Connected Whole Health Providers

Dr. Jaci Bergstrom is the assistant dean of clinical internship at University of Western States. Originally from North Dakota, she completed her chiropractic education at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN in 2001. Upon graduation she practiced as an associate until 2007 when she opened her own practice in Fargo, ND. In 2012 she was given the opportunity to move to the Portland area with her husband and worked in a private practice setting until 2018 when she began her career at UWS as a clinical educator. Shifting her focus from a private practice setting to the instructional side and being able to pay forward the experiences gained over the years providing care to patients has been so gratifying. Dr. Bergstrom feels this has been a great transition that has allowed her to incorporate her passion for chiropractic into the lives of the students as they pursue their dreams of providing care to their future patients. In 2021, Dr. Bergstrom moved into a clinical supervisor role and in August of 2022 moved into the assistant dean position, appreciating the knowledge gained in each position. In her free time, Dr. Bergstrom enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She also loves the outdoors, cooking, exercise and traveling.

As a clinician in private practice for more than 30 years, Dr. Pat Helma has had the opportunity to work with thousands of patients from one day old to 98 years young. Dr. Helma is a licensed chiropractic physician and a board certified Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. Dr. Helma’s advanced sports training has been beneficial in treating all patients, from “desk jockeys” to athletes from professional football, baseball, professional surfing, beach volleyball, snowboard/ski, skateboard and the professional rodeo circuit. Dr. Helma has also worked with local high schools as their team physician for football, baseball, lacrosse and wrestling. 

Dr. Pat Helma was the only chiropractor in the state of Florida to be appointed by the governor to sit on the Florida High School Athletic Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. While in Colorado, Dr. Helma worked with and trained professional and amateur endurance athletes from 16-83 years of age. Dr. Pat Helma has presented numerous lectures on posture and movement in addition to sports related topics. 

Dr. Lorraine Ginter received her Bachelor of Science in biology from University of California, East Bay in 1996. She attended the Holistic Health Institute in San Francisco and graduated with a holistic health educator and practitioner certificate in 1979, and graduated from University of Western States (UWS) in 1989 with a doctor of chiropractic degree. Dr. Ginter is board eligible for a diplomate in internal medicine. She also has additional training in Graston technique, kinseiotaping, enzyme therapy and primary care practice. She has been engaged in clinical teaching at UWS since 1991. Prior to becoming a licensed chiropractic physician, Dr. Ginter was a massage practitioner for 10 years in a chiropractic office, which motivated her to get more schooling so she could increase her skill set and provide care for more patients.

Dr. Ginter has a particular interest in treating the whole person, which means evaluating and addressing the patient’s primary concern, as well as taking a holistic approach by evaluating for and minimizing risk factors for illness and encouraging optimal health through nutritional and lifestyle support. She treats patients of all ages who present with most any condition, but specializes in chronic pain and palliative care.

Dr. Ginter maintains balance in her own life by engaging in activities with family and friends. She particularly enjoys interests that bring her closer to nature, which include gardening, bird watching and creating fiber art pieces through quilting and applique (check out her wool labyrinths in the UWS library)! She also maintains an active meditation and walking practice.

Dr. Ryan Ondick began chiropractic practice in 2002 and has worked as a chiropractic physician in the University of Western States (UWS) clinic system since 2005. He started school at UWS in 1998 without ever being adjusted and fellow clinician, Dr. Ginter, was the first person to ever adjust him. He mentors and supervises 3rd and 4th year interns as they develop their clinical skills. Dr. Ondick also assists students as a sports medicine and outreach supervisor which involves overseeing the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients throughout the greater Portland metro area. While he considers himself a jack of all trades, rehabilitation is one of Dr. Ondick’s passions as it helps empowers people to have control over their own pain, aid in their rate of recovery and possible reduce reinjury. He currently serves as the faculty advisor for the UWS rehabilitation club.

