Melissa Baurer

Melissa Baurer serves as the Executive Director of Community Development at
Santiam Hospital & Clinics, where she has been a transformative leader since
2017. With a Master’s in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
from Western Oregon University, Melissa brings over a decade of experience in
social services and community health innovation.

At Santiam, Melissa founded and scaled the Santiam Service Integration
Team(s), which evolved into a comprehensive department under her leadership.
She now oversees community health, service integration, disaster recovery,
community benefit, and communications & marketing. Her pioneering work in
disaster preparedness and recovery has been recognized nationally—highlighted
as a best practice by After the Fire USA and cited by FEMA as a model for
replication across the country.

Melissa’s leadership has redefined community resilience through the Santiam
Service Integration Model, setting new standards in health equity, emergency
response, and collaborative care. Her commitment to service extends beyond her
professional role—she is an elected member of the Lebanon Community School
District’s Board, where she advocates for youth and education.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending quality time with
her husband and two children.