School of Medicine Center for Healthy Communities

About the Speakers Bureau

Looking to educate our community on health or host an event that requires a speaker? The Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) offers a FREE Speakers Bureau service for Riverside County and San Bernardino County communities.

Our speakers are knowledgeable and experienced in the field of health and wellness. Whether you are interested in requesting a speaker for your event or joining as a speaker on our team, we have all the information you need. We offer a wide range of topics that we can talk about, each designed to educate and inform. 

• General public health education
• Social Media design and dissemination
• Sleep Medicine
• Exercise
• Pulmonary asthma 
• Transgender Medicine
• Human Sexuality 
• Homelessness
• Critical care nursing
• Navigating healthcare and behavioral health
• Advocating for health

Questions? Please contact the Center for Healthy Communities staff by email at chc@medsch.ucr.edu.

Meet our Community Speakers

Michelle C. Burroughs, MPH

Topics: General Public Health Education

Michelle brings a public health career of over 25 years, is a master connector, collaborating with diverse organizations to solve complex problems facing counties, cities, and school districts within the private, public, and non-profit sectors.  She is currently the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach for the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine’s Center for Healthy Communities (CHC). She leads the CHC in promoting community-engaged research. The mission of CHC is focused on remedying social injustices and health disparities that contribute to the poor health of individuals in southern California’s Inland Empire and beyond. Michelle has a depth of experience as a public health practitioner in, direct patient care, community engagement strategies, state, and county public health program administration, implementation, and evaluation. 

• Read Burroughs full biography

Stephanie Sandoval, BA, Public Health

Topics: General Public Health Education

Stephanie Sandoval has worked diligently throughout her career on providing health education and community outreach to the most vulnerable populations. Working within this specific community engaged-research niche of public health has allowed Stephanie to expand on her interpersonal and public communication skills. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for her to be able to spread the knowledge she has on prevalent public health concerns. She has learned that her voice is heard and is making a difference within her community; even a small amount of health education can change the projection of a person's life and relieve them of many health burdens. 

• Read Sandoval's full biography

Roger Seheult, MD

Topics: Sleep Medicine Benefits of Sunlight, Exercise, Intermittent Fasting, Green Spaces, Pulmonary Asthma, COPD

Dr. Seheult is currently an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Allied Health at Loma Linda University. Roger is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is also the co-founder of MedCram, an online medical education company. He has appeared on numerous television and internet podcast broadcasts and has a YouTube channel with over 1.4 million subscribers (MedCramvideos). He has written numerous health articles on COVID and sleep and has given multiple medical presentations around the country. He recently received the Medical Merit Medal from the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain for MedCram's contribution to global understanding of the SARS-CoV2 virus. Dr. Seheult was the recipient of the William L. Cover, MD Award for Outstanding Contribution to Medicine from the San Bernardino County Medical Society.

Jami Woods, MD

Topics: Transgender Medicine

Jami Woods, MD was originally a pharmacist, then went on to medical school to complete her psychiatry residency. She is board certified in psychiatry and subspecialty certified in psychopharmacology. One of her greatest achievements includes being named vice chair for diversity and inclusion at the University of California, Riverside. She is a strong advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and holds a unique position to both understand and acknowledge the disparities in legal protections, employment, education, and healthcare disparities of transgender individuals in the United States. Dr. Jami Woods provides psychotherapy for transgender patients in addition to treating their comorbid psychiatric conditions and providing world-class hormone confirmation therapy. Her patient-treatment philosophy includes collaborative decision making in which both the patient and the prescriber are heard. She states that patients often feel a power difference between them and their physician, which is why collaborative decision making where both sides are heard and have a hand in where their treatment goes is key. Dr. Woods leaves no stone unturned in her efforts to advocate for her patients’ mental health.

• Read Woods full biography

Jose L. Aguilar, MD

Topics: Human sexuality, sexual disorders, ethnic and cultural issues

Dr. Aguilar is originally from the Coachella Valley in Southern California. He earned his B.S. in biochemistry at UC Riverside and helped found the UCR Medical Scholars Program. He earned his MD from the David Geffen School of Medicine through UCR/UCLA Thomas Haider Program and conducted his residency at the UCLA/SFV Psychiatry Training Program. Dr. Aguilar has expertise on human sexuality, sexual disorders, ethnic and cultural issues, LGBQI+ issues, and Transgender health issues. He is currently an assistant clinical professor at the UC Riverside School of Medicine, associate medical director at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and is board certified in Addiction Medicine and Psychiatry. He is a member of the Academy of Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry, Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.

