Benefits of Pets for Seniors

Melissa Lewis, FNP-C

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: San Bernardino
Education: Azusa Pacific University-BSN, Cal State Dominguez Hills-MSN
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I love working with seniors because each one brings their own wisdom and experience. I enjoy being able to provide care that supports not only their medical needs but also their quality of life and promotion of independence.”

Melissa is deeply committed to your well-being. She feels called to help people and finds true fulfillment in supporting patients on their health journeys. Melissa genuinely enjoys guiding you toward reaching your full health potential, delivering care with compassion and dedication at every step.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking and watching movies. She also enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband whenever they get the chance.

Marshe Ivy, FNP-C

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Elk Grove
Education: Master of Science in Nursing, Samuel Merritt University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

Marshe Ivy, FNP-c, is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner serving the Elk Grove community. With a strong foundation in clinical practice and a nurturing approach to care, Marshe focuses on building trust with every patient she sees.

Guided by the belief that “I am a nurse first,” she partners with her patients on their path to healing—offering not only treatment, but the care, love, and attention they deserve. Marshe listens deeply to understand her patients’ current circumstances and works with them to overcome barriers to their wellness goals.

When she’s not tending to patients, Marshe finds joy in rest and rejuvenation. She enjoys shopping, crafting, spa days, and spending quality time family.

Corina Chiuco, FNP-BC

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Stockton
Education: Walden University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I love working with seniors because it brings a sense of fulfillment by providing them with the best care possible. By this, it helps prevent the progression of their disease conditions, thus saving lives.”

Her greatest passion lies in caring for the elderly, driven by a deep commitment to ensuring they receive the best care possible. With compassion, respect, and dedication at the core of her work, she strives to make a meaningful difference in their lives every day.

When she’s not working, she spends every Saturday with her 90-year-old dearest mother. She invests at least one hour daily in Calisthenics and loves to travel, listening to music, dancing, and eating.

Navjeet Kaur, FNP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Stockton
Education: Holy Names University
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Punjabi, Hindi

“I love working with seniors because they are foundation for society. They hold immense experience and knowledge that I would love to learn.”

Navjeet cares deeply about your well-being, offering holistic care that addresses both your physical and emotional needs. Her dedication ensures you receive the best care possible, delivered with warmth, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

When she’s not working, she enjoys being outdoors with her kids, and trying new places with her family.

Armen Isaiants, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: Stockton
Education: George Washington University School of Medicine
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Armenian

“I love working with seniors because of the difference we make as they are more fragile and depend on us for their healthcare needs.”

Dr. Armen Isaiants is driven by a deep passion for mastering his craft and using that expertise to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, connect, and bring care and compassion where it’s needed most.

When he’s not working, he enjoys hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Sunny Kim, NP-BC

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Long Beach
Education: UCLA
Board Certification: ANCC
Languages Spoken: English, Korean

“I was brought up by my grandmother. Working with our population brings me back the fond memories I shared with my grandmother when I was younger.”

Sunny’s colleagues and participants are her driving force, motivating her to excel in her professional endeavors. They inspire her to embrace creative solutions when faced with challenges. She finds immense value in being a part of each participant’s life journey, considering it a priceless aspect of her career.

When she’s not working, she enjoys riding bicycles with her family in the park. She also loves playing Uno with her little kiddos at the end of the day.

Hanju Wang, NP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Long Beach
Board Certification: American Nurse Credentialing Center
Languages Spoken: English, Cantonese

“I enjoy working with seniors because I would like to help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life if possible.”

Hanju is passionate about healthcare, using her expertise to improve the well-being of those she serves, ensuring everyone gets top-quality care.

When she’s not working, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and trying out new recipes.

Edwin Escueta, MSN, FNP-C

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Rosemead
Education: MS Nursing- CSU Los Angeles
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Tagalog

“I enjoy making a difference in patients’ health outcomes and help address healthcare disparities – one patient at a time.”

Edwin is a passionate advocate for healthcare equity and justice, dedicated to ensuring fair and accessible medical services for all. Through his work, he consistently champions the cause of equality and strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those he serves.

