Melissa works as one of our Physician Assistants for our Telehealth program.  She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Biology and Shenandoah University with her MS in Physician Assistant Studies.

Family Medicine is her specialty.  “I enjoy listening to patients and coming up with a health care plan as a team.  I feel patients are more successful when they understand and are on board with their treatment plan.”

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys hiking, cooking, playing board games, and being outside.

Fun Fact:  She knows a lot about birds.

Paula Dahlen had a passion to spend her life wisely and help others. Growing up in North Dakota, she initially thought a forestry career was her future. But seeing the suffering of people in Africa, she knew if she was going to make a difference in the world if wasn’t going to be working in the forests. She enrolled in the Nursing program at the University of North Dakota and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

After a career as a Registered Nurse and Physician Assistant spanning over 30 years, Paula found a home at Heritage Health in January of 2006. Passionate about the mission of Heritage Health, Paula finds a deep satisfaction knowing she is changing the world, one patient, at a time. Even though she never made it to Africa, Paula has never dreaded a day of work.

In addition to her many responsibilities at work, she enjoys her free time with art projects and gardening. An avid animal lover, Paula also volunteers at local animal shelters.

Taryn Grattic graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then graduated from the University of Washington MEDEX PA Program with a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Science. She has worked in the Silver Valley of Idaho since 2011 and proudly joined the Heritage Health team in 2014. She is a Family Health Physician Assistant and specializes in Women’s Care, Urgent Care, and Addiction Medicine. She also serves as the Post Falls Clinical Medical Director and is working towards a Doctorate in Medical Administration.

 Daniel joins Heritage Health after completing his residency at Kootenai Health.  Dr. Henbest graduated medical school from the University of Queensland in Australia.  He completed his undergraduate education at San Diego State University.

“I got into medicine so I could help people,” said Daniel. “It’s very rewarding to be able to make a difference for people.”  “I like to spend time with my patients explaining the plan of action even if this means a longer visit and wait time. I like to approach medicine collaboratively and always want to do what is in a patients best interest.”

Daniel is married to his wife Melissa and together they have four children. He enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He likes to bicycle, ski, play volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.

Luke Hopkins, 30, discovered he loved helping people by accident.  “My friend asked if I wanted to take his spot in an EMT Class and I said yes,” says Hopkins. “I did that for two years, got a little burnt out on it. Then I went into business for myself, but I missed the healthcare aspect of the job. Then decided to go back to school and it was a perfect fit for me.” Hopkins earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Thomas Edison State University in sociology. Hopkins graduated from the University of Washington’s MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program in Spokane.

He chose to help senior citizens because he felt they were the most underserved patient populations.

“They’re really fun to work with and they present different challenges than the general population,” said Hopkins. “I like to build rapport with patients and empathize with them to understand where they are coming from.”

Luke is single. He is passionate about mountain biking and snowboarding.

Fun Facts: Hopkins’ dad was a physical education teacher and coached a competitive jump roping team. Luke won a national gold medal in freestyle jump roping for boys 12 and under. His accomplishment was broadcast on ESPN.

Tiffany Kugler has been providing attentive compassionate care to patients in Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities for the past fourteen years. Tiffany’s attention to detail is a true asset with the management of multiple complex medical needs often compounded by the intricacies of dementia. Tiffany treats her patients with dignity, genuine respect, and sensitivity to their needs. She truly listens to learn the uniqueness of each patient to develop an individual plan of care.

Tiffany earned her undergraduate degree from Lewis-Clark State College and graduate degree from Gonzaga University. Tiffany began her medical career at Sacred Heart Medical Center and Kootenai Health in 1993. In 2009, she transitioned to serving residents on-site at local Assisted and Independent Living facilities. Tiffany’s expertise in long-term care continues to enhance the quality of life for these patients.

Tiffany and her husband have two grown sons, the oldest is a pilot the youngest is a computer science major at the University of Idaho, and one is an unbelievably adorable dachshund.

They enjoy kayaking, camping, garage sales, and trivia.

Fun facts: Tiffany is a fourth-generation North Idaho native.

Erika  joined the Heritage Health team in October of 2011 and works as a physician assistant and medical lead at the Coeur d’Alene location.  Prior to joining Heritage Health, she worked in cardiology, emergency medicine and inpatient hospitalist medicine.

Erika went to the University of Puget Sound for her undergraduate degree and received her physician assistant degree and master’s of Science at Pacific University in 2005. She has had 10 years of experience in medicine; 7 of which have been in cardiology.  Erika has also worked in hospitalist medicine and emergency medicine. During her free time, Erika enjoys, wake surfing, traveling, skiing, cooking, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Lindsey Page has strong ties to our community.  She grew up in Dalton Gardens and graduated from Coeur d Alene High School.  She moved to Iowa in 2005 and lived there for 6 years where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing.  She returned to Coeur d’ Alene shortly after graduating and accepted a position as an RN at Kootenai Health in the ER.  After several years in the ER she decided to return to school to pursue her nurse practitioner degree.  She continued to work at Kootenai Health through school but transitioned into a Case Management role.  She graduated in 2018 from Gonzaga University with nurse practitioner degree.  She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She started at Heritage Health in 2019.

Lindsey has always had an interest in medicine and cannot remember a time when she did not want to work in health care.  That dream continued into adulthood and she continues to have a passion for helping others.  She truly cares about each of her patients and she take a collaborative approach with her patients.  She views each of her patients as individuals with different needs. With that in mind she strives to ensure that each patient is comfortable with the care they receive.

In her spare time Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, spending time outdoors and participating in ½ Marathon runs with her friends.