A Message From The CEO

As we close out another successful month, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your hard work, dedication, and resilience. Each of you plays a vital role in our success, and your commitment drives our company forward. Your teamwork and creativity have consistently impressed me, and it’s inspiring to see how we come together to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Thank you for embodying our values and for your unwavering dedication to our mission. This month, I’m excited to share that our newsletter will focus on immunizations, exploring why they are crucial for our health and well-being, both as individuals and as a community. I encourage you all to read through it and engage in the conversation about how we can contribute to public health. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and achieving great things together!

Avetik Machkalyan  CEO

Director of Leadership Development & Quality Projects

Lynda Reed is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience, currently serving at Unicare CHC. For the past 16 years, she has significantly enhanced community health through her work. Lynda has developed adult and geriatric medicine curricula at Azusa Pacific University and has held several key leadership roles, including FNP Director and Associate Dean of Assessment, Evaluation, and Accreditation. She has successfully managed multi-million dollar grants from HRSA and SAMHSA, focusing on training healthcare providers to deliver culturally competent care and address substance use disorders. Lynda’s commitment to the Hispanic community began with a medical mission trip in 1990, which ignited her passion for serving this population. She joined under the mentorship of Kelly Vo and Avo, where she found a fulfilling role that emphasizes community transformation through dedicated healthcare. As she steps back into a leadership position, Lynda is focused on strengthening infrastructure, organizing quality initiatives, and supporting her colleagues. Balancing entrepreneurial strategy with compassion, she aims to celebrate the accomplishments of the entire team while continuing to make a positive impact.

Lynda Reed, DNP, FNP-c
Chief of Behavioral Health

Dr. Morrison Steel is a board-certified psychiatrist, recognized by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the Medical Board of California Physicians and Surgeons. He has completed a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at UCLA, where he serves as Chief Fellow in the Clinician-Educator Area of Distinction and has achieved the highest score on the PRITE exam, earning the Ritvo Award. Previously, Dr. Steel completed his Psychiatry Residency at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he was honored as Chief Resident and nominated for House Staff of the Year. He received training in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and eating disorders, showcasing his commitment to comprehensive psychiatric care. Dr. Steel earned his Doctor of Medicine from Central Michigan University, where he received clinical honors in psychiatry, pediatrics, internal medicine, and surgery. He also holds a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, where his thesis focused on psychology, neuroscience, and cochlear implants. Dr. Steel completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, graduating with a High Distinction in Psychology and a double major in Health and Disease.

Morrison Steel, MD, MSc, ABPN Diplomate
Director of Pediatrics

Dr. Grace Nguyen is a dedicated pediatric resident at the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, part of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, TN. With a passion for child health and well-being, she is deeply committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to her young patients. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, where she gained extensive clinical experience and a solid foundation in medical knowledge. Before that, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington, where her interest in medicine and research flourished. In addition to her clinical training, Dr. Nguyen is board-certified in pediatrics and holds California state licensure. She is also certified by the Drug Enforcement Administration, demonstrating her understanding of the responsible use of medications in pediatric care. Dr. Nguyen’s commitment to excellence in pediatric medicine is complemented by her strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with families and healthcare teams. She strives to create a supportive environment for her patients and their families, ensuring that they receive the best possible care throughout their healthcare journeys.

Grace Nguyen, MD, FAAP
GET ACQUAINTED WITH LEADERSHIP!
UNICARE’S SUPPORT OF PROP 35
Proposition 35 will safeguard and improve our health care system for 15 million Medi-Cal patients and all Californians. It will ensure a steady stream of revenue by extending an existing tax on health insurance companies without increasing taxes on individuals and allocating these funds specifically to maintain and expand access to care. Additionally, it will prevent the state from using this revenue for non-healthcare purposes.
WHAT WILL PROP 35 DO?
Proposition 35 will significantly enhance healthcare access for 15 million Medi-Cal patients while also protecting and improving care for all Californians. The measure ensures dedicated funding that cannot be redirected, supporting essential healthcare worker training and implementing strict accountability standards.
WHY PROP 35?

