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Shortly before her second birthday, Tracie Koepplin was rushed to the hospital because she couldn’t breathe. Turns out she had a rare chronic disease called juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP), aka laryngeal papilloma—caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This condition causes benign tumors to grow on the larynx which can cause serious respiratory problems, and even death. There is no cure. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the tumors, which frequently grow back.
The 55-year-old Koepplin has had more than 400 such surgeries. Her experience has shaped her career and life’s mission—to ensure that no other child or adult must endure the challenges she’s faced in her own life.
For her work advocating for live-saving vaccinations throughout her Yamhill County community, as well as her nationwide advocacy for the HPV vaccine specifically, Tracie Keopplin was recently named Oregon’s 2025 Immunization Champion. It’s an annual award given jointly by the Association of Immunization Champions (AIM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to honor people who go “above and beyond to promote immunizations in their communities.”
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Health notes |
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Join us next Thursday for an important information gathering session focused on the future of sign language interpreter licensing and regulation in Oregon. Hosted by OHA’s Health Licensing Office (HLO), this session is intended to gather public and community feedback ahead of the formal rulemaking process related to Senate Bill 950. We invite all interested parties to share their thoughts, experiences and suggestions. Your input will help shape the upcoming Rule Advisory Committee discussions and the Board of Sign Language Interpreters' (Board) final decisions regarding rulemaking.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to sign language interpreter-in-training license qualifications, license exceptions for out-of-state interpreters whose license or other state authorization is recognized by the Board and temporary sign language interpretation services, national fees, supervision requirements, specialty licenses and settings for repealed licenses (educational, medical and legal).
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WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 4, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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WHO: Open to all who are interested.
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HOW: Join via Zoom here, or by calling (669) 254-5252; Session ID: 161 698 2521#.
Please note that the purpose of this session is for information gathering only; there will be no responses to questions or discussions during the event.
HLO has scheduled three sign language interpreters, one being a Deaf sign language interpreter and CART captioning to attend. If you have any questions about accommodations or need assistance to participate, please contact Josh Page at josh.page@oha.oregon.gov; (503) 934-0720; or Krissy Pickett at krissy.pickett@oha.oregon.gov; (503) 378-2093. All relay calls accepted.
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