Current fellows
California Fellows
Araceli Garcia (she/her) is a behavioral health specialist and case manager rooted in the Eastern Coachella Valley, where she was born and raised. Growing up in a community shaped by economic and environmental injustice, Araceli witnessed firsthand how barriers like language, limited resources, and systemic inequities impact health. These experiences continue to guide her work today.
A native Spanish speaker, Araceli is deeply committed to building trust with her patients by meeting them where they are and ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood. In her work at a county clinic, she supports patients navigating complex challenges, including mental health needs and housing insecurity, while advocating for care that reflects the full realities of their lives.
Araceli joined the California HEAL Program to strengthen her skills in serving resource-denied communities and to grow as a leader in community-based care. She is passionate about expanding access to culturally responsive mental health services and empowering patients to take an active role in their health and well-being in the Inland Empire and beyond. To do so, Araceli is committed to building her capacity to support her patients through HEAL and, in the future, pursuing a Master of Social Work.
Araceli Garcia (she/her) is a behavioral health specialist and case manager rooted in the Eastern Coachella Valley, where she was born and raised. Growing up in a community shaped by economic and environmental injustice, Araceli witnessed firsthand how barriers like language, limited resources, and systemic inequities impact health. These experiences continue to guide her work today.
A native Spanish speaker, Araceli is deeply committed to building trust with her patients by meeting them where they are and ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood. In her work at a county clinic, she supports patients navigating complex challenges, including mental health needs and housing insecurity, while advocating for care that reflects the full realities of their lives.
Araceli joined the California HEAL Program to strengthen her skills in serving resource-denied communities and to grow as a leader in community-based care. She is passionate about expanding access to culturally responsive mental health services and empowering patients to take an active role in their health and well-being in the Inland Empire and beyond. To do so, Araceli is committed to building her capacity to support her patients through HEAL and, in the future, pursuing a Master of Social Work.
Cristina Musch, DMSc (she/her), is a physician assistant and Doctor of Medical Science serving rural California, where she provides care to immigrant and farmworker communities navigating significant barriers to health, including language access and a system that often overlooks their needs. Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, Cristina brings this firsthand experience to her work to connect culturally and linguistically with the communities she serves. For example, understanding that mental health is taboo in many immigrant communities, Cristina keeps an eye out for unreported mental health needs and thoughtfully offers services to support her patients. This has led to patients coming in with back pain and leaving with tools to address that and their undiagnosed anxiety.
Cristina’s approach is rooted in trust, cultural humility, and meeting patients where they are. She also takes time to ensure patients understand their care and options, which includes walking them through treatment plans in Spanish or connecting individuals to resources they may not know exist. For Cristina, care doesn’t stop at an office visit; it’s about building relationships and advocating for patients for the long term.
She joined the California HEAL Program to strengthen her ability to address the root causes of health inequities and to learn alongside a community committed to justice and community partnerships. Cristina is passionate about creating sustainable, community-driven solutions and mentoring the next generation of providers from underrepresented backgrounds. Cristina notes, “I envision a future where my patients don’t have to fight to be heard, where culturally competent care is the norm, not the exception.”
Cristina Musch, DMSc (she/her), is a physician assistant and Doctor of Medical Science serving rural California, where she provides care to immigrant and farmworker communities navigating significant barriers to health, including language access and a system that often overlooks their needs. Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, Cristina brings this firsthand experience to her work to connect culturally and linguistically with the communities she serves. For example, understanding that mental health is taboo in many immigrant communities, Cristina keeps an eye out for unreported mental health needs and thoughtfully offers services to support her patients. This has led to patients coming in with back pain and leaving with tools to address that and their undiagnosed anxiety.
Cristina’s approach is rooted in trust, cultural humility, and meeting patients where they are. She also takes time to ensure patients understand their care and options, which includes walking them through treatment plans in Spanish or connecting individuals to resources they may not know exist. For Cristina, care doesn’t stop at an office visit; it’s about building relationships and advocating for patients for the long term.
She joined the California HEAL Program to strengthen her ability to address the root causes of health inequities and to learn alongside a community committed to justice and community partnerships. Cristina is passionate about creating sustainable, community-driven solutions and mentoring the next generation of providers from underrepresented backgrounds. Cristina notes, “I envision a future where my patients don’t have to fight to be heard, where culturally competent care is the norm, not the exception.”
Growing up in San Diego and training across California, Dani Weiss, DO (they/them), witnessed how structural inequities and policy barriers can limit access to safe, dignified perinatal care, even in regions with plenty of healthcare resources. Their clinical interests include advancing prenatal safety, reproductive justice, autonomy, and equity for historically excluded communities, particularly migrant and farmworker communities in the Central Valley, where they will be working during their fellowship.
Dani joined the California HEAL Fellowship to strengthen their skills as a clinician and advocate while helping build systems in which all birthing people can thrive. They are especially excited to partner with community leads and interdisciplinary teams in Fresno. In the future, Dani hopes to train physicians while providing full-spectrum obstetric care in low-resource settings across California.
Growing up in San Diego and training across California, Dani Weiss, DO (they/them), witnessed how structural inequities and policy barriers can limit access to safe, dignified perinatal care, even in regions with plenty of healthcare resources. Their clinical interests include advancing prenatal safety, reproductive justice, autonomy, and equity for historically excluded communities, particularly migrant and farmworker communities in the Central Valley, where they will be working during their fellowship.
Dani joined the California HEAL Fellowship to strengthen their skills as a clinician and advocate while helping build systems in which all birthing people can thrive. They are especially excited to partner with community leads and interdisciplinary teams in Fresno. In the future, Dani hopes to train physicians while providing full-spectrum obstetric care in low-resource settings across California.
Edgar Geronimo Yap Jr., MD (he/him), is a second-generation Filipino-American dedicated to advancing health equity through the California HEAL Fellowship. He draws from a rich background of lived experiences—from his upbringing across California to his time living in Kuwait—to inform his clinical and advocacy work. While in undergrad at UC Berkeley, Edgar worked to empower youth from historically marginalized backgrounds, focusing on retention and success in higher education. He entered medical school with a clear vision for primary care and subsequently fell in love with Family Medicine. During medical school, he held several regional and national leadership roles, representing Filipino and Asian-Pacific American students and advocating for first-generation, low-income students.
Edgar completed his residency at the University of California, San Diego, where he connected with the region’s large Filipino population through shared language and cultural understanding. A committed advocate for institutional change, he also served as a co-resident leader of the Diversity and Anti-Racism Committee. Throughout his residency, Edgar provided care across San Diego’s diverse landscapes, working with patients facing significant barriers to preventative care.
As a California HEAL Fellow, Edgar is eager to continue his work in San Diego, collaborating with community partners to build healthcare systems that go beyond treating illness to actively support community resilience. Through this program, he aims to refine his skills in advocacy, leadership, and medical education to help patients and families navigate a healthcare system that remains foreign to many.
Edgar Geronimo Yap Jr., MD (he/him), is a second-generation Filipino-American dedicated to advancing health equity through the California HEAL Fellowship. He draws from a rich background of lived experiences—from his upbringing across California to his time living in Kuwait—to inform his clinical and advocacy work. While in undergrad at UC Berkeley, Edgar worked to empower youth from historically marginalized backgrounds, focusing on retention and success in higher education. He entered medical school with a clear vision for primary care and subsequently fell in love with Family Medicine. During medical school, he held several regional and national leadership roles, representing Filipino and Asian-Pacific American students and advocating for first-generation, low-income students.
Edgar completed his residency at the University of California, San Diego, where he connected with the region’s large Filipino population through shared language and cultural understanding. A committed advocate for institutional change, he also served as a co-resident leader of the Diversity and Anti-Racism Committee. Throughout his residency, Edgar provided care across San Diego’s diverse landscapes, working with patients facing significant barriers to preventative care.
