Elisa Nicholas, MD, MSPH

Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma’s Project Director and founder Dr. Nicholas has a Master’s of Science in Public Health, and in addition to pediatrics, completed a residency in preventative medicine. She is a nationally known leader in community health and health care delivery to underserved populations. Dr. Nicholas is Chief of Staff at Miller Children’s Hospital, is a steering committee member of California Asthma Partners and is a member of Children’s Asthma Management Program (AMP). She has received numerous awards in asthma care and community health programs, such as, Senator Alan Lowenthal’s “Women of the Year” award, the California League of Conservation Voters 5th Annual Environmental Leadership Award, the Community Service Award from Blue Cross and the Community Health Star Award from the Clinic Association of Los Angeles County.

 Elina Green, MPH

Elina Green, Project Manager for the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma came to Long Beach from Atlanta, GA where she completed a Masters in Public Health at Emory University. Her background in community service for children started with the completion of two years of AmeriCorps National Service with a children’s psychiatric hospital in rural Georgia. Following her own service, she began working in environmental health as the Program Manager for her own AmeriCorps program with the Atlanta Outward Bound Center. Her commitment to serving the underserved and working towards equality in health is being realized through the work of the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma.

 Gerardo Gómez

Gerardo Gomez, Assistant Project Coordinator, has a Bachelors of science in Healthcare Administration.  He gained an interest in the Latino Health Professionals Project (LHPP), a project that intends to place more Latinos in professional positions in the area of healthcare.  Emphasized by the fact that our community needs health care personnel and administrators who are capable of identifying and providing an efficient service – both culturally and linguistically – Gerardo’s work with LBACA has enabled him to contribute to the community in a meaningful way. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.

 Maria Garcia

Maria Garcia has been a Community Health Worker for the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma for almost four years.  She has completed Health Leadership Trainings through The Children’s Clinic, Neighborhood Leadership Training through Long Beach City, and other extensive trainings.  Working with families to help them control their children’s asthma is very fulfilling.  As a resident of Long Beach, it has been and continues to be a very rewarding and satisfying job.  Her goal is to continue working closely with parents and making a difference.  As a wife and mother she feels that having a healthy and active family is essential in being able to enjoy what our great city has to offer.

Phaktra Huch

Phaktra was born in Cambodia and came to America 30 years ago as a refugee.  Phaktra has resided in Long Beach since 1993.  She has been working at Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma for over 2 years as a CHW. She does volunteer work at her children's school, Anaheim Community Police Center, Cambodian Community Organizations and community events.  She likes her job very much and feels it is rewarding seeing the changes in families’ lives with asthma after receiving our services.  She is hoping this program will continue for many years to come.

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Irene Mineses

Irene Mineses is a CHW at the Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma.  She began working at LBACA two years ago and has enjoyed working with Long Beach families and community. She especially enjoys being part of the LBACA family.  Her top priority is to help families become empowered through the acquisition of asthma health knowledge.  Being a mother of three children she knows how important it is to see children be happy and healthy.  One of her goals is to gain more knowledge to better serve the families and communities and work with them in achieving their goals in relation to asthma.

Herendira Razcon

Herendira Razcon has always demonstrated a passion for working in and serving her community. She began working in her community of Long Beach as a volunteer in 1996. Her volunteer work began at the Juvenile Crime Prevention Program (JCPP), where she was on the Financial Board, which was in charge of providing fiscal support to fund community improvement projects. She later became employed at JCPP as a Community Worker. She has taken part in several Leadership trainings such as the Kellogg Institute Training program at California State University of Long Beach, The Long Beach Partnership for the Public Health Training, Long Beach Leadership Training, the Family and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.) Training and San Francisco State University Leadership in Health Training. From these trainings she has gained several skills, which has increased her knowledge and has helped her become a well-rounded person.

In 2002 she was hired as a Community Health Worker for LBACA, where she conducts home visits, educates families about asthma, and empowers families to better the health of their children. At LBACA she has acquired skills and wonderful experiences in serving families. She finds it rewarding being able to help families and their children but gains much more in getting to know the families and their culture. She enjoys teaching the community about how to make their homes asthma friendly and live healthier lives. In order to better serve her community she has enrolled in English and Computer classes. Herendira has been happily married for 24 years, is a proud mother of five, and one adorable grandson.
 

 Delores Simms

Delores Simms, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, graduated from Rosa A Temple High School.  She lived in California since 1970, and has been a resident of Long Beach since 1979.  Delores attended El Camino Jr. College, and U.C.L.A.   Delores is a proud mother of 4 children.  She has worked in the community as a leader for many years, and is now a Community Health Worker at the Long Beach Alliance for Children With Asthma, serving families, and working to control their child’s asthma.  She believes in LBACA's mission that, "Together we can control asthma now."

 Cynthia Romo

Cynthia Romo, Asthma Outreach and Education Coordinator, has worked at LBACA for two years.  First as an Assistant Evaluator working together with the Community Health Workers during home visits. She then moved into her current position coordinating the Neighborhood Assessment Team (A-TEAM) projects such as traffic counting, particulate matter monitoring and other related air pollution activities.  In addition, she works with community members in workgroups regarding health and housing activities. Cynthia graduated from CSULB in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology and Chicano Latino Studies with a Health Care Administration certificate. She is interested in social equality for all communities, especially regarding environmental justice.

 Patricia Nakazawa

Patty Nakazawa, Office Manager, joined LBACA in 2003.  She comes from a business background, primarily a family owned commercial interiors small business.  She believes that LBACA is very much like an small business with team members wearing a lot of different hats.  Many of those hats aren’t part of the job description but are necessary to the success of the organization.  In addition to the usual office responsibilities, Patty has become LBACA's event planner, facilities manager, small equipment repair person and the person who knows who to call, where things are, and when to do them.  Patty just celebrated 35 years of marriage to her high school sweetheart.  They have two adult daughters.