Marin Community Clinics - Who We Are

Drawing of clinic and Connecting for Health

Chief Medical Officer

	Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH Chief Medical Officer Specialty: Family Practice Education: Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA Residency: O’Connor Hospital/Stanford Family Medicine Residency Program
Dr. Popat joined Marin Community Clinics as Chief Medical Officer in November 2013. He brings a broad range of experience, most recently as Associate Medical Director at La Clinica de La Raza in Vallejo, CA. He is a Board Certified Family Physician with a Masters in Public Health and MD from Tufts University Medical School in Boston. He returned to his California roots to serve in the O’Connor Hospital/Stanford Family Medicine Residency Program in San Jose. It is his real life experiences that prepared him for leadership in community healthcare, including stints in India and South Africa, working with local medical professionals to improve preventive care for diabetes patients and to solve some of the mysteries of HIV. He speaks Spanish, Kutchi/Gujarati and Hindi.
Chief Dental Officer

	Connie Kadera, DDS Chief Dental Officer Specialty: Dentist Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
Dr. Kadera joined MCC in 2008 and was instrumental in establishing the state-of-the-art dental clinic in San Rafael. She has continued to see patients and oversee dental operations ever since. While attending UCSF School of Dentistry, she initiated outreach programs for the underserved which have now been expanded nationally. She was a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, and often contributed to free clinics for the homeless. Prior to moving to Marin County, she practiced at Mountain Valley Health Centers serving Siskiyou and neighboring counties in northern California. A native of Colombia, Dr. Kadera is fluent in English and Spanish.
Medical Leadership Team
	Erik Schten, MD Novato Medical Director Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Medical College of Wisconsin Residency: University of California at San Diego Medical Center		Briana Axline, FNP Larkspur Medical Director Specialty: Family Practice Education: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY
Dr. Schten has been providing primary medical care to adults at the Novato clinic since 2001. He has also taken on a leadership role as Medical Director, as well as serving as our lead expert in skin diseases, including cancer prevention and treatment. Additionally, he provides expertise in geriatrics and epidemiology. Although his medical training was in Wisconsin and San Diego, it was his childhood years living in Ethiopia and Colombia that sparked his passion for working with diverse international populations. His world map in the clinic, with pins marking the country of origin of every patient, is visual evidence of Dr. Schten’s wide world view. He speaks Spanish with his patients, but admits, “I still get frustrated when I don’t understand the punch line of a good joke.”		Briana Axline is a Family Nurse Practitioner providing primary care to adults. In 2014 she also took on the leadership role for the Greenbrae clinic in order to lead that clinic toward a more patient-centered approach to medicine. She places a strong emphasis on prevention and collaboration with patients to help them achieve their personal health goals. She is most passionate about treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and diabetes, and hopes to bring more health education to our patients. Briana has worked in Santa Cruz, New York City and San Francisco to provide education, chronic disease treatment, and family planning in medically underserved areas.
	Babak Ettekal, MD San Rafael Medical Director Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine Residency:University of California, Los Angeles Family Medicine Residency Program		Tracey Hessel, MD Lead Pediatrician Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of California, San Francisco Residency: UCSF
Dr. Ettekal joined Marin Community Clinics in 2014 as a site medical director in San Rafael. He brings experience and dedication to the underserved and vulnerable in society, having served as Associate Medical Director at the Saban Community Clinic, formally the Los Angeles Free Clinic. Previously he cared for and assisted those at the end of their lives as a Regional Associate Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Care for an organization in Southern California and also studied medical and Classical Five Element Acupuncture. He believes in treating each patient as a whole individual with unique needs. In doing so, he strives for a patient centered approach to healthcare and is enthusiastic to share this style of medicine with future generations of physicians through his work with medical students and residents. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Farsi.		Dr. Hessel is a long-term veteran at Marin Community Clinics, now overseeing all pediatric care for the clinics. She devotes her full-time professional expertise to the under-served children of Marin County, often emphasizing the value of literacy and education by promoting the Reach Out and Read program and giving books to her young patients. Her view from the clinic says it all: “I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a clinic that serves such a richly diverse patient population. I enjoy working with families to improve their children’s health as well as the health and well-being of our community.”
	Yamilee Bermingham, MD Lead OB/GYN Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology Education: Yale University School of Medicine Residency: University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center		Katharine Ballinger, MD Director of Behavioral Health Specialty: Psychiatry Education: St. Louis University, MO Residency: University of California, Davis Medical Center
Dr. Bermingham has been providing obstetrical and gynecological care to our patients since late 2013. She also provides inpatient OB/GYN and surgical care at Marin General Hospital. Prior to joining us, Dr. Bermingham spent several years in private practice in San Francisco. In her leadership role, she oversees all prenatal care and other Women’s Health Services at Marin Community Clinics, as well as labor and delivery in conjunction with our collaborative Midwife-Physician Hospitalist program that provides OB/GYN care to patients at MGH.		Dr. Katharine Ballinger is a board-certified psychiatrist providing consultation, diagnostic evaluation, and medication management. She joined Marin Community Clinics as a provider in 2010, and assumed a leadership role in Behavioral Health in 2014. She brings her strong interest in community mental health, women’s health, and lifestyle medicine to our rapidly growing Behavioral Health department. Dr. Ballinger works with adults, adolescents, and pre-teens to address a variety of behavioral health concerns including mood disorders, anxiety, substance use, psychosis, and sleep disorders. She has experience working with women during pregnancy and post-partum, and working with patients with complex medical concerns, including HIV/AIDS.
	Peter Simon, MD, MPH Lead Health Informatics Clinician Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto Residency: University of California, San Francisco

