Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition

Nevada Vaccine Equity Collaborative Monthly Meeting
2022-01-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom
Join us every third Wednesday of the month at 11AM PST for the Nevada Vaccine Equity Collaborative meeting!
The NVEC is a partnership comprised of diverse and interdisciplinary members of the public, as well as private, state, and community partners, co-led by Immunize Nevada and the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
Members of the NVEC include state legislators, community members representing different ethnicities and demographics, healthcare providers, faith-based leaders, public and private representatives.
Register

*Special Webinar* Suicide Prevention from the Perspective of Gen Z and Millennials
2021-12-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Join the third part of this important series featuring special guest speakers who will present key information and resources on suicide prevention and intervention strategies from the perspective of Gen Z and millennials.

Tribal Communities COVID-19 Vaccine Telephone Townhall
2021-12-07 18:00 - 19:30
Join the conversation over-the-phone or on Facebook Live to have your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered!
Meet the Moderators

Tsanavi Spoonhunter, Independent Documentary Filmmaker and Reporter, Northern Arapaho and Northern Paiute
Tsanavi Spoonhunter (Documentary Filmmaker and Reporter) was born and raised in Payahuunadü— “the land of flowing water,” homelands of her Paiute people— located in Owens Valley, California. She is also a proud citizen of the Northern Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Her ancestry and upbringing in Indian Country have strongly informed her storytelling and artistic vision.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno; and a Masters of Journalism degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley with a focus in documentary filmmaking. Her short film, Crow Country: Our Right to Food Sovereignty, is currently screening at festivals and select venues, and is featured programming on Alaska Airlines domestic flights. The film has won numerous awards including Best Documentary Short from the 45th American Indian Film Festival. Spoonhunter is a 2021 SFFilm FilmHouse Resident and a NDN Collective Changemaker Fellow.
When she’s not reporting a story or behind a camera, she spends her time reconnecting with her traditions and the great outdoors. Spoonhunter is passionate about her culture, and strives to honor it through her professional and personal projects.

Dallas Goldtooth, Actor, Comedian, Stage Performer, & Public Speaker, Bdewakantunwan Dakota & Dine
Dallas Goldtooth is a Dakota actor, comedian, stage performer and public speaker from the village of Cansayapi within the territory of the Oceti Sakowin people. He has performed on FX’s Reservation Dogs, Comedy Central and the BBC. He is a film producer, playwright, and published poet. He is also a Dakota language activist, cultural teacher, dedicated father and loving husband.

Meet the Panelists

Amber Torres, Walker River Paiute Tribal Chairman, Walker River Paiute
Amber Torres, is a tribal citizen of the Walker River Paiute Tribe in Schurz, Nevada. She has been elected to serve on the Walker River Tribal Council since 2010, and held the role of the Tribal Chairman since 2016. She worked for the Walker River Tribal Health Clinic in Purchased Referred Care for thirteen years prior to this. She has three daughters Kylie, Elizabella and Brynn Torres. She currently represents Nevada tribes by serving on the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada Executive Board, Equity Cabinet created by Congressman Horsford, serves as Chair for the Congressionally Mandated Intergovernmental Executive Committee, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona Steering Committee, National Indian Health Board, Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee for IHS/SDPI, Tribal Interior Budget Council for BIA, IHS Director’s Workgroup on Improving Purchase Referred Care, Phoenix Area Representative for IHS Director’s Advisory Work Group on Tribal Consultation Native Farm Bill Coalition, USDA Tribal Leaders Consultation Workgroup (FDPIR), a Co-Chair for Indian Health Service National Budget Formulation Committee, and the National Congress of American Indians Executive Board (Western Region). She has been nominated to serve on these boards as the Phoenix Area Representative which represent the Arizona, Nevada and Utah tribes.