• Read Aguilars full biography

Leticia Vaca Williams, MSW, LCSW

Topics: Navigating healthcare and behavioral health

She is a Trauma Therapist and experienced Medical Social Worker. She has aligned her healthcare experience and therapeutic knowledge to assist B.I.P.O.C. in navigating the complex healthcare and behavioral health maze. Leticia has 18 years of experience in the field of human services, health, and mental health; but her personal experience of loss informs her gentle approach. She believes with the right tools and supports you can be empowered to make the best choices for both your health and mental health needs. She has developed a curriculum for planning for medical emergencies and designed corporate wellness workshops that are both interactive and insightful. Leticia finds joy in playing and chasing after her bull terrier “Slick Rick”, dancing to live music, cooking, and laughing with friends and family. 

Ali Hariri, BA, Sociology & Criminal Justice

Topics: Homelessness Services

Ali Hariri, originally from Buffalo, New York, and an alumnus of South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the workforce. A proud veteran, he served honorably as a 13Mike in the United States Army before embarking on a career in social services. With over 15 years of experience as a case manager for youth and adults, Ali has consistently demonstrated his commitment to guiding individuals towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Presently serving as the Program Manager for the City of Riverside Housing and Human Services, Ali plays a pivotal role in overseeing and coordinating homeless services within the community. His leadership is marked by a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of others. Simultaneously, Ali is diligently working towards the completion of his master's in clinical psychology, a testament to his continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional growth.

Ali Hariri's multifaceted background, encompassing military service, extensive experience in case management, and his current leadership role, showcases a seasoned professional dedicated to fostering positive change. His commitment to ongoing education underscores his proactive approach to staying abreast of advancements in the field, making him a valuable asset to any team or organization.

Aimy Jakini, BSN, RN, CCRN

Topics: Critical Care Nursing

Aimy Jakini, BSN, RN, CCRN, is an accomplished and dedicated nursing professional with a passion for leadership and advancing the field of nursing. Aimy began her nursing journey at Loma Linda University, where she graduated with a BSN in 2016 before accumulating over seven years of experience in various intensive care units. She then obtained her Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) certification, further solidifying her expertise in the critical care field, and enrolled in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program, BSN to DNP at the University of Cincinnati. Aimy also earned her Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential from the University of Cincinnati, equipping her with the knowledge to guide and support the next generation of nurses, ensuring a smooth transition from student to practitioner. Her involvement in multiple nursing organizations including Sigma Theta Tau reflects her desire to collaborate with colleagues, share knowledge, and work collectively towards advancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes. She also proudly serves as a dedicated member of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Leadership Council and Advocacy Council, contributing her passion and expertise to drive change within the nursing organization.

Jasmine Creighton, CBS 

Topics: Lactation Perinatal Health

Jasmine Creighton is a wife, mother of two, and pet mom of two, proudly residing in the Inland Empire. She is a Maternal and Reproductive Health advocate, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS), Perinatal Health Specialist for Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, and a lactation student pursuing the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential. Additionally, Jasmine is a board member for the Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition (IEBfC) as well as their Cultural Task Force Coordinator and Chair of the IE Black Breastfeeding Task Force. She also sits on the Advisory Board for the United States Lactation Consultant Association (USLCA). Jasmine is passionate for everything birth and lactation related, and strongly advocates for more education and resources for Black communities.

Sunny Nakae, MSW, PhD

Topics: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Dr. Nakae is the Senior Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Partnership, and Professor of Medical Education at the California University of Science and Medicine. She works with local and national organizations to increase access and equity in higher education for historically excluded groups including undocumented, underrepresented, queer, and marginalized students, trainees, and practitioners. She is known for her expertise in premedical preparation and mission-driven, intersectional, holistic admissions processes. Dr. Nakae is dedicated to improving inclusive institutional excellence through co-liberatory equity practice and trauma informed approaches. Her scholarship centers on access and capacity building for equity, diversity, and inclusion across the spectrum of premedical preparation through faculty development. She is passionate about campus and community partnerships, cultural humility, structural justice, antiracism, wellbeing, and health equity. Prior to joining CUSM Dr. Nakae served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine where she holds an adjunct appointment as Associate Professor of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health. Dr. Nakae’s previous roles have included a broad scope of admissions, recruitment, student life, diversity, education, outreach and pipeline programs at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, and the University of Utah. Dr. Nakae completed a BS and MSW at the University of Utah, and a PhD in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago. She is the author of Premed Prep: Advice from a Medical School Admissions Dean, from Rutgers University Press.

