MEET OUR STAFF

Shawna Bell, MFT

Marriage and Family Therapist

Jane Brown

Jane Brown, Quality Improvement Manager, earned her bachelor of arts degree in Business Administration in 1997. She has held various management positions for the past 30+ years in healthcare. Before joining the Humboldt IPA in 2015, Jane worked in healthcare organizations in Orange County, including Greater Newport Physicians IPA, MemorialCare and Hoag Memorial Hospital. Jane enjoys analyzing and improving processes to create a better environment and experience for patients and staff. When not at work, Jane loves to play pickleball, practice yoga and spend time with her grandson.

Maura Buckley, PA

Priority Care Center PA

Joe Burkett

IT manager

Danielle Cook

Credentialing Manager

George Cristino

George Cristino, Youth Intervention Specialist, is a graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt with a degree in Criminology and Justice Studies. Recently having joined the School Based Wellness Center team as a Youth Intervention Specialist, he is set on bringing positive change to the youth around him through the use of social learning and the teaching of life skills through Young Men's Councils.

Chris Davis

Project Manager

Mell Davis

Primary Care Manager

Rosemary Den Ouden

Chief Executive Officer

Ariana Dustin

Ariana Dustin, Youth Intervention Specialist, is a current student at Cal Poly Humboldt in the Master of Social Work Program and a Youth Intervention Specialist thriving in aiding our county’s youth in social-emotional wellness in schools. Before working in Humboldt, Ariana served the scholars of Sacramento County through mentoring, teaching and connecting youth and families with necessary services. Ariana has a lifelong connection to social work through a multitude of lived experience and a drive to further advance the field. In pursuit of their LCSW, Ariana plans to incorporate their robust experience and passion to better support and include all those they are in contact with.

Kristyn Edwards, RN

Medical Management Department Manager, Intensive Care Coordinator

Eric Eichelberger

Programmer

Kerri Escudero

Project and Implementation Manager

Irina Estes

Care Coordinator

Juliet Ferri

Wellness Coach

Jennifer Flores

Jennifer Flores, Youth Intervention Specialist, earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology, completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, is an integration coach and a certified breath work facilitator. Her mission is to power individuals on their journey to holistic health and wellness fostering their inner growth and transformation. Seeking to understand the interconnectedness of emotion and Trauma within the body Jennifer aspires to further her education by pursuing a Graduate Studies to become a Somatic therapist in the future.

Lisa Green

Executive Assistant

Roberto Gomez

Roberto Gomez, Youth Intervention Specialist, earned his Associates Degree in Social Work, and Certificate in Addiction Studies from College of Redwoods. He has lived experience from being a system impacted youth, and becoming a father at a young age.

Carrie Griffin, DO

PCC Medical Director

Riley Heffernan

Network Administrator

Haley Hicks

PCC Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist

Riely Hollinger

Riely Hollinger, Youth Intervention Specialist a dedicated and professional individual, is committed to ensuring and supporting students and families through our wellness centers and empowerment groups. Riely will have her BA in Psychology from Cal Poly Humboldt in December 2024. They’re looking to pursue a career in counseling. Through their work at the IPA, they have gained valuable experience and certification that continues to prove dedication to growth and expansion of knowledge. Their lived experience and education background places Riely in a position to support and foster an enriched and inclusive education environment.

Hannah Inman

Hannah Inman, Youth Intervention Specialist, is a graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt who majored in Sociology with an environmental focus. She has earned many certificates through her work at Humboldt IPA in topics like mental health first aid, trauma responsive care, and suicide prevention. She has experience working with youth in preschool programs and outdoor youth camps. For her long-term goals through her work, she would like to provide a space of healing through nature in an outdoor setting. She’s excited to have an opportunity to create this vision through her outdoor empowerment group at Blue Lake elementary and she’s eager to see what the future holds as she continues to learn and grow professionally.

Saimie Koontz

Saimie Koontz, Youth Intervention Specialist, graduated Cal Poly Humboldt in 2018 with a BA in Criminal Justice Studies and has been working with community-centered organizations ever since. She has received training in leading empowerment groups, Brief Intervention, Cultural Inclusiveness, Trauma Informed Practices, Substance Use Intervention, Conflict Mediation, Suicide Prevention, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and more. From planning community gardens to hosting public listening sessions to leading youth as a soccer coach and kayak guide, Saimie has the real-life experience and skills to work alongside youth in finding their own path to health and wellness.

Justin Loch

Network Administrator

Leanne McKellar

Claims Analyst

Keri Meza

Claims Manager

Carol Nelson

Accounting Manager

Jessica Osborne-Stafsnes

Grants and Program Development Director

Autumn Ossello

IPA Customer Service Representative

Sade Perez

Sade Perez, Education Coordinator, is a queer educator and local artist, is passionate about sharing knowledge with youth in meaningful & creative ways. With a background in Sociology (B.A.), lived experience serving this community as a Pharmacy Technician (PTCB), and training in sexual & reproductive health education (SHE), they have extensive knowledge of the systems that often challenge youth. He is uniquely positioned to support our team with his skills in data analysis, community organizing, and pedagogical praxis to provide well-rounded learning experiences and holistic approaches to supporting the diverse community within Humboldt County.

Glenn Siegfried, MD

UM Medical Director

Jett Stebbins

Jett Stebbins, Family Worker is a Humboldt County local with extensive experience as a school social worker, brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Holding a PPS-SSW credential, MSW, and an ASW license, Jett is dedicated to continuous growth, currently pursuing licensure as an LCSW to expand their capacity to provide clinical therapy within the public school system. Their lived experience and educational background uniquely position them to offer comprehensive support to students, families, and staff alike, enriching our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

Vanessa Vrtiak

Vanessa Vrtiak, SBWC Program Director, received her Masters Degree in Public Sociology in 2017. Vanessa founded the first Open Door Teen Clinic in McKinleyville as a Teen Peer Educator. She has worked in leadership roles in a variety of systems such as the YWCA Women’s Center, Head Start, the Multiple Assistance Homeless Shelter, and the Raven Project for Runaway and Homeless Youth. Vanessa was awarded a California County Challenge Award by the State of California for her work supporting formerly and currently incarcerated people. In addition, Vanessa has received the Ruby Award in 2023, The Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 2019, and Activist of the Year for Cal Poly Humboldt in 2012. Vanessa has a long history of speaking engagements from leading a national webinar on talking to youth about substance use, to sharing her story on a TedX talk.

Taylor Watson

Programmer

Ian Yeo

Ian Yeo, Empowerment Group Coordinator grew up in Humboldt County and attended elementary school through college in Arcata, culminating in a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Humboldt in general Social Science with an emphasis on Sociology, Ethnic Studies, and History. Professionally Ian has spent years in wrap around social services working with foster and adopted youth as a Child and Family Specialist before joining the School Based Wellness Program. As the Empowerment Group Coordinator, Ian affectively integrates his skills as a local recording and performing spoken word poet and hip-hop artist into the social/emotional curriculum of empowerment groups. With the goal in mind of incorporating hip-hop, poetry, and creative writing to utilize artforms as a powerful tool for self-reflection, connection, and self-expression.

Rachel Zizza, NP

Family Nurse Practitioner