Dr. Audrey Montooth, MD, Family Medicine Physician, Walker River Paiute
After participating in a pre-med, intensive prep program at Haskell Indian Nations University, Dr. Montooth graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1997. She specializes in Family Medicine at Southside Family Practice, and is affiliated with Sisters Of Saint Mary Saint Clare Health Center, SSM Saint Mary’s Hospital and St Mary’s Medical Center.
A citizen of the Walker River Paiute Nation, Dr. Montooth previously served as a full-time faculty member at Forest Park Hospital Family Medicine Residency in St. Louis. She conducted her post-residency faculty development fellowship at the University of North Carolina. A 1991 graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Montooth majored in biology and minored in math, chemistry and history as an undergraduate while being a 4-years starter on the Cougars’ softball team.
Most recently, Dr. Montooth has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America ® from 2019 to 2020.

Leslie Steve, Director of Behavioral Health at FTHC, Fallon Paiute Shoshone
Leslie Steve is the Director of Behavioral Health at the Fallon Tribal Health Center. She oversees the substance abuse and mental health programs, SAMHSA Youth and Family TREE project and the SAMHSA Tribal Opioid Response project. Leslie earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UNR and a Master’s Degree from UC Santa Barbara, specializing in marriage and family counseling. She is a Nevada Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor, a supervisor for counselor interns and has worked in the behavioral health field for over 33 years. Most importantly, she is a member of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and resides on her reservation.

Rebecca Chavez, MSN, CNM, Midwife Professional, Temoke Band of Western Shoshone
Rebecca Chavez, MSN, CNM is a graduate of the Frontier Nursing University; Hayden, Kentucky, Nurse-Midwifery program. She completed her undergraduate degree through the Grand Canyon University of Phoenix, Arizona. She has provided healthcare for women in Northern Nevada since 1985. Her special interests include pregnancy and childbirth, adolescent and minority health, maternal mental health, trauma-informed care, elimination of health disparities, and reproductive justice.
Rebecca is a member of the Temoke Band of Western Shoshone.

FORO TELEFÓNICO: VACUNAS CONTRA EL COVID-19
2021-11-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Facebook Live
Para registrarse, viste vekeo.com/unlvvth

Kids & Teens COVID-19 Vaccine Telephone Townhall
2021-11-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Facebook Live
Join the conversation and have your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered by a panel of medical professionals, experts, and parents!
Register at vekeo.com/unlvvth or call-in the day of the at 877-229-8493 (Code: 121052#)