Edwin is a big foodie! He loves driving along the coast with his husband and their 11-year-old pug named Mr. Wilson.

Andy Chen, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: Rosemead
Education: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Residency: Olive View UCLA Medical Center
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: Mandarin

“I enjoy working with our senior population because of their rich stories and life experiences that they share. I am privileged to be able to build trust during these interactions. I am also fulfilled by the opportunity to provide compassionate care and make positive differences in their lives.”

Dr. Chen is driven by a motivation to act as a catalyst for positive change in the world. Inspired by his favorite quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” he channels this philosophy into his professional endeavors. His work is a reflection of his commitment to making meaningful impacts, guided by the belief that change starts with individual actions.

When he’s not working, he enjoys hiking, skiing and spending time with family and friends.

Aparna Akolkar, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: Carson
Education: B.J. Medical College, Pune University, India
Residency: Hurley Medical Center, Michigan State University
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English

“Working with Seniors has been a passion of mine since I completed my training in 2002. Seniors keep me grounded and I don’t take this privileges lightly. I learn a lot of life lessons, which makes me a better human being ,as I serve them with 100% commitment.”

Dr. Akolkar is driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors, whether through impactful initiatives or thoughtful gestures. This dedication fuels her both professionally and personally, as she believes her work is truly her calling. Committed to providing only the best for seniors, she finds immense fulfillment in ensuring their well-being and happiness.

When she’s not working, she enjoys exercising (running/biking), reading and playing with her rescue cat, Clementine. She enjoys spending time with her children and loves playing cards and board games.

Joy Luzon-Vidad, FNP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Carson
Education: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I love working with seniors because it is fulfilling helping them improve their quality of life. I enjoy forming meaningful connections with participants and their families. I learn from their life stores.”

Every day, Joy is driven by the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Her dedication to enhancing the well-being of those she serves underscores her commitment to providing exceptional care. Her approach is both professional and compassionate, ensuring that every interaction contributes to the betterment of her patients’ lives.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time trying new restaurants, karaoke, and traveling.

Lesly Barcena, DNP, AGNP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: San Jose
Education: University of Washington
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I am committed to providing compassionate care. I value the opportunity to enhance and preserve the quality of life of those individuals I provide care for. I enjoy working within a interdisciplinary team to help address the unique needs of each individual.”

Lesly Barcena, is committed to delivering the highest quality of care to her patients. Her passion for ensuring the best outcomes drives her approach to healthcare, where she prioritizes each patient’s unique needs with dedication and compassion.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, adventuring friends and trying all types of cuisines.

Jessica Wang, NP-C

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Rosemead
Education: California State University- Long Beach
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin

“I am passionate about senior care because it allows me to learn from their rich life experiences and wisdom. Their stories and perspectives are incredibly inspiring, and I find great fulfillment in supporting and engaging with them. It’s a rewarding experience to contribute to their well-being and happiness.”

Jessica Wang, is driven by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in her patients’ lives. Her passion lies in providing compassionate care, supporting patients throughout their health journeys, and helping them achieve better outcomes. Jessica is committed to building trusting relationships with her patients, advocating for their needs, and working collaboratively with healthcare teams to tackle complex health issues. Her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth keeps her engaged and inspired in her field. Jessica finds immense fulfillment in knowing that her work has a direct, positive impact on individuals and their families, fueling her passion and commitment to her role as a nurse practitioner.

When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, working out, hiking, and watching drama. She also loves spending time with family and friends.

Ritu Dabas, MD

Role: PCP
Location: San Jose
Education: Maulana Azad Medical College
Residency: Metropolitan Hospital, New York Medical College
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

“I love working with seniors because they bring a wealth of life experiences and wisdom that make every interaction meaningful. Helping them maintain their health and well-being is incredibly rewarding, as it allows them to enjoy a higher quality of life in their later years.”

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, Dr. Dabas is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of her patients. With a strong focus on personalized care and crafting long-term solutions, Ritu finds fulfillment in empowering others to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. This commitment to patient empowerment is the cornerstone of her motivation each day.

When she’s not working, she enjoys staying active through regular workouts and finds balance through yoga and meditation. In her downtime, she loves to unwind with a good book, both to expand her knowledge and to relax.

