Coos Bay
Accreditation Survey for Ko-Kwel Wellness Centers
Survey dates are scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 – Wednesday, February 5, 2025, during regular business hours.
December 2, 2024
The Eugene clinic provides primary medical care as well as blood draws for laboratory testing.
Survey dates are scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 – Wednesday, February 5, 2025, during regular business hours.
While many respiratory illnesses can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant a visit to your health care provider.
KWC has a Diabetes Prevention Program that is gearing up. The program is open to Tribal members 18 years and up. It is a free
Laboratory
Though our Eugene location isn’t a full-service laboratory, we offer point-of-care testing such as rapid-strep and rapid-flu, as recommended by your health care provider.
Pharmacy
The Coquille Tribal Pharmacy in Coos Bay provides mail-order options for most medications. Learn more
Dental
We offer dental services in Coos Bay. Learn more
Mental health
We have one mental health therapist onsite in Eugene and are currently remodeling in order to accommodate several more providers to serve the community.
Specialty services
We make referrals to our community partners for specialty care.
COVID vaccines
KWC-Eugene is not currently offering COVID-19 vaccinations, but shots are available at various local sites.
The Ko-Kwel Wellness Center in Eugene started a remodel in the lower level on Monday, October 30, 2023. This remodel will help expand the much-needed Behavioral Health Services to the community of Eugene.
During the remodel, the downstairs restrooms will not be available, however all other providers and services will still be fully operational, please use the upstairs restroom if needed or inquire with a provider.
You can also expect there to be some construction dust and noise – though know we are doing everything we can to reduce this as much as possible.
Visit the Coquille Indian Tribe Project Management & Planning Office’s construction webpage for information on the downstairs remodel and construction effforts: https://www.coquilletribe.org/elementor-18621/
We also encourage our patients and clients to sign up for Construction Updates through Nixle to stay informed on construction status:
TEXT keyword “BUILD“ to 888777.
Interim Medical Director
Dr. Basil Pittenger, MD, FACP, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role of Interim Medical Director for Ko-Kwel Wellness Centers. Earning a BS in Mathematics from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Pittenger has honed his skills through extensive training and practice.
He completed his residency at the University of Washington Internal Medicine Training Program and has been a licensed physician in Oregon since 2004. Dr. Pittenger is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds certification from the National Board of Echocardiography.
Additionally, Dr. Pittenger has a strong background in medical education, having served as a supervising physician, conference director, and faculty member for various medical training programs. His leadership roles and dedication to teaching further underscore his commitment to providing exceptional clinical management and care.
PA-C
Richard joined KWC-Eugene in March of 2023. He is proud to be part of the primary care team and honored to be serving the Coquille Indian Tribe and the greater native population locally. He has a background in primary and acute care medicine. He strives to provide exceptional care with every office visit.
Born and raised in Eugene, Richard started his career in emergency medicine. He volunteered with a rural fire department, trained EMTs at Portland Community College, and was a State of Oregon EMT evaluator before attending Physician’s Assistant (PA) school at Pacific University. As a PA he has worked in rural primary care, acute care, and urology.
When not in the clinic, Richard can be found spending time with his wife and baby.
PA-C, MPH, CPH
Allison is a graduate from the University of Utah Master of Physician Assistant Studies. She also has a Master of Public Health and is eager to apply both of these degrees to helping patients manage their health. Her goal is to meet her patients where they are in their wellness journey and bring the medical knowledge she has gained to find a solution that works best for the patient. Allison has a background in health education, pediatrics, and preventive medicine with a focus on OB/GYN care.
Moving from Salt Lake City, Utah, Allison is excited to be part of an outdoor community who thrives hiking in the mountains and exploring the coast. She believes health comes from all aspects of wellness including, but not limited to; physical, social, financial, spiritual and emotional wellness. She hopes to take the time needed to talk with patients and help them understand the physiology behind their diagnosis as well as go through treatment options as they work together to treat the whole body.
On her days off, Allison enjoys spending time with her family- skiing, climbing, hiking and travelling; or reading a good book.
KWC-Eugene
Carly Blemmel is the newest addition to the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center in Eugene. She comes to the clinic with over 14 years of background experience in tribal behavioral health. She holds degrees and certifications such as MSHR (Master of Science in Human Resources), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), and DBH-C (Doctor of Behavioral Health-Clinical). Carly excels at encouraging others and has a true passion for her work.
Carly will be providing support for the Behavioral Health team in Eugene and Coos Bay. She is looking forward to providing exemplary service to the Tribal and community members alike.
Carly has lived in Oregon for three years and comes to us by way of Oklahoma. She is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation from Oklahoma and her culture is deeply important to her. In her free time, she like to play a traditional game called “Ishtaboli” which is the Choctaw word for stickball. She and her husband also have two teenage boys and four dogs.
