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News Release

Cascadia Health - Statement & Press Briefing Regarding Employee Death - 07/17/23

Statement from Derald Walker, President & CEO of Cascadia Health:

“It is with great sadness that I inform you of the unfortunate passing of a valued colleague at Cascadia Health. Early Sunday morning, Gresham police responded to a call at a Cascadia Health residential facility regarding an unresponsive employee. Police pronounced the employee dead at the scene and determined the death a homicide. A suspect is in custody.

Cascadia’s immediate focus is supporting the employee’s family as they grieve their profound loss. In addition, we have set up resources to ensure Cascadia staff, residents, and all clients have the necessary assistance they need to process this tragic event.

In the coming days, Cascadia will assess what happened to understand the circumstances surrounding this event and collaborate to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

We have extremely special staff at Cascadia. And if there is one thing that we all have in common, it is the camaraderie we establish and the friendships we form over our shared love, compassion, and dedication for those in our care and for the work we do. This news has undoubtedly left our whole mental health community in a state of shock and distress, but we are fortunate to have each other.

The work we do is hard, but it is important. It is tireless and traumatic, but essential to the fabric of our communities. Yet too often, it is overlooked and undervalued despite the significant and positive impact it has across our entire society. 

I want to acknowledge the unwavering dedication all Cascadia employees bring to their perspective roles every day. And I want to empathize with each of them as we grieve the loss of our colleague and friend.”

Media Background:

  • Cascadia Health is working closely with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.
  • At this time, we ask the media to work with Gresham police for any information pertinent to their investigation.
  • The incident took place at McCarthy Place, a 10-bed licensed residential facility operated by Cascadia Health, on Sunday morning.
  • McCarthy Place residents have been provided temporary housing elsewhere, in addition to other support, as the police investigation is ongoing.
  • Cascadia has set up additional support for staff as they process this situation.
  • Cascadia Health will conduct its own assessment of the situation to determine appropriate action.
  • Cascadia Health is cooperating with the state and county as the situation is assessed.
  • Cascadia Health remains committed to our mission of delivering whole health care, including integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing to promote hope and support the wellbeing of the communities we serve.

About Cascadia Health

Cascadia Health provides integrated mental health, primary care, substance use treatment, permanent housing solutions, and wellness supports to adults, children, and families throughout the Portland-metro region. As both a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center and Federally Qualified Health Center, Cascadia Health strives to promote hope and deliver Whole Health to the communities we serve.

Attached Media Files: ,

Cascadia Health - Statement & Press Briefing Regarding Employee Death - 07/17/23

Statement from Derald Walker, President & CEO of Cascadia Health:

“It is with great sadness that I inform you of the unfortunate passing of a valued colleague at Cascadia Health. Early Sunday morning, Gresham police responded to a call at a Cascadia Health residential facility regarding an unresponsive employee. Police pronounced the employee dead at the scene and determined the death a homicide. A suspect is in custody.

Cascadia’s immediate focus is supporting the employee’s family as they grieve their profound loss. In addition, we have set up resources to ensure Cascadia staff, residents, and all clients have the necessary assistance they need to process this tragic event.

In the coming days, Cascadia will assess what happened to understand the circumstances surrounding this event and collaborate to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

We have extremely special staff at Cascadia. And if there is one thing that we all have in common, it is the camaraderie we establish and the friendships we form over our shared love, compassion, and dedication for those in our care and for the work we do. This news has undoubtedly left our whole mental health community in a state of shock and distress, but we are fortunate to have each other.

The work we do is hard, but it is important. It is tireless and traumatic, but essential to the fabric of our communities. Yet too often, it is overlooked and undervalued despite the significant and positive impact it has across our entire society. 

I want to acknowledge the unwavering dedication all Cascadia employees bring to their perspective roles every day. And I want to empathize with each of them as we grieve the loss of our colleague and friend.”

Media Background:

  • Cascadia Health is working closely with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.
  • At this time, we ask the media to work with Gresham police for any information pertinent to their investigation.
  • The incident took place at McCarthy Place, a 10-bed licensed residential facility operated by Cascadia Health, on Sunday morning.
  • McCarthy Place residents have been provided temporary housing elsewhere, in addition to other support, as the police investigation is ongoing.
  • Cascadia has set up additional support for staff as they process this situation.
  • Cascadia Health will conduct its own assessment of the situation to determine appropriate action.
  • Cascadia Health is cooperating with the state and county as the situation is assessed.
  • Cascadia Health remains committed to our mission of delivering whole health care, including integrated mental health and addiction services, primary care, and housing to promote hope and support the wellbeing of the communities we serve.

About Cascadia Health

Cascadia Health provides integrated mental health, primary care, substance use treatment, permanent housing solutions, and wellness supports to adults, children, and families throughout the Portland-metro region. As both a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center and Federally Qualified Health Center, Cascadia Health strives to promote hope and deliver Whole Health to the communities we serve.

Attached Media Files: ,