Nancy Chen, MD, PhD

Role: Medical Director
Location: San Jose
Education: Keck School of Medicine of USC
Residency: Los Angeles General Medical Center
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English

“I love my role because it allows me to work with a vulnerable senior population that is often underserved and overlooked. My goal is to ensure our seniors get quality care to continue living safely and independently in their communities.”

Growing up in an underserved community, Dr. Chen experienced the inequalities present in the healthcare system. This experience instilled in her a deep desire to pursue a career in medicine, aiming to give back to the community and ensure quality care for those who need it most. Nancy is dedicated to bridging gaps in healthcare access and delivering compassionate, exceptional service to every patient.

When she’s not working, she enjoys time with her family, taking her kids on trips and reading a good book.

Venice Ababat, NP

Venice earned a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from California State University in San Bernardino, CA and a Doctorate Degree in Nursing Practice, Adult Gerontology from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she worked as a hematology and oncology nurse at City of Hope and a medical and surgical oncology nurse at Eisenhower Medical Center. She enjoys the rewarding process of getting to know an individual in all of their unique and multifaceted ways in order to promote health and wellbeing. During her free time, she enjoys being surrounded in nature, camping/hiking with her dog and reading books. Venice has a belief in WBH and how we care for the frailest seniors in our community- so much so that she has moved from San Bernadino in the last few weeks in order to join our family.

Fun Facts:

I love reading classic literature and poetry
I love to hike and camp with my 75 lb German shepherd/husky dog
The coolest thing I’ve seen scuba diving with are manta rays

Armen Voskertchian, MD

Originally from Los Angeles area, was raised in Las Vegas and recently completed his training at UCSF Fresno- Family and Community Medicine and brings with him the courage to love our most vulnerable elderly population. I can tell you that the populations he has cared for have been greatly underserved in the Central Valley and can also assure that he has received accolades from his mentors on his caring nature and medical acumen. His arrival has been highly anticipated and welcomed.

Colleen Sheehan, MSN, NP-C

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Riverside
Education: Adelphi University
Board Certification: ANCC
Languages Spoken: English

“I love working with seniors because seniors are often grateful for the care and attention they receive. Their appreciation can be deeply heartwarming and motivating. Helping seniors maintain their independence and quality of life can provide a strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.”

Family is the driving force in Colleen’s life, serving as a powerful source of motivation and inspiration.

When she’s not working, Colleen enjoys spending time with family, camping, going to the beach, and family vacations

Jaeyoung Yang, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: Riverside
Education: University of Pennsylvania
Residency: Cambridge Health Alliance
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Korean

“I love serving seniors because they are the ultimate stewards of lived experience and have built the world that we enjoy today. They deserve it.”

Dr. Yang is driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to delivering world-class care to seniors.

When he’s not working, he takes pleasure in spending quality time with family, cooking, hiking, and doing puzzles.

Becca Miller Rose

Chief Operating Officer

Becca is a seasoned healthcare operations leader, having served most recently as COO of the Optum Home-Based Medical Care business. She joined Optum as part of Landmark Health, the nation’s largest provider of in-home value-based care, which she initially joined in 2015. As the first central operations hire at Landmark, Becca built and led teams across the operations function, supporting significant growth during her tenure there. Prior to Landmark, Becca worked in healthcare strategy consulting and global health. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Stanford and an MBA from Yale. She lives in Seattle with her husband, two sons and their cat.

Kimberly Chen, DO, MPH

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Rosemead
Education: Touro School of Osteopathic Medicine, Harlem, NY
Residency: CarePoint Health – Christ Hospital
Board Certification: Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese

“Taking care of the elderly is a privilege. Each care plan should
be customized to the complex individual that it’s created for
to treat their specific combination of issues.”

Dr. Chen grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. She loves taking care of older patients because they’ve lived long lives and have so many stories to tell. Dr. Chen understands that seniors’ stories and experiences can directly influence the care that they hope to receive.

Dr. Chen creates an individualized plan of care for each person, taking into account their caregivers, their social lives, and other factors that go into their care outside of purely medicine. She approaches each patient as a whole person and ensures every aspect is being treated.

