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About the Alliance

The Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) is the Primary Care Association (PCA) for the State of Arizona. All states have one designated PCA to provide training and technical assistance to health centers and other safety-net providers, advance the expansion of the Health Center Program, and advocate for the healthcare interests of the medically underserved.

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700 East Jefferson Street, Suite 100
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
info@aachc.org
602.253.0090

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The Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers is the Primary Care Association for the state of Arizona. Since 1985, we have been working to build a healthcare system where every Arizonan has the opportunity to thrive. Our role is to provide training, technical assistance, advocacy, and programmatic support to Community Health Center providers and staff who make access to affordable, quality primary care possible for all.

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3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1600
Phoenix, AZ 85012
info@aachc.org
(602) 253-0090

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Shelli Stewart
Director of Workforce

Shelli Stewart joined the Alliance in December 2023. She is serving as the Director of Workforce where she oversees the Workforce Division, the Central Arizona Area Health Education Center, and other programs focusing on workforce development in the healthcare industry such as continuing education credits, pipeline programs, and job training opportunities. Prior to joining the Alliance, Shelli spent six years as a Network Manager for mental health providers serving at-risk youth. Prior to that, Shelli served 15 years working in workforce development, grants management, and recruiting in the public sector. She worked an additional five years as an Assistant Director for a children’s non-profit organization. Shelli holds a master’s degree in organizational management and two bachelor’s degrees, one in English and one in Legal Studies.

Jessica Yanow
President& Chief Executive Officer, AACHC & CVN

Jessica Yanow joined the Alliance as President & CEO in November 2021. Prior to that, Jessica spent three years as Senior Manager of Community and Health Advancement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) where she was responsible for the development and execution of BCBSAZ’s statewide strategies and initiatives to improve the health of all Arizonans with a focus on Arizona’s most pressing health issues. She also served as Director of Women’s Health Programs and Grant Administration for the Alliance from 2008-2014 and then Chief Operations Officer from 2014-2019. Jessica graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology and minors in near eastern and Judaic studies and women’s studies from Brandeis University. She holds a Master of Public Health degree in community health practice from the University of Arizona. She completed the Geiger Gibson capstone fellowship in community health and leadership at George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and is certified in federal grants management by Management Concepts. She is a member of the Arizona Public Health Association and participated in Valley Leadership’s inaugural Catalyst class of 2022. Jessica is married to her high school sweetheart and has one amazing teenage son and two very cuddly rescue dogs. She and her family love live music, and you can catch them at an eclectic variety of concerts.

Da-Nell Pedersen
Director of Communications & Training

Da-Nell Pedersen joined the Alliance in December 2019. In her current role as Director of Communications & Training, Da-Nell leads the Alliance’s internal and external communications strategy to promote the work of the Alliance and our members. She is responsible for overseeing all methods of communication, from trainings, marketing materials, online presence, newsletters and reports, customer engagement tools, and employee messaging. Prior to that Da-Nell worked at DentaQuest for five years where she provided dental practice management technical assistance and training to hundreds of Federally Qualified Health Centers across the country. During her last year at DentaQuest, she assisted with the development of curriculum on value-based care transformation in oral health and the design and implementation of a national value-based care convening. She has also served as a co-author on several publications on the topic of value-based care transformation. Da-Nell has a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communications from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit administration from Arizona State University. Outside of work she and her husband enjoy hiking, bike riding, movies, and game nights. They have two dogs, Pixie and Tripp, and are expecting their first child in December 2021.

Jamie Duncan
HCCN Project Coach

Jamie Duncan joined the Alliance and CVN in September 2020 as CVN Business Network Advisor (HCCN Project Coach). In that role, Jamie is responsible for assisting Community Health Centers by providing and developing training materials, tools, and educational programs that support the execution of quality of care initiatives utilizing metrics, data review for quality improvement, and tracking. Prior to joining the Alliance, Jamie spent most of her career working at Kaiser Permanente in northern California for over 17 years. Jamie was integral in providing staff training on various workflows during the rollout of Epic’s EHR system. She participated on workgroups in emergency department and inpatient settings at two Kaiser hospitals during the implementation of Epic’s EHR system and worked as Admitting Supervisor and Resource Management Project Analyst performing supervisory, statistical analysis, and regulatory compliance responsibilities. Jamie has also worked in various capacities as an Oncology Clinical Trials Regulatory Specialist, Appeals Specialist, and Senior Case Manager for Program Offices. Jamie received her Bachelor of Arts in management from St. Mary's College with an emphasis in accounting. She relocated from northern California to Arizona in August 2019 with her daughter and has a son attending college in California. They also have a furry, four-legged family member named Covi.

