About Sol4ce
Vision
Transforming communities by empowering individuals with foundational health skills.
Mission
Self-Care before Service
Values
Leading with Compassion, Authenticity, Responsibility, and Empowerment.
the Sol4ce Team
Dr. Sharna Prasad, DPT, PT
Dr. Sharna Prasad grew up in India and studied physiotherapy before becoming a physical therapist. She is also an educator, public health enthusiast, and public speaker who is passionate about population health and systems thinking.
Dr. Prasad had been suffering from lower back discomfort for two years in 2013. That experience reminded her, as a professional, there was still so much more she could learn. She is the driving force behind Easy2Care, an innovative health and wellness program for educators with addiction and pain discussions.
She also runs a transdisciplinary persistent pain group program called “MAPS: Movement, ACT, Pain Science, and Self-Compassion.” She is a Therapeutic Pain Specialist who is dedicated to helping people with chronic pain and is in the process of getting certified in Lifestyle Medicine. She helps to organize the Oregon Pain Summit, a multidisciplinary conference in Lebanon, Oregon.
Dr. Prasad calls herself a “Painiac” and believes that parenting is a significant source of pain and pleasure. Currently, she is committed to educating her local community about pain and behaviors that can help cope with pain. She is also a gardener, a mosaic artist, and a world traveler.
the Sol4ce Team
Dr. Charlene Carroll
Charlene Carroll, MD, is a retired internal medicine physician. Most recently, she was a practicing academic hospitalist and core faculty member in the newly developed Internal Medicine residency program in Corvallis, Oregon. She is a certified facilitator/trainer of the Stanford Physician As Clinical Teacher course.
She also volunteers internationally and locally and sits on the Health Volunteers Overseas Internal Medicine steering committee. She was a primary care provider and eventually medical director of the five Benton County federally qualified health centers.
Prior to that, she worked at Oregon State University student health center’s emergency and urgent care centers, Planned Parenthood, and Indian Health Service. She has four adult children and has a Student Health Center’sparticular interest in mentoring and teaching providers, primary care and prevention, wellness, diet and exercise, and using healthy life practices in place of drugs whenever possible.
the Sol4ce Team
Dr. Joe Mortimer, PT, DPT
Dr. Joe Mortimer was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and spent his four years of undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, studying exercise science.
Afterward, he found himself working for the HealthCorps Philadelphia, helping under-insured families receive health insurance. He then received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Temple University in 2017 and worked for two years in inner-city Philadelphia.
In mid-2019, Dr. Mortimer was burnt out from work and was interested in doing something new. He ventured to Oregon when he was looking for a change in his life as a travel physical therapist. Since then, he has settled in the Willamette Valley, practicing in a primary care setting and teaching a chronic pain curriculum that applies lifestyle change interventions. His strengths are coaching, peacekeeping, and storytelling and values humor, compassion, and dependability.
the Sol4ce Team
Dr. Winston Kennedy, PT, DPT, MPH
Dr. Winston Kennedy is the lead research associate for SOL4CE and is a physical therapist by training and has a master’s degree in public health. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Kinesiology at Oregon State University and is completing his doctoral dissertation on the physical activity promotion behaviors of physical therapists who treat patients with neurological disorders.
Dr. Kennedy recently completed a fellowship in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program at the E.K. Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He conducts research that supports the health and well-being of people with disabilities in their intersecting identities, which helps him influence healthcare curricula to train health professionals to work with and better support people with disabilities.
Dr. Kennedy has published six peer-reviewed scientific papers, 11 peer-reviewed abstracts, and more than 50 presentations. He has also won numerous awards and most recently was recognized by the Association of University Centers on Disability in 2021 as an emerging leader.
Dr. Kennedy also has expertise in multiple areas of focus in physical therapy, including orthopedics, pediatrics, neurological disorders, and geriatrics.
the Sol4ce Team
Dr. Shelley Dubkin-Lee
Dr. Shelley Dubkin-Lee has worked in various forms of education for more than four decades. She has taught childbirth education to expectant parents and taught at a university to future K–12 teachers.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles, a master’s degree in gerontology and adult education from Ohio State University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Oregon.
She has also been a life coach for families and people who want to figure out how to achieve their goals from where they currently are. She values the opportunity to work with people as they discover their own strengths and watch them apply what they learn to improve their lives and the lives of those around them.
the Sol4ce Team
Wendy E. Shumway, MD, CPC, ELI-MP
Dr. Wendy Shumway, a practicing physician for more than 30 years, and currently works with clients and organizations to create leaders. The transition from medicine to coaching grew out of her desire to help health care practitioners who not only have burned out but also are ‘rusting out’—losing their connection to their passion and call to heal.
However, in response to the high rate of disengagement and burnout across industries, Dr. Shumway widened the scope of her work to reach people from an array of fields where job dissatisfaction and underperformance are prevalent.
As a coach and consultant, she helps her clients reconnect to their purpose, passions, and priorities leading to inspiring work experiences. In the process, Dr. Shumway taps her own lifelong passion for helping people maximize their potential and create the lives they desire.
