At Klamath Living magazine, we are dedicated to showcasing the remarkable stories of our local community members who are making a lasting impact in Klamath Falls. In this edition, we are thrilled to present a special feature that celebrates the inspiring journeys of our hometown healthcare providers.
Recently, we received an insightful email from Dr. Raul Mirande, sparking a conversation about the significant number of individuals who have gone through our local school systems, pursued further education and training, and returned to contribute to the healthcare system right here in Klamath Falls. This revelation inspired us to reach out to our local healthcare heroes and invite them to share their personal stories about growing up in our community and forging a career in the medical field.
From physicians to pharmacists, nurses, NPs, PAs, OT/PT specialists, technicians, and more, we are honored to highlight the diverse paths that have led these dedicated professionals back to our city. This monthly series promises to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals who have found their calling in the medical industry, all while nurturing and uplifting our community.
In this issue, we are privileged to feature a selection of heartfelt testimonials, and we look forward to sharing even more in the future. It brings us immense joy to bring these stories to you, and we hope you find as much inspiration in reading them as we have in publishing them. If you have a testimonial to share about your journey from Klamath Falls to the medical industry, we welcome your contributions. Your unique perspective is invaluable, and we can't wait to feature your story in our upcoming issues. Reach out to us at TroyMiller@BestVersionMedia.com – we're always eager to hear from you.
Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary individuals who call Klamath Falls home and continue to shape the vital healthcare landscape of our community. So, without further adieu, here is the first round of the Klamath Living Hometown Healthcare Heroes
Dr. Jay Williams - DrJayWilliams.jpg
Photo attached of Sarah and Dr. Williams volunteering in a clinic in Xela, Guatemala.
Everyone's path to the practice of medicine is unique, mine had humble beginnings in the halls and classrooms of Ponderosa JH and Klamath Union HS where science classes and dedicated teachers captivated my imagination and interest in lifelong learning. Experiences in college, graduate school, a myriad of odd jobs and serving as a community health volunteer in the Peace Corps eventually led to the pursuit of a career in medicine. After another 8 years of medical school, fellowship, and residency it became clear to return to Klamath Falls to practice Emergency Medicine. Together with my wife Sarah who practices Family Medicine, we are proud to raise our two daughters in the community and schools that started it all.
Dr. Teresa Graham - TerresaGraham.jpg
Klamath Falls has been a special place to live for all my life, excluding 4 years at Walla Walla University, and 9 years at Loma Linda University for medical school and ophthalmology residency. While growing up here, my family often took advantage of the natural beauty and easily accessed outdoor activities, with many climbs up Mt. McLaughlin & Hogsback, hikes at Crater Lake, backpacking trips along the Rogue River, bike riding, and waterskiing on Klamath Lake, Lake of The Woods and Shasta Lake. I grew to love birdwatching and still marvel at the numerous species of migratory birds we are fortunate to see at all the nearby refuges.
My father, Dr. Robert Graham, moved to Klamath Falls in 1961 to start his practice joining another ophthalmologist. He and my mother who was a nurse, fell in love with the community, and he practiced here for 57 years. Through my father’s influence I developed an interest in science and was inspired to ultimately become an ophthalmologist also. I was excited about the opportunity to come back to my hometown and join my father in his ophthalmology practice. I am so grateful and honored to have worked with my father for 23 years in an amazing partnership, learning so much from his experience and having his assistance in surgical and medical patient care. I continue to be blessed carrying on the tradition of personal eye care in the same eye office the community has known since 1961. I enjoy serving my patients with a family atmosphere, and I appreciate the personal collegiality with the other medical providers in town. Also the ability to have deeper connections with my patients is special, as they often ask about my children and I learn about their family. For a medical provider, Klamath Falls is an area with a lot of opportunity to create your career path, be able to still have an independent practice, and have a very fulfilling and rewarding practice. The Klamath Falls area has blessed my life richly and it is a wonderful place to call home.
Cheri Jespersen WHNP-BC Cheri-1.jpg Cheri-2.jpg
I am a proud Klamath Basin Native and a 1993 graduate of Klamath Union High School, Go Pels!
My mother was a nurse at Merle West Medical Center during my childhood. She worked in the Critical Care Unit and was part of the team that opened the Cardiac Cath Lab. My senior year in high school she arranged for my Anatomy and Physiology class to tour the Cath lab, meet the staff and learn about what was done in a Cath Lab. This was a very exciting time in Klamath Falls as these lifesaving services had not previously been available. Thanks to the great Cath Lab crew, these tours continued for many years after my graduation from KUHS.