As a California HEAL Fellow, Edgar is eager to continue his work in San Diego, collaborating with community partners to build healthcare systems that go beyond treating illness to actively support community resilience. Through this program, he aims to refine his skills in advocacy, leadership, and medical education to help patients and families navigate a healthcare system that remains foreign to many.
Inspired by her grandmother, a certified nurse-midwife and longtime advocate for maternal health, Indigo Gill, MD (she/her), became a doctor with a mission to advance Black birth equity and improve outcomes for Black birthing people, parents, and neonates/children. During residency, Indigo developed a strong foundation in primary care while cultivating her interest in high-risk peripartum care and intrapartum obstetrics. Her early training in public health and human nutrition continues to shape her approach to medicine, grounding her clinical work in community partnership, reflection, and justice.
Indigo joined the California HEAL Fellowship to gain dedicated mentorship and protected space to deepen her work in birth equity while serving resource-denied communities. Completing her residency at the University of California, San Francisco, Indigo is excited to continue caring for underserved populations in California and to grow as a clinician-advocate, committed to building more equitable and sustainable systems of care.
Inspired by her grandmother, a certified nurse-midwife and longtime advocate for maternal health, Indigo Gill, MD (she/her), became a doctor with a mission to advance Black birth equity and improve outcomes for Black birthing people, parents, and neonates/children. During residency, Indigo developed a strong foundation in primary care while cultivating her interest in high-risk peripartum care and intrapartum obstetrics. Her early training in public health and human nutrition continues to shape her approach to medicine, grounding her clinical work in community partnership, reflection, and justice.
Indigo joined the California HEAL Fellowship to gain dedicated mentorship and protected space to deepen her work in birth equity while serving resource-denied communities. Completing her residency at the University of California, San Francisco, Indigo is excited to continue caring for underserved populations in California and to grow as a clinician-advocate, committed to building more equitable and sustainable systems of care.
Lourdes Lopez (she/her) is a community health worker supervisor dedicated to ensuring families have access to the information, resources, and support they need to thrive. For more than 13 years, she has worked as a community health worker and home visitor, building trusted relationships with families and helping them navigate barriers to care through education, advocacy, and connection to services.
Now serving as a supervisor for a team of community health and education workers, Lourdes continues this work by mentoring staff and strengthening the program to better meet community needs. Her approach is grounded in culturally responsive care, whether through health education, translation, or community outreach, always focused on empowering people to make informed decisions about their health.
Lourdes joined the California HEAL Program to grow as a leader and expand her impact in community-based public health. She is especially passionate about advancing health equity and scaling community health and education worker programs to reach more communities, while building sustainable systems that support long-term care.
Lourdes Lopez (she/her) is a community health worker supervisor dedicated to ensuring families have access to the information, resources, and support they need to thrive. For more than 13 years, she has worked as a community health worker and home visitor, building trusted relationships with families and helping them navigate barriers to care through education, advocacy, and connection to services.
Now serving as a supervisor for a team of community health and education workers, Lourdes continues this work by mentoring staff and strengthening the program to better meet community needs. Her approach is grounded in culturally responsive care, whether through health education, translation, or community outreach, always focused on empowering people to make informed decisions about their health.
Lourdes joined the California HEAL Program to grow as a leader and expand her impact in community-based public health. She is especially passionate about advancing health equity and scaling community health and education worker programs to reach more communities, while building sustainable systems that support long-term care.
Misty Maggiore (she/her) has spent the past decade working in the substance use field, learning directly from the communities she served across rural California. Starting as a monitor and now a substance use navigator, Misty has seen firsthand how barriers to care in resource-denied communities impact individuals facing addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. Her work with a mobile crisis team has been especially formative, meeting people in their most vulnerable moments and reinforcing her belief in compassionate, trauma-informed, and community-based care.
She hopes to bring those lessons to the HEAL community. Additionally, Misty joined the California HEAL Program to gain leadership skills and pick up practical tools to create services that are more responsive to community needs. Currently pursuing her Master’s of Social Work, Misty is committed to honing her skills to expand accessible mental health and substance use care to underserved Fresno communities.
Misty Maggiore (she/her) has spent the past decade working in the substance use field, learning directly from the communities she served across rural California. Starting as a monitor and now a substance use navigator, Misty has seen firsthand how barriers to care in resource-denied communities impact individuals facing addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. Her work with a mobile crisis team has been especially formative, meeting people in their most vulnerable moments and reinforcing her belief in compassionate, trauma-informed, and community-based care.
She hopes to bring those lessons to the HEAL community. Additionally, Misty joined the California HEAL Program to gain leadership skills and pick up practical tools to create services that are more responsive to community needs. Currently pursuing her Master’s of Social Work, Misty is committed to honing her skills to expand accessible mental health and substance use care to underserved Fresno communities.
Nancy Del Castillo (she/her) is a community health worker and proud resident of Salton City, a rural community where access to basic services, including healthcare, remains extremely limited. Growing up and raising her family in a place without reliable transportation, nearby clinics, or affordable, healthy food has shaped Nancy’s deep commitment to helping her community access all the services they need to live healthy lives.
Nancy began her work as a volunteer in her children’s schools, supporting families, leading trainings, and advocating for student and community needs. She went on to become a promotora (community health educator for Latinx communities) at Unidas Por Salud, a non-profit organization in the Coachella Valley, contributing to initiatives focused on the COVID-19 response, childhood asthma studies, and other community-based research in partnership with the University of California, Riverside. As a promotora, Nancy is known for meeting people where they are, linguistically and culturally, helping them navigate services, fill out applications, and access care.
Nancy joined the California HEAL Program to bring new knowledge, resources, and partnerships back to her community. She is especially passionate about sharing what she learns with fellow promotoras and believes that the greatest reward is seeing the impact of the work in the lives and smiles of her neighbors.
Nancy Del Castillo (she/her) is a community health worker and proud resident of Salton City, a rural community where access to basic services, including healthcare, remains extremely limited. Growing up and raising her family in a place without reliable transportation, nearby clinics, or affordable, healthy food has shaped Nancy’s deep commitment to helping her community access all the services they need to live healthy lives.
Nancy began her work as a volunteer in her children’s schools, supporting families, leading trainings, and advocating for student and community needs. She went on to become a promotora (community health educator for Latinx communities) at Unidas Por Salud, a non-profit organization in the Coachella Valley, contributing to initiatives focused on the COVID-19 response, childhood asthma studies, and other community-based research in partnership with the University of California, Riverside. As a promotora, Nancy is known for meeting people where they are, linguistically and culturally, helping them navigate services, fill out applications, and access care.
Nancy joined the California HEAL Program to bring new knowledge, resources, and partnerships back to her community. She is especially passionate about sharing what she learns with fellow promotoras and believes that the greatest reward is seeing the impact of the work in the lives and smiles of her neighbors.
Nivedita Kar, MD, MS (she/her), is a pediatric global health physician dedicated to advancing health equity through compassionate, culturally responsive, and community-centered care. Grounded in both lived experience and clinical training, she believes excellent care begins with listening deeply, communicating clearly, and partnering with patients, communities, and families with humility, respect, and advocacy.
Dr. Kar completed her pediatric residency at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, where she graduated with distinction on the Global Health track. She earned her MD from California Northstate University College of Medicine, holds an MS in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from Northwestern University, and studied Statistics and Anthropology at UCLA.
