The primary care medical home is accountable for meeting the large majority of each patients physical and mental health care needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care, and chronic care. Providing comprehensive care requires a team of care providers. This team might include physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, educators, and care coordinators. Although some medical home practices may bring together large and diverse teams of care providers to meet the needs of their patients, many others, including smaller practices, will build virtual teams linking themselves and their patients to providers and services in their communities.
The primary care medical home coordinates care across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, and community services and supports. Such coordination is particularly critical during transitions between sites of care, such as when patients are being discharged from the hospital. Medical home practices also excel at building clear and open communication among patients and families, the medical home, and members of the broader care team.
The primary care medical home demonstrates a commitment to quality and quality improvement by ongoing engagement in activities such as using evidence-based medicine and clinical decision-support tools to guide shared decision making with patients and families, engaging in performance measurement and improvement, measuring and responding to patient experiences and patient satisfaction, and practicing population health management. Sharing robust quality, safety data and improvement activities publicly is also an important marker of a system-level commitment to quality.
The primary care medical home provides health care that is relationship-based with an orientation toward the whole person. Partnering with patients and their families requires understanding and respecting each patients unique needs, culture, values, and preferences. The medical home practice actively supports patients in learning to manage and organize their own care at the level the patient chooses. Recognizing that patients and families are core members of the care team, medical home practices ensure that they are fully informed partners in establishing care plans.
The primary care medical home delivers accessible services with shorter waiting times for urgent needs, enhanced in-person hours, around-the-clock telephone or electronic access to a member of the care team, and alternative methods of communication such as email and telephone care. The medical home practice is responsive to patients preferences regarding access.
Sonya (Makah) has been IHCs CEO since 2014. She holds a Bachelors in Business Management and an MBA in Finance and Management. She is a U. S. Army Veteran, serving as a U. S. Paratrooper (Airborne) and deployed several times. Prior to working with IHC, she served as the CEO of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe for eight years. She is proud to work with the IHC team to serve all of the members, and enjoys finding new and innovative ways to support the community. She also enjoys time with family, her culture, reading, traveling traditional waters by canoe, and raising money and awareness for Autism.
Ira has been working at IHC since 2015. She was trained as a physician India and completed a Masters in Public Health from University of Toledo in 2009. She is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), and a Certified HIPAA, Privacy, Security Expert (CHPSE). Ira has been integral in the development and implementation of strategies that center data informed decisions and continuous quality improvement at IHC. She is proud to be able to lead a balanced life and enjoys spending time with her husband and son.
Richard Grooms earned a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and an MBA in Healthcare Management. He has been in accounting for more than 25 years and in Healthcare for the last 12. He found his calling when he was offered a controller position in an FQHC in Wisconsin. Like everyone at IHC, Richard is dedicated to increasing access to care and removing barriers to wellness. As a senior leader he works across departments to achieve the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide and collect for services.
Dr. Balakrishnan has been working with IHC since 2006 and is board certified in Family Medicine. She is proud of the work that she has done to help IHC receive Patient Centered Health Home (PCMH) accreditation and Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) accreditation. She loves working with her colleagues and the members. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to music, playing golf, and spending time with her family.
Angelina (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) is the Director of Clinical Services at the Indian Health Center. Angelina began at IHC leading the Community Wellness & Outreach Department in 2016. She has worked in Urban Indian Health for more than eight years. She holds a BA in Political Science and Global Studies and is a Certified Professional Coder through the American Academy of Professional Coders. She is proud to work with a team of dedicated individuals that are committed to the community and loves seeing the positive impact that our health and wellness services have on peoples well-being.
Gina has been working at IHC since 2001. Her passion has been to promote family success through integrated nutrition, health, and community services that enhance the potential for all families to enjoy a higher quality of life. In addition to holding her BS in Dietetics, she is a Certified Lactation Educator and Certified in Adult and Adolescent Weight Management. She has received the State WIC Program Best Practice Award and her agency is certified as a California WIC Wellness Worksite. She currently serves on the California WIC Association Board. She enjoys reading, hiking, and backpacking.
Michael has been working at IHC for more than 15 years. He has been instrumental in developing community traditional healing services in his department, including sweats, ceremonies with traditional healers, and cultural activities as an alternative to substance use. He regularly contributes as stakeholder on behalf of the AI/AN community as a former member of the Minority Action Committee, working closely with the Santa Clara County Department of Mental Health Services, and as a member of the Native American Strategic Planning Work Group for the California Reducing Disparities Project.
Vernon (Assiniboine/Turtle Mountain Chippewa) has been working at IHC for more than 14 years. He received his Masters in Business Administration in 2015. He has a passion for helping his people, and loves interacting with the AI/AN community. He is an integral part of IHCs Intertribal Health Council, and serves as the President of the American Indian Alliance,a community organization that implements innovative projects that benefit the AI/AN community in Santa Clara County and the Greater Bay Area.
Dr. Lobana has been working at IHC for more than six years and and is board certified in Family Medicine. She is proud to serve the Native American community, as well as other underserved communities in the Santa Clara Valley. Her favorite part of her job working with members and their families to work towards healthy lifestyles and witnessing members improve their chronic health conditions.
Wayne (Blackfeet) has been working with IHCSCV, since 2006. He holds a Doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership. He loves working with IHCSCV and interacting with the members. He is proud of helping IHCSCV maintain a 99% or higher average score on all administrative audits since 2007, and playing a key role in developing staff.
