Sea Mar Lopez Clinic announces staffing plan
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Submitted by the Lopez Island Hospital District.
Some new faces will join the current Lopez Clinic team as Sea Mar Community Health Centers transitions as the operators of the primary care clinic here. “We’re delighted that most of the Lopez Clinic staff will continue with Sea Mar,” says Jim Orcutt, president of the Lopez Island Hospital District board. The LIHD is the elected body that has contracted with Sea Mar to operate the Lopez Clinic when the University of Washington’s contract ends on June 26. “There will be some new staff, too,” Orcutt says, “and some new positions that will help the Clinic serve needs in the community.”
The current clinic manager, Crystal Rovente, will continue on, but with a new title and role as health care administrator. In this position, Rovente will supervise daily operations, finances, staff leadership, quality improvement and regulations. She’ll partner closely with Sea Mar clinical leadership to create a collaborative, patient-centered environment.
New staff member Mariana Robles Beecher will join Casey Buffum as front desk receptionist. As the first point of contact for patients and visitors, they’ll greet patients and register them, answer phones, schedule appointments, collect payments and maintain the patient waiting area.
Former receptionist Renee Koplan will become the care coordinator, supporting patients with chronic conditions and behavioral health needs. She’ll coordinate care transitions, follow up after ER/hospital visits and link patients to behavioral and dental health and community resources.
Filling the new position of nurse manager is Karianna Aufderhar, RN, BSN (daughter of Lopez dentist, Dr. Christine Aufderhar). Aufderhar previously worked at Peace Health and will lead, train and evaluate nursing staff, medical assistants and ancillary care team members; support providers; and manage daily nursing operations, staffing, patient flow, patient concerns and care coordination.
Two more continuing staff members are Lab/X-ray Technician Janet Armstrong and Medical Assistant Emily Berg. Armstrong brings her skills with blood draws, EKGs and X-ray procedures. Berg will continue to prepare patients by taking vital signs and oral histories and assisting providers (doctors and physician associates) with exams, procedures and charting.
“The Catherine Washburn Medical Association (CWMA) board and LIHD commissioners are thrilled that two physicians and one physician associate will serve the Lopez Sea Mar Clinic as providers,” says CWMA President Katherine Bryant Ingman. “All three have homes on Lopez and understand our rural, remote community.” Physician Associate Sam Rich will continue to provide patient care as a full-time member of the primary care team. He’s been a provider at the Lopez Clinic since 2023, consistently earning strong, positive reviews from patients. Internal medicine physician Sharon Gill, MD, will join the staff as a full-time doctor. She’s spent 18 years as a physician with the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle. For the last 10 years, she’s provided primary care to a medically complex set of veterans of all ages and genders and will start at the Lopez Clinic in late summer. Rounding out the provider team is Patrick Gemperline, MD, a Sea Mar family medicine physician with a special interest in pediatrics. During his 36-year career, Gemperline previously supervised the Sea Mar Family Medicine Residency Program and obstetrics training.
“We’re grateful to be able to staff the Lopez Clinic with such an experienced team,” says Sonia Garza, Sea Mar regional director. To further assure there are sufficient providers during the transition, Sea Mar is hoping to hire a female locum (temporary provider) who has worked with them in the past. Their goal is for her to cover three weeks in July, August and September, with Gemperline working the other week of each of those months. Sea Mar will provide more information when plans are finalized.
Sea Mar Lopez Clinic will open on Monday, June 29. To schedule an appointment, call 360-468-2245. All the staff are eager to care for you; they ask for your patience during this time of change. If you have questions or concerns about patient care, contact Crystal Rovente, health care administrator, at 360-468-2245.