When she isn’t seeing participants, Dr. Chen loves to read and plan her next vacation.

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Rosalio Rubio, MD, FACP

Role: Associate Medical Director
Location: Modesto
Education: Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at University of Iowa
Residency: UCSF-Family and Community Medicine
Board Certification: Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“What motivates me to work in medicine is the sense of fulfillment I feel when I am helping others.”

Dr. Rubio has a heartwarming passion for working with seniors because of the wonderful connection they share. He takes joy in teaching them about their health and collaborating to improve their well-being. In return, they teach him invaluable lessons about life, family, and aging with grace. These relationships bring happiness and fulfillment to both Dr. Rubio and his patients.

When he’s not working, he takes pleasure in spending quality time with his wife and two children, along with staying active through exercise and cycling.

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Bindu Purushothaman

Chief Information Officer

Bindu Purushothaman leads our technology development efforts, creating seamless tools that allow our team members to focus on caring for participants. Ms. Purushothaman transforms technology for healthcare organizations, most recently as Chief Information Officer at Satellite Health, following technology leadership roles in several value-based care organizations.

Michael Le, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer

Michael Le, MD, oversees our healthcare teams to ensure we provide the highest standards of care. Dr. Le most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of Optum Home and Community Care. Previously, Dr. Le co-founded and served as Chief Medical Officer of Landmark Health, where he pioneered a new care model that provided physician-led, multidisciplinary house calls to frail seniors.

Eric Tam, MD

Role: Physician
Location: Pasadena
Medical Degree: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Residency: UCSF-Family and Community Medicine
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin

“I love working with seniors because they are so vibrant and full of unique life experiences.”

Dr. Tam strives to understand the world his participants come from because it is only by doing so, that he can then provide the holistic care they deserve.

When Dr. Tam is not working, he enjoys spending time with my family, swimming, and the occasional round of golf.

Cathy Fraser (she/her/hers)

Chief People Officer

Cathy Fraser leads the people strategies and services that fuel the fulfilment and expansion of WelbeHealth’s mission. Previously, she led human resources at Mayo Clinic and Tenet Healthcare. Cathy’s passion is addressing difficult challenges using data-driven analysis, innovative thinking and an employee-centric approach.

Sukhvinder Kaur

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Stockton
Education: United States University, San Diego
Board Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner, FNP-BC
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

“I love working with the elderly to see them become independent in their own homes.” Sukhvinder enjoys supporting her patients and creating a personal connection. She finds working with the elderly to be rewarding, and especially appreciates hearing about her patients’ lives.

When she’s not working, Sukhvinder enjoys spending time with family, traveling, camping, and cooking.

Blaire Bernard, JD

General Counsel

Blaire Bernard, JD, is an experienced healthcare lawyer who has focused her career on supporting providers whose mission is to expand access to value-based care. Prior to joining WelbeHealth, Blaire served as General Counsel and Compliance Officer of Iora Health, where she built the legal operations and partnered with business leaders in scaling the compliance program.

Amy Shin

Chief Mission Officer

Amy Shin is an advocate for equitable healthcare, with expertise in Medicare, Medicaid, dual-eligible, long-term care, and commercial health care. She brings strength in strategic planning, improving operational efficiencies, and innovating to advance healthcare. Most recently, Ms. Shin served as CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin, where she oversaw healthcare delivery to underserved areas of California.

Sam Wald

Chief Operating Officer

Sam Wald is an experienced healthcare operations leader, specializing in value-based care for seniors. He has led teams and networks that deliver highly coordinate care to some of our most vulnerable community members. He is passionate about building systems and partnerships that improve outcomes and reduce the cost of care for patients.

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Marshe Ivy, FNP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Stockton
Education: Samuel Merritt University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I am a nurse first and my goal is to treat my patients in a nurturing way, and give them the love and attention they deserve. I hope every one of my patients trust me to partner in their treatment and healing.”

Marshe prides herself on listening to and understanding where her patients are now, and helping them overcome any barriers to their care goals.

