Ralph Yates, DO, has agreed to serve as Chief Medical Officer effective Dec. 27, 2015, in addition to his current duties as Chief Medical Officer of Willamette Health Partners. Andrew Furman, MD, VP Medical Affairs will report to Ralph.
Ralph and his wife Laurie currently live in Wilsonville while their home is being constructed just west of Newberg. Ralph comes to us with a wide array of experiences. He has been a family physician for 35 years, establishing Columbia Family Medical Associates in 1990, merging it with The Portland Clinic (TPC) five years ago. While at TPC, he helped create the Portland Coordinated Care Association, a 400-clinician ACO, serving as its first medical director and president of the board. He recently finished two terms on the Oregon Medical Board, serving as chair in 2011.
He has a personal interest and passion regarding diabetes and two years ago finished four years as chair of the American Diabetes Association’s national research foundation. While chair, he helped create and launch the nearly $200 million capital campaign, the Pathway Campaign, to find, fund and inter-connect the next generation of diabetes researchers. Its goal is to produce breakthrough scientific change. He also served for thirteen years on the Board of Directors of Mt. Hood Community College.
Ralph has been with Salem Health since May 27, 2014, coming here from TPC.
Ralph obtained his undergraduate degree from the United States Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut, and medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.
Ralph and Laurie have two children. Trevor is a State Farm agent in Newberg and married to wife Meghan. Becca is manager at Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance in Portland and married to husband Andrew. Ralph is also the proud grandpa to one granddaughter and two grandsons. Ralph enjoys mountaineering with his family and is counting the days until he can show the grandkids how to put on and take off their crampons. He is an avid cyclist and swimmer, having successfully competed in seven Ironman competitions.
Back to index.