Our Team

Number of Patients Treated

Patient Encounters

(%) of Patients Best Served in Non-English

Number of All Employees

Executive Team

Tatyana Bak

Our CEO

Tatyana Bak was named CEO by the Elica Health Centers Board of Directors in October 2017, having served the organization in various capacities over the course of nearly 20 years. Prior to assuming her new leadership post, Tatyana was a consultant on several special projects, Director of Business Development, and for several years Chief Operations Officer.

Tatyana emigrated with her family to the U.S. in 1976 from what was then the Soviet Union, part of a wave of Russian immigration to the U.S. in the 1970s. Her's was the first family in that wave to settle in Sacramento, which now has one of the highest concentrations of Russian immigrants in the U.S.

Guided by her experience and a desire to help others facing challenges similar to those that most immigrants face in adapting to new conditions, Tatyana chose to work in health care, specifically for organizations sensitive to the needs of immigrant and other underserved populations.

Tatyana’s deep connection and commitment to the communities served by Elica, along with her thorough knowledge of the organization’s role as an FQHC, are exactly what the Board of Directors decided were key for Elica’s continued growth and ability to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape, while staying true to the needs of its core constituents.

David E. Hughes

Our COO/CFO

David E. Hughes recently assumed an important new position at Elica Health Centers as Chief Operating Officer (COO). He is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience developing, growing and aligning community health centers.

Coming to Elica from Wisconsin, David brings an abundance of skills and experience that will undoubtedly serve Elica well, including a successful track record obtaining federal, state, and private funds in support of health center growth and expansion. He has set up 340B pharmacy programs, school-based health centers, mobile access sites, and integrated academic programs with health centers. David’s performance record also includes success with physician recruiting, medical staff development, along with managing and training highly knowledgeable and diverse medical teams.

Prior to accepting his position with Elica, David served as an independent contractor providing support to more than one-third of the Community Health Center’s in Wisconsin, performing financial and operational assessments, participating in strategic planning, preparing budgets and cost reports, and conducting mock HRSA site visits. Also, he served for 12 years as CEO/CFO for Cabin Creek Health Systems in West Virginia.

Dr. Scott Needle

Our CMO

Dr. Scott Needle is a practicing community pediatrician and is our Chief Medical Officer. Before arriving at Elica he was the Medical Director for Patient Safety and Quality of Care at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Naples, Florida.

Dr. Needle has extensive experience in healthcare, medical research and education, but it is his sincere dedication to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to all people that makes him a stand-out in his profession.

Dr. Needle has given talks nationally about children, disasters and community preparedness, and he has had numerous articles published in the pediatric literature. In 2007, he testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding formaldehyde and FEMA trailers. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Needle has served on numerous councils and sections, including the AAP's Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council. He has written and lectured extensively on the needs of children and the role of pediatricians in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and has worked closely with numerous local, state, and federal groups.

Most recently, he was the Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters. Dr. Needle received his M.D. degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore and completed pediatric internship and residency at New England Medical Center/Tufts University in Boston.

Program Leaders

Sara Meadows, LCSW

Director of Behavioral Health

Sara Meadows has her bachelor’s degree in US and African American History, along with a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento.

She was the Under Secretary for Model United Nations throughout college, and participated in panels related to intersectionality in leadership, neuroplasticity and institutional/educational race practices.

Her publications include her thesis on social worker's response to budget cuts to behavioral health services in Sacramento County between 2005-2010.

Sara is a licensed clinical social worker, and has a diverse background with children, adults and families in behavioral health, community advocacy and healthcare services. Sara has been providing mental health services at all levels of intensity in the Sacramento area for 20 years.

She is part owner of a consulting group that provides and co-facilitates training related to self care, burnout, trigger identification and generational trauma. Focus of treatment includes ACE’s Response and trauma-related treatment.

Dr. Nina Tecson, DDS

Dental Director

Dr. Nina Tecson attended the University of California, Davis where she earned a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. Dr. Tecson continued her education at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery.

Following dental school, Dr. Tecson furthered her training in an advanced general dentistry program, earning her General Practice Residency certificate at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Tecson’s hospital based training focused on treating adults and children of underserved populations with complex medical and dental needs.

Dr. Tecson believes oral health is an integral part of a patient’s overall health and well-being. Dr. Tecson is committed to educating patients and their families about oral care habits that can build a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health in the entire community. Dr. Tecson has served patients all over the world – Jamaica, Fiji, Mississippi, and California. She is excited to bring her experience from private practice and community health to Elica Health Centers where she can build lasting relationships with our patients in a positive and caring environment.

Dr. Tecson is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and Sacramento District Dental Society. She is continuously taking courses to provide her patients with the latest advances in dentistry.

Tamara Miroshnichenko

Director of Medical Operations, Sacramento County

Tamara Miroshnichenko was born in Uzbekistan and emigrated to the United States in 1999.

Since joining the Elica Health Centers in 2007 as an extern, she has excelled at numerous tasks and positions. Tamara’s first position as a Front Desk Clerk led her of being promoted to the Lead, Supervisor, and later the Office Supervisor. Tamara’s hard work and commitment to Elica led her of becoming a General Manager and now, the Director of Medical Operations for the County of Sacramento.

She has in-depth knowledge of most aspects of the health care management including on-floor patient care, clinical and support staff management, and provider management. All this knowledge makes her to be successful when it comes to managing the clinical teams. Tamara desires to support managers in any possible way.
With more than 12 years of experience and time at Elica, Tamara truly has been able to see the growth and transformation of Elica Health Centers.

Tamara believes in straightforwardness in life and in work. If you focus on what is important, success will reveal itself. Take care of your people, focus on the customer and act on what is necessary.