Cardiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the disorders of the heart as well as some parts of the circulatory system. The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology.
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Dr. Villarama’s medical journey began in the Philippines where he was inspired by both his grandmother, a traditional midwife, and his mother, who had hopes he would one day become a physician. As a child he developed a strong interest in medicine accompanying his grandmother on medical visits by the age of ten. While she delivered babies and attended to the sick, Dr. Villarama was by her side. He began his career at GVHC in July 2007 as a family physician in Merced, practicing full scope family medicine including hospital inpatient care. Five years later he was named Associate Medical Director. He then served as the Merced area Hospitalist Medical Director from 2013 to 2015, later transitioning into the role of Regional Medical Director. In May, 2022, he was appointed as the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of GVHC. In addition to his work at GVHC he has served as a chief of staff for Dignity Health Merced Mercy Hospital, a delegate to the California Medical Association and President of the local Medical society. Dr. Villarama is also a founding board member of the Kids Discovery Children Museum of Merced.
His passion for healthcare and serving patients remains as strong as his commitment to GVHC’s mission of providing high-quality care through clinical services to all members of our community regardless of any barriers they may be experiencing. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and pet dog “ Hershey” and loves outdoor activities like hiking, road cycling and mountain biking.
Mr. West grew up on the Central Coast surfing and found his way to the Central Valley where he chose to pursue a BS in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. He worked as wine chemist for a number of notable wineries in both the Central Valley and Central Coast eventually taking classes in a PhD Chemistry program through the UC system. West has published several papers on organic synthesis and statistical thermodynamics. He has also held several teaching appointments in the Cal State and Junior College systems in the Central Valley. An interest in health was piqued by studying statistical methods to evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare models, which led to a Masters in Public Health and his involvement in a pilot project to address the needs of homeless citizens following discharge from local hospitals. The subsequent success of this program over several years and his contributions to Golden Valley Health Centers as a Board member made him the ideal candidate to launch the Central Valley PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) program.
Ms. Carroll is deeply invested in the community and has enjoyed an extensive career history centered on service, through public sector communications and nonprofit leadership. She graduated from CSU Stanislaus earning a BA in Organizational Communication while working as a contributing writer in the Public Affairs and Alumni Department at the University and interning at a television news station. Over her 20 years in Public Relations and Communications, she has focused her efforts on community-building and collective impact through nonprofit leadership in marketing and fund development as well as public sector communications.
She is a Modesto Rotarian, a member of CAPIO (California Association of Public Information Officials), a participant in the James Irvine New Leadership Network and a mentor for the Latino Leadership Initiative. She is a recent recipient of the Modesto Bee’s 20 Under 40 Award and the Stanislaus County Equal Rights Commission, Dale Butler Award. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Stanislaus Family Justice Center and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. Amy loves running and traveling with her family.
Ms. Sandhu has been an accounting and finance professional for about 19 years. During her tenure at GVHC, Ms. Sandhu is responsible for overseeing payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, accounting, financial analysis and billing. She has successfully updated payroll and accounting systems. In addition, she has updated various process within the finance and billing department including implementing electronic document management system. Ms. Sandhu has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with concentration in Accounting and minor in Computer Information Systems. She has also completed University of California San Francisco and Blue Shield Clinic Leadership Institute for Emerging Leaders program.
Mr. Mine is the VP & Chief Information & Strategy Officer for Golden Valley Health Centers where he oversee information technology for the organization. He has worked with community health centers for over 20 years. Prior to joining Golden Valley Health Centers, he served as CIO of Gardner Family Health Network in Santa Clara County. Mr. Mine has also worked as CIO for Camarena Health Centers in Madera County and was Director of Information Technology at United Health Centers in Fresno County. Additionally, he has served as Project Manager for IBM Global Services division supporting IT operations of Fortune 100 corporations. Mr. Mine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Kansas State University and a Master in Business Administration degree from California State University Fresno. Mr. Mine’s professional and community service includes serving on San Joaquin Community Health Information Exchange board, Manifest MedEx advisory board and CalHIVE (Health-Impact-Value-Engagement) Network advisory board.
Ms. Blair has been a healthcare attorney for over twenty-one years. Prior to joining Golden Valley Health Centers as its Vice-President and General Counsel, Ms. Blair started her legal career in private practice as a litigator. Ms. Blair’s litigation experience includes professional liability (medical malpractice), employment law, and business litigation, successfully trying several cases to final verdict. After becoming partner, Ms. Blair left her law practice and joined Valley Children’s Hospital as their Corporate Compliance Officer. After six years in compliance, Ms. Blair took on an in-house position, as the Deputy General Counsel and gaining additional experience in healthcare transactions, privacy, security, corporate governance, insurance, risk management, consent law, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Although born in Ohio, Ms. Blair calls the Central Valley her home. Ms. Blair is a graduate of Fresno State University, summa cum laude, and was the valedictorian in her class at San Joaquin College of Law. Ms. Blair serves on several non-profits, including La Feliz Guild, Central Valley Regional Center, and annually participates in the Step Up for Down Syndrome event in Clovis, California. Ms. Blair enjoys spending time with her husband and two young, active sons. She is also an exercise fanatic, enjoying all things fitness, but especially running.