Her work bridges clinical medicine, global health, advocacy, and policy. She has contributed to HIV policy and strategy efforts with UNAIDS in Geneva, represented pediatrics in government relations and health equity initiatives at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, and held leadership roles throughout medical school and residency. Her experiences caring for Indigenous patients in Peru and working with Karen communities in Northern Thailand further strengthened her commitment to equitable care across diverse cultural and resource settings.
Dr. Kar is passionate about global health emergency response, child health equity, and the use of innovation and technology to strengthen care delivery across diverse settings. As a UCSF fellow, she hopes to continue growing as a physician-leader at the intersection of frontline care, systems change, and global equity.
Nivedita Kar, MD, MS (she/her), is a pediatric global health physician dedicated to advancing health equity through compassionate, culturally responsive, and community-centered care. Grounded in both lived experience and clinical training, she believes excellent care begins with listening deeply, communicating clearly, and partnering with patients, communities, and families with humility, respect, and advocacy.
Dr. Kar completed her pediatric residency at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, where she graduated with distinction on the Global Health track. She earned her MD from California Northstate University College of Medicine, holds an MS in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from Northwestern University, and studied Statistics and Anthropology at UCLA.
Her work bridges clinical medicine, global health, advocacy, and policy. She has contributed to HIV policy and strategy efforts with UNAIDS in Geneva, represented pediatrics in government relations and health equity initiatives at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, and held leadership roles throughout medical school and residency. Her experiences caring for Indigenous patients in Peru and working with Karen communities in Northern Thailand further strengthened her commitment to equitable care across diverse cultural and resource settings.
Dr. Kar is passionate about global health emergency response, child health equity, and the use of innovation and technology to strengthen care delivery across diverse settings. As a UCSF fellow, she hopes to continue growing as a physician-leader at the intersection of frontline care, systems change, and global equity.
Pavan Anand, MD (he/him), is a physician who believes health is not merely the absence of disease, but whether people have what they need physically, mentally, and socially to live well. Throughout his medical training, Pavan saw how poverty, lack of transportation, food insecurity, and other systemic barriers show up in exam rooms every day, shaping patients’ health long before they see a doctor.
With a background in technology and computer science, Pavan is especially interested in systems-level solutions that connect people to care and essential services. He joined the California HEAL Fellowship to learn from mentors and community partners already tackling systemic challenges head-on, and to contribute his skills to initiatives that sustainably reduce health disparities.
Pavan is committed to staying in the Inland Empire long after his fellowship and helping strengthen local systems of care so that everyone, regardless of background, has a fair chance at health and well-being.
Pavan Anand, MD (he/him), is a physician who believes health is not merely the absence of disease, but whether people have what they need physically, mentally, and socially to live well. Throughout his medical training, Pavan saw how poverty, lack of transportation, food insecurity, and other systemic barriers show up in exam rooms every day, shaping patients’ health long before they see a doctor.
With a background in technology and computer science, Pavan is especially interested in systems-level solutions that connect people to care and essential services. He joined the California HEAL Fellowship to learn from mentors and community partners already tackling systemic challenges head-on, and to contribute his skills to initiatives that sustainably reduce health disparities.
Pavan is committed to staying in the Inland Empire long after his fellowship and helping strengthen local systems of care so that everyone, regardless of background, has a fair chance at health and well-being.
From Irvine to Folsom to Berkeley and San Diego, Saba Rahman, MD’s (she/her), journey through California has given her a deep understanding of both the state’s rich diversity and the persistent disparities that define access to care. During her residency at UC San Diego, Saba witnessed firsthand how structural violence and resource denial impact patients and clinicians alike. These experiences solidified her dedication to practicing social medicine, pairing excellent clinical care with advocacy, systems change, and community partnership.
Saba joined the California HEAL Fellowship to work alongside clinicians who view advocacy as central to medicine, not optional. As a Fellow in the Inland Empire, she is eager to engage at the intersection of clinical care and public health, partnering with community organizations and local systems to help build sustainable, equity-driven models of care. She looks forward to contributing to a collective response driven by those most proximate to injustice in the state that shaped her.
From Irvine to Folsom to Berkeley and San Diego, Saba Rahman, MD’s (she/her), journey through California has given her a deep understanding of both the state’s rich diversity and the persistent disparities that define access to care. During her residency at UC San Diego, Saba witnessed firsthand how structural violence and resource denial impact patients and clinicians alike. These experiences solidified her dedication to practicing social medicine, pairing excellent clinical care with advocacy, systems change, and community partnership.
Saba joined the California HEAL Fellowship to work alongside clinicians who view advocacy as central to medicine, not optional. As a Fellow in the Inland Empire, she is eager to engage at the intersection of clinical care and public health, partnering with community organizations and local systems to help build sustainable, equity-driven models of care. She looks forward to contributing to a collective response driven by those most proximate to injustice in the state that shaped her.
Valerie Comeaux (she/her) is a Program Coordinator with more than 24 years of public health experience serving communities across the Inland Empire. Throughout her career with the Riverside University Health System – Public Health, she has worked on a variety of programs centered on expanding access to healthier foods for underserved communities, including CalFresh Healthy Living and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Programs.
Valerie’s passion for health equity began during her undergraduate studies, as an intern with the Black Infant Health Program (BIH) in Riverside County, which provides support for prenatal and postpartum care for Black women to improve birth outcomes and reduce maternal deaths. During the COVID -19 pandemic in 2021, she partnered with Feeding America, Riverside, and San Bernardino to implement the Food as Medicine Initiative, which provides low-income patients with food boxes at the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Community Health Center in Moreno Valley. In her new role as the Program Coordinator with the Mindful Body and Recovery Program, an innovation grant housed within RUHS’s Behavioral Health Department. Valerie is working towards increasing program referrals by improving the electronic medical record referral pathway within the RUHS network, which includes Behavioral Health, Community Health Centers, Public Health, and the Medical Center.
Valerie joined the California HEAL Program to build new skills and strengthen her impact as a healthcare systems leader. She is especially interested in advancing innovative, community-centered approaches to healthcare. Valerie hopes to advance to a senior leadership role within healthcare administration, either at the RUHS Medical Center or the Community Health Centers, to continue improving healthcare access and outcomes across underserved communities in the Inland Empire.
Valerie Comeaux (she/her) is a Program Coordinator with more than 24 years of public health experience serving communities across the Inland Empire. Throughout her career with the Riverside University Health System – Public Health, she has worked on a variety of programs centered on expanding access to healthier foods for underserved communities, including CalFresh Healthy Living and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Programs.
Valerie’s passion for health equity began during her undergraduate studies, as an intern with the Black Infant Health Program (BIH) in Riverside County, which provides support for prenatal and postpartum care for Black women to improve birth outcomes and reduce maternal deaths. During the COVID -19 pandemic in 2021, she partnered with Feeding America, Riverside, and San Bernardino to implement the Food as Medicine Initiative, which provides low-income patients with food boxes at the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Community Health Center in Moreno Valley. In her new role as the Program Coordinator with the Mindful Body and Recovery Program, an innovation grant housed within RUHS’s Behavioral Health Department. Valerie is working towards increasing program referrals by improving the electronic medical record referral pathway within the RUHS network, which includes Behavioral Health, Community Health Centers, Public Health, and the Medical Center.
Valerie joined the California HEAL Program to build new skills and strengthen her impact as a healthcare systems leader. She is especially interested in advancing innovative, community-centered approaches to healthcare. Valerie hopes to advance to a senior leadership role within healthcare administration, either at the RUHS Medical Center or the Community Health Centers, to continue improving healthcare access and outcomes across underserved communities in the Inland Empire.
Veronica Maldonado (she/her) is a certified healthcare interpreter whose commitment to patient advocacy began at home as the daughter of immigrants. From a young age, Veronica served as her mother’s interpreter, navigating medical appointments, paperwork, and complex systems. This experience shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others feel seen, heard, and understood, and never taking “No” for an answer while advocating for her patients.
