Kathy came to the USA as a refugee/immigrant from India and speaks Nepali, Hindi and some Chinese. Born
in Kalimpong, India, Kathy and her family were unjustly jailed and interned in India for three-and-a-half years,
due to a border dispute between India and China. Sponsored out of the internment camp by the Loreto
Sisters of Calcutta, the city where her mother was born and raised, Kathy and her classmates were put to
work taking care of the orphans. They also were required to help in the work of Mother Theresa and her
Sisters of Charity by giving out food and dispensing dapsone to the Hanson disease clients outside the walls
of the school compound. Perhaps this was the beginning of Kathy’s predilection to care for the poor and
needy. She graduated from UCSF with a master in community and cross-cultural nursing. Currently, she is
mentor/preceptor for many health care students. Hunger and homelessness are no stranger to Kathy. Her
history/memory of poverty, hunger and injustice equips Kathy with a fierce determination to bring justice,
understanding and compassion to the underprivileged and disadvantaged whom she seeks out and serves.
In 1986, she worked in Africa (Sudan and Eritrea) with the famine refugees. Kathy has put her eager energy
into implementing the vision of Public Health, trying to find, motivate and collaborate with willing and
resourceful partners to provide and improve health and quality of life for the whole community.
in Kalimpong, India, Kathy and her family were unjustly jailed and interned in India for three-and-a-half years,
due to a border dispute between India and China. Sponsored out of the internment camp by the Loreto
Sisters of Calcutta, the city where her mother was born and raised, Kathy and her classmates were put to
work taking care of the orphans. They also were required to help in the work of Mother Theresa and her
Sisters of Charity by giving out food and dispensing dapsone to the Hanson disease clients outside the walls
of the school compound. Perhaps this was the beginning of Kathy’s predilection to care for the poor and
needy. She graduated from UCSF with a master in community and cross-cultural nursing. Currently, she is
mentor/preceptor for many health care students. Hunger and homelessness are no stranger to Kathy. Her
history/memory of poverty, hunger and injustice equips Kathy with a fierce determination to bring justice,
understanding and compassion to the underprivileged and disadvantaged whom she seeks out and serves.
In 1986, she worked in Africa (Sudan and Eritrea) with the famine refugees. Kathy has put her eager energy
into implementing the vision of Public Health, trying to find, motivate and collaborate with willing and
resourceful partners to provide and improve health and quality of life for the whole community.
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| Laura Perez, Executive Director |
Laura Perez is the Director of the Street Level Health Project and a founding
member of the Oakland Workers Center Consortium. Ms. Perez immigrated to
the US at the age of 18. Working as a housecleaner and childcare worker in
these early years gave her firsthand experience of the challenges and
discrimination faced by low-wage and immigrant workers. In 1999, Laura moved
to California and began working into the health field. She began working for the
UCSF Community Occupational Health Project in 2003 as a Clinic and Outreach
Coordinator, and organized a highly successful outreach program to janitors and
nail salon workers.
member of the Oakland Workers Center Consortium. Ms. Perez immigrated to
the US at the age of 18. Working as a housecleaner and childcare worker in
these early years gave her firsthand experience of the challenges and
discrimination faced by low-wage and immigrant workers. In 1999, Laura moved
to California and began working into the health field. She began working for the
UCSF Community Occupational Health Project in 2003 as a Clinic and Outreach
Coordinator, and organized a highly successful outreach program to janitors and
nail salon workers.
In 2005, she assumed the Directorship of the Street Level Health Project and has been a driving force in
expanding the program’s free clinic and in developing a range of case management, mental health,
nutritional, social and advocacy programs for under-served urban immigrants. She is one of the founders
and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Oakland Worker Center. In 2006, in recognition of
her tireless work for the community, she was the recipient of the Community Justice Award presented by
Centro Legal de la Raza and the Barbara Lee Special Congressional Recognition for Community Justice. In
September 2007, Laura was selected as one of the top 10 Community Health Leaders across the country by
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Laura's story was recently highlighted in the San Francisco
Chronicle. Read more here.
expanding the program’s free clinic and in developing a range of case management, mental health,
nutritional, social and advocacy programs for under-served urban immigrants. She is one of the founders
and currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Oakland Worker Center. In 2006, in recognition of
her tireless work for the community, she was the recipient of the Community Justice Award presented by
Centro Legal de la Raza and the Barbara Lee Special Congressional Recognition for Community Justice. In
September 2007, Laura was selected as one of the top 10 Community Health Leaders across the country by
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Laura's story was recently highlighted in the San Francisco
Chronicle. Read more here.
| William Wallin, M.D., Medical Director |
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Wallin served as a
Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, and then spent several more years
studying Buddhist Meditation and traveling through Asia. He received his
M.D. from the University of Minnesota medical school and completed his
family practice residency at San Francisco General Hospital. While serving
in the National Health Service, he set up a non-profit medical clinic 50 miles
from the nearest hospital. After residency, he worked as a physician
serving residents of Alameda County in the psychiatric wards, jail, Fairmont
inpatient wards, and all six of the Community Medical Clinics where he
specialized in the care of refugee and immigrant patients.
Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, and then spent several more years
studying Buddhist Meditation and traveling through Asia. He received his
M.D. from the University of Minnesota medical school and completed his
family practice residency at San Francisco General Hospital. While serving
in the National Health Service, he set up a non-profit medical clinic 50 miles
from the nearest hospital. After residency, he worked as a physician
serving residents of Alameda County in the psychiatric wards, jail, Fairmont
inpatient wards, and all six of the Community Medical Clinics where he
specialized in the care of refugee and immigrant patients.
His patients came from countries throughout the world but especially Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, China,
Central and South America. He has had additional training in hypnosis, family therapy, post traumatic stress
disorder and acupuncture. Dr. Wallin speaks medical Spanish and some Nepali and strives to provide care
that addresses both the medical and emotional concerns of his patient.
Central and South America. He has had additional training in hypnosis, family therapy, post traumatic stress
disorder and acupuncture. Dr. Wallin speaks medical Spanish and some Nepali and strives to provide care
that addresses both the medical and emotional concerns of his patient.
| Gerelmaa Bataa, Health Navigator and Interpretor, Mongolian Health Access Project |
Gerelmaa Bataa came from Mongolia to the Bay Area in 2003. In Mongolia, she
was an ESL teacher and worked for the Peace Corps. A graduate of the Health
Interpreter Program at City College of San Francisco, and a recipient of training
as a Community Health Worker, Ms. Bataa works as a health navigator and
interpreter for a Mongolian Health Access Project. Founded in March 2006 and
funded by California Endowment, MHAP partners with Street Level Health Project
to provide free general health screening, treatment, referrals and health
navigation for Mongolian immigrants. MHAP's mission is to improve the health
and well-being of uninsured people of the Mongolian Community in the Bay Area
collaborating with other local health care organizations.
was an ESL teacher and worked for the Peace Corps. A graduate of the Health
Interpreter Program at City College of San Francisco, and a recipient of training
as a Community Health Worker, Ms. Bataa works as a health navigator and
interpreter for a Mongolian Health Access Project. Founded in March 2006 and
funded by California Endowment, MHAP partners with Street Level Health Project
to provide free general health screening, treatment, referrals and health
navigation for Mongolian immigrants. MHAP's mission is to improve the health
and well-being of uninsured people of the Mongolian Community in the Bay Area
collaborating with other local health care organizations.
| Kathy Ahoy, Founder and Public Health Nursing Partner |
Kathy Ahoy, Public Health Nurse of Alameda County, co-founded this
thriving health service to the homeless, the uninsured and low income
population of Oakland in 2000. The project quickly became more than
health care. Kathy actively nurtured the sharing of knowledge, of resources
and skills, built relationships that bonded all together in the work of caring
for and responding to the particular health disparities and health issues of
the growing immigration population, committing to human flourishing and for
the common good of all. Her passion and compassion to serve the most
vulnerable people in our community derives from her own life history and
background.
thriving health service to the homeless, the uninsured and low income
population of Oakland in 2000. The project quickly became more than
health care. Kathy actively nurtured the sharing of knowledge, of resources
and skills, built relationships that bonded all together in the work of caring
for and responding to the particular health disparities and health issues of
the growing immigration population, committing to human flourishing and for
the common good of all. Her passion and compassion to serve the most
vulnerable people in our community derives from her own life history and
background.
| Amy Lam, Ph.D., President of the Board of Directors |
Amy Lam received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from UC Davis and
postdoctoral training in Health Psychology from UCSF. She was born in Canada
to parents from Hong Kong, but grew up in New York and strongly identifies with
her New York upbringing, calling herself a chinariqueña. Having a multicultural
upbringing, Amy has always had a passion and commitment to serving and
promoting health within communities of color. She first met Laura Perez and
Kathy Ahoy at a Nail Salon Collaborative meeting in 2005. Their passion excited
her and soon after, Amy began volunteering at SLHP. She is committed to
SLHP because she loves the work, and more importantly, the people she works
with. “It is a privilege to work with people who have such an amazing passion to
serve their community,” says Amy.
postdoctoral training in Health Psychology from UCSF. She was born in Canada
to parents from Hong Kong, but grew up in New York and strongly identifies with
her New York upbringing, calling herself a chinariqueña. Having a multicultural
upbringing, Amy has always had a passion and commitment to serving and
promoting health within communities of color. She first met Laura Perez and
Kathy Ahoy at a Nail Salon Collaborative meeting in 2005. Their passion excited
her and soon after, Amy began volunteering at SLHP. She is committed to
SLHP because she loves the work, and more importantly, the people she works
with. “It is a privilege to work with people who have such an amazing passion to
serve their community,” says Amy.