Dr. Peter Simon is a board certified pediatrician deeply committed to improving the lives of young people and providing excellent medical care to children of all ages. He enjoys building relationships with families and working with them to support and help their children grow. Before coming to Marin Dr. Simon spent time studying and working in Central America, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Brazil, and he is dedicated to providing care that is culturally sensitive and aware. Dr. Simon received his medical degree from Stanford and completed his medical training at the UCSF Pediatrics Residency Program. He has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University.
MEDICAL Clinicians
	Lohrasb Ahmadian, MD, MPH Specialty: Family Medicine Education: Tehran University of Medical Sciences; MSc New York University; MPH Columbia University Residency: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University		Jeanette Krolikowski, DO Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Residency: Franklin Square Hospital Center, Baltimore, MD
	Rose Mary Albujar, PA Specialty: Family Practice Education: Physician Assistant Program (PA), Stanford University School of Medicine		Erinn Lance, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of California, San Francisco
	Hitha Amin, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India Residency: UCSF Fresno Pediatrics Residency, Madera and Fresno, CA		Lisa Leavitt, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of California, San Francisco Residency: University of California, San Francisco
	Myrto Ashe, MD Specialty: Family Practice Education: McGill University Medical School, Montreal, Canada Residency: Brown University, Pawtucket, RI		Janie Lee, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of Southern California School of Medicine Residency: Children’s Hospital of Oakland
	Briana Axline, FNP Specialty: Family Practice Education: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY		Sheri Matteo, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: Columbia University School of Nursing
	Yamilee Bermingham, MD Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology Education: Yale University School of Medicine Residency: University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center		Charlie Ngo, OD Specialty: Optometry Education: University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry Residency: Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center
	Joleen Bishop, RNC, MSN, WHNP Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology Education: University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX		Janet Nunnally, NP Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Massachusetts General Hospital School of Health Professions, Boston Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
	Teresa Black, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine Residency: San Francisco General Hospital Primary Care Internal Medicine		Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH Specialty: Family Practice Education: Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA Residency: O’Connor Hospital/Stanford Family Medicine Residency Program
	Robert Bliss, DC Specialty: Chiropractor Education: Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA; Cleveland College of Chiropractic, Los Angeles, CA		Michalle Ramirez, FNP Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of California, San Francisco
	Jody Branham, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of Southern California		Heather Renz, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of California, San Francisco
	Aida Calvillo, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School and University of Washington School of Medicine		Ann Reppun, NP Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of California, San Francisco
	Kathy Chang-Lipsenthal, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Howard University, Washington, DC Residency: Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA		Emily Riedy, FNP Specialty: Family Practice Education: Samuel Merritt University, MSN/FNP
	Elaine Christian, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: San Francisco State University		Erik Schten, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Medical College of Wisconsin Residency: University of California at San Diego Medical Center
	Eleanor Chung, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY Residency: University of California, San Francisco		Elizabeth Shaw, MD Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of California, San Diego Residency: Ventura County Family Medicine Residency Program
	Andrea DeSouza, OD Specialty: Optometry Education: New England School of Optometry, Boston, MA Residency: University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry		Carolyn Shore, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: University of Pennsylvania Medical School Residency: Mt. Zion Hospital (UCSF)
	Doug Ehrenberg, DPM Specialty: Podiatry Education: California College of Podiatric Medicine, San FranciscoI Residency: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Denver, CO		Peter Simon, MD, MPH Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto Residency: University of California, San Francisco
	Danielle Eigner, DO, MPH Specialty: Family Practice Education: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pomona, CA Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch, Austin, TX		Robert Sinaiko, MD Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL Residency: U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, San Francisco
	Babak Ettekal, MD Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine Residency:University of California, Los Angeles Family Medicine Residency Program		Samuel Singer, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of California, San Francisco Residency: Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, CA
	Georgianna Farren, MD, MEd Specialty: Internal Medicine Education: George Washington University, Washington, DC Residency: George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC		Hector Streeter, MD Specialty: Obstetrics/Gynecology Education: University of Chile School of Medicine Residency: University of Chile, Obstetrics & Gynecology
	JoAnn Gruener, RD Specialty: Registered Dietition Education: Loma Linda University, MPH		Helene Walters, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Universite Paris-Est Creteil Val de Marne (Paris XII), UPEC Medical School, Creteil, France Residency: Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
	Cara Gutterman, FNP Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of California, San Francisco		Tonya Watson, OD Specialty: Optometry Education: New England School of Optometry, Boston, MA Residency: University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry
	Tracey Hessel, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of California, San Francisco Residency: University of California, San Francisco		Melanie Wice, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of Southern California
	Susan Hollander, NP Specialty: Women's Health Education: State University of New York at Stonybrook		Brian Wolff, OD Specialty: Optometry Education: University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry Residency: New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA
	Jessica Hollman, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School Residency: Children’s Hospital and Research Center, Oakland		P. Harold Woodring, OD Specialty: Optometry Education: University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry
	Keith Johnson, MD Specialty: Family Practice Education: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI Residency: UCSF - Fresno Family Practice		Alexandra Yamnik, CNM Specialty: Women's Health Education: University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing
	Samantha Goldstein Kamras, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA Residency: University of California, San Francisco		Ari Zadel, MD Specialty: Pediatrics Education: University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento Residency: University of California, San Francisco