Meet the Moderator

Will Rucker, MA, CTTS
Will Rucker is gifted to communicate with clarity, compassion, and creativity. He gives voice to what is possible while influencing the culture and developing the systems required to achieve it practically. Will brings a unique perspective of the world, and our places within it, to his mission of cultivating a global culture centered on compassion.
Will is engaged in local, statewide, and national platforms advancing socio-spiritual transformation efforts in restorative justice, health equity, and humanity first initiatives. Nearly twenty years of experience in leading individuals, teams, and organizations to extraordinary success informs his unique approach to change. Will’s educational background includes certifications as a ColorCode Personality Science Trainer, Compassionate Integrity Training (CIT) Facilitator, and a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership.
Currently, Will is honored to serve his community by leading development and expansion for the American Lung Association’s programs and educational efforts as the Western Division’s Health Promotion Director. Working with the nation’s oldest public health organization has been a fulfilling experience, and he is proud to have obtained millions in grant funding for such a worthy cause. Will is a current board member of several non-profits, including the Interfaith Council of South Nevada, Community Partners for Better Health, Compassionate Las Vegas, and the Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition.
Will regularly moderates informative and dynamic educational panels for organizations such as UNLV and can be seen hosting Compassionate Las Vegas – The Podcast each week or the A Healthier Tomorrow monthly radio show on KCEP in Las Vegas. He also regularly leads workshops on Interpersonal Relationship Skills, Meditation, Team Building, and Ethical Mindfulness. No matter the endeavor or format, Will’s passion for tangibly improving the quality of life for all people shines through.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP
Dr. Christina Madison is the Founder and CEO of The Public Health Pharmacist, PLLC a public health consulting firm. She is a clinical pharmacist specializing in public health with a focus on infectious communicable diseases. Dr. Madison acted as the past Director for Roseman University of Health Sciences COVID-19 Vaccine Operations, Logistics, Distribution, and Administration and Point of Contact for the State of Nevada for COVID vaccines. She has personally facilitated the administration of over 10,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the Southern Nevada community since January 2021. As a past President of the Nevada Public Health Association, she has been asked to share her clinical public health and infectious disease expertise with Local, State, and International Media outlets and NGO’s. Dr. Madison has been featured in over 150+ on-air TV appearances related to the pandemic and public health. She has an intimate knowledge of the impact public health messaging, policy, and legislation can have on communities. A trusted and valued health care professional with 14 years of experience in Public Health and 17 year’s experience as a pharmacy professional. An advocate for victims of human trafficking, vulnerable populations, and the underserved; Dr. Madison is a graduate of the 2021 Las Vegas FBI Citizens Academy. She has received multiple awards and recognitions including being named 2020 Educator Healthcare Hero by Nevada Business Magazine recognizing unsung heroes in the healthcare working on the frontline (featured in September 2020 issue), Pharmacy Times® and Parata Systems 2020 Next-Generation Pharmacist Honoree (Civic Leader Category), named one of the Top 25 Healthcare Influencers by Las Vegas Entrepreneurs Magazine in June 2020, and Pharmacy Times® “Pharmacy Hero” in May 2020 for her patient education and pharmacy advocacy during COVID19. She has also been recognized for her patient counseling skills and public health/vaccine advocacy. Dr. Madison is currently an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice with Roseman University of Health Sciences (RU), College of Pharmacy. She maintains two active clinical practices with Huntridge Family Clinic, which focuses on the LGTBQ community and is one of the largest providers of HIV prevention and gender affirming care services in the State of Nevada as well as Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada (VMSN) where she offers immunization and communicable disease care. Advocating for public health and the profession of pharmacy to improve the health and wellness of vulnerable populations and the underserved is her passion and mission.
Dr. Evelyn Montalvo Stanton, MD, FAAP, FCCP
Evelyn Montalvo Stanton, MD, originally from New Jersey, studied natural science chemistry at St. Peter’s University before earning her medical degree (1985) and completing her residency training (1988) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, now Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). Dr. Montalvo was elected as chief resident in 1989 and completed her pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Babies Hospital in 1993, now called Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
After working as a pediatric pulmonologist at Atlantic Health System for several years, she returned to Rutgers and became the director of the pediatric pulmonology division. She was also the director of the Children’s RESPIRA program, designed to educate Latino families about asthma in children. Dr. Montalvo then took a position at Barnabas Health, where she was the division chief of pediatric pulmonology for two years, before she became the chair of pediatrics and pediatric pulmonology division chief with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
In her time at UNLV, she has made many new and positive changes in the department of pediatrics. She has created partnerships with sponsoring institutions, community pediatricians, and medical and social organizations in the Valley. Her goal is to establish a center of excellence for pediatrics, by recruiting top pediatricians and subspecialists for the department, and continue to provide excellent teaching and clinical skills with best practice models and research for our medical students and pediatric residents.
As a pediatric pulmonologist, Dr. Montalvo has an interest in asthma, pneumonias, aerodigestive disorders, chronic lung disease, chronic respiratory failure in children with neuromuscular disease, and special needs children with tracheostomies and ventilators. She has an expertise in pulmonary lung function and pediatric flexible bronchoscopy, as well as prior experience in working in a Cystic Fibrosis Center at both Atlantic Health and RWJ Barnabas Health.
Dr. David Di John, MD
David Di John, MD, associate professor and section chief for pediatric infectious diseases in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Pediatrics, earned his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. After receiving his pediatric residency training at North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College in Manhasset, New York, he completed a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland.
Board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases, Dr. Di John came to Las Vegas in 2014 from New York, where he ran a pediatric HIV/AIDS program for 16 years and amassed over 25 years of experience in pediatric infectious diseases. He is now the medical director of the UNLV Health Maternal-Child Wellness Program, an HRSA-funded center that oversees the care of women, infants, children, and youth infected with, or exposed to, HIV.
Dr. Di John has expertise in vaccinations, HIV/AIDS, tropical medicine, and a wide variety of infectious disease problems in children. At the Kerkorian School of Medicine and affiliate hospitals, Dr. Di John provides clinical care, engages in clinical research, and teaches and mentors resident physicians and medical students.
Dr. Ipuna Estavillo Black, PhD, RN, PNP, CNE
Ipuna Estavillo Black is a proud local alumna of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for both my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and Ph.D. degree in Nursing: Sustainable Health. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner) degree from Stony Brook University in New York. Most of her nursing experience is in pediatrics and community health. She has extensive higher education experience, having taught students in both baccalaureate and associate level nursing programs at three different institutions. She believes it’s imperative to cultivate diverse groups of nursing students to meet the needs of our culturally diverse population. She’s also conducted research and published in the areas of community health and pediatric nursing, as well as presented at many conferences.