With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare—including her background as a registered dental assistant—Veronica has centered her work on bridging language and cultural gaps in patient care. She has observed that patients tend to feel more at ease and communicate more openly during appointments when she provides in-person interpretation. This not only allows providers to better understand patients’ concerns, but also ensures patients receive the care they need. Beyond translation, Veronica goes above and beyond in her role. She has earned the trust of colleagues and management through her strong decision-making skills and consistently professional collaboration with clinical staff and residents. Her extensive experience is clearly reflected in the quality and effectiveness of her medical interpretation.
Veronica joined the California HEAL Program to grow alongside other mission-driven professionals and deepen her impact beyond the exam room. She is committed to strengthening communication, trust, and equity in healthcare, ensuring that, regardless of language, all patients can access care with dignity and confidence.
Veronica Maldonado (she/her) is a certified healthcare interpreter whose commitment to patient advocacy began at home as the daughter of immigrants. From a young age, Veronica served as her mother’s interpreter, navigating medical appointments, paperwork, and complex systems. This experience shaped her lifelong dedication to helping others feel seen, heard, and understood, and never taking “No” for an answer while advocating for her patients.
With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare—including her background as a registered dental assistant—Veronica has centered her work on bridging language and cultural gaps in patient care. She has observed that patients tend to feel more at ease and communicate more openly during appointments when she provides in-person interpretation. This not only allows providers to better understand patients’ concerns, but also ensures patients receive the care they need. Beyond translation, Veronica goes above and beyond in her role. She has earned the trust of colleagues and management through her strong decision-making skills and consistently professional collaboration with clinical staff and residents. Her extensive experience is clearly reflected in the quality and effectiveness of her medical interpretation.
Veronica joined the California HEAL Program to grow alongside other mission-driven professionals and deepen her impact beyond the exam room. She is committed to strengthening communication, trust, and equity in healthcare, ensuring that, regardless of language, all patients can access care with dignity and confidence.
Global Fellows
Aimable Uwimana is a community health educator, researcher, and advocate from Rwanda’s mountainous southwest, where is upbringing near the Nyungwe rainforest shaped his strong connection to both the land and its people. This background deeply informs his approach to designing and implementing equity-driven health and development programs.
As a Lecturer in Community Health and Social Medicine and Coordinator of Community Engagement at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Aimable leads immersive, field-based learning experiences that equip medical and master’s students to serve in rural communities. He has led research on diverse topics ranging from breast cancer to aging and physical activity transition in rural Rwanda.
Aimable’s work focuses on locally led, sustainable health solutions, with a focus on groups such as women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized populations. He has also designed programs that integrate entrepreneurship and health education to promote both economic resilience and improved community health outcomes.
As a HEAL Fellow, Aimable is eager to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals committed to building more sustainable and equitable health systems. He plans to complete his Doctor of Public Health degree and continue mentoring students as they partner with communities to advance social medicine and expand access to care across Rwanda and beyond.
Aimable Uwimana is a community health educator, researcher, and advocate from Rwanda’s mountainous southwest, where is upbringing near the Nyungwe rainforest shaped his strong connection to both the land and its people. This background deeply informs his approach to designing and implementing equity-driven health and development programs.
As a Lecturer in Community Health and Social Medicine and Coordinator of Community Engagement at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), Aimable leads immersive, field-based learning experiences that equip medical and master’s students to serve in rural communities. He has led research on diverse topics ranging from breast cancer to aging and physical activity transition in rural Rwanda.
Aimable’s work focuses on locally led, sustainable health solutions, with a focus on groups such as women, youth, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized populations. He has also designed programs that integrate entrepreneurship and health education to promote both economic resilience and improved community health outcomes.
As a HEAL Fellow, Aimable is eager to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals committed to building more sustainable and equitable health systems. He plans to complete his Doctor of Public Health degree and continue mentoring students as they partner with communities to advance social medicine and expand access to care across Rwanda and beyond.
Cheryl is a seasoned registered nurse serving her community in Navajo Nation for over 20 years. When her daughter was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, Cheryl witnessed the profound impact compassionate nursing care can have on families, sparking a lifelong commitment to providing that same care for others.
By conducting home visits as a public health nurse, Cheryl has a deep understanding of the social and structural barriers that shape health outcomes in her community. Passing on that information to providers, Cheryl advocated for patients facing the complex realities behind medication non-adherence and chronic illness, often rooted in poverty, isolation, and multigenerational caregiving.
Cheryl joins the Global HEAL Program to grow as a leader and educator and to collaborate with other healthcare workers who are passionate about improving healthcare access and quality for Native communities. Cheryl plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing education and continue her service with Indian Health Services, aiming to reach 30 years. She envisions a healthcare system built on cultural understanding, modern tools, and equitable access for all—and she’s committed to helping build it.
Cheryl is a seasoned registered nurse serving her community in Navajo Nation for over 20 years. When her daughter was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, Cheryl witnessed the profound impact compassionate nursing care can have on families, sparking a lifelong commitment to providing that same care for others.
By conducting home visits as a public health nurse, Cheryl has a deep understanding of the social and structural barriers that shape health outcomes in her community. Passing on that information to providers, Cheryl advocated for patients facing the complex realities behind medication non-adherence and chronic illness, often rooted in poverty, isolation, and multigenerational caregiving.
Cheryl joins the Global HEAL Program to grow as a leader and educator and to collaborate with other healthcare workers who are passionate about improving healthcare access and quality for Native communities. Cheryl plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing education and continue her service with Indian Health Services, aiming to reach 30 years. She envisions a healthcare system built on cultural understanding, modern tools, and equitable access for all—and she’s committed to helping build it.
Pierrette Ngutete Mukundwa is a Rwandan doctor and educator with a strong commitment to improving surgical care and healthcare delivery in rural and underserved settings. Her early clinical work revealed the challenges rural patients face in accessing timely and appropriate surgical services, which inspired her to pursue a broader role in healthcare education and systems improvement.
She earned a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), where she now serves as faculty. In this role, she designs and coordinates training programs for medical and graduate students, helping them build practical skills for addressing surgical care needs in low-resource environments. She also contributes to research and community outreach projects through the Center for Equity in Global Surgery. Pierrette also created SurgiVoices, a podcast series sharing the personal stories of Rwandan surgical patients. The project aims to raise awareness about the gaps in surgical care and improve understanding of the patient experience across the continuum of care.
Through the Global HEAL Program, Pierrette looks forward to expanding her clinical, research, and leadership skills while working alongside a diverse community of professionals. Pierrette plans to pursue a PhD in global surgery and continue mentoring students and supporting healthcare projects, improving access to surgical services. She is especially interested in approaches that combine education, communication, and practical experience to strengthen healthcare systems and support long-term improvements in patient care.
Pierrette Ngutete Mukundwa is a Rwandan doctor and educator with a strong commitment to improving surgical care and healthcare delivery in rural and underserved settings. Her early clinical work revealed the challenges rural patients face in accessing timely and appropriate surgical services, which inspired her to pursue a broader role in healthcare education and systems improvement.
She earned a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery at the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE), where she now serves as faculty. In this role, she designs and coordinates training programs for medical and graduate students, helping them build practical skills for addressing surgical care needs in low-resource environments. She also contributes to research and community outreach projects through the Center for Equity in Global Surgery. Pierrette also created SurgiVoices, a podcast series sharing the personal stories of Rwandan surgical patients. The project aims to raise awareness about the gaps in surgical care and improve understanding of the patient experience across the continuum of care.