DENTAL Clinicians
	Michael Aaronson, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco		Connie Kadera, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
	Paymon Bahrami, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco		Jeanie Kim, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of California , San Francisco, School of Dentistry
	Sherman Chan, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry Residency: Mare Island Veterans Administration		Paul Kim, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
	Nikki Dejbod, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry		Mikoyan Lagrimas, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo, NY
	Karen Edwards, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY		Sheila Lefall, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, Nashville, TN
	Nicole Flanigan, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry		Susana Verbis, DMD Specialty: Dentist Education: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
	Renee Gonzalez, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of Iowa School of Dentistry, Iowa City, IA		Robert Wilson, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco
	Marcello Indelicato, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco		Tara Wongchaowart, DDS Specialty: Dentist Education: University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Clinicians
	Katharine Ballinger, MD Specialty: Psychiatry Education: St. Louis University, MO Residency: University of California, Davis Medical Center		Julie Stahl, MD Specialty: Psychiatry Education: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI Residency: Stanford University Dept. of Psychiatry
	Pia Litz-Nunes, LCSW Specialty: Behavioral Health Education: MSW, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice		Zoe Strominger, NP Specialty: Behavioral Health Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing
	Elizabeth O'Brien, LCSW Specialty: Behavioral Health Education: MSW, San Francisco State University		Patrick Thompson, NP Specialty: Behavioral Health Education: University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing


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Chief Medical Officer

Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH

Chief Dental Officer

Connie Kadera, DDS

Medical Leadership Team

Erik Schten, MD

Briana Axline, FNP

Babak Ettekal, MD

Tracey Hessel, MD

Yamilee Bermingham, MD

Katharine Ballinger, MD

Peter Simon, MD, MPH

MEDICAL Clinicians

Lohrasb Ahmadian, MD, MPH

Jeanette Krolikowski, DO

Rose Mary Albujar, PA

Erinn Lance, CNM

Hitha Amin, MD

Lisa Leavitt, MD

Myrto Ashe, MD

Janie Lee, MD

Briana Axline, FNP

Sheri Matteo, CNM

Yamilee Bermingham, MD

Charlie Ngo, OD

Joleen Bishop, RNC, MSN, WHNP

Janet Nunnally, NP

Teresa Black, MD

Mitesh Popat, MD, MPH

Robert Bliss, DC

Michalle Ramirez, FNP

Jody Branham, CNM

Heather Renz, CNM

Aida Calvillo, MD

Ann Reppun, NP

Kathy Chang-Lipsenthal, MD

Emily Riedy, FNP

Elaine Christian, CNM

Erik Schten, MD

Eleanor Chung, MD

Elizabeth Shaw, MD

Andrea DeSouza, OD

Carolyn Shore, MD

Doug Ehrenberg, DPM

Peter Simon, MD, MPH

Danielle Eigner, DO, MPH

Robert Sinaiko, MD

Babak Ettekal, MD

Samuel Singer, MD

Georgianna Farren, MD, MEd

Hector Streeter, MD

JoAnn Gruener, RD

Helene Walters, MD

Cara Gutterman, FNP

Tonya Watson, OD

Tracey Hessel, MD

Melanie Wice, CNM

Susan Hollander, NP

Brian Wolff, OD

Jessica Hollman, MD

P. Harold Woodring, OD

Keith Johnson, MD

Alexandra Yamnik, CNM

Samantha Goldstein Kamras, MD

Ari Zadel, MD

DENTAL Clinicians

Michael Aaronson, DDS

Connie Kadera, DDS

Paymon Bahrami, DDS

Jeanie Kim, DDS

Sherman Chan, DDS

Paul Kim, DDS

Nikki Dejbod, DDS

Mikoyan Lagrimas, DDS

Karen Edwards, DDS

Sheila Lefall, DDS

Nicole Flanigan, DDS

Susana Verbis, DMD

Renee Gonzalez, DDS

Robert Wilson, DDS