoyed working as a team with my colleagues to help the children in our community grow up to have healthy smiles.

I graduated from the University of Oregon in 1994 with a BS degree in General Science. I went on to complete my DDS degree at Creighton University in 2003.  I am ABCD Pediatric Dentistry Certified and am a former member of the Whatcom County Oral Health Coalition and the National Health Services Corps. I am also an affiliate faculty member at the University of Washington’s Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

I am a member of NNOHA (National Network for Oral Health Access).

Mel Agan, DDS

As a dental student, I served a community rotation at Unity Care NW and knew after graduation I would return. The supportive staff and commitment to quality healthcare for our community are what keep me here.

I earned a BS degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology at Western Washington University in 1997 and a DDS degree from the University of Washington in 2001. I am a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and a former member of the National Health Services Corps. I am certified in ABCD Pediatric Dentistry and remain an affiliate faculty member of the UW Department of Pediatric Dentistry. I have served on the Education Committee of the Whatcom County Oral Health Coalition. I am fluent in Turkish.

Jessie Wynne, ARNP

I earned my BS in Biology at Western Washington University and my MSN from the University of San Diego.  I came to Unity Care NW in 2012 as a Family Nurse Practitioner with experience in pediatrics and providing primary care to underserved populations and I currently work at our Ferndale location.  I have worked extensively with diverse populations, including mentally ill and homeless patients. Before joining UCNW, I worked at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services.

Muriel Handschy, ARNP

Muriel first came to Unity Care NW (formerly Interfaith Community Health Center) in 1991 as a nurse practitioner student.  After graduating in 1992 from the University of Washington with her Masters of Nursing, she came back to Unity Care NW and was the third provider employed by the health center.  She previously served as co-Medical Director and Quality Improvement Coordinator at UCNW. She also has experience working at an STD testing and treatment clinic and a Well Child clinic.

Colin Goggin, MD

I like working in community health because I can partner with people to improve their health and happiness, regardless of ability to pay or whether or not they have medical insurance.

I earned my BA degree in Biology at Carleton College in Northfield, MN and went on to receive my MD degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA. I completed my Residency in Family Medicine at Exempla – St. Joseph Family Medicine in Denver, CO. I am Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and I am conversational in Spanish.

Don Brunk, MD

I received my BA from Goshen College in Goshen, IN, and my MD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA.  I completed my Family Medicine Residency at Shadyside Family Practice in Pittsburgh, PA.  I spent the past 27 years working at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, NM, as a Staff Physician while also being involved in various other roles & committees throughout the years related to pharmacy & therapeutics, utilization review, anti-coagulation clinic, jail medicine, and emergency services.  I am board certified in Family Medicine.

JoAnne Balsiger, PharmD

I became a part of the Unity Care NW team in February of 2017. I have 20 years of experience as a pharmacist/pharmacy manager in both retail and ambulatory care settings. I received my Doctorate in Pharmacy from Washington State University and am certified in Immunizations, Smoking Cessation, Lipid Management and Medication Therapy Management.

It’s an honor to work collaboratively with Unity Care NW service providers to improve the health of the patients in the communities we serve.

Brian Henley, PharmD, RPh

I joined the pharmacy at Unity Care NW in 2015.  I received my Doctor of Pharmacy from Washington State University.  Most of my experience was as Phamacist/Pharmacy Manager at various locations for Arlington Pharmacy, but I also recently worked at Rite-Aid and Haggen.

Chris Phillips

After nearly 40 years in community health and nonprofit leadership positions in Monterey CA, Burlington VT and Bellingham WA, Chris is now semi-retired, and offers consulting services focused on organizational pathways to collaborative progress. A resident of Bellingham since 1994, Chris loves to bike and run trails, produce travel videos, and spend time with his wife and two adult children.

Marco Mass Pascua, DDS

Public health gives me the opportunity to reach out to my community and help those in need of quality and gentle dental care.

I earned my DDS from the National Autonomous University of Honduras in 1999. I went on to earn a MS in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Barcelona in 2003 and completed the Post Graduate Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Program at Lutheran Medical Center in 2014. I am fluent in Spanish.