About Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend

A former hospitalist and experienced physician leader, Dr. McGovern has an eye on high-quality care and helped guide PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend to its first ever CMS 5-star rating while securing multiple Leapfrog A ratings. Dr. McGovern came to PeaceHealth from Wisconsin-based ThedaCare, where he served in several leadership roles including system vice president of medical affairs. He was recognized as a US News and World Report Top Doc while working in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. McGovern graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin and did his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Indiana.

James holds responsibility and leadership of surgical and procedural services, allied services including imaging and lab, as well as facilities and support services. James brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to PeaceHealth, from overseeing major construction projects and surgical services, to physician relations and nurse leadership councils. Prior to joining PeaceHealth in 2025, James was the vice president of Surgical and Cardiovascular Services at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a level 2 trauma and designated stroke center.James got his start in healthcare as a nurse, earning his BSN from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in his hometown, where he also later earned his Master of Business Administration. He served in the United States Army as a perioperative nurse at Keller Army Hospital in West Point, N.Y., and then at Fort Sill in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Alicia Beymer owns more than 25 years of varied experience serving Lane County with her collaborative leadership style, strong patient advocacy, and a deep knowledge of healthcare regulation and quality. She previously served as director of Home Care Services in the PeaceHealth Oregon network and also has experience in risk management and regulatory consultant at PeaceHealth. Alicia first answered her calling as an advocate during the 10 years she worked at Lane Council of Governments—Senior and Disabled Services, where she spearheaded the quality improvement program, implemented the Medicare Part D program and served as an adult protective services worker protecting clients and safeguarding rights as a key investigator of abuse and neglect. Alicia earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Oregon and master’s degree in business administration from Northwest Christian (now Bushnell) University.

Heather Wall is the chief nursing officer for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and the Oregon network as a whole. As a long-time Lane County resident, Heather has a strong commitment to the community. Heather has been part of the PeaceHealth family since 2004, most recently serving as senior director of Nursing at RiverBend. She also has served as director of nursing for the Medical/Surgical service line, director of operations for the Gamma Knife Center, nurse manager of orthopedics and neurology, and started her career as a neurology nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District.

Kim Ruscher, MD, MPH, joined PeaceHealth in 2013 as a pediatric surgeon and has taken on progressive leadership roles throughout her career with a focus on improving access to healthcare for underserved communities and on quality of care. She was appointed chief medical officer for the PeaceHealth Oregon network in 2024 after previously serving as chief medical officer — surgical for Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. Prior to that, Dr. Ruscher had served as Pediatric Specialties Chief for PeaceHealth Medical Group. She earned her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Medicine from Florida State University and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Connecticut. She received her master’s degree in public health from Harvard University School of Public Health and completed a fellowship in pediatric surgery at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Dr. McArthur originally joined PeaceHealth in 2017 as an emergency medicine physician and hospitalist at Peace Harbor Medical Center. In 2019, she completed the PeaceHealth Clinician Leadership Program, stepped forward as the emergency department chair and then as chief medical officer at Peace Harbor. In 2024, Dr. McArthur transitioned to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. Dr. McArthur earned her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012 from A.T. Still University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona in Mesa, Ariz. She completed dual residency in emergency medicine and internal medicine at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. Prior to her career in medicine, Dr. McArthur worked in occupational health and safety and served as the manager of safety and health for the Phoenix Police Department in Arizona. She also holds a master of science degree in Public Health.

Mary Lou Tate joined PeaceHealth in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience in operations and financial leadership to the role. She will work closely in partnership with local and system leaders with a focus on financial growth and stewardship. Mary Lou most recently served as the CFO at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay. Prior to Bay Area Hospital, Mary Lou was the CFO at Campbell County Health in Gillette, Wyoming, and Morris Hospital and Health Centers in Morris, Illinois. She also previously worked at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario, Oregon, serving as the controller. Mary Lou earned her bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and her master’s degree in accounting from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. 

Jennifer Svihus was named the Chief Development Officer for the PeaceHealth Oregon Network in 2022. Jennifer provides philanthropy leadership to the network development staff and the volunteer boards for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart, Cottage Grove, and Peace Harbor. Before joining PeaceHealth, Jennifer was the President and Chief Philanthropy Officer for Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jennifer also held leadership roles with Sutter Health and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s in communications from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, before receiving her master’s in healthcare administration from Chapman University in Orange, California.

Justin Thomas became the senior director for human resources in the Oregon Network in 2022, bringing with him a well-rounded background in labor relations, workforce development, recruitment and human resources. Prior to taking the lead role for human resources in the Oregon Network, Justin was PeaceHealth’s manager of labor relations. He was also previously the director of human resources at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville, Oregon. Justin received his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Idaho State University and earned his master’s degree in Human Resources and Employee Relations from Penn State University. 

Rev. Micki Varner is the director of Mission Services for the PeaceHealth Oregon network and has been part of the PeaceHealth family since her beginnings as a chaplain intern in 2003 at Sacred Heart Medical Center. She then served in a leadership role as the Oregon network manager of Spiritual Care. Micki has overseen the growth of our Clinical Pastoral Education program, established renewal programs for our caregivers, collaborated with faith community leaders, and created a strong team of chaplains who attend to the spiritual needs of our patients, their loved ones, our caregivers and clinicians. Micki has been an active member of the ethics committee since 2013 and has helped lead Mission-related programs in Oregon such as local Leadership in Ministry gatherings, Heritage Week events, and the Mission and Values Review. Micki is a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history and her master’s degree in technical and scientific communication from James Madison University in Virginia and her Master of Divinity degree from Episcopal Divinity School in New York City.

Susan Blane joined the PeaceHealth family in 2006, serving as the director of Market Development until 2016 when she was called upon to develop the Community Health program in the Oregon network. She works in close partnership with community organizations to develop collaborative PeaceHealth-sponsored community benefit programs that maximize impact and target investment where they will make the most lasting change in ensuring access to healthy food, supportive housing, mental health and community care. Susan has a Bachelor of Science in organizational behavior from the University of San Francisco, a master’s degree in public health policy and administration from Oregon State University and is a certified integrative nutritional health coach. 

Joe Waltasti has an extensive background in communications and media relations, particularly in the Eugene/Springfield area. After starting his career in communications at universities around the country, Joe was offered a position in the University of Oregon athletics department, where he handled media relations and promotional efforts for a variety of UO teams and coaches for nearly a decade. Prior to joining PeaceHealth in 2021, Joe was the assistant athletics director for communications at San Jose State University. He manages the Oregon network’s internal and external communications strategies and executive communications. A native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Joe has degrees in history and journalism from Eastern Illinois University.