When not working, Marshe enjoys rest and relaxation such as shopping, crafting, or going to the spa, and spending time with family.

Nesren Anton, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Stockton
Education: Samuel Merritt University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Arabic

“I hope that everyone is able to achieve their health wish. I love helping seniors try to achieve that.”

Nesren is passionate about educating patients and the community about health issues and preventive care. Having spent several years working at Children’s Cancer Hospital, she took a position with Hospice and Palliative Care, managing Medicare patients and conducting in-home health assessments. Her compassion for seniors and her focus on providing quality care are very appreciated among the participants at WelbeHealth.

When Nesren is not seeing participants, she is busy being a supermom to five beautiful children.

Haide Landeros, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Pasadena
Education: University of California, Los Angeles
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Danny Lam, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Pasadena
Education: Azusa Pacific University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Cantonese, Mandarin

“I love working with seniors because they deserve the best quality of life they can get. In a way, while caring for them we can see our future.”

When not working, I enjoy… wanderlusting, skiing (not very good at it though).

Germin Soliman, DO

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Pasadena
Education: Western University of Health Sciences
Residency:College Medical Center Pacific Hospital of Long Beach
Board Certification: American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Arabic

Danielle Basurco, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: North Hollywood
Education: Ross University School of Medicine
Residency: UCSF Fresno – Family & Community Medicine
Board Certification: American Board of Family Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“My love for seniors started with loving and caring for my grandmother and trying to find ways for her to live her best life. Our seniors are living books full of experiences from which we can all benefit. They need love and support to thrive. Each senior has a unique set of vulnerabilities and goals that need to be identified and supported. It is a privilege now to help form part of that loving support team.”

When not working I enjoy… working on my chili pepper and tomato garden with my family and creating delicious meals with them and for them. I enjoy family time, hiking and collecting gnomes.

Dennis Louis Yam, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Fresno
Education: Walden University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Tagalog, Chinese

“Welbe Health is the ideal setting to practice medicine. Here, we get rewarded for the quality of care we give and the outcome of the care.”

Danny takes seriously the saying “do no harm” and works with each patient to deliver care suited to their unique circumstances.

When not working, I enjoy…traveling and road trips, spending time with family, watching movies.

Jagdish Nijjar, FNP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Fresno
Education: Fresno Pacific University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Punjabi, Hindi

Linda Yang, MBA, BSN, MSN, FNP-C

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Fresno
Education: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Hmong

“Giving time back to seniors who have shaped the community is a privilege. I learn so much from them.”

Linda has years of invaluable experience as a volunteer and as a nurse. She has put her skills to use in a variety of healthcare settings. She is enthusiastic about providing compassionate education, safety and healthcare. She creates lasting relationships with participants, while delivering healthcare that empowers them and increases their quality of life.

Family-oriented and passionate about caring for people as if they were her own family, Linda is the proud mom of 6 grown children (all boys!) and grandma to 2 boys.

Megan Whelan, NP, MS

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Long Beach
Education: California State University Bakersfield, California State University Long Beach, UC Irvine
Board Certification: American Nurses Credentialing Center
Languages Spoken: English

“I have a passion for seniors. I feel like I can make a difference by spending a little more time with them and seeing them from a whole person perspective.”

Megan has provided care in various settings over the last 15 years, working in clinics, telehealth, home health and skilled nursing facilities. Her experience and dedication shine at WelbeHealth. She is compassionate about patients of all ages, but seniors hold a special place in her heart. She provides the education, resources and support that her patients need to stay active and healthy.

Megan loves being in nature and sharing a meal with her family and friends.

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Ted Vuong, FNP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Pasadena
Education: Western University of Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Chinese (Chiu-Chow)

“It’s a gift to love the elderly. It’s a gift to admire them and have so much compassion for them that I felt like I needed to do this.”

Before joining WelbeHealth, Ted worked in an urgent care and emergency room setting. This experience has given him skills in caring for people of all ages. He enjoys working with the elderly, counseling them on care, treatment options and preventive medicine. In addition to English, Ted is fluent in five languages. You can test him out if you speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Chiu-Chow or Spanish!

Ted enjoys serving his community and volunteering at his local food bank.

