Providers – Mariposa Community Health Center

Behavioral Health

Frank Bejarano

D.B.H., L.P.C. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Arts - St. Leo College
Master of Counseling - Chapman University, Davis-Monthan AFB
Doctor of Behavioral Health - Arizona State University

Hometown: Nogales, Arizona

What I do for fun: Golf, baseball, softball, hunting, karaoke.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The weather, the open spaces, the diversity in culture and the opportunity for growth.

What I like about MCHC: The patients and staff and the opportunity to grow.

Tiffany Mihelish

MSC/CC, NCC, LPC - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
HS Diploma from Nogales High School
Bachelor of Science in Human Services, University of Phoenix
Masters of Science in Counseling/Community Counseling, University of Phoenix
National Certified Counselor (through the NBCC)
Licensed Professional Counselor in AZ (through AZBBHE)

Hometown: Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun: I enjoy being outside - playing games and sports with my kids and dogs. Spending time with all my family, gardening; I like to travel and take small get-away trips; and I also like to binge watch Netflix series when I get the chance.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: It’s my home. It’s quiet, a slower pace of life.

What I like about MCHC: I like that Mariposa is growing and trying to provide as many services for the community as possible.

Susana Perez-Abreu

MSC, NCC, LAC, CTP – Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish, Beg. Italian, Beg. Portuguese

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix

Hometown: Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun: I love spending time with my kids playing and drawing. Crafting, creating art and watching reruns of The Office.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: It’s home! But also, the weather.

What I like about MCHC: Everyone has the same mission in mind and everyone works together to achieve it.

Rebecca Robles

LPC - Rio Rico

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Latin-American Studies - University of Texas at El Paso
Masters in Guidance & Counseling - University of Texas at El Paso

Hometown: Ruidoso, New Mexico

What I do for fun: Play with our sweet husky dog named Nala.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The beautiful landscape and unbelievably friendly people.

What I like about MCHC: I love the mission of Mariposa and the healthy, happy, and worthwhile working environment!

Dental

Christina Alvarez

R.D.H. - Nogales/Rio Rico

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene: Pima Community College

Hometown: Born in Tucson, raised in Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun: Spending time with my family going hiking and running.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: Our beautiful sunsets.

What I like about MCHC: Our wonderful and appreciative patients. Our staff’s team spirit.

Cynthia Badilla

R.D.H. - Nogales/Rio Rico

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Applied Science in Dental Hygiene – Pima Community College

Hometown:
Born in California, raised in Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun:
Traveling and exercising.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
The people and the culture.

What I like about MCHC:
The patients and staff.

Frank F. Gonzalez

D.M.D. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of Arizona
Doctor of Dental Medicine – Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine

Hometown:
Sahuarita, Arizona

What I do for fun:
I very much enjoy fly fishing the rivers in Montana. I love flying and have a private pilot license. I am an aspiring cuisine chef.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
What is very gratifying and remarkable for me about Santa Cruz County is to come back to an area where I grew up and be able to provide for the people that I grew up with.

What I like about MCHC:
Mariposa Community Health Center provides a fun and welcoming family atmosphere to work in, and our patients are just terrific and appreciative.

Steve Han

DDS - Nogales/Rio Rico

Languages: English, Korean

Education:
Bachelor of Science: University of the Pacific
Doctor of Dental Surgery: University of the Pacific

Hometown:
Born in Madison Wisconsin, Raised in South Korea

What I do for fun:
Hiking & video gaming.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
The people.

What I like about MCHC:
Our patient, the staff, and the atmosphere.

Swati Patel

D.D.S. - Nogales/Rio Rico

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science – Indiana University
Doctor of Dental Surgery – Indiana University School of Dentistry

Hometown:
Jeffersonville, Indiana

What I do for fun:
Reading, hiking, watching movies, travel.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
The beautiful mountains, great weather and friendly people.

What I like about MCHC:
It is a great work environment and I love the patients.

