Our Team

Jason McNichol, PhD,  President and Executive Director

Jason is a medical sociologist, researcher, and patient advocate with fourteen years of experience addressing challenges facing patients and families in the health-care system. He holds his PhD and MA degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science with Highest Honors from Cornell University. Before founding Health Advocacy Solutions, Jason served as a program officer at the Social Science Research Council in New York City, where he directed health-related projects funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and other philanthropies. He is also the co-founder of ELM Research and Strategy, an interdisciplinary consultancy established in 1999.

Over the course of his career, Jason has received several major awards, including fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He has taught at the University of California, the University of Freiburg (Germany), and other campuses. Curently, Jason teaches as an adjunct professor at Portland State University.  He also serves on several state and national committees focusing on healthcare advocacy, patient-centered care, and insurance reform.

Patricia (Trish) Frerking, PhD, MPH, Director of Research

Trish has worked as a medical researcher and healthcare advocate for over a decade. She holds her PhD in physiology from the University of California at Davis, and a masters in public health through the joint program at Portland State University and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).  She has held leadership positions in both clinical and research settings, addressing the advocacy needs of diverse patients and families. Trish has a passion for helping clients understand their medical options and make informed choices that are right for them. She also continues to conduct research and publish with colleagues in scientific and health policy journals.

Margie Amspacher, RN, Associate Advocate and Care Manager

Margie has worked closely with diverse populations as a nurse and patient advocate for over 20 years.  She has practiced extensively in maternal and child health settings, and also has worked in surgical nursing, pediatrics, and mental health. An educator and community leader for patient-centered care, Margie is committed to helping all clients find and receive the care and support they both need and deserve.

Our Trusted Advisors, Volunteers, and Interns

Sean Larkin, MPA, Information Technology

Sean is an integrated IT and knowledge management specialist with more than ten years’ experience leading new projects in diverse organizational environments. After graduating with honors from the University of Virginia in 1998, Sean went on to complete a masters in public administration as a Jon Ben Snow Fellow in Nonprofit Management at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. He recently founded ThinkShout, a technology planning and social media strategy firm that focuses on open-source solutions for non-profits and forward-thinking firms.

Daren Nicholson, MD, CM, e-Health Technology

Trained originally as a medical doctor, Daren Nicholson now works on the implementation of medical informatics solutions to improve health-care outcomes for patients and consumers.  He is currently working with ICW America-- an international e-health technology provider.  Daren earned his Doctorate of Medicine (MD, CM) degree from McGill University in Montreal (Canada), as well as a Masters of Biomedical Informatics from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. Since 2005, Daren's other consulting work has focused on policy and technical issues related to personal health records (PHRs).

José Pares-Avila, MN, MA, NP-C, RN, ARNP, LMHC, Underserved Populations

José is a nurse practitioner, mental health counselor, and interdisciplinary researcher on care challenges facing diverse populations. He has over 20 years of experience working in clinical and community settings addressing the unique primary and chronic care needs of children and adolescents, infectious disease patients, Latino immigrants, and sexual minorities. José completed a Doctorate of Nurse Practice at the University of Washington in 2009.

Raymond Rendleman, Communications Associate

Raymond is a freelance journalist who has covered health-care topics of interest to consumers and communities for over three years. A 2006 graduate of Reed College, Raymond has served as a writer and reporter for several publications and regional news organizations. He has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his investigative reporting work. Between 1999 and 2002, Raymond also worked as the office manager of the Old Town Clinic-- a community primary care health provider in Portland. At HAS, Raymond is assisting with a variety of our communications and outreach activities.

Please see About Us for more information about our Board of Directors.