Jasman Shakya
HCCN BI Analyst

Jasman Shakya joined the Alliance in June 2021. As a HCCN BI Analyst, he is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of business intelligence solutions that helps to improve current processes. His job includes analyzing data to identify data trends, developing ETL processes, creating and deploying high-quality reports, and supporting analytics platforms. Jasman holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and information technology from Tribhuvan University and a master's degree in data and information management from Radford University. Besides work, he enjoys traveling to new places, hiking, watching soccer, and playing FIFA with his friends.

Deepti Vedala
HCCN Project Coach

Deepti Vedala joined the Alliance and CVN in July 2019. In her current role as a Project Coach for the HCCN grant, Deepti provides education, technical assistance, and training on HIT, performance improvement, and project management for member Community Health Centers. A pharmacist by training, Deepti found her career interests in healthcare management and furthered her education with a master’s degree in business administration and Lean Six Sigma Certification. She has been working in the project management arena since then, shifting from pharmaceutical research and development to pharmaceutical marketing and now to public health domains. She is passionate about lean thinking and bringing structure to a group. Her background has helped her to deploy various project management tools like Quality by Design, Process Value Mapping, and PDSAs as part of her work. Outside of work she and her husband enjoy camping, road trips, and exploring places. Their greatest adventure began in December 2020 when they had a baby girl!

Jennifer J. Burns
Senior Director of Legislative Affairs

Jennifer J. Burns joined the Alliance in 2021 and is now the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs. In that role Jennifer leads federal and state advocacy efforts on behalf of Arizona’s Community Health Centers (CHCs). She serves as a liaison with public policymakers and staff, advocates for CHC priorities, and works with the Pharmacy Committee. Previously, Jennifer served as an Arizona State Representative from 2003 – 2009, representing much of rural Southern Arizona. She served as the Higher Education Committee Chair, Appropriations Vice-Chair, Health Committee Vice-Chair, and on other committees over the course of her six years in the Legislature. Jennifer was involved in crafting bipartisan budgets investing in Arizona’s future, as well as with health, higher education, military, and water issues. While serving, Jennifer received the AACHC Legislator of the Year Award. Following the Legislature, Jennifer worked as a Government Relations Consultant with MHC Healthcare and the Marana Chamber of Commerce. She researched and wrote an Arizona Policy Audit on Higher Education for the Arizona Board of Regents and was honored to be one of two staffers for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s Civil Discourse & Civic Engagement project focused on government reform. Jennifer holds a Juris Doctorate, Master of Public Administration specializing in health policy, Bachelor of Science in chemistry, and Bachelor of Arts in political science. She serves on the University of Arizona College of Law Advisory Committee, 2340 Foundation, and the Marana High School Alumni Association.

Melinda Cobb
Consortium Manager, Rural Opioid Response

Melinda Cobb joined the Alliance in October 2020. In her current role as the Rural Opioid Consortium Manager, Melinda is responsible for managing our Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Implementation Grant to ensure growth and sustainability. She works closely with our partners to support SUD/OUD prevention, treatment, and recovery activities in Gila, Graham and Mohave counties. Prior to that she worked for the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) as the Injury Prevention/Drug Overdose Health Program Manager where she managed the State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant, the State’s Overdose Fatality Review team, and the Naloxone Distribution Program. Before leaving ADHS, she expanded the State Overdose Fatality Review team to include County teams and expanded Naloxone access to include community members such as high schools and universities, religious entities, and community centers, in addition to law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel. Melinda has a Bachelor of Science in health science and biology from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and a Master of Public Health from Grand Canyon University. Outside of work, Melinda enjoys spending time with her family, attending food festivals, volunteering, and meeting new people.