Javier Tapia

D.M.D. - Nogales/Rio Rico

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Doctor of Dental Medicine: Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California.
Bachelor of Science, Nutritional Sciences and Biochemistry: University of Arizona

Hometown:
Nogales, Arizona

What I do for fun:
Exercising, walking my dog, spending time with my family.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
I like the monsoon season and the beautiful sunsets.

What I like about MCHC:
The friendly and welcoming team and being able to provide dental care to the people from my community and hometown.

Family Medicine

Sharon Barefoot

FNP – Nogales

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Master of Science in Nursing - Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner - University of Northern Colorado

Hometown:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What I do for fun:
Cooking, dancing, trail running, yoga and going to art museums.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
The rich culture and the lovely mountains.

What I like about MCHC:
Everyone is genuinely friendly. We care about our community as a team.

Veronica Borbon

DNP FNP-C – Nogales (MNW)

Family Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science of Nursing - Northern Arizona University
Master of Science of Nursing with Emphasis in Leadership in Healthcare Systems - Grand Canyon University.
Master of Science in Nursing with Distinction - Northern Arizona University
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Northern Arizona University.

Hometown:
Born in Tucson, AZ raised in Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun:
Enjoy reading, listening to music, learning, watching movies, spending time with husband, children, and family. Traveling and visiting new places.

What I like about Santa Cruz County:
Nogales is home! I love the culture, love the people!

What I like about MCHC:
Mariposa is welcoming to all!

Marvin Bowers

M.D. - Nogales

Internal Medicine

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Arts – Hanover College
Doctor of Medicine - University of South Dakota
Residency – East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Internship – Indiana University School of Medicine

Hometown:
Louisville, KY

What I do for fun:
Photography, Video, and bicycling.

What I like about Santa Cruz Country:
The weather and more importantly the people.

What I like about MCHC:
The family atmosphere of the staff and opportunity to contribute to the community healthcare.

John Cochran

M.D. – RIO RICO

Family Medicine

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry – Utah State University
Doctor of Medicine – Ross University School of Medicine
Family Medicine Residency – Mercy Medical Center

Hometown: Born in Las Vegas, NV, raised in Fort Collins, CO and Roosevelt, UT

What I do for fun: Gardening, homesteading, board games and biking with friends and family.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: Being back in the mountains, the bike trails and being closer to family.

What I like about MCHC: I like serving people from the region and helping them with evidence-based medicine. I also like the culture of helping people, so they can receive the medical care they need to do well in life.

Teresa Colunga

F.N.P. - Tubac

Family Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Associate of Applied Science – Cochise College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Nursing & Family Nurse Practitioner – University of Phoenix
Master of Science in Nursing Education – Grand Canyon University

Hometown: Nogales, Arizona

What I do for fun: ATV rides, hiking, camping.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The beautiful scenery and sunsets.

What I like about MCHC: Family atmosphere.

Mary Garcia-Kumirov

M.D. – NOGALES

Family Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish – University of Arizona
Doctor of Medicine – The Ohio State University
Family Medicine Residency Program – University of Arizona

Hometown: Yuma, AZ

What I do for fun: I like exploring new eateries, enjoying the Tucson wilderness and spending time with my husband and pet dog Annabelle.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The cooler temperatures and the scenery.

What I like about MCHC: All the great people that work here, the patient population we serve and all the delicious Mexican food options.

Sonia Guerrero

F.N.P. – Nogales

Family Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Health Sciences - University of Arizona
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Nursing, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner – Grand Canyon University

Hometown: Nogales, Arizona born and raised!

What I do for fun: I love spending time with my family and friends, I have three nephews and a niece and they mean the world to me. I am an animal lover, so I spend a lot of time with my two dogs, Zeke and Sophie.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The PEOPLE. The culture. This community is small, and a very caring one. Everyone looks out for one another and genuinely cares.

What I like about MCHC: The passion and dedication staff have to ensure quality patient care is provided and resourcefulness in obtaining services underserved communities would otherwise not have access to.