Through the Global HEAL Program, Pierrette looks forward to expanding her clinical, research, and leadership skills while working alongside a diverse community of professionals. Pierrette plans to pursue a PhD in global surgery and continue mentoring students and supporting healthcare projects, improving access to surgical services. She is especially interested in approaches that combine education, communication, and practical experience to strengthen healthcare systems and support long-term improvements in patient care.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, and inspired by her family’s value of community partnership, Renata Wettermann Capo interest in healthcare was sparked while working on nutrition and health education programs at a community resource center for Latinx Immigrants. Trips to Les Cayes, Haiti, gave Renata a deeper global understanding of the challenges and strengths of healthcare systems in low-resource settings.
She studied Health Science and Global Health Technologies at Rice University, where she worked on child health advocacy in Houston and contributed to engineering low-cost CPAP components for hospitals in Central Africa. She earned her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, along with a Diploma in Tropical Medicine. During residency, Renata focused her clinical work on immigrant health and HIV care in Houston while broadening her experience with short-term rotations in Navajo Nation, in a shelter for asylum seekers in San Diego, and with the Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative in Malawi.
Renata is joining the Global HEAL Program to deepen her ability to work alongside communities with limited resources and complex healthcare needs. She brings a strong interest in clinical education, collaborative service delivery, and contributing to long-term healthcare solutions.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, and inspired by her family’s value of community partnership, Renata Wettermann Capo interest in healthcare was sparked while working on nutrition and health education programs at a community resource center for Latinx Immigrants. Trips to Les Cayes, Haiti, gave Renata a deeper global understanding of the challenges and strengths of healthcare systems in low-resource settings.
She studied Health Science and Global Health Technologies at Rice University, where she worked on child health advocacy in Houston and contributed to engineering low-cost CPAP components for hospitals in Central Africa. She earned her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, along with a Diploma in Tropical Medicine. During residency, Renata focused her clinical work on immigrant health and HIV care in Houston while broadening her experience with short-term rotations in Navajo Nation, in a shelter for asylum seekers in San Diego, and with the Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative in Malawi.
Renata is joining the Global HEAL Program to deepen her ability to work alongside communities with limited resources and complex healthcare needs. She brings a strong interest in clinical education, collaborative service delivery, and contributing to long-term healthcare solutions.
Southwest Leadership Fellows
Alicia Slim, RN (she/her), is Navajo from the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) and Dził tł’ahnii (Mountain Cove) clans. She has been caring for Indigenous communities as a nurse since 2016 and has specialized in ICU care since 2017, crediting much of her clinical growth to her years at Gallup Indian Medical Center, which serves a large Navajo population in Gallup, New Mexico.
Alicia’s path to nursing was shaped by a deeply personal sense of purpose. Early in her life, she encountered harmful misconceptions about her community of Native Americans and the Indian Health Care System, of which she was a beneficiary. These experiences inspired her fierce commitment to protecting her people and ensuring they received the care they deserved. Working through the COVID-19 pandemic at Gallup Indian Medical Center proved to be a defining chapter, one that transformed her from an early-career nurse into a vocal advocate for both patients and fellow nurses. This experience also illuminated the stark healthcare disparities facing Native communities.
Throughout her career, Alicia has deepened her understanding of policy, advocacy, and the importance of empowering nurses at every level. She is passionate about educating non-Native nurses who enter Indian Health Care, helping them understand the history, culture, and community trust that are essential to providing culturally informed and effective care.
Alicia joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Fellowship to gain direction on how to grow into a true leader in caring for her Native community in Navajo Nation. She looks forward to collaborating with like-minded future leaders, exchanging ideas, and channeling their shared passion into meaningful, lasting change for the communities they serve.
Alicia Slim, RN (she/her), is Navajo from the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) and Dził tł’ahnii (Mountain Cove) clans. She has been caring for Indigenous communities as a nurse since 2016 and has specialized in ICU care since 2017, crediting much of her clinical growth to her years at Gallup Indian Medical Center, which serves a large Navajo population in Gallup, New Mexico.
Alicia’s path to nursing was shaped by a deeply personal sense of purpose. Early in her life, she encountered harmful misconceptions about her community of Native Americans and the Indian Health Care System, of which she was a beneficiary. These experiences inspired her fierce commitment to protecting her people and ensuring they received the care they deserved. Working through the COVID-19 pandemic at Gallup Indian Medical Center proved to be a defining chapter, one that transformed her from an early-career nurse into a vocal advocate for both patients and fellow nurses. This experience also illuminated the stark healthcare disparities facing Native communities.
Throughout her career, Alicia has deepened her understanding of policy, advocacy, and the importance of empowering nurses at every level. She is passionate about educating non-Native nurses who enter Indian Health Care, helping them understand the history, culture, and community trust that are essential to providing culturally informed and effective care.
Alicia joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Fellowship to gain direction on how to grow into a true leader in caring for her Native community in Navajo Nation. She looks forward to collaborating with like-minded future leaders, exchanging ideas, and channeling their shared passion into meaningful, lasting change for the communities they serve.
Allison N. Castillo, RN (she/her), grew up in Navajo, New Mexico, and currently resides in Gallup, New Mexico. Allison is Tabaahi (Edge of the Water clan), Kinyaa’aani (Towering House clan), Taachinii (Red Running Into the Water), and Tsinajini (Black Streaked Wood clan). Allison earned her Associate of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of New Mexico, Gallup, in 2020. She then earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University in 2024.
Allison was drawn to nursing by its strong foundation in advocacy. She believes her Navajo people deserve a knowledgeable and passionate nurse who will ensure they receive the best care possible, close to home. That commitment continues to drive her work today.
Allison joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to build relationships with other healthcare providers in the Southwest United States and strengthen the network of care available to her community. She also hopes to learn more ways to advocate for her patients and fellow nurses.
Allison N. Castillo, RN (she/her), grew up in Navajo, New Mexico, and currently resides in Gallup, New Mexico. Allison is Tabaahi (Edge of the Water clan), Kinyaa’aani (Towering House clan), Taachinii (Red Running Into the Water), and Tsinajini (Black Streaked Wood clan). Allison earned her Associate of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of New Mexico, Gallup, in 2020. She then earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University in 2024.
Allison was drawn to nursing by its strong foundation in advocacy. She believes her Navajo people deserve a knowledgeable and passionate nurse who will ensure they receive the best care possible, close to home. That commitment continues to drive her work today.
Allison joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to build relationships with other healthcare providers in the Southwest United States and strengthen the network of care available to her community. She also hopes to learn more ways to advocate for her patients and fellow nurses.
Chastity R. Yazzie, RN’s (she/her), path to nursing was shaped by her time working at an Indian Health Service facility, where she witnessed firsthand the health disparities affecting her Navajo community. That experience deepened her understanding of why healthcare providers who truly know their community’s histories, cultures, needs, and fears are essential to quality care. Compelled to do more, she returned to school to become a Registered Nurse.
Throughout her career, Chastity has continued to invest in her growth as a culturally grounded provider and advocate. She is a former recipient of the Indian Health Services scholarship, has completed the Centre for Indigegogy’s professional development course on Indigenous perspectives, resistance, healing, and anti-colonialism, and has completed the National Nurse Preceptor Program. She is also a certified rural health nurse.
Chastity joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to grow both professionally and personally, with a particular focus on becoming a stronger advocate for herself, her family, and her Diné community.
Chastity R. Yazzie, RN’s (she/her), path to nursing was shaped by her time working at an Indian Health Service facility, where she witnessed firsthand the health disparities affecting her Navajo community. That experience deepened her understanding of why healthcare providers who truly know their community’s histories, cultures, needs, and fears are essential to quality care. Compelled to do more, she returned to school to become a Registered Nurse.