Dr. Robert Elk
Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Robert (Bob) Elk joined the Alliance in 2017 as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). His duties as CMO include assisting the Community Health Center CMOs in improving clinical quality improvement, facilitating networking between the CMOs, and advancing the work on provider wellness and reducing burnout. He also acts as a physician consultant to Alliance staff as needed. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, obtained his medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, and completed his residency in internal medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire and the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Elk is board certified in Internal Medicine. His career as a general internist includes two years working on the Navajo reservation in Northern Arizona and 16 years as a part of the Maricopa Integrated Health System as an internist, Medical Director, and the Director of Outpatient Services. He was Medical Director of Health Partners Health Plan and VPMA of PacifiCare of AZ and spent eight years as a physician and medical director of the Community Health Center of Yavapai in Prescott, AZ. Dr. Elk joined Adelante Healthcare in May 2009 and became their CMO, retiring from that position in 2017. His career demonstrates his long interest and passion for care of the underserved and building and sustaining medical organizations and their practitioners based on quality, teamwork, and trustworthy relationships.

Leah Meyers
Director of Integrated Services

Leah Meyers joined the Alliance in January 2015 as the Director of the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network. In her current role as Director of Integrated Services, Leah plans, develops, implements, and oversees programs and activities designed to identify and better serve women in rural areas and those with SUD. She also serves as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court’s Committee on the Impact of Domestic Violence and the Courts (CIDVC). Previously, she worked at the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families (now Office of Youth, Faith and Family); the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence); the Administrative Office of the Courts; and Sojourner Center. Leah has worked in the domestic and sexual violence movement for over 25 years providing direct services, advocacy, community education, and grant administration. She received a Bachelor of Arts in social services and psychology at Bradley University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Chicago.

Lisa Nieri
Chief Programs Officer

Lisa Nieri has been with the Alliance since 2009 when she was hired as the Regional Migrant Health Coordinator. Since then, she has spent many years in Health Center Development, working with organizations that are interested in becoming Community Health Centers (CHCs)/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and working with existing health centers on meeting and exceeding HRSA’s expectations for Health Center Program grantees and Look-Alikes. Lisa enjoys working with and supporting the dedicated and passionate people that do the work of the Alliance and being able to work directly with our CHCs that are providing essential access to excellent care in their communities. Prior to joining the Alliance, Lisa had experience working in a variety of settings, including academic, public agencies, community-based organizations, and property management. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Science in continuing and vocational education, both from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Lisa comes from a bilingual and bicultural family with roots in Peru and counts herself lucky to have been raised both in Milwaukee, WI and Crystal City, TX. Lisa has two fabulous grown-ish sons and a patient husband that all very importantly appreciate her odd sense of humor.

Emily Oake
Senior Director of Population Health

Emily Oake joined the Alliance in June 2012. In her current role as Senior Director of Population Health, Emily oversees programs that better serve underserved populations through access and quality improvement, including migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, individuals experiencing homelessness, residents of public housing, victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, and other populations significantly impacted by social determinants of health. She received a master’s degree in health sector management from Arizona State University. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking and most things outdoors.

Lorraine Ramirez
Program Manager, Rural Women’s Health & Oral Health

Lorraine Ramirez joined the Alliance in August 2016 as Coordinator for the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network. In her current role as Program Manager of Rural Women’s Health and Oral Health, Lorraine manages various projects related to oral health and rural health, including the Arizona Rural Women’s Health Network and the Rocky Mountain Network for Oral Health Integration. She received a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Northern Arizona University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Arizona.

Meryl Deles
Outreach & Enrollment Services Information Manager

Meryl Deles joined the Alliance in October 2013. Her work at the Alliance addresses health inequities experienced by underserved and marginalized communities by increasing healthcare coverage, access, and health education/literacy. Meryl has a bachelor’s degree in English and gender studies from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s degree in social work with a focus on policy, administration, and community practice from Arizona State University.

Claudia Maldonado
Director, Outreach & Enrollment Services

Claudia Maldonado joined the Alliance in April 2021. In her current role as Director of Outreach and Enrollment Services Claudia supports outreach and enrollment departments within Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state. She has over 13 years of experience navigating families and individuals through complex healthcare systems and is committed to helping Arizonan’s access quality and affordable healthcare. Claudia received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Arizona State University in 2004 and a Certificate in Spanish Translation from Arizona State University in 2007.