Approaches to Vaccine Equity
2021-10-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
Come hear from a panel of public health professionals about approaches to vaccine equity in Nevada. Join us Monday, October 18 at 3pm on Zoom to learn more!
Meet the Moderator
José Melendrez | University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Jose Meledrez, executive director for the office of Community Partnerships in the School of Public Health, is responsible for coordinating and building partnerships that support student and faculty initiatives. He works with community-based organizations and public health agencies to support internships, research and educational programming. Melendrez coordinates recruitment strategies to increase the diversity of students in the School of Public Health. Melendrez is a founding member and chair for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition.
Melendrez has in-depth experience in diversity, equity, and multicultural programming, community organizing, and use of community-based participatory research. He is also experienced in social justice education and advocacy as it pertains to equity initiatives for diverse populations.

Meet the Panelists
Erika Marquez | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dr. Erika Marquez is an Assistant Professor at UNLV School of Public Health and Co-Director of Health Equity Research for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition. Her research focus is on examining environmental factors that contribute to health disparities. She is dedicated to translational research that can inform system-level changes to reduce inequities.
She oversees the implementation of the OneCommunity Campaign focused on conducting education and outreach to vulnerable communities in Nevada, hardest hit by COVID-19. In addition, Dr. Marquez, Co-Chairs the Nevada Vaccine Equity Collaborative to help ensure an equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. She is passionate about using data and research to inform programs, policies, and practices, as well as to advance the field of public health.

Samantha Smith | Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy
Samantha Smith is a Research Analyst for the Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy, which is housed in the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health. She currently coordinates the #OneCommunity initiative for the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, which focuses on COVID-19 education and outreach to underserved and underrepresented communities in Nevada. Smith also co-leads, coordinates, and facilitates the Nevada Vaccine Equity Collaborative alongside Immunize Nevada. For both initiatives, she collaborates closely with various community organizations to create culturally engaged educational materials and to promote vaccine equity. Additionally, she assists the prioritization of vaccine-related efforts by preparing, analyzing, and presenting bivariate choropleth maps that compare social vulnerability index and complete COVID-19 vaccine coverage by Zip Code Tabulation Area in Nevada. Smith is passionate about developing and promoting preventative health measures to address social determinants of health and to eliminate health disparities.

Alisa Howard | NV Community Health Worker Association
Alisa Howard is a Public Health Servant Leader. She has worked in public health for a decade on several different levels, state, local government and at the community level in the areas of: Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Chronic Diseases, Policy & Procedure Writing, and Community Outreach. All of her work has been focused on bringing health equity and health access to marginalized, and disproportionately affected communities of color. She currently owns a boutique public health firm, Minority Health Consultants (MHC); where she works with community stakeholders and state legislators in the same areas, to also include health policies, and providing trainings to the community. Ms. Howard sits on several health advisory and policy boards and coalitions to ensure representation of minority voices and concerns are heard. She has been an Adjunct Instructor for the College of Southern Nevada’s Community Health Worker Program for the past 3 years; as of June of 2021, she has switched to teach the same program for the Nevada Community Health Worker Association.