Throughout her career, Chastity has continued to invest in her growth as a culturally grounded provider and advocate. She is a former recipient of the Indian Health Services scholarship, has completed the Centre for Indigegogy’s professional development course on Indigenous perspectives, resistance, healing, and anti-colonialism, and has completed the National Nurse Preceptor Program. She is also a certified rural health nurse.
Chastity joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to grow both professionally and personally, with a particular focus on becoming a stronger advocate for herself, her family, and her Diné community.
Jennifer Wilkes, MSN, RN (she/her), was born and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona. She has always wanted to be a nurse—she doesn’t remember ever wanting to be anything else. Her grandmother was a nurse, and that early influence helped shape a lifelong calling to care for others. Her favorite thing to do outside of work is spending time with her three grandbabies. Jennifer joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to become a stronger leader and to learn how she can better serve the population of Ganado and the surrounding communities.
Jennifer Wilkes, MSN, RN (she/her), was born and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona. She has always wanted to be a nurse—she doesn’t remember ever wanting to be anything else. Her grandmother was a nurse, and that early influence helped shape a lifelong calling to care for others. Her favorite thing to do outside of work is spending time with her three grandbabies. Jennifer joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to become a stronger leader and to learn how she can better serve the population of Ganado and the surrounding communities.
Jill Tso, MSN, RN (she/her), began her healthcare career as an admissions specialist in outpatient and emergency settings, where she found herself drawn to nursing while observing how nurses educated and connected with patients. During nursing school, she recognized the deep need for healthcare providers in her own Indigenous community, which strengthened her resolve to become someone who could help patients truly understand their conditions and treatment plans.
Jill joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to learn how to improve and strengthen healthcare processes—particularly around managing chronic conditions, addressing healthcare disparities, and delivering care that honors cultural influences. She is committed to seeking out every opportunity to grow her skills as a nurse and advocate for her community.
Jill Tso, MSN, RN (she/her), began her healthcare career as an admissions specialist in outpatient and emergency settings, where she found herself drawn to nursing while observing how nurses educated and connected with patients. During nursing school, she recognized the deep need for healthcare providers in her own Indigenous community, which strengthened her resolve to become someone who could help patients truly understand their conditions and treatment plans.
Jill joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to learn how to improve and strengthen healthcare processes—particularly around managing chronic conditions, addressing healthcare disparities, and delivering care that honors cultural influences. She is committed to seeking out every opportunity to grow her skills as a nurse and advocate for her community.
Lydia Ben-Halkini, RN (she/her), was born and raised in Low Mountain, Arizona, and relocated to New Lands, Sanders, Arizona, in 1990 due to the Navajo/Hopi land dispute. Her clans are Kin’ya’aa’nii (Towering House clan), Toh’di’kozhi (Salt Water clan), Ta’chii’ni (Red Streak Running Into Water clan), and Toh’tso’ni (Big Water clan).
Becoming a nurse has been Lydia’s lifelong dream since she was a little girl, and she has carried that early calling into a career devoted to caring for her community. Her nursing career started with Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) on the Med/Surg floor. After gaining experience, she transferred to Nahata Dziil Clinic in 2009 and still works there today. She has been a clinical nurse, Interim Nurse Executive, and Clinical Care Coordinator while serving her community. She is currently furthering her education through a Master’s of Nursing Program, continuing to build on her clinical expertise and leadership capacity.
Lydia joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to gain leadership training and a deeper understanding of the hows and whys behind effective healthcare leadership. She looks forward to building these skills to best care for her community as she continues to grow her nursing career.
Lydia Ben-Halkini, RN (she/her), was born and raised in Low Mountain, Arizona, and relocated to New Lands, Sanders, Arizona, in 1990 due to the Navajo/Hopi land dispute. Her clans are Kin’ya’aa’nii (Towering House clan), Toh’di’kozhi (Salt Water clan), Ta’chii’ni (Red Streak Running Into Water clan), and Toh’tso’ni (Big Water clan).
Becoming a nurse has been Lydia’s lifelong dream since she was a little girl, and she has carried that early calling into a career devoted to caring for her community. Her nursing career started with Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) on the Med/Surg floor. After gaining experience, she transferred to Nahata Dziil Clinic in 2009 and still works there today. She has been a clinical nurse, Interim Nurse Executive, and Clinical Care Coordinator while serving her community. She is currently furthering her education through a Master’s of Nursing Program, continuing to build on her clinical expertise and leadership capacity.
Lydia joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to gain leadership training and a deeper understanding of the hows and whys behind effective healthcare leadership. She looks forward to building these skills to best care for her community as she continues to grow her nursing career.
Misty Quam, RN (she/her), is from Zuni (Frog Clan and a child of a Corn Clan) and Laguna Pueblo and was born and raised in Zuni, New Mexico. After leaving home for high school, undergrad, and nursing school, Misty returned home to Zuni to serve her community as a Registered Nurse at the Zuni Service Unit within Indian Health Services.
Misty’s path to nursing was shaped early in life by the experience of caring for her grandfather, who was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. Through that deeply personal journey, she discovered the power of compassion and connection in providing comfort and safety to patients, an insight that has guided her clinical practice ever since.
Misty joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to connect with and learn from peers who share her experience working in rural and tribal communities. She is eager to deepen her skills in leadership and advocacy as she continues her commitment to serving the people of Zuni and Indigenous communities across the Southwest.
Misty Quam, RN (she/her), is from Zuni (Frog Clan and a child of a Corn Clan) and Laguna Pueblo and was born and raised in Zuni, New Mexico. After leaving home for high school, undergrad, and nursing school, Misty returned home to Zuni to serve her community as a Registered Nurse at the Zuni Service Unit within Indian Health Services.
Misty’s path to nursing was shaped early in life by the experience of caring for her grandfather, who was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. Through that deeply personal journey, she discovered the power of compassion and connection in providing comfort and safety to patients, an insight that has guided her clinical practice ever since.
Misty joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to connect with and learn from peers who share her experience working in rural and tribal communities. She is eager to deepen her skills in leadership and advocacy as she continues her commitment to serving the people of Zuni and Indigenous communities across the Southwest.
Nursing is a second career for Robert Adams, RN (he/him), one he chose because it offered a path grounded in service, compassion, and meaningful impact. He was drawn to the ability of a nurse to combine clinical knowledge with human connection, listening to patients, advocating for their needs, and helping bridge gaps in care. Over time, his understanding of nursing has expanded beyond direct patient care to encompass leadership, education, and systems improvement. Working in underserved and Tribal communities reinforced for him the importance of culturally responsive care, trust, and community-centered approaches to health, ultimately shaping his commitment to advancing health equity for future generations.
Robert serves as a Registered Nurse and Area Diabetes Consultant/CHR Consultant with the Indian Health Service, Albuquerque Area Office, where he provides oversight for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and CHR programs across the region. His work spans diabetes prevention, program development, quality improvement, and partnership-building among Tribal leaders, healthcare facilities, and community organizations, including national contributions through the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee and the National Community Health Worker Policy Working Group.
Robert joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to expand his leadership skills, learn from experienced mentors, and collaborate with a diverse cohort of healthcare professionals committed to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. He looks forward to deepening his understanding of systems thinking, community engagement, and sustainable approaches to healthcare improvement, and to bringing new knowledge and strategies back to the Tribal and rural communities he serves.
Nursing is a second career for Robert Adams, RN (he/him), one he chose because it offered a path grounded in service, compassion, and meaningful impact. He was drawn to the ability of a nurse to combine clinical knowledge with human connection, listening to patients, advocating for their needs, and helping bridge gaps in care. Over time, his understanding of nursing has expanded beyond direct patient care to encompass leadership, education, and systems improvement. Working in underserved and Tribal communities reinforced for him the importance of culturally responsive care, trust, and community-centered approaches to health, ultimately shaping his commitment to advancing health equity for future generations.
