Kate Wheeler

A 2003 graduate of Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash., Kate Wheeler majored in astrophysics on a swimming scholarship at the University of Nebraska. Afterwards, she traveled to Micronesia as a volunteer teacher of high school physics and math. “I stayed three years,” she says. “After the first year, I taught part-time and worked on nutrition projects for the public health department.” On her return, Wheeler moved to Atlanta for grad school in public health at Emory University. “I lived in Kosovo for three months,” she says, “working for a UNICEF nutrition project.” In May of 2013, she finished her master’s degree and moved to Eugene. In September, she began work at White Bird Clinic as coordinator of its Sharing Healthcare Options Program, funded by Cover Oregon. “It’s our job to educate people and help them enroll,” she says. “In October, we signed up 97 people.” Wheeler and co-workers Jen Colson and Sara Stroo maintain office hours at WBC (call 342-4357 for an appointment), make presentations in the community and connect with other social service agencies. “Cover Oregon is working,” Wheeler emphasizes. “People can browse the website (coveroregon.com) to explore plans and get an application.” Other options for help in registering include Community Health Centers of Lane County, Centro LatinoAmericano and certified insurance agents.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!