David Perez | Immunize Nevada

David rejoined Immunize Nevada in February 2021 and resumed responsibilities for managing and implementing its COVID-19 public relations and communication strategies statewide. He’s worked on the equitable distribution process of the COVID-19 vaccine through various state initiatives and collaborations, which includes assisting with the Nevada Vaccine Equity Collaborative in partnership with the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition. David earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Foro Telefónico: Vacunas Contra el COVID-19
2021-09-28 18:00 - 19:00
Existen muchos mitos sobre las vacunas contra el COVID-19. Obtenga información confiable sobre la vacuna. Únete con nosotros por teléfono o ve nos por una red en vivo en Facebook para obtener más información. Regístrate en vekeo.com/immunizenevada
Conéctate al foro telefónico el 28/09/2021 a las 6 p.m. llamando al 1-877-229-8493 – Code: 120749#

Shop Talk: COVID-19 Facts vs. Fiction
2021-08-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Facebook Live
Let’s talk about COVID-19: Facts vs. Fiction. Join us Monday, August 9th at 6pm over the phone or on Facebook Live!

Tribal Communities COVID-19 Vaccine Tele Townhall
2021-07-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Facebook Live
Come ask your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines at this telephone townhall event. Join us over the phone or on Facebook Live to learn more!
Meet the Moderator
Ashley Callingbull | Mrs Universe 2015 & First Nations Rights Activist
Ashley Callingbull is a Cree First Nations woman from the Enoch Cree Nation in the province of Alberta, Canada. She is very devoted to her culture and people, and takes pride in her Cree heritage, and has shown this through her volunteer work with community Elders and Indigenous youth across North America. By the time Ashley reached 10 years old; she had consecutively won all Enoch’s princess crowns. She is a professionally trained dancer in tap, ballet, jazz, pointe and performed in the Nutcracker.
Ashley’s interest in acting led her to starring in a commercial for The Hudson Bay, and has appeared in television mini-series, acted in countless stage performances and has lent her voice for cartoons. She appears in several television shows that include Tribal, The Amazing Race Canada, and Blackstone. These television shows air on CRAVE, APTN, Showcase, Maori Television in New Zealand and Hulu Television in the United States. Ashley is also featured in CBC’s 8th Fire Series and the Catch The Dream Series. Ashley also appears on CTV The Social, Etalk Canada, CP 24 News, and many more. Her youth foreshadowed her young adulthood, as she continued with acting and dancing.
In June 2010, Ashley placed 2nd Runner up in the Miss Universe Canada 2010 Pageant. She is the first Cree First Nations Woman to achieve this goal. During her reign as a Miss Universe Canada 2010 finalist, she traveled to hospitals and schools speaking about her life and reaching out to others. The loss of some very close family members have led Ashley to also support the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Walk for the Cure, Run for the Lung and mentor underprivileged aboriginal youth. Ashley is also currently the Youth Representative for the Stollery Family Centered Care Network for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ashley was chosen as Miss Canada in 2010 and represented her nation in international pageants in China, Europe and Barbados.
Ashley is also an international motivational speaker and role model for many educational institutions, workshops, conferences and award ceremonies. Ashley has spoken at Harvard University, Yale University, University of Toronto, and Boston University as the keynote speaker for an All Ivy Native Council, TED Talks and WE Day. Ashley’s hard work and charity work was recognized as she received the Role Model Award at the Dreamcatcher Gala and she also received the Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada. Ashley also received a role model award from the United Nations in October 2015 for Global Dignity Day.
Ashley was the reigning Mrs Universe 2015 and a Canadian Activist for First Nations Rights and environmental causes in Canada. Ashley is also a spokesperson and model for the Nike N7 organization, and has completed campaigns with RW&Co, Hello Fresh, Go Rving Canada Nintendo Canada, Hillberg and Berk, Coterie (New York Fashion Week), and many more.

