Archives: Bios

Unity Care NW service bios.

Mandeep Sehmbi, MD

I joined Unity Care NW in 2023.

I have a Doctor of Medicine from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. I received an MBA in Health Services  from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science in General Biology from the University of British Columbia.

My residency training was completed in Flint, Michigan, where I gained experience working with underserved populations. I am fluent in Punjabi and have a working knowledge of Hindi.

Following residency, I wanted to continue to work with underserved populations and felt that the community healthcare setting was the best way for me to contribute to providing high quality healthcare to those who need it most.

Parm Gill, DMD

I joined UCNW in 2023.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Alberta – Edmonton, AB. I received my DDS from Roseman University of Health Sciences and College of Dental Medicine in South Jordan, UT.

Prior to joining Unity Care, I worked in both private dental practices, and Community Health Center settings. I have volunteer experience providing dental care to underserved populations.

My hobbies include travel and reading. I am proficient in Punjabi.

Alan Faber III, DDS

I joined Unity Care NW in 2023.

I earned my BA in Biology from Kalamazoo College, my MS in Physiology from the University of Michigan, and my DDS from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. I completed my General Practice Residency at Community Regional Medical Center in 2022.

Prior to joining UCNW, I worked in private practice, providing the full range of dental care for adults and pediatrics. I also have experience providing dental care to underserved populations, including oral surgery, restorative, and emergency care.

I’m a member of the Mount Baker District Dental Society, the WA State Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

 

Melissa Barrera, RDH

I started working at Unity Care NW in 2022.

I have an AAS degree in Dental Hygiene from Bellingham Technical College, and graduated with high honors.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and two dogs. I like working in community health, because it allows me to to help people and provide care for the community.

Beth Williams, LICSWA

I started working at Unity Care NW in 2022.

I have a BA in English from Western WA University, and an MA in Adult Education form Western WA University. I have a MSW from the University of Southern California, Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. My specialties include geriatric grief and loss, and I’m certified in Advance Care Planning for End of Life, and Problem Solving Therapy.

I have 20 years experience as a rural health care administrator in San Juan County.

I’m a life-long learner who enjoys reading, nature, travel, art, and music.

I enjoy working with an integrated team of professionals in medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health to serve people in the community that otherwise would find access to healthcare difficult or impossible.

Arcelie Lopes, LICSW

I joined UCNW in 2023.

I have Master of Arts in Religious Education with Emphasis in Family life, and a Master of Social Work from Andrews University in Michigan. Prior to joining Unity Care, I worked as a therapist in a non- profit community mental health center in Colorado.

I love seeing my patients experience good health and happiness. It gives me great joy and satisfaction when I see them experiencing improvements in their behavioral and overall health. I enjoy helping people and providing them with skills and resources to address their daily life struggles. I teach my patients evidenced based skills and interventions to help them change behaviors they want to improve.

I like working together with a team who also love helping people live healthy. Working in a community center like Unity Care, provides me a great team support and resources I need to provide the best care for my patients.

Sandra Pinzon, DDS

I received my DDS degree from The San Martin University Foundation in Bogota, Colombia. In 2007, I completed a one-year residency program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Community Smiles Dental Clinic in Miami, Florida. In 2008, I completed a second-year residency program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Northwest Dental residency program in Toppenish, Washington.

I am a member of the Mount Baker Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.

My interests include reading and traveling.

It is wonderful to be part of a team that is in a position to significantly transform lives of patients and communities.

Lauren Soekirman, DMD

I started working at Unity Care in 2022.

I received my Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Florida State University, and my Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. I am active with the American Dental Association, and the Washington State Dental Association.

My interests include hiking, biking, and spending time with family.

I enjoying working in community health because I’m passionate about making a difference to those in need. I like being able to help bridge the gap for people to get access to good quality care.

Alicia Portillo, PA-C

I joined Unity Care NW in 2022.

I have a BS in Biology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma WA, and a Master in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from Northern Arizona University at the Phoenix Biomedical Campus.

My background includes working as a US Peace Corps health volunteer in Mozambique, and partnering with the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) to enroll and improve upon HIV treatment. After PA school, I was a study clinician at the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health (CAIH) in the Southwest, working on phase 3 clinical trials in partnership with IHS, followed by working at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.

My interests include mountaineering, backpacking, and environmentalism. Se habla español. I enjoy working in community health because it gives me the opportunity to provide accessible care and be a resource to underserved populations. It’s also rewarding to be in a position to help address barriers to healthcare that an individual may be experiencing.

 

Courtney Schick, DMD

I attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and NYU for Advanced Education in General Dentistry. I am a member of the Mount Baker Dental Society, WA State Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

My interests include skiing, gardening, hiking, and biking.

I enjoy being part of a team providing compassionate care to all, regardless of a person’s ability to pay.