Chaia Vang was born in Thailand and immigrated to Fresno, California, with her family at the age of two. Raised in the Central Valley, Chaia understands the barriers that stand between many community members from accessing quality healthcare like language, transportation, stigma, and a complex insurance system. 

Chaia is a Substance Use Navigator at Community Regional Medical Center, where she began as a substance use navigator through the California Bridge program, supporting patients struggling with addiction during hospital visits and linking them to community treatment options. Her work quickly evolved as she became a mentor for other navigators and eventually served as the Navigator Engagement Coordinator with California Bridge, helping to expand and strengthen hospital-based substance use programs across the state. 

Through these roles, Chaia has built strong partnerships with treatment providers and community organizations while continuing to advocate for patients navigating complex health and social systems. As a California HEAL Fellow, she looks forward to connecting with a community of like-minded leaders, learning from their experiences, and growing into a more effective advocate for the Central Valley communities she serves.