Meet the Panelists
Chairman Arlan Melendez | Chairman of Reno Sparks Indian Colony

Arlan D. Melendez is the Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, a federally recognized Tribal Government representing Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe people. Chairman Melendez was first elected to the Tribal Council in 1987 and has served on the Tribal Council for 33 years, 30 years as Chairman.
Under Chairman Melendez’s leadership, the RSIC has maintained a strong and fiscally sound government. Chairman Melendez has served on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) as an advocate for Indian Health Care and has played a vital role in the COVID-19 Pandemic for Indian Country. He also, has received a life-time achievement award from the National Indian Health Service which publicly honored Chairman Melendez for his significant contributions to their respective national organization.
Chairman Melendez serves as a Tribal Council Liaison and Public Information Officer Assistant in RSIC’s Emergency Unified Command System. His leadership and experience has helped Nevada Tribes collaborate with partners at the Federal, State and Local levels to support tribal response to COVID-19 since the virus first appeared in early 2020.
Under Chairman Melendez’s leadership during COVID-19, RSIC has created new policies to include COVID-19 safety protocols in the best interest of RSIC’s tribal members, residents and employees. RSIC has implemented specific services to tribal members who have been directly impacted by the virus. RSIC even created virtual and social media spaces to connect with RSIC’s tribal members and administration for social distancing. RSIC has held COVID-19 Testing PODs and COVID-19 Vaccines PODs in conjunction with the Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center, IHS and state/local agencies. And so much more.
Melendez is also an Armed Forces veteran having served in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam conflict. He graduated from Truckee Meadows Community College and attended the University of Nevada.

Dr. Gayathri Natarajan, MD | Internal Medicine Specialist at Reno Sparks Tribal Health Center

Dr. Gayathri Natarajan obtained her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) Internal Medicine from Allegheny General Hospital, Drexel College of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She grew up in India and moved to the United States in 2004. She considers Reno home since 2016. She has over 18 years of experience in the medical field working in various capacities from clinical direct patient care, to being principal investigator running clinical trials for major pharmaceuticals. Her heart has always been in primary care where she could make a real difference in the everyday lives of her patients. She feels working at the Tribal Health Center is her calling. She has seen many parallels between the tribal communities in the Reno Sparks area, and her own Indian culture. She feels right at home helping her patients whom she considers family. She is passionate about treating chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity without medications. She has been recognized by her community for her leadership role during COVID pandemic where she continues to lead the community as the Subject Matter expert of Unified Command.
In her free time, she likes to hike, travel, cook and try new experiences. She is passionate about women’s rights, environmentalism and tries to live a simple carbon neutral life.

Dr. Art Martinez | Clinical Psychologist at Reno Sparks Tribal Health Center

Dr. Art Martinez is a member of the Chumash tribe, and a clinical psychologist. Dr. Art Martinez shares a unique melding of cultural and clinical experiences. Dr. Martinez has served as an expert witness in more than 3500 cases which served most all superior courts within California and in over 30 other state courts, US federal district courts and tribal court jurisdictions. Dr. Art serve as the clinical psychologist and Head of Service of several tribal mental health programs. In 2018 Art became the Co-Director of the Children’s Bureau Quality Improvement Center entitled the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience. In 2015 Dr. Art joined the Children’s Bureau established Center for Capacity Building for Tribes as the Senior Services Advisor for Tribal Capacity Building in a continuation of service to tribal communities. In the past he served as the executive and clinical director of The Child and Family Institute, one of the principal Mental Health contractors for Sacramento County Child Protective and Children’s Mental Health Services. Dr. Art previously founded and directed the Washoe Family Trauma Healing Center in Gardnerville, Nevada. This center served as the primary provider of mental health and child assessments for dependency matters for Tribal court jurisdictions in the State of Nevada. Dr. Art served as a trainer and consultant in culturally competent evaluation and program development. In that commitment, he served as a technical expert groups for the three centers of SAMHSA. In 1999 Art was appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human services to the National Advisory Council for SAMHSA and the Center for Mental Health Services. His doctoral research and dissertation focused upon the use of traditional Native American health approaches within clinical interventions with Native American families. Dr. Art’s master’s thesis specifically addressed the salient issues of Indian Child Welfare in America. Over the past thirty-five years Dr. Art has worked for tribal governments and organizations in the development and provision of services to children and families. He has taught over 50 courses and seminars involving the dynamics of Children’s mental health, substance abuse and Mental Health issues in Native communities. Dr. Art was the past Director of the department of Marriage, Child and Family therapy at the San Diego Campus of Alliant University as well as Director of Counseling and Psychological Services for UC Merced. He serves as a nationally known consultant in issues involving Native Americans, Native American Family Dynamics, Indian Child Welfare, Native American Child Development, and Native American Traditional values and health interventions.