As a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, Dr. Shumway weaves science, art, and psychology to create a unique approach to her work as a leadership coach and consultant. When not working, she enjoys writing, traveling, being in nature, and spending time with her son and their two cats.
the Sol4ce Team
Katie O’Day, MOT, OTR/L
Katie O’Day is an avid occupational therapist (OT) entrepreneur. She is the creator and author of the Visual Activity Sort, an evaluation and intervention tool for professionals dealing with adolescents and young adults that measures involvement, motivation, occupational satisfaction, and other factors related to everyday activities in all occupations.
It is client-centered, which means it is a collaborative process where the therapist works with the client to prioritize and make goals to help the client move forward.
Katie plays many hats in occupational therapy with her full-time role as a school-based OT for Portland Public Schools. She also works PRN for Providence filling in at various community hospitals as an acute care OT. Also, Katie has worked as a lab instructor for the OTA program at Linn-Benton Community College.
She has a strong interest in pediatric mental health and has extensive training in neuroscience, particularly executive functioning, sensory processing, interoception, and trauma-informed care. She uses a mindfulness approach to work with patients on self-regulation of pain and improving people’s lives. Katie loves anything nature, including hiking, trips to the beach, and camping.
the Sol4ce Team
Sarah Cruser, DPT
Dr. Sarah Cruser is a physical therapist and wordsmith who helps health and wellness professionals with developing, editing, and refining their written products.
From her editing work to direct patient care as a physical therapist, Sarah leverages the power of language to improve communication. She believes that how you say something matters more than what you say and that the health of our population depends on ensuring knowledge shared is truly understood.
Dr. Cruser holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Arts in modern dance from Columbia College Chicago. A dancer, hiker, runner, and yogini, she spends her spare time with her husband Nick and exploring everything from mountains to cities on foot.
the Sol4ce Team
Andrea Boyer, Ed.S., NCSP
Andrea Boyer has lived in the coldest parts of the U.S. for most of her life, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine art and an advanced degree in education.
She was able to go to other parts of the world and had spent nearly 20 years dancing, creating (and re-creating) herself, and studying different talents in the health and wellness industries while working as a school psychologist in her community.
Andrea chose to devote her time and opportunity now that she is retired to learn more thoroughly, interact more creatively, and “not take any more crap.” She currently resides in Salem, Oregon.
the Sol4ce Team
Fred Kane, Ph.D., LPC, MDiv
Dr. Fred Kance was born and raised in Corvallis, Oregon., and is a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and has been a United Methodist Church pastor for 23 years. He is an executive director for the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, a licensed counselor, and a certified alcohol and drug counselor in Oregon.
Dr. Kance worked at Linn County Health Department Alcohol and Drug Program as co-occurring disorder specialist and Sweet Home Federally Qualified Health Center in medication assisted recovery.
He also worked with Mosaic Medical Madras Family Care as a Behavioral Health Consultant. Currently, Dr. Kance is an adult mental health supervisor for BestCare Treatment Services in Madras, Oregon., leading a team of 16 people. He received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (all but dissertation) at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.
He is married to Susan and has four living children and eight grandchildren. He had a daughter who committed suicide in 2012. Fred loves to cook, has two cats and is remodeling a mid-century lodge-style home in Madras with an inground pool.
the Sol4ce Team
Ashley Riggs, DPT
Dr. Ashley Riggs is a doctor of physical therapy who enjoyed nine years as a full-time orthopedic physical therapist around Oregon, including Ashland, Corvallis, and Eugene.
She also spent three years as a high school health and science teacher for the Elkton School District. Her current endeavors include practicing as a wellness advisor under her business Desired Health, LLC, and being a full-time mom to her two young children. As a perpetual student, Dr. Riggs has been honored to be a part of this incredible project.
the Sol4ce Team
Connie C. Johnson, PT, DScPT: Board Certified Pediatrics
Dr. Connie Johnson is a school-based physical therapist and LEND faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is ABPTS Board Certified, DC LEND trainee who received her MSPT from Springfield College and Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland. She advocates for health, fitness, and eliminating health and opportunity disparities to achieve employment for youth with disabilities.
Dr. Johnson has been published in peer-reviewed journals on transition, the fitness of youth with disabilities, case studies on work capacity evaluation in transition, and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
She is an active member of the Academy of Pediatric Physical therapy where she is co-chair of the Practice Development Committee and a member of the school and AADA SIGs as well as a member of the Academy of orthopedic physical therapy. She is the creator of Fit4Work.
the Sol4ce Team
Velyn Scarborough, MBA
Velyn was born and raised in New York City and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and International Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
She served as a certified public accountant for 3.5 years and then returned to the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Masters of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Management, Strategic Management and Operations, Process and Information Management.