Sabrina Villalba, MD

Role: Medical Director
Location: Long Beach
Medical Degree: The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Residency: Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Department of Family Medicine
Board Certification: Family Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“I treat the entire person. I see how everything works together to make someone feel better and healthy. Part of my philosophy is to address the spiritual and emotional, as well as physical.”

With 15 years of experience as a family medicine specialist, Dr. Villalba listens to her patients and provides compassionate, personalized care. The fulfillment she gets from talking to her patients reinforces her belief that she chose the right career. Dr. Villalba regularly volunteers at the Huntington Beach Senior Center, where she enjoys gaining wisdom from the elderly and serving her community.

When she isn’t seeing participants at WelbeHealth, Dr. Villalba loves surfing and practicing mixed martial arts.

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Raman Talwar, MD

Role: PACE Physician
Location: Stockton
Medical Degree: Government Medical College and Hospital
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi

“If you can help somebody in need, they will often come back to thank you. That really means something to me.”

Dr. Raman’s four decades spent caring for patients of all ages shines through in his work at WelbeHealth. Participants and families know they can trust him as an experienced, knowledgeable provider. In addition to primary care, his medical specialties include general and vascular surgery. This hands-on vascular expertise helps him assist seniors in managing conditions that affect arteries and veins.

When not caring for participants, Dr. Talwar loves to travel and read as much as he can.

Colin Robinson, MD, MPH

Role: Medical Director
Location: Pasadena
Medical Degree: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: UCLA Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Board Certification: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“I pride myself on carefully listening to my patients. It’s important to understand their medical history, as well as their social, family and cultural lives.”

Dr. Robinson is passionate about providing personalized care to patients of all ages, including seniors. He practices patient-centered care to help WelbeHealth participants live their healthiest lives. In addition to his Doctor of Medicine (MD), Dr. Robinson holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Program Director at UCLA.

When not working at WelbeHealth, Dr Robinson enjoys time with his family and hitting the occasional ace on the tennis court.

Chioma Nwabude, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Long Beach
Education: Laurea University of Applied Sciences, California State University, Long Beach
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Russian

“I respect all my patients and make sure they’re part of the decision-making process. It’s one way to encourage them to participate in their own care.”

Chioma is a passionate and dedicated Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with five years of nursing experience in critical and transitional care. She is known for taking new hires and students under her wing, teaching them what she’s learned.

Chioma treasures time with her two daughters and is a bookworm, enjoying literature, history books and biographies.

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Yordanos Mehanzel, FNP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Stockton
Education: Nevada State College, Touro University Nevada
Board Certification: California Board of Registered Nursing
Languages Spoken: English

“I take care of each patient the best that I can and consider how they want to be cared for.”

Yordanos is a real go-getter! She began working as a Registered Nurse in Pre-Op and PACU with an Associates Degree in Nursing. In 2017, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and in 2020, she received her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. She brings enthusiasm and strives to provide optimal, patient-centered care with compassion.

Outside of work, you can find her serving up tennis balls or relaxing with yoga!

Kathy Lishman, RN, MSN, FNP-BC

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Long Beach
Education: Kennesaw State University
Board Certification: American Nurses Credentialing Center
Languages Spoken: English

“My philosophy is to grow with my patients through whatever they’re going through and be there to help a person live their best life.”

Kathy has been caring for patients for 25 years. She also brings her experience to the classroom, having been a nursing instructor for several colleges. Kathy is enthusiastic about providing comprehensive care to the elderly, especially those with chronic and complex conditions. Her priority is to ensure that her patients and their families get the care and support they need.

When she isn’t at WelbeHealth, you can probably find her walking along the beach or trying out some really good food with her husband.

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Becky Kuhn, RN, FNP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Pasadena
Education: California State University, Long Beach
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“It’s important for patients to understand their health conditions and the reasons for particular treatments. When patients know the ‘why,’ they’re more motivated to stick to their plan.”

Becky Kuhn has been working with seniors since 2011 and is dedicated to providing quality medical care and improving the health of her patients. She takes a collaborative approach ensuring they have the best quality of life. WelbeHealth participants appreciate her attention to detail, focus on educating and encouraging words.