Angie Wilson | Tribal Administrator of Reno Sparks Indian Colony
Angie Wilson, enrolled member of the Pit River Tribe of California and Klamath/Modoc descendant, serves as the Tribal Administrator for the Reno Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC). In addition, she leads the RSIC Covid-19 mitigation response as the Unified Commander, working hand-in-hand with key personnel in managing the Covid-19 response overall.
Ms. Wilson’s career has spanned more than 22 years in Tribal Health Administration, Policy and Tribal Advocacy. She has dedicated her career working with Tribal Governments and for Tribal Communities as an inherent responsibility.
Ms. Wilson currently serves various Tribal, State, Regional and National delegations including: CMS Tribal Technical Advisor for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Services (Arizona, Nevada and Utah Tribes); Northern California Tribal Representative, California Area Indian Health Services Tribal Advisory Committee; National Medicare and Medicaid Policy Committee; Secretary/Treasurer of the Pit River Tribal Economic Development Board of Directors, and as an elected member of the Pit River Tribe Health Authority Board of Directors.
She has directed award winning tribal health clinics, receiving a Nevada Senate Commendation, National Indian Health Board (NIHB) recognition including, Local and Area/Regional Impact Awards and most recently a National Awardee of the National Indian Health Board and Indian Health Services in recognition of her work and advocacy to strengthen healthcare initiatives and sustainability methodologies for American Indian and Alaskan Native communities.
In 2014, Nevada Senator Roberson appointed Angie to the Nevada Health Exchange Board of Directors, becoming the first American Indian in the Nation to serve in this capacity within a State or Federal Health Exchange.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Northwest Christian University in Eugene, Oregon; and is a resident of Reno, Nevada.

Webinar: DACA Student Experiences During COVID-19
2021-06-21 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom

Myths vs Facts about the COVID-19 vaccine
2021-02-10 08:00 - 17:00
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
“Myths vs Facts about the COVID-19 vaccine”

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Now that there’s a vaccine, it’s time to know the facts. Join our panel of speakers as they dispel myths and provide facts about the development, effectiveness, safety, and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and discuss the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines for communities of color.
Join the panel on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM:
– Register and submit your questions at bit.ly/covidmythvsfact (bit.ly/covidmythvsfact)
– Hear the panel on KCEP – Power 88 – 88.1 FM (https://www.power88lv.com/)
– Watch the panel on Facebook live on the NMHEC (https://www.facebook.com/nmhec/) and KCEP (https://www.facebook.com/power88vegas) Facebook pages

Amplify Equity: COVID-19’s Impact on Nevada’s Diversity and Equity Populations.
2020-06-23 08:00 - 17:00
Webinar

JUNE 23, 2020

The first webinar of this special series was focused on an overview at the regional and national levels. Learn about Nevada’s stratified data related to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and COVID-19 Dashboard, and hear from a panel of experts who shared perspectives from the African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, LatinX, LGBTQ, and Native American communities.