In addition to her work at Street Level, Amy works with other organizations promoting the sexual health of
ethnic minority communities. Amy’s dream for SLHP is that it continues to broaden its services to the larger
Bay Area immigrant community while still maintaining the personalized, individual care that it’s known for.
ethnic minority communities. Amy’s dream for SLHP is that it continues to broaden its services to the larger
Bay Area immigrant community while still maintaining the personalized, individual care that it’s known for.
| Meghan Woods, Case Manager and Volunteer Coordinator |
Meggie graduated from Brown in 2004 with a degree in International Relations and Latin American
Studies, and an interest in public health. After working for two years as a Bilingual HIV Case Manager in
the suburbs of Boston, she decided to go to medical school. She moved to Oakland and completed the
Mills Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program in 2007. She hopes to work as a community-based
physician, providing access to medicine to the people who need it most.
Studies, and an interest in public health. After working for two years as a Bilingual HIV Case Manager in
the suburbs of Boston, she decided to go to medical school. She moved to Oakland and completed the
Mills Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program in 2007. She hopes to work as a community-based
physician, providing access to medicine to the people who need it most.
| Doris Molina, Mental Health Program Coordinator |
Doris Molina emigrated from Mexico City to the United States in 2003. She
graduated from the Iberoamericana University (U.I.A) with a Bachelor's degree in
Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Orientation and Development of
Couples. Looking for a support group, she discovered Clinica La Raza where she
volunteered as a Health Promoter for three years giving health, personal, and
mental development training to the Latino community. During these three years,
she discovered that there was not enough mental health assistance and
information for Spanish speakers, that members of the Latino community suffered
from loneliness, isolation, and rejection, and that they did not know when to ask
for help with mental health issues. At the same time, she became a Certified
Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteered at BAWAR counseling immigrants who
graduated from the Iberoamericana University (U.I.A) with a Bachelor's degree in
Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Orientation and Development of
Couples. Looking for a support group, she discovered Clinica La Raza where she
volunteered as a Health Promoter for three years giving health, personal, and
mental development training to the Latino community. During these three years,
she discovered that there was not enough mental health assistance and
information for Spanish speakers, that members of the Latino community suffered
from loneliness, isolation, and rejection, and that they did not know when to ask
for help with mental health issues. At the same time, she became a Certified
Rape Crisis Counselor and volunteered at BAWAR counseling immigrants who
| Maria Vigil, Office Manager and Clinic Assistant |
Maria Vigil grew up in Santa Rosa, CA and moved to Oakland in 2005. She is currently a Mills College
third-year undergraduate student, working on her BA in Biopsychology with a minor in Spanish and
Spanish American Studies. She is interested in the medical field and aspires to one day become a
pediatrician. In November 2006 she was given the opportunity to volunteer at Street Level Health Project,
and soon became a member of the staff. Maria manages office work, assists in the medical clinic, and
acts as a Spanish-language interpreter. “Every day is a new beginning here at Street Level Health
Project,” says Maria, “Every day brings something new to learn.”
third-year undergraduate student, working on her BA in Biopsychology with a minor in Spanish and
Spanish American Studies. She is interested in the medical field and aspires to one day become a
pediatrician. In November 2006 she was given the opportunity to volunteer at Street Level Health Project,
and soon became a member of the staff. Maria manages office work, assists in the medical clinic, and
acts as a Spanish-language interpreter. “Every day is a new beginning here at Street Level Health
Project,” says Maria, “Every day brings something new to learn.”
suffered from sexual assault and rape. In 2007 she met Laura Perez, and volunteered for SLHP giving
support to immigrants who were experiencing personal crisis and depression. After eight months of being
a volunteer for SLHP, she became part of the staff as the Coordinator of the Mental Health Program,
where she planned, organized, and facilitated a program called “A Better Way of Living.” This program
was created to offer new strategies to immigrants for improving their mental health, valuing their own
abilities, and developing their capacity to keep a positive attitude under challenging circumstances.
support to immigrants who were experiencing personal crisis and depression. After eight months of being
a volunteer for SLHP, she became part of the staff as the Coordinator of the Mental Health Program,
where she planned, organized, and facilitated a program called “A Better Way of Living.” This program
was created to offer new strategies to immigrants for improving their mental health, valuing their own
abilities, and developing their capacity to keep a positive attitude under challenging circumstances.