Christina Downey, MD, DipABLM, FACR, CCD, RhMSUS

Topics: Mindfulness Exercise Nutrition Advocacy

I am the Chair of the Division of Rheumatology at Loma Linda University and teach the rheumatology curriculum to the third year medical students in addition to creating curriculum for residents and fellows. In addition to rheumatology and internal medicine, I am board certified in Lifestyle Medicine and a 200 hour trained yoga teacher. I am passionate about the ways we all can change our behavior to improve our health and am interested in healthcare disparities and the way governmental policy impacts the health of communities, families and individuals. I also am the chair of the Government Affairs Committee and a representative to the American Medical Association where I am able to advocate for policy that improves health in a multitude of ways.

Lisa Fortuna, MD, MPH

Topics: Community engaged research for addressing mental health services and outcome CBPR with immigrant community leaders. Participatory research with adolescents & participatory research Co-design of Digital Interventions

My area of clinical focus for the past 20+ years has been the delivery of care for culturally diverse populations, Latinx, immigrant and refugee populations. I have been an investigator on national and international NIMH, NIDA, and foundation-funded studies of innovative models and digital interventions for addressing mental health care disparities in adult and pediatric populations, intervention implementation research and pragmatic trials in clinical settings. I am the academic lead of an inaugural NIH Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) Award titled, Somos Esenciales: Community Revitalization and Health through Latino Arts and Entrepreneurship implements. This study will assess the outcome of large structural interventions on stress-related mental and physical health outcomes in Latinx, Native American and Black children and adults in San Francisco. I am also PI of a U01 focused on improving engagement and access to mental health services for minoritized adolescents in primary care and school health centers using an app co-designed with youth and caregivers and evaluating outcomes through app and EHR data. I am well-prepared to support this project’s focus on app development and adaptation for child and family centered interventions, and for the focus on addressing health disparities.

Marina Gad El Sayed, Medical Student

Topics: Coping with a chronic illness, advocating for yourself or a loved one with Chronic illness & navigating health while seeking a diagnosis for ongoing illness

Marina is a first-generation medical student at UC Riverside School of Medicine, aspiring to be a pediatric specialist. Born and raised in rural Egypt, Marina migrated to the U.S. at 12 years old. Having to overcome the language barrier and the newfound school environment was not the first of Marina's worries, as she began experiencing worrisome symptoms at such a young age. Learning how to navigate the healthcare system at such a young age was not something she ever imagined before. After years of chasing a diagnosis, Marina was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE, a chronic autoimmune disease that mostly affects women. This was a turning point for Marina, having been frustrated with the way that her diagnosis came about. Marina's passion for empowering others to advocate for themselves and for their health stemmed from this moment, and has been her goal ever since. Passionate about advocating for pediatric healthcare and health literacy in Inland Southern California. Marina is lucky to be a mentor, and a mentee, in several UCR SOM Pathway Programs, and other campus activities. She is proud to have served patients, both in outpatient and inpatient settings, at multiple free clinics and hospitals in the Riverside/San Bernardino region including Riverside Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, and San Antonio Regional Medical center.

Jenna LeComte-Hinely, PhD

Topics: Nonprofit management. Collaboration between nonprofits and academia. Workplace wellness. Health in the workplace. Program evaluation. Community health needs assessments (CHNAs). Community-based participatory research. Community engaged research. Logic modeling. Women in leadership. Coachella Valley demographics, health status, and needs. Health disparities. Health equity. Population health. Using data to improve community health

