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.

Sarath Artham

Our CPHO

Mr. Sarath Artham is one of the newest members of the Elica Health Centers executive team. In his current role, Mr. Artham serves as Elica's Chief Population Health Officer (CPHO).In the more than 25 years of combined healthcare and technology sectors, Sarath has served in several key roles ranging from engineer to project manager, and from SVP of administration to combined roles of CEO / CTO for several models of valued-based delivery organizations.In the capacity of founding member of several leading healthcare technology applications, Sarath easily adapts his knowledge base that is required in today's models to understand patient metrics and to apply actionable steps needed to better affect the patient experience and outcomes.

Mr. Artham is excited to be a part of Elica's evolution and to help take the organization through a successful journey of analytics, quality, and services to the communities that Elica serves.

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 Operations

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, the Director of Medical Operations for the County of Sacramento, and now Director of Operations for Elica.

She has in-depth knowledge of most aspects of 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 and Associates Operational Directors in any possible way.

With more than 14 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.

Aide Long, MPH

Director of Community Outreach Services

Bio coming soon!

Clinic Operations Oversight

Natalya Maresyeva

Associate Operations Director

Nataliya was born and raised in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, in Middle Asia. In 1996 she received her Associate of Wood Science (Wood Product Processing). In 1999 she moved to Sacramento, where she has lived and worked since. She worked at USPS of Davis, CA, for seven years until she had her fifth child.

In 2009 she attended school for medical assistance. After school completion, she was directed to Midtown Medical Center (now Elica Health Centers on J Street) where she had her externship and was employed immediately after graduation (December 6th, 2010). Since then, she has held multiple positions with Elica, including a Medical assistant, a Front desk employee, a Front desk supervisor for 2.5 years, a clinic manager for almost six years, and now an associate operations director for J Street, 15th Street, Halyard, and Revere clinics.

Currently, she is pursuing her bachelor's degree in management. She loves working with people and serving our diverse population. She feels very fortunate and blessed to have such a fantastic team of Managers/supervisors/leads/ front and back office assistants, and providers.

Her philosophy is to build trust, have integrity and demonstrate competence, engage all stakeholders in setting ambitious goals, and manage her teams with empathy and accountability. She wants to position each team member to succeed and grow with the company. Her goal is to help managers, both new and old, lead their teams and provide them with a structured approach that assists managers in teaching others with respect and knowledge.

Her hobbies include hiking, swimming, and herb picking. She also loves camping with her family and friends in the ocean and forest areas.

Jenny Kokotas

Associate Operations Director

Jenny Kokotas grew up in a small suburb outside of Chicago and moved to California in 2005. She started her career in medicine as a Paramedic in Chicago in the late 90s and eventually moved into the hospital system as a "Patient Care Technician'. That position led her to a career in Nursing as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She soon realized that a career in service to others was her path. She has worked in all facets of healthcare over her 30 plus year career and feels that Clinical Operations is her forever home and is where she can make the biggest impact.

She has been with Elica since July of 2020 and enjoys serving the community here in Sacramento, alongside the wonderful, dedicated staff. Her leadership is based on a career of wonderful mentors and being an advocate for both the patients and our amazing operations team. Her leadership philosophy is one of hard work, dedication, and an honest, upfront approach. "Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others" Jack Welch.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking and regular trips to the coast. She is a mom to 3 sons who also lead a life of service to the community and to our country. She lives in the foothills and enjoys her quiet 2 acres in the country alongside her dogs, cats & chickens.

Jenny oversees operations at our Maysville, Arden Arcade, Cadillac Drive, and V Street Clinics.

Maridel Torres

Associate Operations Director

Maridel was born in Hawaii and later raised in the Monterey Peninsula where she started her healthcare career. She has 36 years of experience in the healthcare industry; working within ambulatory care settings, major hospitals in Northern and Southern California, managed care groups, urgent care, private practices, and laboratory settings. Maridel has 18 years of combined management and supervisory experience. She has many years of knowledge and experience in the areas of operations, facilities planning, patient billing, front-office, and clinical areas, medical records, compliance, project management, and program management, as well as with Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) program.

Maridel has a bachelor of science degree in health administration and a masters degree in business administration.

She is passionate about making a difference in peoples’ lives. Being an associate operations director of three clinics, Maridel always strives to help make positive improvements towards meeting our patient’s medical and dental needs, as well as ensure our patients have positive experiences at the North Highland, Mack Road, and Franklin clinics. She also strives to help develop and mentor staff towards achieving their own developmental and career paths. Building strong collaborative relationships with those we serve in our community is important to her.

Dr. Grace Tidwell

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Grace Tidwell is a family medicine physician who is passionate about making health care available to all. Prior to coming to Elica, she served as the Associate Medical Director for a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Bakersfield, CA, and as a Lead Provider at a Mental Health Primary Care FQHC in Burien, WA.

Dr. Tidwell has a B.S in Human Nutrition from the Univerity of Florida and an M.D. from the Univesity of South Florida. She completed her family medicine internship and residency at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA. She completed a fellowship in Primary Care Psychiatry through UC Davis/ Irvine. She is interested in addiction medicine, mental health, and women's health.

She believes that health care is a human right and should be accessible to all regardless of income, age, language, background, gender, sexual orientation, or insurance status. She is proud to work at a non-profit that allows her to care for ALL people.

Bryan Lee, MD

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Bryan Lee currently serves as one of two associate medical directors at Elica Health Centers.

Originally from nearby Stockton, California, Dr. Lee received his Bachelor's of Science (BS) degree in microbiology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he served throughout as a volunteer medical assistant at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) dedicated to the underserved of southern California. After receiving his degree, he attended medical school and received his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, choosing internal medicine as his field of practice.

After completing his internal medicine residency at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Dr. Lee served as a primary care physician at Kaiser Permanente. While there, in addition to carrying a full panel of primary care patients at the health maintenance organization (HMO), he served as clerkship director (and clinical faculty) to medical students rotating through the internal medicine rotation being held at Kaiser from several medical schools. In addition, he served as the co-medical director for the medical group's Geographic Managed Care program, Sacramento's Medi-Cal payor system.

Dr. Lee has a lifelong passion and commitment to the wellbeing of the underserved of California, and values working alongside a team of like-minded individuals at Elica; also focused on improving the lives of the community of patients they serve.