Angela Bryant
CAAHEC: Pathways Program Manager

Angela Bryant joined the Alliance in 2021 as our Pathways Program Manager. In that role Angela works with high school students, staff, and parents to bring awareness, access, and exposure to careers in health and healthcare. She is a career educator and has dedicated her life to improving educational and life outcomes for high-need students. The range of her academic and professional career skills, leveraged with her lived experiences, allows her to design and execute strategies that achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion for students in need. Angela has served as an ambassador for leading organizations and has strengthened those brands in hard-to-reach communities.

Lourdes Montez
Workforce Development Manager

Lourdes Montez joined the Alliance in February 2011 as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Student/Resident Experience and Rotations in Community Health (SEARCH) Program Coordinator. In her current role as Workforce Development Manager, Lourdes develops and facilities coalitions and networks that include academic and healthcare organizations. She also facilitates workforce trainings and identifies healthcare partnership opportunities to help recruit and retain primary care providers, healthcare professionals, and allied health staff to Community Health Centers in rural and underserved communities in Arizona. Lourdes is a Trainer for Training of Trainers (TOT) for several Community Health Curriculums and has been involved with Community Health Worker (CHW) networks, coalitions, and statewide trainings for over 25 years. Prior to working for the Alliance Lourdes worked for a CHC in Southern Arizona that provided her with an inside perspective on the important role CHCs play in rural communities. She also worked for Arizona’s Area Health Education Center Programs for over 15 years. Lourdes attended nursing school in Dodge City, KS and is now working towards a master’s degree in counseling. She is a 4th generation Arizonan and was born and raised in a rural border community in Southeastern Arizona. Lourdes is bilingual, fluent in Spanish, and enjoys traveling and learning more about the rich culture and history of our beautiful state with her husband, Gus and son, Jesse.

Mallika Peddada
CAAHEC: Outreach & Development Program Manager

Mallika Peddada joined the Alliance in June 2021. In her current role as Outreach and Development Program Manager Mallika plans, coordinates, and implements aspects of workforce development programs for our Central Arizona Area Health Education Center, including clinical rotations and community-based experience. She is very excited to be part of CAAHEC team and enjoys supporting the community through her work. Prior to joining the Alliance Mallika worked as Program Manager for the Arizona College of Nursing where she helped open the Phoenix campus in the Northwest Valley. She has over 20 years in the higher education industry, including three years as Project Manager at Walden University and 18 years at the University of Phoenix. Mallika has an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is also certified in human resource management and marketing. Mallika has two beautiful daughters ages 11 and 19 who keep her very busy. During her down time Mallika loves to read, shop, or do crafty projects around the house.

Michelle Horne
Chief Operations Officer

Brenda Hanserd
Chief Financial Officer

Cecilia Nguyen
Staff Accountant

Cecilia Nguyen joined the Alliance in November 2021 as a staff accountant. Prior to that she worked in the finance department at the Matrix Medical Network for ten years and First American Title for six years. In her current role as staff accont, she is responsible for the accuracy of the general ledger and the supporting reconciliations and documentation for preparation of financial statements, grant reports, the annual audit, and ad-hoc reporting as requested by senior leadership. Cecilia has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Mayra Gomez
Program Manager, Outreach & Enrollment

Mayra Gomez joined the Alliance in September of 2019. In her current role as Outreach and Enrollment Services Program Manager, Mayra supports the department with implementing internal and external outreach and enrollment strategies to promote and advance the work of the Alliance and its stakeholders. She is responsible for overseeing methods of program trainings, presentations, engagement tools, and the implementation of grant deliverables among partners. Prior to her current role, Mayra worked at the State of Arizona in the Department of Economic Security and Department of Health Services for 18 years. During this time, she assisted in improving public services for AZ residents by building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders through program oversight, quality control, management evaluation, policy review implementation, and program eligibility. Mayra has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Arizona State University with an emphasis in Social Work. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her boys that range from the ages of 20, 15 and 11 years old.

Kendall Gillispie
Communication & Events Coordinator

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Combatting Burnout & Compassion Fatigue for Helping Professionals Webinar (May 2023)

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