Dr. Jenna LeComte-Hinely is the Chief Executive Officer at HARC, Inc. (Health Assessment and Research for Communities), a nonprofit research and evaluation firm located in Palm Desert, CA. Dr. LeComte-Hinely oversees and conducts a wide range of research and evaluation services, including program evaluation, needs assessments, and community health assessments. Prior to becoming CEO of HARC, Dr. LeComte-Hinely held the role of Director of Research and Evaluation at HARC for two years. Dr. LeComte-Hinely obtained her doctorate from Portland State University in the field of Applied Psychology, with a focus on Occupational Health Psychology. Dr. LeComte-Hinely has been conducting research for more than 18 years, studying a wide range of topics including health, well-being, work-life balance, supportive supervision in the workplace, green business, professional network development, gender discrimination, leadership, and informal science education. Prior to joining HARC, Dr. LeComte-Hinely worked in the research and evaluation field at the Center for Work-Family Stress, Safety, and Health; the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI); and the University of Redlands. In 2019, Dr. LeComte-Hinely was named one of the top 50 “influencers” in the Coachella Valley by Palm Springs Life. She has been included in in Desert Charities News’ “Women in Philanthropy” issues annually since 2018. In 2018, Dr. LeComte-Hinely was named one of Palm Springs Life’s “40 Under Forty”. She is also an Assistant Adjunct Professor in UC Riverside’s School of Medicine with the Division of Clinical Sciences in Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health.

Daniel Polk, PhD

Topics: Salton Sea, environmental health, environmental justice 

Daniel Polk is a researcher who focuses on social equity and environmental health. He has carried out work in the United States and Latin America, with experience in archival, statistical, and ethnographic research. He currently serves as a Research Associate at HARC, Inc., a local research nonprofit. Prior, Dr. Polk served as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University, where studied the social impacts of water policy in Mexico and California. Dr. Polk is especially interested in how community health outcomes can be improved through multiracial working-class solidarity. 

 Cassaundra Leier, PhD

Topics: Positive organizational practices, individual well-being, happiness, meaningful work, interpersonal conflict, negotiation

Dr. Cassaundra Leier is the Director of Research and Evaluation at HARC, Inc. (Health Assessment and Research for Communities), a nonprofit research and evaluation firm located in Palm Desert, CA. Dr. Leier is a researcher with more than 20 years of experience in research and data analysis. She holds a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from California State University of San Bernardino and a doctorate in organizational communication from Arizona State University. Dr. Leier has extensive experience consulting organizations to collaboratively identify opportunities to improve human dynamics for thriving. Dr. Leier also has experience conducting workshops on negotiation. 

Ijeoma Ijeaku, MD, MPH, DFAPA

Topics: Mental Health Mental Wellbeing Social determinants of mental health Advocacy Living with mental health; impact on patient, families and communities 

Ijeoma Ijeaku, MD, MPH, DFAPA is clinical faculty and associate professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine as well as attending psychiatrist at Riverside University Health System. She has an M.B.B.S. from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and an MPH with emphasis on medical epidemiology from Loma Linda University. She completed her general psychiatry residency program at Loma Linda University and her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Southern California. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry and is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr Ijeaku was born in San Francisco, CA and raised in Nigeria. As a product of both cultures, she has always been interested in global mental health issues and is fascinated by the social factors which help define the mental health status of the individual and their community. She is past President of the Southern California Psychiatric Society (SCPS), the local district branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and is on the board of directors of the Mount San Jacinto branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She is the Founder and President of the Whole Person Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization supporting access to health care, education, research and provision of resources to youth and vulnerable. 

Mary Obideyi 'Tomi the Encourager', MPH, CHES

Topics: Compassion Fatigue The importance of culture in mental health Healthy Relationships Health Equity Public Health Suicide Prevention ( provide trainings in safeTALK, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Know the Signs, and Question, Persuade,Refer (QPR) Mental Health Taking ownership in your mental health journey/life Servant leadership 

Mary Obideyi, MPH, CHES but goes by the name Tomi (pronounced Toe-mee), is a Program Coordinator for the Riverside University Health System - Public Health where she works primarily in the Health Equity Program by supporting community based organizations that provide equitable and inclusive resources to the community. Tomi, through her platform and business called Tomi The Encourager, is also a motivational public speaker and mental health educator who strives to inspire individuals to be their true and authentic selves through Jesus. As a second-generation Nigerian American woman with lived experiences of mental health problems, Tomi speaks to multiple BIPOC communities, especially youth, about mental health stigma reduction, suicide prevention, and the importance of seeking mental health resources. 

Amrita Dosanjh, MD

Topics: Asthma management & Sleep evaluations

Dr. Dosanjh is a board certified pediatrician and pulmonologist. She received her medical degree MD from the University of California, San Diego and completed fellowship training at Harvard.