Robert serves as a Registered Nurse and Area Diabetes Consultant/CHR Consultant with the Indian Health Service, Albuquerque Area Office, where he provides oversight for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and CHR programs across the region. His work spans diabetes prevention, program development, quality improvement, and partnership-building among Tribal leaders, healthcare facilities, and community organizations, including national contributions through the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee and the National Community Health Worker Policy Working Group.
Robert joined the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to expand his leadership skills, learn from experienced mentors, and collaborate with a diverse cohort of healthcare professionals committed to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. He looks forward to deepening his understanding of systems thinking, community engagement, and sustainable approaches to healthcare improvement, and to bringing new knowledge and strategies back to the Tribal and rural communities he serves.
Robin Acothley, RN (she/her), is from Gallup, NM, with family roots originally from Tolani Lake, Arizona. Her clans are Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People), born forTłʼízí Łání (Many Goats). Her maternal grandfather is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan).
Robin became a Registered Nurse in 2010 and has remained committed ever since to improving the health of her Native American community. Throughout her career, she has worked at Gallup Indian Medical Center, Gila River Indian Community, and Denver Indian Health and Family Services, building a depth of experience across Tribal health systems in the Southwest and beyond.
Robin has held several leadership positions throughout her career and joins the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to access further leadership training. She is looking forward to deepening her skills and gaining new tools to continue growing as a leader in Native American healthcare.
Robin Acothley, RN (she/her), is from Gallup, NM, with family roots originally from Tolani Lake, Arizona. Her clans are Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People), born forTłʼízí Łání (Many Goats). Her maternal grandfather is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan).
Robin became a Registered Nurse in 2010 and has remained committed ever since to improving the health of her Native American community. Throughout her career, she has worked at Gallup Indian Medical Center, Gila River Indian Community, and Denver Indian Health and Family Services, building a depth of experience across Tribal health systems in the Southwest and beyond.
Robin has held several leadership positions throughout her career and joins the HEAL Southwest Leadership Program to access further leadership training. She is looking forward to deepening her skills and gaining new tools to continue growing as a leader in Native American healthcare.
Raised in Gallup, New Mexico, Dacia Cunejo chose to pursue nursing to address the persistent health disparities affecting Native American communities, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited and chronic diseases are more prevalent. For Dacia, nursing is about building trust, honoring tradition, and supporting holistic healing for individuals and families.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Dacia aims to deepen her understanding of how cultural identity, historical trauma, and social factors shape health outcomes in Indigenous communities. She is especially eager to learn from Navajo patients, families, and traditional healers, and to grow as both a clinician and advocate.
Through the fellowship, she hopes to contribute to long-term, community-led solutions that strengthen chronic disease management, expand access to care, and promote wellness across generations.
Raised in Gallup, New Mexico, Dacia Cunejo chose to pursue nursing to address the persistent health disparities affecting Native American communities, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited and chronic diseases are more prevalent. For Dacia, nursing is about building trust, honoring tradition, and supporting holistic healing for individuals and families.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Dacia aims to deepen her understanding of how cultural identity, historical trauma, and social factors shape health outcomes in Indigenous communities. She is especially eager to learn from Navajo patients, families, and traditional healers, and to grow as both a clinician and advocate.
Through the fellowship, she hopes to contribute to long-term, community-led solutions that strengthen chronic disease management, expand access to care, and promote wellness across generations.
Emmeline Thompson became a nurse to help improve health outcomes in Native communities and address the persistent gaps in care that impact the health and well-being of her people. With over three years of experience managing the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Grant Program and leading a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Pilot Program, Emmeline brings deep expertise in chronic disease management and culturally informed diabetes care. Her work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and long-term solutions that address the unique healthcare challenges facing rural and Native populations.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Emmeline looks forward to gaining tools that will further enhance her skills, building relationships with fellow healthcare professionals, and forming partnerships that can drive meaningful change. She is especially eager to collaborate with others who are equally committed to strengthening the healthcare system from within, and to carry forward what she learns to better serve her community.
Emmeline Thompson became a nurse to help improve health outcomes in Native communities and address the persistent gaps in care that impact the health and well-being of her people. With over three years of experience managing the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Grant Program and leading a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Pilot Program, Emmeline brings deep expertise in chronic disease management and culturally informed diabetes care. Her work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration, and long-term solutions that address the unique healthcare challenges facing rural and Native populations.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Emmeline looks forward to gaining tools that will further enhance her skills, building relationships with fellow healthcare professionals, and forming partnerships that can drive meaningful change. She is especially eager to collaborate with others who are equally committed to strengthening the healthcare system from within, and to carry forward what she learns to better serve her community.
Evelyn Garcia’s decision to become a nurse was inspired by the compassionate care her grandfather received during hospice. Witnessing the empathy extended not only to him but to her entire family sparked her passion for nursing and her commitment to serving others.
Currently a nursing instructor at Navajo Technical University, Evelyn is dedicated to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. She brings extensive experience and ongoing professional development to her role, having earned certifications in SANE, wound care, trauma and pediatric emergency care, and FEMA emergency preparedness, among others. She has also participated in her facility’s Unit-Based Council and completed numerous leadership courses to strengthen her ability to advocate for patients and support her peers.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Evelyn looks forward to refining her leadership skills and working alongside others who share a commitment to caring for underserved populations. She is especially excited to belong to a community that values advocacy, equity, and mentorship—and to use her experience to lead change within her community and beyond.
Evelyn Garcia’s decision to become a nurse was inspired by the compassionate care her grandfather received during hospice. Witnessing the empathy extended not only to him but to her entire family sparked her passion for nursing and her commitment to serving others.
Currently a nursing instructor at Navajo Technical University, Evelyn is dedicated to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. She brings extensive experience and ongoing professional development to her role, having earned certifications in SANE, wound care, trauma and pediatric emergency care, and FEMA emergency preparedness, among others. She has also participated in her facility’s Unit-Based Council and completed numerous leadership courses to strengthen her ability to advocate for patients and support her peers.
As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Evelyn looks forward to refining her leadership skills and working alongside others who share a commitment to caring for underserved populations. She is especially excited to belong to a community that values advocacy, equity, and mentorship—and to use her experience to lead change within her community and beyond.
Raised in Rabbit Brush, New Mexico, Gwendolyn Spencer became a healthcare professional because she wanted to participate in providing healthcare for people, especially members of her tribe. As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Gwendolyn looks forward to expanding her leadership knowledge to better perform in a supervisory role, and is especially eager to grow in this area while continuing to promote access to healthcare for her community. She loves to garden and travel, and is passionate about balancing work and family life and managing stress.
Raised in Rabbit Brush, New Mexico, Gwendolyn Spencer became a healthcare professional because she wanted to participate in providing healthcare for people, especially members of her tribe. As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Gwendolyn looks forward to expanding her leadership knowledge to better perform in a supervisory role, and is especially eager to grow in this area while continuing to promote access to healthcare for her community. She loves to garden and travel, and is passionate about balancing work and family life and managing stress.
Rocedeelyn Herbert-Roan is born into the Tó’áhání (Near the Water) clan and born for the Táneeszahnii (Tangle) clan. Her maternal grandfather was Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) and her paternal grandfather was Tsénahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People). Her mother’s name was Gracie A. Herbert, and her father’s name was Ross B. Herbert.