Ms. Henson is a Human Resources professional with more than 20 years of HR management experience working with health care organizations. She has proven to be an effective leader and communicator, committed to consistently delivering results through the development and implementation of sound Human Resources practices. During her tenure with GVHC, Ms. Henson has successfully updated multiple HR processes, enhanced benefit and compensation programs, expanded HR communication, and successfully negotiated multiple collective bargaining agreements. Prior to joining GVHC in October 2015, Ms. Henson served as Regional Human Resources Director for Vibra Healthcare – a nationwide specialty hospital system, where she oversaw Human Resources functions for more than 2400 employees working in nine hospitals and a regional business office in the West Coast Division. Ms. Henson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management and obtained her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, with honors, from Fresno Pacific University. She has been certified as a Professional in Human Resources since 2001. Ms. Henson also serves on the Board of Hinds Hospice which serves the Central Valley. Ms. Henson’s experience managing the Human Resources needs of health care entities makes her an invaluable asset to the organization. Ms. Henson is married and in her free time likes to spend time camping and riding motorcycles with her husband, or listing to 80s music with her sons.
Mr. Weber has served as Chief Executive Office for Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC) since 2014, bringing close to 40 years of leadership experience in the healthcare field. As CEO, Tony leads the organization’s strategic planning efforts and oversees the operations of the organization. GVHC has an operating budget of $163 million, employs over 1,000 staff in 45 clinics across three counties, with over 550,000 patient visits annually. Prior to joining GVHC, Tony served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for San Ysidro Health Center, where he was responsible for all financial operations for the expanding organization. Tony earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance from Golden Gate University, and his Bachelor’s in Finance from Brigham Young University. His professional and community service includes having served as Chair of a number of local, state, and national Chief Financial Officer Committees, as a member of Rotary International, and as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce.
I am a Business Banking Officer for Westamerica Bank, I currently oversee both Merced branches as well as Atwater and Mariposa. In the 41 years I’ve been in banking many things have changed but service is still the foundation in which everything should be built upon, it is this devotion to service which brings me back to Westamerica Bank. I believe that banking can be done professionally with a personal touch, which I enjoy.
I am currently Co-Chair of Golden Valley Health Center Foundation; it has been my pleasure to be part of this organization since 2016. I continue to be amazed at the vision of Golden Valley Health Center and the support it provides our local communities and the contribution made by its employees and staff. I look forward to being a part of its accomplishments in the coming years.
Health and Physical fitness has always been an important part of my life and I strive to be an example of healthy lifestyle choices. During the pandemic with the gyms closed, my husband and I started walking on a regular basis. We are proud parents of three wonderful adult children all living active lifestyles. GVHC prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the patients and providers it cares for. I admire and support their philosophy of caring for individuals regardless of race, religion, gender or financial means.
I am a US Army veteran and podiatrist. I have been with GVHC for almost 14 years. My motto is to “Save the Foot” and as a specialist in treating diabetic foot infections, I have made it my mission to educate patients, their families and the community about the perils of diabetes and the risks for foot amputation. I am also actively involved in the community as a physician champion for the Tri-District Medical Academy program in Merced County and as a guest lecturer at Merced College.
My wife and I have three adult children and 2 wonderful grandsons who keep us pretty busy all the time.
Duke has an impressive background with over 40 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. Duke is the only commercial agent to hold the SIOR designation in Stanislaus County and is one of only 3,500 professionals holding this title throughout 26 countries in the world. He lives in Modesto and has three children and five grandchildren.
David is dedicated to his community. He states, “I want to leave it better than I found it”. He is very active in service groups, chambers of commerce, and multiple nonprofit organizations that align with this very mission. David became a Golden Valley Health Centers Foundation board member due to the wonderful treatment he and his daughter and first child received. David was struggling with the recession, as many at the time were, and Golden Valley was there for them.
Professionally, David works for Mid Valley IT, the central valley’s fastest growing IT company
Shannon is an enthusiastic and accomplished team leader with over 30 years of event planning and management, fundraising and community relations experience.
Shannon is a believer in giving back to the community and has been involved with and worked for non-profit organizations over the years. She loves seeing an event go from paper to production and to help create the environment to touch every person in the room and help them understand the mission – not just for that night, but long after.
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