Becky loves nature and would camp out in the woods for months if she could.

Lauren Kennerly, NP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Pasadena
Education: Kent State University, Rush University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English

“I am grateful when I take stress off the family and the patient. It makes everyone’s life easier and healthier, because we take care of them.”

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Lauren brings dynamic skills and experience that help her care for a diverse population of seniors. She’s also an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, which means she treats people from adolescents through adulthood and into advanced age. Lauren has worked in many clinical settings including the cardiovascular ICU, cardiac transplant ICU, PACU, orthopedics and internal medicine. She is excited to provide compassionate, personalized care to WelbeHealth participants with a goal to “do what makes you happy.”

In her free time, Lauren loves taking her dog to farmer’s markets because he has a “smiling” face that helps her make friends.

Julio Garibay, FNP

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Fresno
Education: California State University, Fresno, Fresno Pacific University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

“I enjoy hearing about my participants’ backgrounds and their experiences. It helps me understand their perspectives and develop lasting patient-provider relationships.”

Julio served as a Medic in the United States Airforce before transitioning to registered nursing and now serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience, he has provided care to patients of all ages with acute and chronic health conditions. He understands the complexity of disease and creates customized treatment plans for each participant.

Julio enjoys spending time with his family and taking his children to karate. He may be able to show you a few self-defense moves!

Tam Dinh, NP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Role: Primary Care Provider
Location: Rosemead
Education: University of California, Los Angeles, California State University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Vietnamese

“Treat people how you would want them to treat you. It comes down to respecting human values—just giving or getting that respect from each other.”

With 15 years of experience, Tam has a wealth of knowledge and skills. She has served as a nurse in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals and clinics. Prior to joining WelbeHealth, she served as a Nurse Practitioner in psychiatry. She is passionate about helping participants and their families within the community. She delivers high-quality, patient-centered care that makes a difference in her patients’ lives.

When she isn’t seeing participants at WelbeHealth, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Nesren Anton, NP

Role: Nurse Practitioner
Location: Stockton
Education: Samuel Merritt University
Board Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Languages Spoken: English, Arabic

“I hope that everyone is able to achieve their health wish. I love helping seniors try to achieve that.”

Nesren is passionate about educating patients and the community about health issues and preventive care. Having spent several years working at Children’s Cancer Hospital, she took a position with Hospice and Palliative Care, managing Medicare patients and conducting in-home health assessments. Her compassion for seniors and her focus on providing quality care are very appreciated among the participants at WelbeHealth.

When Nesren is not seeing participants, she is busy being a supermom to five beautiful children.

Marsha Alexander, MD

Role: Associate Medical Director
Location: Stockton
Medical Degree: East Tennessee State University
Residency: Florida Hospital, Family Practice
Languages Spoken: English

Dr. Alexander knows that medical conditions can be difficult for seniors and their loved ones to manage. She has been caring for seniors through PACE for five years. With nearly four decades of experience in family medicine, she partners with seniors to meet their health needs and goals. Dr. Alexander doesn’t shy away from tough conversations and her patients know she will help keep them on track. Her mission is to enable older adults to enjoy more independence and a better quality of life for as long as possible.

Outside of work, Dr. Alexander loves to quilt.

Amy Shin

Senior Advisor

Amy Shin is a passionate advocate for equitable healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations. Amy has deep Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care, and commercial health care and managed care experiences. Amy was previously a CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin, the CAO of On Lok Senior Health Services (the founding PACE organization), and a principal with a nationwide consulting firm, Health Management Associates.

Rosana Scolari

SVP, Operations

A dynamic and team-oriented senior-level professional with 23 years of experience leading and developing healthcare programs in a non-profit health care/social service setting. Recognized for goal-oriented organizational leadership and successful track record of delivering high quality services and positive customer satisfaction.

Heather Wasielewski

Vice President, People

Heather is passionate about creating a purposeful and impactful team member experience and believes that engaged and happy team members directly and positively impact the participants that we serve. She has MBAs from UC Berkeley and Columbia University and a BA in International Business and Spanish from Dominican University in River Forest, IL.