Greta Lopez

AGPCNP-BC - Nogales

Adult Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Florida International University
Master of Science in Nursing – Florida International University

Hometown: Miami, Florida

What I do for fun: I enjoy hiking, camping, playing the piano, and yoga.

What I like about Santa Cruz Country: I like and enjoy the weather, mountain views, and definitely the culture.

What I like about MCHC: I like the focus and involvement Mariposa has with the community to help. People and staff are very warm and polite. Great to work with.

Sean O'Brien

M.D. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
BSN Psychology - Michigan State University

Hometown: Born in Detroit. Grew up in Southeast Michigan.

What I do for fun: I love to meditate been doing transcendental meditation for the last 42 years I like art as well as film old and new philosophy tends to be progressive.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: I love the Spanish & Mexican history and its relationship to the labor movement.

What I love about MCHC: The collaborative effort, which I think at the end of the day is what medicine should be like. It's not about cost or cost centers, it's about taking care of people, and I think it has demonstrated that over the last 40 years.

Lydia Rivera

F.N.P. – Nogales (MNW)

Family Medicine

Languages: English, German, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Grand Canyon University
Master of Science in Nursing - Northern Arizona University

Hometown: Kremsmuenster, Austria

What I do for fun: Gardening and yard work, hiking, cooking and baking, traveling.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The Hispanic Culture with its cohesive families, beautiful nature and being able to live in the country.

What I love about MCHC: The variety of services available to the community, the opportunity to grow, and the culture of respect and appreciation among the staff.

Maria Luz Sotomayor

D.N.P. – Nogales

Family Medicine

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine – Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – Lamar Community College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Chamberlain College of Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice – University of Arizona

Hometown: Mexicali, Baja California

What I do for fun: Watch movies, listen to music, travel, spend as much time possible with my family.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The beautiful weather.

What I love about MCHC: I love the welcoming feeling that is here. It’s like we’re a family.

Lymy Beth Toenies

F.N.P – Nogales

Languages: English, Filipino

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Mountain View College, Philippines.
Master of Science in Nursing & Family Nurse Practitioner: Maryville University, St. Louis Missouri.

Hometown: Cebu, Philippines

What I do for fun: I enjoy playing the piano, singing, arranging & composing music. I also enjoy watching musicals and classical orchestral concerts, and theatrical productions. I am very involved with my church’s music and worship programs. When I am not working, I am with my husband at our cattle ranch where there is always something interesting happening. We enjoy travelling throughout the United States and abroad—especially if there is a beach and ocean where we may go snorkeling.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: After growing up in a large city, I like the friendly people and the slow pace of Santa Cruz County. The sunny year-round weather and desert vegetation and wildlife are a bonus, too.

What I love about MCHC: From my experience doing clinical rotation at Mariposa Clinic, I found the employees and management to be friendly, helpful and professional. Mariposa Clinic is one of the few clinics that provides a very broad range of services, so we can serve our patients effectively and efficiently. Mariposa Clinic really does care about their patients and employees.

Jeffrey Triska

M. D. – Nogales | Patagonia

Languages: English

Education:
Undergraduate degree - The University of Virginia
Doctor of Medicine - William Beaumont School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan
Internal Medicine Residency - Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas

Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia (Northern Virginia = Washington D.C. suburbs)

What I do for fun: I like to stay active when I am not working by going to the gym, playing tennis, hiking as I like being outside in nature. I also like to play guitar, travel, binge shows and playoff sports.

What I like about Santa Cruz: I love the majestic beauty you get by merging the desert and mountains. The sunsets from my house over the mountains are breathtaking.

What I like about MCHC: I like how dedicated everyone in the organization is to providing outstanding patient care. Mariposa provides a variety of resources for patients in a relatively remote area which is not an easy feat.

General Surgery

Leo G. Stinnett Jr.

M.D., F.A.C.S. – Nogales (MNW)
English

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology – Austin College
Doctor of Medicine – Baylor College of Medicine
General Surgery Residency – University of Texas San Antonio

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

What I do for fun: Spending time with my family, golf, skiing & travel.