Hearing stories about sick patients and the care and skill our local medical providers gave to save and improve lives made me want to help. Following my mother’s footsteps, I planned on applying to nursing school well before my senior year in high school. I received my acceptance letter to the University of Portland School of Nursing in December of 1992.
My plan was to work in the operating room, Emergency room or Critical care until my first day of my maternity rotation at St. Vincents Hospital in Portland, OR. That day I knew that Women’s Health and maternity care was my calling. I was fortunate to move back to my hometown in 1998 where I continued my career as a labor and delivery nurse at Sky Lakes Medical Center. After over a decade of working alongside fantastic nurses, physicians, and residents at the Sky Lakes Family Birth Center I decided to return to school. Yearning to do more, I earned my Master of Nursing in Women’s Health in December 2011 and became a Nationally Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in March 2012.
My fortune with the Klamath Falls medical community continued as I worked with Dr. Metz and Dr. Meinig at Heartfelt OB/GYN from March 2012 until October 2021. Learning a completely different side of health care, I dove into and adored caring for Women throughout the life span and in pregnancy. I enjoyed mentoring OHSU nursing students as well as Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistance students from around the state during my time at Heartfelt.
In 2018 I was introduced to aesthetic medicine, began training and learning to love yet another specialty of medicine. On July 1, 2021, I become the proud owner of Almond Aesthetic Medicine. Since we have moved to a new location downtown while our team and service offerings have grown exponentially. Our team is made up of women who all have a passion to improve lives by helping fuel confidence. 80% of the team are Klamath Basin natives and proud to continue to serve their hometowns, me included.
Medicine is a fascinating career with a multitude of facets. I was fortunate to be exposed to many throughout my childhood from the Klamath Falls medical community, and to the present day.
Dr. Johnathan Fay - save space for photo My family moved to Klamath Falls in 1989. I entered preschool that year at Pelican Gathering and continued through Pelican Elementary, Ponderosa, and Klamath Union schools. I was involved in athletics and music, with a dabbling in so many other activities through the Ross Ragland etc. I’m grateful to the many teachers, administrators, community leaders and coaches that dedicated themselves to our youth community and inspired me: Ruth Krieger, Joel Brain, Mike Herron, Rob Coffman, Charlie Moressi, Don Butts, and Garrett DeGroot are just a few. My mom, Christine Fay, was a teacher in our schools and of course such an important childhood guide.
My adventures after High School were in pursuit of higher education and that brought me to Duke University in North Carolina, OHSU in Portland, and Montefiore Medical Center and Columbia University in New York. I had good training as an ophthalmologist and as would generally be true, I had the opportunity to pursue that career anywhere. After all the stages of medical training I also felt like I had experienced almost every part of the country!
Choosing to return to Klamath Falls has turned out to be a dream come true. I’ve been able to share a love and dedication to ophthalmology with my dad, Mark Fay at the Klamath Eye Center. My wife, Jill Fay, happily chose with me to make Klamath Falls our home and she has dedicated her career in medicine to our community too. She’s a radiologist and founder of Sage Women’s Imaging. We now offer service to those who offered their service in my childhood.
By returning home, my wife and I join so many of my lifelong friends who are here or have moved back too. With old and new connections, Jill notes how naturally our friendships have developed with the great people in our community. While these fibers of my life have intertwined in such neat ways, I find it especially rewarding to watch my four children grow up in Klamath Falls, alongside my friends’ kids, in some of my old digs. In my view, the ebb and flow of life and the interconnectedness of our community is alive and well in Klamath Falls!
Putri Bemis, BSN, RN Putri_DeGroot-1.JPG Putri_DeGroot-2.JPG Putri_DeGroot-3.JPG I grew up here in Klamath Falls, I graduated from Klamath Union High School in 2013 which laid the foundation for my journey towards higher education and professional fulfillment. KUHS offered me classes like anatomy and physiology, health occupations, and the DECA organization that played a huge role in my professional life. After graduation I left and went to Portland State University and Southern Oregon University to continue my education. Yet, despite the allure of urban life, my heart always remained tethered to the tight-knit community of Klamath Falls.
In 2019, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oregon Health & Science University in the Klamath Falls campus. Today, I work bedside as a Registered Nurse at Sky Lakes Medical Center. I also co-manage Blue Collar Family Construction with my husband. My journey, from Klamath Union High School to nursing excellence and entrepreneurial endeavors, is a testament to the transformative power of community and education. In embracing my roots, I've discovered the true essence of fulfillment: making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me. Klamath Falls will forever hold a special place in my heart, for it's here that my dreams took flight and my aspirations found purpose.