Susan Waschevski

AVP, Operations

Susan is a deeply experienced PACE and senior care leader, having previously served as Director of PACE at Franciscan Alliance and Deputy Director at Indiana Division of Aging. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Monmouth College.

Magda Lenartowicz, MD

Medical Director

Dr. Magda Lenartowicz is a passionate physician specializing in the care of older adults. She is a trained internist with a fellowship in geriatric medicine and social scientist with a specialization in gerontology. Prior to joining WelbeHealth, she founded a home health company and taught gerontology at McMaster University in Canada. Most recently, she served as medical director at a comprehensive geriatric inpatient service in Southern California and continues her clinical work as a hospice and palliative care physician with Rozeroom Hospice. Dr. Lenartowicz received her geriatric fellowship training from University of California Los Angeles and completed her undergraduate medical training and residency at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. She completed her undergraduate training in gerontology at McMaster University.

Cheryl Phillips, MD

Senior Clinical Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Phillips is CEO of the Special Needs Plan Alliance, a national association for Medicare-Medicaid plans serving vulnerable adults. She was previously Chief Medical Officer of On Lok, the original PACE, and Founding Medical Director for Sutter Senior Care PACE, one of the earliest PACE replication sites. She is former president of the American Geriatrics Society and a fellowship-trained geriatrician.

Matt Patterson, MD

President

Dr. Matt Patterson is dedicated to improving the value, accessibility, and experience of healthcare for all people and their caregivers. He’s led market changing innovation across clinical, operational, and technology domains with AirStrip, McKinsey & Company, and the United States Navy.

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Kendell Cannon, MD

Medical Director

Kendell has served as both a Teaching Attending and a Hospice Medical Director. She recently completed a prestigious fellowship at Stanford University with a focus on “Redesigning Care for People in Late Life.” She believes in focusing on her patient’s life goals to maximize their health and well-being.

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Elizabeth Carty, MSW

Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer

Elizabeth Carty is an expert in the highly successful PACE model of care. As a former Director of On Lok PACEpartners Consulting and former COO of the Center for Elders’ Independence, Elizabeth has spent 20 years launching new centers and leading and improving existing PACE organizations. Ensuring dignity for seniors is a core value for Elizabeth.

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Bob Edmondson, JD

PACE Board Member

Robert is an experienced managed care leader and was most recently the CEO of On Lok, the originator of the PACE model of care. He also founded CalPACE, the first state association for PACE organizations. He actively pursues better solutions in senior housing and health care.

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Ethan Epstein, CPA, CFA

CFO

Ethan Epstein is passionate about delivering higher value healthcare in the US. To him, that means better clinical outcomes at a lower cost for patients. Most recently he was at Evolent Health, where he teamed with providers to enable their transition in value-based care.

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Sophia Guel-Valenzuela

Regional VP

Sophia is a passionate health care leader with an expertise in senior care operations. She was at the helm of AltaMed’s ADHC and PACE growth and expansion for over 18 years. She believes in loving PACE participants and developing future leaders.

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Richard Gurley

EVP Operations

Richard Gurley’s professional passion is improving quality of service and reducing costs in the US healthcare system. That passion has taken him through leadership roles in Tennessee government, McKinsey consulting, and most recently Evolent Health.

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Jillian Simon, LCSW

Executive Director

Jillian Simon has spent over 15 years focused on improving geriatric services with an emphasis on patient centered care. As veteran PACE and adult day health care executive, Jillian is passionate about promoting health, independence, and an overall increased quality of life for seniors and their families.

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Vaneesh Soni, MD

Chief Development Officer

Dr. Vaneesh Soni focuses on expanding the reach and impact of innovative care models to benefit large patient populations at scale. Most recently, he was the Chief Strategy Officer for Imaging Advantage, prior to which he was at McKinsey and Company.

Si France, MD

CEO

Si France is a mission driven physician entrepreneur. Most recently, he was founder and CEO of GoHealth, which operates over 200 urgent care centers in collaboration with leading non-profit health systems across the country, delivering award winning quality and patient experience. He is also a Health Commissioner for San Mateo County’s 145,000 member Medicaid plan.

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