What I like about Santa Cruz: My wife’s hometown, family ties, great weather.

What I like about MCHC: In my 26 years of practice with many groups, this is the only group that puts patients ahead of profits.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Taylor Jenkins

M.D. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science- University of Arizona
Medical Education: University of Arizona -Phoenix
Residency: Phoenix Integrated Residence in OB/GYN (now Creighton University Phoenix)

Hometown: I’ve lived all over Arizona (Tucson, Sahuarita, Clifton/Morenci, Tubac and Phoenix), and as far away as Chile, but I consider Tubac home!

What I do for fun: I most enjoy curling up with a good book or spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy hot yoga, and anything music related whether playing/singing or going to concerts.

What I like about Santa Cruz: I love the monsoon weather and the friendly community.

What I like about MCHC: Mariposa has the most amazing culture! I love that there are so many like-minded people working together to provide excellent patient centered care, and I’m so excited to be joining this wonderful organization!

Kimberly Kuncl

M.D., FACOG - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Doctorate of Medicine - Morehouse School of Medicine
Bachelor of Art: Biology - Grinnell College
Residency In OB/GYN: OB/GYN - St. John Hospital and Medical Center

Hometown: Chicago, IL

What I do for fun: I love to travel and tennis.

What I like about Santa Cruz: The beautiful sky and clouds, and the mountain range.

What I like about MCHC: Family like atmosphere.

Rebekah Pairsh

APRN, CNM, FNP-BC – Nogales

Languages: English

Education:
Masters in Nursing - Certified Nurse Midwife from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner - Case Western Reserve Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

Hometown: Marion, Illinois

What I do for fun: Watch movies, TV, and read.

What I like about Santa Cruz: The scenery is beautiful.

What I like about MCHC: Everyone is nice and welcoming. There is a sense of belonging and desire to care for the community.

Emily Roth

WHNP-BC, RNFA - Nogales

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology – Millsaps College
Master of Science in Nursing – Vanderbilt University
Registered Nurse First Assistant Program – National Institute of First Assisting

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

What I do for fun: I love to run, play soccer and spend as much time as I can outside. Also, I love spending quality time with my family.

What I like about Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz County is the friendliest community.

What I like about MCHC: The supportive and positive attitudes of all the individuals involved in the care of our patients.

Pedriatics

Cynthia M. Flores

PNP - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, magna cum laude, Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of Arizona

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

What I do for fun: I love horticulture and raising backyard chickens.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The community, kind people, and the beautiful mountains and trees.

What I like about MCHC: The patients and their families, and working with amazing colleagues and co-workers.

Margie Hartfield

M.D. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish, French

Education:
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology
Post Baccalaureate Program – University of California at Irvine
Doctor of Medicine – College of Medicine of the University of Vermont
Pediatric Residency – rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

What I do for fun: Entrepreneurship, Zumba

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The weather and the people.

What I like about MCHC: The patients, staff and community outreach.

Edith Hernandez

M.D. - Nogales

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Doctor of Medicine – Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
Pediatric Residency - New York Medical College

Hometown: Ica – Peru

What I do for fun: Spend time with family, watch movies, walk, travel, cook and bake.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The friendly people (I have awesome neighbors), beautiful scenery, peaceful city, and excellent weather similar to my hometown in Peru.

What I like about MCHC: Mariposa has made me feel I belong here, my colleagues and co-workers are very nice, friendly, and helpful; and my patients are the best, they are very kind and cooperative. I feel Mariposa and all its workers have the same objective of striving for excellence and providing the best care to our patients, working every day on this enthusiastic environment is challenging and at the same time is comforting, I could not ask more.

Gonzalo Ibarra

M.D. - Rio Rico

Languages: English, Spanish

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of Arizona
Doctor of Medicine – Universidad La Salle Facultad Mexicana De Medicina
Pediatric Residency – Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Texas A & M

Hometown: Hermosillo, Sonora. Raised in Miami, Florida.