California’s healthcare system is facing a crisis. Hospitals are shutting down services, and emergency rooms are overwhelmed.

Over 40 hospitals have ceased providing labor and delivery services, while patients often wait months to see a doctor or specialist. Care for 15 million children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families on Medi-Cal is severely underfunded.

WHAT WILL PROP 35 FUND?

With Prop 35, we can expect improved healthcare services, expanded access to preventive care, and reduced wait times in emergency rooms. It will lead to more primary care physicians and community health centers, increased specialty care—including cancer, cardiology, and OB/GYN services—along with enhanced family planning options. The initiative aims to hire more first responders and paramedics to improve emergency response times, expand mental health treatment, and address workforce shortages through targeted training programs.

What are Immunizations?

PROTECT YOURSELF, PROTECT OTHERS: IMMUNIZATIONS SAVE LIVES!

What are Immunizations?
Immunizations, also known as vaccinations, are medical interventions designed to enhance the body’s immune response to specific infectious diseases. They typically involve administering a vaccine, which may contain weakened or inactivated parts of a pathogen, or a genetic blueprint for producing a harmless piece of it. This process helps the immune system recognize and remember the pathogen, enabling it to respond more effectively if exposed in the future. Immunizations are essential for preventing serious illnesses such as measles, polio, and influenza, thereby reducing the spread of these diseases within communities. By achieving high vaccination rates, populations can establish herd immunity, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. Overall, immunizations play a critical role in public health, significantly lowering the incidence of diseases, saving healthcare costs, and contributing to global health efforts.
Immunizations at Unicare
At Unicare Community Health Center, we prioritize immunizations as a vital part of health care for our patients and the community. Our dedicated team emphasizes the importance of vaccines in preventing illness and protecting public health. We provide clear information and education about the benefits of immunizations, ensuring our patients understand how they safeguard not only their own health but also the health of their families and the community. With accessible vaccination services, we are committed to helping everyone stay healthy and informed.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Faviola Munoz, CPHW
This month, we are shining a light on one of our team members who goes above and beyond in her role and encourages others with her hard work and commitment.
Join us in celebrating Faviola Munoz!

An Interview with Faviola Munoz
What’s Something you can’t live without?
Sunshine, coffee and family.
What drew you to your career? How’d You end up here?

I knew I wanted to work in the medical field my freshman year in high school when I took an ROP Health Class and completed hours working at Casa Colina and The OR department. I care about helping people and making an impact and this career allows me to do that.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

I love a good comedy, my favorite movie that I have watched over and over is “The Benchwarmers”

What’s your proudest accomplishment at unicare?

I have to say that working at UNICARE had a significant impact on my decision to become a Full Spectrum Doula. Now that I have been a doula for a year, I have much more experience and knowledge on how to provide emotional and educational support prenatally, during pregnancy, and in the postpartum period.

WELCOME ONBOARD NEW HIRES!

We are delighted to introduce our newest members who bring fresh perspectives and talents to our company. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are excited to on board valuable contributors to Unicare. At our company, we value diversity, collaboration, and innovation, and we look forward to seeing all that our new hires will accomplish with Unicare.

Welcome to the team, we are thrilled to have you with us!

WALLACE MEIKLE
Dentist
LESLIE PEREZ
OPTOMETRIST
ALIC EXIANZHANG GENG
FMP
ARIENE RODRIGUEZ
FNP
UKMAKA ONYIA
FNP
MARIVETTE JUAREZ
CCS
ALVIRA PAN
LCSW
RAUL RUACHO
Mobile Services Coordinator
AMERICA ULLOA
MA
PRISCILLA DOMINGUEZ
Adminitrative Assistant
Get the Full October Newsletter in PDF!
Prefer to read offline or share with others? Download the complete PDF version of our latest newsletter and stay informed wherever you are. Click below to grab your copy!