Amy Peeler, Executive Director

Amy Peeler has a versatile background in public health, training, community health education, grant writing and serving the public in both medical and social service capacities. She grew up in rural Sierra County in California in a small pharmacy. Her education includes an undergraduate degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Services as well as a minor degree in Women’s Studies and a master’s degree in Public Heath. Prior to her current role her public service has included work as an emergency medical technician, an eligibility worker, administrative analyst for a County Mental Health Clinic and director of a non-profit serving adults with severe developmental disabilities.

Patrick Meehan, MD, Medical Director

Undergraduate education in chemistry at UCSC (1978). Medical training at Washington University School of Medicine (1982), residency in Family Practice at Natividad Medical Center, Salinas/UCSF affiliate (1982-85). Epidemic Intelligence Service and Preventive Medicine Residency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (1988-1991). Married; 2 school age kids; enjoys running, fitness, outdoors. Speaks English and Spanish.

Elisa R. Breton, MD, Staff Physician

Undergraduate education at UC Irvine (1979). Attended graduate school in Sociology (1980-1985). Attended medical school at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Mexico (1986-1989) and at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC (1989-1991). Residency at the UCSF affiliated residency program in Santa Rosa (1991-1994). Enjoys accordion playing, yoga, biking, horseback riding, and various arts and crafts. Speaks English and Spanish.

Maria Mead, MD, Staff Physician

Undergraduate education in Latin American Studies/Political Science from Wesleyan University (1985); counselor for Central American refugees in San Francisco. Medical training at University of Washington Medical School and residency in Family Medicine at Santa Monica/UCLA. Director of Medical Affairs at the Santa Monica Family Health Center, a community clinic; four years in private practice in Santa Cruz. She enjoys combining practicing medicine with helping to manage the SCWHC. Speaks English and Spanish.

Wendy Sickels, MD, Staff Physician

Undergraduate education at UCSC (1990). Medical training at UCLA School of Medicine (1996); residency at Northridge Hospital Family Practice Residency (1999). University of Arizona Integrative Medicine fellowship.
Enjoys playing with kids, gardening, and running.

Erica Chapin, Physician Assistant

Medical training at the Stanford Medical School Physician Assistant Program (1985; residency at Natividad Medical Center. A lesbian, she lives with her partner of 25 years, their two sons, two dogs, and one cat; she enjoys quilting. Speaks English and Spanish.

Donna Cowan, Nurse Practitioner

Undergraduate education at San Jose State (1964). Obtained nursing degree at San Jose Hospital School of Nursing (1964). Medical training at EPA/San Jose State University (1995). Lactation Educator and Consultant, UCLA( 1986); Perinatal Institute, Stanford, (1988);; Colposcopy Training, ASCCP (2004); Nutrition & Health Integrative Medicine Seminar, University of Arizona, Tucson (2005). Married 37 years, with three children. Enjoys hiking, birdwatching, reading, gardening, photography, and travel. Speaks English, Spanish, and some German.

Daryl Dichek, Perinatal Health Educator

Originally from Los Angeles. Undergraduate education at Antioch College (1978). Professional training at UCLA School of Public Health, MPH (1987). National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (1995). Married with 2 children. Enjoys playing music, gardening, hiking and reading. Moved to Santa Cruz in 1987 and joined SCWHC in the early 1990's. Speaks English and Spanish.

Lynn Kono, Physician Assistant

Undergraduate education at University of California at San Diego (1996). Medical training in the Duke University Physician Assistant Program (2001). Speaks English and Spanish.

Kristina Mutén, Staff Physician

Jenny Yeaney, Women's Health Specialist

Rosie Chavez, Front Office Manager

Ruth Jasso, Billing Manager