Over the past 20-plus years, she has helped entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 corporate leaders grow their businesses. She currently works at Oregon State University advising students in sales, creative marketing, strengthening their career-readiness skills, building their leadership skills and coaching them on self-care to promote their own health and well-being. Her values are family, health, love, curiosity, kindness, and skillfulness.
the Sol4ce Team
Erica Long, High School Intern
Erica Long is a high school junior at Crescent Valley High in Corvallis, Oregon, as well as an intern for the Easy2Care project. She is currently working toward going to college for psychology where she can use her knack for observation, mediation, and research in her future profession.
the Sol4ce Team
Ziad Elkawlak, Video Producer & Director
Ziad Elkawlak helps create visual media for brands and individuals. He studied New Media Communications and Photography at Oregon State University, owned and operated his own production company, and now works as a freelancer in New York City.
the Sol4ce Team
Hailey Randall, BS Public Health
Hailey Randall is a 2022 graduate from Oregon State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in public health: health promotion and behavior, as well as a minor in Spanish. Hailey is from Beaverton, Oregon, and has a background in public health, education, and leadership.
the Sol4ce Team
Amy Hunter, MA
Amy Hunter is an instructional designer specializing in the health and wellness industry. She has her Masters in Teaching and has taught at both the collegiate level and adult education. Previously, she worked for decades as an audio/video editor and brings her design skills to her online curriculum development.
Amy is a dedicated yoga practitioner, teacher, and wellness enthusiast. With more than 1,200 hours of yoga teacher training, she has cultivated a deep understanding of the transformative power of yoga. She loves to ski, hike, and kayak in the beautiful Northwest.
the Sol4ce Team
Nick Ng, BA
An avid digital artist and history buff, Nick Ng is Sol4ce’s copywriter and copy editor, building the company’ content library and bringing 10 years of experience in journalism and content writing. He earned a BA in Graphite Communications from San Diego State University in 2001 and an AA in Journalism from Palomar College in 2021. He also worked as a certified massage therapist in Southern California for six years before the COVID-19 pandemic and 14 years as a personal trainer.
Nick is also a local journalist in the Edmonds and Lynnwood in Washington state and is an editor for Massage & Fitness, an online publication that explores the science behind touch and pain. He currently freelances as a digital artist and writer in the Greater Seattle Area.
the Sol4ce Team
Aakash Prasad, Msc
Aakash is a site reliability engineer who makes sure Sol4ce’s website functions at its best. He builds, maintains, and manages large scale enterprise-level software and infrastructure to meet core business objectives.
He holds a masters degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity from Northeastern University and has joined SOL4CE to develop and streamline its technical operations.
the Sol4ce Team
Mary McLeod
Mary has had a long career in human resources in various businesses: insurance, retail, hospitality, and others. Recently retired, Mary enjoys working with the team at Sol4ce and encourages everyone to practice self-care on a daily basis.
OUR APPrOACH
Learn more about our passionate organization.
1. Who is SOL4CE?
SOL4CE, LLC is a company founded by healthcare professionals who understand the value of promoting overall health before it reaches a point that requires medical intervention.
Through their own experiences, they have seen the benefits of preventive health and self-care on their patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the devastating impact of stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional and mental strains on many people.
To provide a non-medical program that offers support to those suffering various forms of pain—physical, emotional, mental—SOL4CE provides a supportive and compassionate community for those dealing with pain, reducing loneliness and isolation that often accompany chronic pain.
SOL4CE represents both Solace (comfort in times of stress and sadness) and Soulforce (holding on to Truth) is the strength that brings healing, unity, and strength.
2. our flagship program: Easy2care
SOL4CE’s flagship program, Easy2Care, was created to support teachers in addressing the needs of America’s children. However, the program’s success led to its recognition as a versatile solution for those facing similar issues.
The Easy2Care program aligns with the discussion about the importance of school health and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework. The program focuses on improving the overall health and well-being of each person and is consistent with the ten domains of support for student’s health and academic success outlined by the WSCC framework.
Easy2Care emphasizes self-awareness and provides practical strategies and tools to help individuals make positive changes in their health behaviors. The program’s comprehensive approach, covering topics, such as stress, nutrition, and sleep, supports the idea of whole child health, which acknowledges the interrelatedness of physical, mental, and social health.
The program’s online community also supports social and emotional learning, one of the domains of support outlined in the WSCC framework.
Schools and communities can implement Easy2Care to improve school health and align with the WSCC framework. The program’s comprehensive approach to whole child health and its emphasis on self-awareness and practical strategies make it a powerful tool for those seeking to improve their overall health and well-being.
3. the wscc model
The WSCC model consists of ten essential components that address the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual aspects of a child’s development. These include:
- Health promotion: incorporating health education and promotion into the school curriculum.
- Safe and supportive school environment: providing a safe and supportive physical and social environment for students.
- Physical education: promoting physical activity and sport.
- Nutrition: providing healthy food and promoting healthy eating habits.
- Social and emotional support: providing support for students’ social and emotional well-being.
- Psychological and counseling services: providing psychological and counseling services for students and their families.
- Health services: providing basic health services and referrals for students in need.
- Family and community involvement: involving families and communities in the education and health of their children.
- Health promotion in the wider community: promoting health and well-being in the wider community.
- Collaboration: promoting collaboration and partnerships between the school, health, and community sectors.
The WSCC model aims to create a supportive and healthy environment that nurtures the overall development of children and young people, enabling them to reach their full potential.