What I do for fun: Spending time with my beautiful wife and three wonderful children, running (16 marathons and 7 half marathons), aviation, classic autos, music.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: Its bi-cultural roots, awesome weather year-round, the scenery, the food, close proximity to major metropolitan areas and a safe place to live and raise a family.

What I like about MCHC: Great to be part of this Peds/support/administrative team who are committed to providing excellent health care to our little patients, and the Mariposa family who have made me and my family feel welcome from the moment we arrived.

J. Philip Williams

M.D. - Rio Rico

Languages: English

Education:
Bachelor of Science, Biology (Cum Laude) - Xavier University of Louisiana
Doctor of Medicine - Indiana University School of Medicine
Pediatric Residency - Advocate Christ Medical Center/Hope Children’s Hospital

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

What I do for fun: I like photography, playing guitar and piano, and riding motorcycles.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The wonderful weather, beautiful geography and the nice people.

What I like about MCHC: The opportunity to provide first class advanced medical care to a deserving patient population.

Pharmacy

Michael Castillo

RPh., Senior Director of Pharmacy - Nogales

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy - University of Arizona

Hometown: Ajo, Arizona

What I do for fun: Fly fishing, 4-wheeling, watching sports.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: I love the people and the beautiful desert views.

What I like about MCHC: The objective of helping the community receive the healthcare they need regardless of their ability to pay.

Rick Connors

RPh., Pharmacist - Nogales

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy - Idaho State University

Hometown: Albion, Pennsylvania

What I do for fun: Hiking, reading, spending time with family.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The warm, friendly people and the diverse beauty of the landscape.

What I like about MCHC: The great people and team approach to patient care.

Heeya Ju

Pharm.D., BCACP - Nogales

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology – University of Arizona
Doctor of Pharmacy – University of Arizona

Hometown: Nogales, AZ

What I do for fun: Workout, knitting and crochet.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: THE PEOPLE.

What I like about MCHC: The people I work with and our patients.

Matthew McCulloch

Pharm.D., Pharmacist in Charge – Rio Rico

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences, Minor in Chemistry (Summa Cum Laude) – University of Arizona
Doctor of Pharmacy – University of Arizona

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

What I do for fun: Star Wars fanatic.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The closeness of the community.

What I like about MCHC: Family-like environment where people care about people, both patients & employees.

Jabbar Mendivil

Pharm.D. – Nogales

Education:
Doctor of Pharmacy – University of the Incarnate Word

Hometown: Nogales, Arizona

What I do for fun: Mountain biking and spending time with the family.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: I grew up in Santa Cruz County and graduated from Nogales High School. My connection to this community runs deep and I have always wanted to give back to my hometown that gave me so much growing up.

What I like about MCHC: I like working for Mariposa because of their positive impact on the community. It is important that all are involved in the health and growth of Nogales.

Carol Nickerson

RPh., Pharmacist - Nogales

Education:
Bachelor of Pharmacy – Washington State University

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

What I do for fun: Ride horses, garden and travel.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: The beautiful weather and the people.

What I like about MCHC: The patients, the staff and the rural area.

Jeanna M. Szablicki

Pharm.D., CDCES - Nogales

Education:
Doctor of Pharmacy - State University of New York at Buffalo

Hometown: Buffalo, New York

What I do for fun: In my spare time I love to read, jog with my husband and play with my kids.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: I love this community: the people, the culture, the warm winters & the food.

What I like about MCHC: I really enjoy working as part of a team at Mariposa.

Vincent Tsang

Pharm.D., Pharmacist - Nogales

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry – Arizona State University
Doctor of Pharmacy – University of Arizona

Hometown: Hollywood, Florida

What I do for fun: Restoring/working on cars, hiking, traveling, exploring new cuisine, spending time with family and friends.

What I like about Santa Cruz County: Love the scenery, people, food and the small-town feeling.

What I like about MCHC: The friendliness of every staff member, especially the amazing support staff I work with.

Coming Soon!

Bryce Hunsaker