| Laura Elizabeth Lopez, Executive Director |
Laura Lopez (previously Laura Perez - name changed as of November 2009)
is the Director of the Street Level Health Project and a founding member of the
Oakland Workers' Center Consortium. Laura immigrated to the US at the age
of 18. Working as a housecleaner and childcare worker in these early years
gave her firsthand experience of the challenges and discrimination faced by
low-wage and immigrant workers. In 1999, Laura moved to California and
began working in the health field. She began working for the UCSF
Community Occupational Health Project in 2003 as a Clinic and Outreach
Coordinator, and organized a highly successful outreach program to janitors
and nail salon workers.
is the Director of the Street Level Health Project and a founding member of the
Oakland Workers' Center Consortium. Laura immigrated to the US at the age
of 18. Working as a housecleaner and childcare worker in these early years
gave her firsthand experience of the challenges and discrimination faced by
low-wage and immigrant workers. In 1999, Laura moved to California and
began working in the health field. She began working for the UCSF
Community Occupational Health Project in 2003 as a Clinic and Outreach
Coordinator, and organized a highly successful outreach program to janitors
and nail salon workers.
In 2005, she assumed the Directorship of the Street Level Health Project and has been a driving force in
expanding the program’s free health screening clinic and in developing a range of case management,
mental health, nutritional, social and advocacy programs for under-served urban immigrants. In honor of
her tireless work in the community, Laura was the recipient of the Community Justice Award presented by
Centro Legal de la Raza and the Barbara Lee Special Congressional Recognition for Community Justice.
In September 2007, Laura was selected as one of the top 10 Community Health Leaders across the
country by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Laura's story was recently highlighted in the San
Francisco Chronicle. Read more here.
expanding the program’s free health screening clinic and in developing a range of case management,
mental health, nutritional, social and advocacy programs for under-served urban immigrants. In honor of
her tireless work in the community, Laura was the recipient of the Community Justice Award presented by
Centro Legal de la Raza and the Barbara Lee Special Congressional Recognition for Community Justice.
In September 2007, Laura was selected as one of the top 10 Community Health Leaders across the
country by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Laura's story was recently highlighted in the San
Francisco Chronicle. Read more here.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Wallin served as a
Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, and then spent several more years
studying Buddhist Meditation and traveling through Asia. He received his
M.D. from the University of Minnesota medical school and completed his
family practice residency at San Francisco General Hospital. While
serving in the National Health Service, he set up a non-profit medical clinic
50 miles from the nearest hospital. After residency, he worked as a
physician serving residents of Alameda County in the psychiatric wards,
county jail, Fairmont inpatient wards, and all six of the Community Medical
Clinics where he specialized in the care of refugee and immigrant patients.
Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, and then spent several more years
studying Buddhist Meditation and traveling through Asia. He received his
M.D. from the University of Minnesota medical school and completed his
family practice residency at San Francisco General Hospital. While
serving in the National Health Service, he set up a non-profit medical clinic
50 miles from the nearest hospital. After residency, he worked as a
physician serving residents of Alameda County in the psychiatric wards,
county jail, Fairmont inpatient wards, and all six of the Community Medical
Clinics where he specialized in the care of refugee and immigrant patients.
His patients have come from countries throughout the world, but especially Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam,
Nepal, China, and Central and South America. He has had additional training in hypnosis, family therapy,
post traumatic stress disorder and acupuncture. Dr. Wallin speaks medical Spanish and some Nepali
and strives to provide care that addresses both the medical and emotional concerns of his patients.
Nepal, China, and Central and South America. He has had additional training in hypnosis, family therapy,
post traumatic stress disorder and acupuncture. Dr. Wallin speaks medical Spanish and some Nepali
and strives to provide care that addresses both the medical and emotional concerns of his patients.
| Otgonchimeg Damdinsuren, Coordinator of Mongolian Health Access Program |
Otgonchimeg is the Mongolian Health Coordinator for Street Level Health
Project. She moved from her native country of Mongolia 6 years ago. In
California, she completed a Certificate Program in Finance from UC Berkeley as
well as a Health Care Interpreter Program from City College San Francisco.
Otgo has been active in the Mongolian Community since her arrival. She
developed healthcare experience and an understanding of the Mongolian
health care system while taking care of a young niece when her widowed mom
was working as a nurse at a Mongolian hospital.
Project. She moved from her native country of Mongolia 6 years ago. In
California, she completed a Certificate Program in Finance from UC Berkeley as
well as a Health Care Interpreter Program from City College San Francisco.