LCSW
LeeAndria obtained her Master of Social Work from Eastern Washington University in 2017. LeeAndria has worked for multiple tribal facilities as both a mental health therapist and a behavioral health consultant. She provides comprehensive assessments, diagnosis, and treatment plans for patients and has an emphasis on addressing personal, historical, and systemic trauma.
LeeAndria is a member of the Gidutikad Band of Northern Paiutes and is a
descendent of the Klamath Tribe. LeeAndria is passionate about addressing health equity issues and expanding access to care for all Tribal members.
In her spare time she enjoys the great outdoors with her two sons and baking sweet treats.
KWC-Eugene
Dr. Gabrielle Choi is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has joined the KWC-Eugene care team. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice and PMHNP-BC from Duke University, Dr. Choi brings a wealth of expertise in residential eating disorder treatment and outpatient adult mental health services.
Having recently relocated to Eugene from the East Coast, Dr. Choi is excited to embark on a new journey of providing compassionate and personalized mental health care to our community. Her approach focuses on client-centered care, encompassing thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and effective medication management.
Dr. Choi’s commitment to understanding her patients extends beyond the clinical setting. She values building connections with individuals, staff, and the local community, drawing inspiration from the beautiful landscape of Eugene. Family plays a central role in Dr. Choi’s life and she enjoys family activities, enjoying Korean food together, and getting acquainted with Lane County.
KWC-Eugene
KWC-Coos Bay has announced the addition of Jennie Cirincione, CSWA, to its Behavioral Health team in Community Services. With a deep-rooted commitment to serving Native populations, Jennie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role as a Clinical Social Work Associate.
Having held various positions at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland, Jennie has a proven track record of supporting the needs of Indigenous communities. Her additional experience as an Emergency Department Social Worker at Providence Hospitals provides her with a comprehensive understanding of mental health challenges in a variety of settings.
Jennie holds both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University, specializing in Integrated Behavioral Health. She is passionate about providing mental health therapy from a Native lens, emphasizing a relational worldview.
KWC-Eugene
Amy Tipton, Licensed Professional Counselor, recently relocated to Eugene, from Kalispell, Montana, to join the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center as an Integrated Behavioral Health Therapist. She has a strong background in building rapport and therapeutic alliances with patients and peers.
Previously, Amy worked as a suicide prevention/intervention therapist with Assiniboine and Sioux youth on the Fort Peck Reservation. Following the end of a SAMHSA Garrett Lee Suicide Prevention grant, she served as the Behavioral Health Department Head at Northeast Montana Health Service, working with both Native and non-Native children and adults. Her career in Behavioral Health began in 2006 as a Targeted Case Manager, and she became a therapist in 2010, working with South Central Community Mental Health Center and the Montana Women’s Prison.
Amy’s educational background includes an AAS, a BS in Human Services/Management, and a graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling. She holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Human Trafficking, Forensics, Sexual Offender Treatment, Equine Therapy, and more.
At Ko-Kwel Wellness Center-Eugene, Amy will provide therapy for patients referred by primary care providers, addressing issues such as smoking cessation, pain, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. She will also see long-term patients and is eager to implement evidence-based modalities and innovative techniques.
In her free time, Amy enjoys music, gardening, cooking, photography, and various outdoor activities. She lives with her significant other, Kevin, two Persian cats and poodle. They look forward to exploring Oregon and engaging in activities like crabbing, mushroom hunting, and hiking.
To register as a Ko-Kwel Wellness Center patient, please fill out the questionnaire below. Once complete, please send by postal mail or fax to KWC.
If you’re not already a patient of Ko-Kwel Wellness Centers, we’ll need some basic information to get you enrolled. Please fill out one of the forms below to register as a Ko-Kwel Wellness Center patient. Once complete, please send by postal mail or fax to KWC.
IMPORTANT: Do not email us the New Patient Enrollment Packet as it may contain Personal Health Information and your social security number.
Coos Bay: (541) 888-5556 Fax • Eugene: (541) 916-7048 Fax
If you prefer a language other than English, please contact a Clinic team member to arrange for interpreter services:
KWC-Eugene is located at 2401 River Road, in the Santa Clara area. (We share the building with Gentle Dental, Axis Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, and Willamette Valley Mammography. ) The building is in the shopping plaza at the corner of River Road and Division Avenue, about midway between Albertsons and Fred Meyer.
Phone: 541-916-7025
Fax: 541-916-7048
Coos Bay
(541) 888-9494
(800) 344-8583 toll free
(541) 888-5556 Fax
630 Miluk Drive
Coos Bay, OR 97420