Rocedeelyn’s inspiration to become a nurse began with her mother, who worked at a small clinic in Tohatchi, New Mexico. As a child, Rocedeelyn often saw her mother helping with procedures, labs, and X-rays, mostly helping with translation. She remembers her mom caring for the kids at home when they were sick, always knowing how to heal them. That kind of nurturing presence, grounded in love and cultural understanding, shaped Rocedeelyn’s idea of what it means to be a healer.
Though her path into healthcare wasn’t linear, Rocedeelyn persevered and now serves her community as a nurse on Navajo Nation. As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Rocedeelyn looks forward to building meaningful connections with others who share a commitment to service. She believes strongly in the Navajo value of K’é—fostering harmonious relationships—and sees collaboration, cultural respect, and shared wisdom as key to healing and growth in Native communities.
Rocedeelyn Herbert-Roan is born into the Tó’áhání (Near the Water) clan and born for the Táneeszahnii (Tangle) clan. Her maternal grandfather was Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) and her paternal grandfather was Tsénahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People). Her mother’s name was Gracie A. Herbert, and her father’s name was Ross B. Herbert.
Rocedeelyn’s inspiration to become a nurse began with her mother, who worked at a small clinic in Tohatchi, New Mexico. As a child, Rocedeelyn often saw her mother helping with procedures, labs, and X-rays, mostly helping with translation. She remembers her mom caring for the kids at home when they were sick, always knowing how to heal them. That kind of nurturing presence, grounded in love and cultural understanding, shaped Rocedeelyn’s idea of what it means to be a healer.
Though her path into healthcare wasn’t linear, Rocedeelyn persevered and now serves her community as a nurse on Navajo Nation. As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Rocedeelyn looks forward to building meaningful connections with others who share a commitment to service. She believes strongly in the Navajo value of K’é—fostering harmonious relationships—and sees collaboration, cultural respect, and shared wisdom as key to healing and growth in Native communities.
Originally from the Philippines, Shareed Gemira began her nursing career there before moving to the Middle East to work as a registered nurse. She later relocated to Canada, where she expanded her professional experience, leading staff training in infection control, dementia care, and patient safety. After becoming a Canadian citizen, she moved to the United States, where she currently serves as an Ambulatory Care Nurse Manager in Arizona.
Shareed brings over 18 years of diverse nursing experience, beginning as a bedside nurse in a medical-surgical unit. Her clinical background spans pediatrics, OB-GYN, fetal medicine, long-term care, behavioral health, and ambulatory care. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles, including Registered Nurse Clinical Leader, Nurse Supervisor, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Manager.
In her current role, Shareed leads efforts to improve chronic disease management for Native American patients, with a particular focus on culturally informed diabetes education. Her work includes developing interdisciplinary care teams, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and mentoring clinical staff. She holds certifications in adult education, wound care, and infection prevention. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems, further strengthening her ability to drive positive change and system-level improvements in underserved communities.
Shareed originally entered nursing at her mom’s encouragement but quickly found purpose and fulfillment in the profession. Over time, nursing has become a calling that combines her dedication to patient care with her passion for leadership and lifelong learning.
As a HEAL Fellow, Shareed looks forward to building on her leadership experience and gaining new tools to better serve the Navajo community. She is excited to collaborate with other fellows and mentors, deepen her understanding of health disparities, and advocate for systems-level improvements that promote access, quality, and culturally respectful care.
Originally from the Philippines, Shareed Gemira began her nursing career there before moving to the Middle East to work as a registered nurse. She later relocated to Canada, where she expanded her professional experience, leading staff training in infection control, dementia care, and patient safety. After becoming a Canadian citizen, she moved to the United States, where she currently serves as an Ambulatory Care Nurse Manager in Arizona.
Shareed brings over 18 years of diverse nursing experience, beginning as a bedside nurse in a medical-surgical unit. Her clinical background spans pediatrics, OB-GYN, fetal medicine, long-term care, behavioral health, and ambulatory care. Over the years, she has held various leadership roles, including Registered Nurse Clinical Leader, Nurse Supervisor, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Manager.
In her current role, Shareed leads efforts to improve chronic disease management for Native American patients, with a particular focus on culturally informed diabetes education. Her work includes developing interdisciplinary care teams, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and mentoring clinical staff. She holds certifications in adult education, wound care, and infection prevention. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems, further strengthening her ability to drive positive change and system-level improvements in underserved communities.
Shareed originally entered nursing at her mom’s encouragement but quickly found purpose and fulfillment in the profession. Over time, nursing has become a calling that combines her dedication to patient care with her passion for leadership and lifelong learning.
As a HEAL Fellow, Shareed looks forward to building on her leadership experience and gaining new tools to better serve the Navajo community. She is excited to collaborate with other fellows and mentors, deepen her understanding of health disparities, and advocate for systems-level improvements that promote access, quality, and culturally respectful care.
Tenisha Cody has been a registered nurse for over 16 years. Her background is in pediatrics, infection prevention, discharge planning, and case management. Teshina looks forward to training and connecting with other nurses serving Indigenous communities. She loves spending time with family, her kids, and reading. She’s excited to explore the opportunities available through the Southwest Leadership Program.
Tenisha Cody has been a registered nurse for over 16 years. Her background is in pediatrics, infection prevention, discharge planning, and case management. Teshina looks forward to training and connecting with other nurses serving Indigenous communities. She loves spending time with family, her kids, and reading. She’s excited to explore the opportunities available through the Southwest Leadership Program.
Growing up in New Mexico, Vanessa Tahe witnessed firsthand the barriers her Indigenous community faced in accessing quality and culturally respectful care. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare and become a provider who not only understands but honors the language, views, and traditions of her people.
As a Native healthcare professional, Vanessa believes increasing Indigenous representation in medicine is key to building trust and addressing longstanding health disparities. Her ability to bridge cultural understanding with clinical care allows her to provide more effective and compassionate support to the patients she serves.
Vanessa is excited to connect with a community of peers and mentors who share her passion for advancing Indigenous health. She looks forward to strengthening her leadership skills, expanding her advocacy toolkit, and gaining new perspectives that will inform her work. She plans to use the tools and knowledge she gains from the program to lead meaningful, sustainable change in her community.
Growing up in New Mexico, Vanessa Tahe witnessed firsthand the barriers her Indigenous community faced in accessing quality and culturally respectful care. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare and become a provider who not only understands but honors the language, views, and traditions of her people.
As a Native healthcare professional, Vanessa believes increasing Indigenous representation in medicine is key to building trust and addressing longstanding health disparities. Her ability to bridge cultural understanding with clinical care allows her to provide more effective and compassionate support to the patients she serves.
Vanessa is excited to connect with a community of peers and mentors who share her passion for advancing Indigenous health. She looks forward to strengthening her leadership skills, expanding her advocacy toolkit, and gaining new perspectives that will inform her work. She plans to use the tools and knowledge she gains from the program to lead meaningful, sustainable change in her community.
With a deep commitment to serving her community, Wilberta Jackson brings compassion, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose to her nursing practice. As Southwest Leadership Fellow, Wilberta looks forward to growing both personally and professionally. She is eager to strengthen her leadership skills and is especially looking forward to connecting with fellow nurses practicing across Navajo Nation and to learn from their shared experiences. Through the program, Wilberta hopes to gain new tools and insights that will support her continued growth and impact as a healthcare provider in her community.
With a deep commitment to serving her community, Wilberta Jackson brings compassion, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose to her nursing practice. As Southwest Leadership Fellow, Wilberta looks forward to growing both personally and professionally. She is eager to strengthen her leadership skills and is especially looking forward to connecting with fellow nurses practicing across Navajo Nation and to learn from their shared experiences. Through the program, Wilberta hopes to gain new tools and insights that will support her continued growth and impact as a healthcare provider in her community.