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.

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.

Michelle began her career with PeaceHealth in 2007 as a financial analyst before moving into quality as a business analyst in 2013. Most recently, she served as the Quality and Patient Safety manager at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. As Community Health director, Michelle will work closely with community partners to develop business strategies and local outreach to ensure access to healthy food, supportive housing and healthcare. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska and her MBA in Healthcare Administration from Loma Linda University's School of Public Health.

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.