Otgo has been active in the Mongolian Community since her arrival. She
developed healthcare experience and an understanding of the Mongolian
health care system while taking care of a young niece when her widowed mom
was working as a nurse at a Mongolian hospital.
| Kim Barstow, Manager of Health Access Program |
Kim grew up in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to Oakland in 2003, with a
desire to continue working in the areas of community health and youth
education. Kim came to Street Level as a volunteer in February 2008, and
volunteered in the health screening clinic before joining the staff in October
2008. Kim worked for 3½ years at the Women’s Choice Clinic in downtown
Oakland, as a healthworker, clinic coordinator, office manager, and laboratory
coordinator. This work has helped make Kim passionate about putting healthcare
back into the hands of community members, by valuing each person’s knowledge
and expertise about their own body and health, and by empowering communities
through mutually respectful health education.
desire to continue working in the areas of community health and youth
education. Kim came to Street Level as a volunteer in February 2008, and
volunteered in the health screening clinic before joining the staff in October
2008. Kim worked for 3½ years at the Women’s Choice Clinic in downtown
Oakland, as a healthworker, clinic coordinator, office manager, and laboratory
coordinator. This work has helped make Kim passionate about putting healthcare
back into the hands of community members, by valuing each person’s knowledge
and expertise about their own body and health, and by empowering communities
through mutually respectful health education.
Doris Molina emigrated from Mexico City to the United States in 2003. She
graduated from the Iberoamericana University (U.I.A) with a Bachelor's degree
in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Orientation and Development of
Couples. Looking for a support group, she found La Clinica de la Raza where
she volunteered as a Health Promoter for three years, giving health, mental and
personal development trainings to the Latino community. During these three
years, she discovered that there was not enough mental health assistance and
information for Spanish speakers, that members of the Latino community
suffered from loneliness, isolation, and rejection, and that they did not know
when to ask for help with mental health issues. At the same time, she became a
Certified Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteered at BAWAR, counseling
immigrants who suffered from sexual assault and rape.
graduated from the Iberoamericana University (U.I.A) with a Bachelor's degree
in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Orientation and Development of
Couples. Looking for a support group, she found La Clinica de la Raza where
she volunteered as a Health Promoter for three years, giving health, mental and
personal development trainings to the Latino community. During these three
years, she discovered that there was not enough mental health assistance and
information for Spanish speakers, that members of the Latino community
suffered from loneliness, isolation, and rejection, and that they did not know
when to ask for help with mental health issues. At the same time, she became a
Certified Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteered at BAWAR, counseling
immigrants who suffered from sexual assault and rape.
In 2007 she met Laura, and volunteered for SLHP giving support to immigrants who were experiencing
personal crisis and depression. After eight months of being a volunteer for SLHP, she became part of the
staff as the Coordinator of the Mental Health Program, where she planned, organized, and facilitated a
program called “A Better Way of Living.” This program was created to offer new strategies to immigrants
for improving their mental health, valuing their own abilities, and developing their capacity to keep a
positive attitude under challenging circumstances.
personal crisis and depression. After eight months of being a volunteer for SLHP, she became part of the
staff as the Coordinator of the Mental Health Program, where she planned, organized, and facilitated a
program called “A Better Way of Living.” This program was created to offer new strategies to immigrants
for improving their mental health, valuing their own abilities, and developing their capacity to keep a
positive attitude under challenging circumstances.
| Maria Vigil, Office Manager and Financial Assistant |
Maria manages the office, assists with the finances, and currently volunteers as
a healthworker in Street Level's weekly screening clinic. She was first given the
opportunity to volunteer at Street Level Health Project in November 2006, and
soon became a member of the staff. Over the past year and a half, Maria has
received training in basic bookkeeping and utilizing QuickBooks for non-profits.
Maria is interested in the medical field and aspires to one day become a
pediatrician. “Every day is a new beginning here at Street Level Health
Project,” says Maria, “every day brings something new to learn.”
a healthworker in Street Level's weekly screening clinic. She was first given the
opportunity to volunteer at Street Level Health Project in November 2006, and
soon became a member of the staff. Over the past year and a half, Maria has
received training in basic bookkeeping and utilizing QuickBooks for non-profits.
Maria is interested in the medical field and aspires to one day become a
pediatrician. “Every day is a new beginning here at Street Level Health
Project,” says Maria, “every day brings something new to learn.”