Dr. Ondick is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys archery, lacrosse, running and the diverse beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Heidi Olejnik grew up near Tacoma, Washington, attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and has lived in Portland since 2007. She swam competitively and played water polo throughout high school and college.

Dr. Olejnik worked as a health unit coordinator at OHSU Hospital while considering how to best combine her interest in health care with teaching. During this time she had her first experience with chiropractic and realized

its unique benefits. She appreciated that chiropractic physicians can take time to listen, collaborate, empower and develop long-term, caring relationships with patients. She was inspired and enrolled at University of Western States.

Dr. Olejnik was a staff clinician at Portland Chiropractic Group from 2012-2021. She also founded Oregon Coast Chiropractic in 2015. Dr. Olejnik loves to treat the whole body and specializes in extremity adjustments, such as the shoulder and jaw. Additionally, she provides endonasal and nasal specific treatments for chronic ear and sinus problems.

In her spare time, Dr. Olejnik enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling and quality time with her dog.

Dr. Anne Venderley is a chiropractic physician at the University of Western States clinic. After graduating from Purdue University, she studied chiropractic medicine at National University of Health Sciences. Dr. Venderley practiced in Fort Wayne, Indiana and Denver, Colorado, while also teaching college anatomy courses. She enjoys working with student interns and teaching them how to use their knowledge in a clinical setting so they can learn to treat patients with skill and compassion.  

Dr. Venderley enjoys working with many different types of patients and conditions, including prenatal and postpartum care, chronic pain and sports medicine. Through rehabilitative exercises, she strives to empower patients by giving them tools for understanding and maintaining their health.

Outside the office, Dr. Venderley loves to visit the coast, hike, practice yoga and explore all the great restaurants and coffee shops Portland has to offer.

Dr. Peter Vuky is a chiropractic physician at the University of Western States Health Center. He enjoys providing patient care in combination with mentoring chiropractic interns in their clinical development. Dr. Vuky’s chiropractic interests include family practice, injury and rehabilitation care. He earned his doctor of chiropractic degree from UWS and serves on a subcommittee for the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners (OBCE). Outside of work, Dr. Vuky enjoys playing tennis and chess. Having lived in Oregon for more than 40 years, he is an avid Portland Trailblazers fan.

Rebecca Bell is a sports chiropractor and clinical educator at University of Western States. With a history of working in professional sports serving as team chiropractor for the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns, in addition to providing patient care in a general practice setting, she has experience working with patients of all backgrounds and activity levels. Rebecca is armed with a bachelor’s in human biology, a Master of Science in sports medicine, and a doctorate of chiropractic. Her sports expertise is further underscored by her Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) credential, and as a lifelong learner she plans to always further her education.

Beyond her clinical pursuits, Rebecca shares a love for backpacking, hiking, lifting weights and board games. Hailing from the picturesque landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Rebecca is a Portland area native. Her two canine companions along with her husband accompany her on most of her adventures. In the realm of health and wellness, Rebecca is a steadfast advocate for comprehensive care where the patient always comes first.  

Dr. Beverly Harger is a chiropractic radiologist with more than 26 years of clinical experience. In 1992, she completed her radiology residency at University of Western States (formerly WSCC) and attained her diplomate status from the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (ACBR). Her influential mentors were Dr. Appa Anderson (the first chiropractic radiologist and who started the radiology resident program at UWS – formerly WSCC) and Dr. Cynthia Peterson, Harger’s residency director.

She is the director of the MS in diagnostic imaging (MS-DI) as well as the clinical radiologist for the University of Western States. She believes that the radiologist is an integral part of the patient’s healthcare team and, therefore, should have direct communication with the doctor. In addition to her role as radiologist, she enjoys teaching post-graduate courses on imaging. As director of the residency in diagnostic imaging she is directly involved in training the next generation of chiropractic radiologists. When she is not in the proverbial dark room of the radiologist, she enjoys most outdoor activities except weeding.