Dr. McCraven has been working with IHC for since 2014 and is board certified in Family Medicine. She loves working with her colleagues and solving problems for our members. She made the decision to break the mold and become a Family Physician at age 40, and the work she is able to do at IHC affirms this decision every day. Outside of work, she enjoys doing yoga, cooking, and reading.
Daniela has been working at IHCSCV since 2004. She is committed to the work that FQHCs do with their communities. Her work focus has been around expanding access to care for the underserved population and improving overall population health. She actively designs, participates and leads teams in innovative projects in quality improvement and data management, population health, continuity of care and patient engagement. She holds a physician degree from Universidad Mayor de San Andres. She loves traveling and spending time with family.
BS, Business Administration, San Francisco State University BA, Telecommunications, Cal-State University, Long Beach Recruitment and working with the staff are the favorite part of my job. I also enjoy creating a work environment that is fun and rewarding. Outside of work I like tennis and surfing.
Gerardo, aka Gera, is Mescalero Apache and Pueblo, of New Mexico, on his maternal side. On his paternal side, he is Pame, of Aramberri, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He has been serving the Urban Indigenous community in Santa Clara County, since 1992. Gerardo joined the IHCSCV team professionally, in 2019.
Dr. Spatola has been working with IHC since 2014 and became thedentaldirector in2021. She got her D.D.S. degree from UCLA School of Dentistry in 2010 and completed a 1 year general dentistry residency in Santa Barbara,CA. She is proficient in all aspects of general dentistry and is passionate about serving our community. Outside of the office, she enjoys cooking new dishes and spending time with her husband and two sons exploring the Bay Area and beyond.
Pablo joined IHCs Board in August 2005. He is a master artist and craftsman and a graduate of San Jose State University. He holds masters and bachelors degrees from San Jose State University, and has a 35 year record of teaching in the Santa Clara County office of the Education Alternative School. Now retired, he is very involved in the 500 mile run, which he has actively supported for the last 34 years. For the run, he is a spiritual leader and caretaker of the drum. He is a supporter of the Bear dance and Sun Dance and other ceremonial events in the San Jose area, and is nationally and regionally recognized for his visual art work. He has three children, all of whom are adults, and currently has 3 beautiful grandchildren.
Charlene joined the IHC Board in 2020. She was born and raised in San Jose. She is a descendant of the Ohlone people. She is a strong community advocate and community volunteer. She is honored to help support the work of IHCSV. Charlene offers extensive board experience, having served on a number of non-profit boards and committees in both California and Minnesota. In terms of professional experience, Charlene has served as an Adjunct Professor teaching Ethnic Studies. She has also held several positions in corporate legal departments negotiating contracts, addressing issues of compliance and matters of privacy. As a life-long learner, Charlene has earned a Bachelors degree in Human Service Administration, from San Jose State University, a M.A. in Mexican-American Studies from San Jose State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law where she studied Indian Law and Health Law.
Paulette Thomas Pico (Navajo Nation) Dzitahnii (Mountain Cove Clan) and born for Naashtzh Dine (Zuni Clan), Maternal Grandfathers clan Ts Nahabinii (Sleep-Rock People Clan) and Paternal Grandfathers clan Taheedlinii (Water-Flows-Together Clan). Paulette is carrying on the family tradition by working as a Principal System Engineer with Roche Molecular Systems. She is a Sequoyah Fellow of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and a member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Paulette and her family actively participate in community events which promote diversity and cultural awareness such as Interfaith events, school events, American Indian gatherings while being a parent to three. Paulette joined the board in July of 2016 and proudly serves as the Secretary.
Lisa became an IHCSCV Board Member, in 2019. She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and raised in San Jose, California, where she currently resides. Her tribal affiliation is Oglala Lakota Sioux. Lisa has been a patient IHCSCV for over 40-years, as well as an active community member. She is a former Special Education Paraeducator for Santa Clara County Office of Education, where she worked for 15- years. Since 2006, Lisa has worked in the capacity of Senior Citizen Care Provider for In Home Supportive Services of Santa Clara County. As a student, Lisa studied medicine and the pharmaceuticals industry. She enjoys creative art and Mother Nature. Lisa looks forward to her future endeavors as an active IHCSCV Board Member, strengthening the Circle for Health, Balance and Wellness.
Mr. Liu has over 13 years experience in Safety and Mission Assurance, serving as Director of Safety and Mission Assurance, Deputy Director of Safety and Mission Assurance, Associate Director of Safety and Mission Assurance, Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer, Software Assurance and Quality for Flight and Spacecraft projects for an Agency of the Federal Government. Mr. Liu has over 25 years experience in Data Acquisition and Instrumentation Systems for aerospace testing facilities as Deputy Branch Chief, Development Group Leader, Project Manager, and Task Manager. Mr. Lius cultural background is Navajo, English, Irish, and German. Mr. Liu is born for the Many Goats Clan. Mr. Liu was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and grew up in Oregon, Washington, and California.Mr. Liu has been a board member since June, 2016.
Cheryl has been on the Board since April 2006. She is a member of the IHCs Diabetes Community Advisory Committee (DCAC) and has been involved with the Committees efforts to reach out and educate the community about diabetes. She is also a Patient Advocate in the Community Health Partnerships Patient Advocacy Program that trains clients how to speak to legislators and other officials about the need for health care services. Cheryl has volunteered at many IHC events over the years. Cheryl has been the Recording Secretary and Vice President of the Tlingit/Haida San Francisco Central Council and is an enrolled member.
The mission of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is to help ensure the survival and healing of American Indians/Alaskan Natives and our community by providing high quality, comprehensive health care and wellness services.