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| Doris Molina, Mental Health Program Coordinator |
| William Wallin, M.D., Medical Director |
| Olivia deBree, Manager of Health Leadership and Education Program |
Olivia started with Street Level as a volunteer in the health screening clinic, and
volunteered for almost a year before joining the staff. She also works part-time
as an organizer for TransForm. Previously Olivia worked as a Researcher for
UNITE HERE, the hotel workers' union, tracking new hotel developments and
doing strategic research. She recently co-authored a report for the East Bay
Alliance for a Sustainable Economy about sustainable development practices in
Emeryville. Olivia also worked for Faith Works in Contra Costa County organizing
labor-faith-community campaigns for tenants' rights and affordable housing and
has done union organizing in a variety of contexts.
volunteered for almost a year before joining the staff. She also works part-time
as an organizer for TransForm. Previously Olivia worked as a Researcher for
UNITE HERE, the hotel workers' union, tracking new hotel developments and
doing strategic research. She recently co-authored a report for the East Bay
Alliance for a Sustainable Economy about sustainable development practices in
Emeryville. Olivia also worked for Faith Works in Contra Costa County organizing
labor-faith-community campaigns for tenants' rights and affordable housing and
has done union organizing in a variety of contexts.
| Gabriela Galicia, Manager of Community Connection and Empowerment Program |
Gabriela graduated from UC Berkeley in December 2009 with a Bachelor's
Degree in Political Science and a minor in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in
Chicano Studies. For the past five years she has been involved in fighting for
social justice with student groups at UC Berkeley, working in areas such as
immigrant rights, the DREAM Act and other local Bay Area issues. Her interest
for the community continues with her work at Street Level Health Project,
working with different immigrant communities in the Fruitvale / San Antonio area.
Degree in Political Science and a minor in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in
Chicano Studies. For the past five years she has been involved in fighting for
social justice with student groups at UC Berkeley, working in areas such as
immigrant rights, the DREAM Act and other local Bay Area issues. Her interest
for the community continues with her work at Street Level Health Project,
working with different immigrant communities in the Fruitvale / San Antonio area.
Kim also spent 4 years working and volunteering with Cycles of Change, an East Bay youth bicycle
education organization, and ran programs for middle schoolers about bicycle repair, riding safety, and
bicycle field trips. Kim rides a bike to Street Level Health Project every day, and volunteers at The Bikery,
Street Level's neighbor, collaborator, and local community bike shop.
education organization, and ran programs for middle schoolers about bicycle repair, riding safety, and
bicycle field trips. Kim rides a bike to Street Level Health Project every day, and volunteers at The Bikery,
Street Level's neighbor, collaborator, and local community bike shop.
| Amy Lam, Ph.D., Program Director |
Amy Lam first became involved with Street Level in 2005 when she met Laura
Lopez and Kathy Ahoy at a Nail Salon Collaborative meeting. She served as
Board Chair for two years and is now the Program Director for the organization.
“It is a privilege to work with people who have such an amazing passion to serve
their community,” says Amy.
Having a multicultural upbringing, Amy has always had a passion and
commitment to promoting health and wellness across diverse communities.
Before working at Street Level, Amy was involved in conducting applied health
research, teaching and mentoring students, and community organizing with
various organizations, including the National Asian Pacific American Women’s
Forum, Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and Kaiser Permanente.
Lopez and Kathy Ahoy at a Nail Salon Collaborative meeting. She served as
Board Chair for two years and is now the Program Director for the organization.
“It is a privilege to work with people who have such an amazing passion to serve
their community,” says Amy.
Having a multicultural upbringing, Amy has always had a passion and
commitment to promoting health and wellness across diverse communities.
Before working at Street Level, Amy was involved in conducting applied health
research, teaching and mentoring students, and community organizing with
various organizations, including the National Asian Pacific American Women’s
Forum, Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and Kaiser Permanente.
Amy is a cultural psychologist by training and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology and
Medicine at UCSF in 2005. Amy's dream for Street Level is that it continues to be a welcome home for
newcomers of all backgrounds.
Medicine at UCSF in 2005. Amy's dream for Street Level is that it continues to be a welcome home for
newcomers of all backgrounds.
Olivia holds a Master's degree in Sociology from Northwestern University. She lives with her partner in
Oakland, is an activist in labor and Palestinian struggles, and loves working in such a close-knit community
of folks.
Oakland, is an activist in labor and Palestinian struggles, and loves working in such a close-knit community
of folks.
In the future, Gabriela wants to pursue a law degree in public interest law, with an emphasis in civil rights
and immigration, to continue fighting against the struggles that immigrant communities face.
and immigration, to continue fighting against the struggles that immigrant communities face.
In Mongolia Otgo worked as a loan officer for XAC Bank, one of the largest banks in Mongolia. Although
her major in school and professional career has been Finance and Accounting, she has a deep passion
for helping other people.
her major in school and professional career has been Finance and Accounting, she has a deep passion
for helping other people.