1151 16th St.
Douglas, AZ 85607
Clinic Hours
- Monday – Thursday: 7am – 7pm
- Friday: 7am – 5pm
- Saturday: 9am – 3pm
- Sunday: 9am – 3pm
Pediatric Acute Care
- Monday – Thursday: 8am – 7pm
- Friday 8am – 5pm
- Walk-in Welcome 8am-9:30am
Lab Hours
- Monday – Friday
By Appointment only: 8am – 7pm
(Closed for lunch: 12pm – 1pm)
520-364-5437
Renovated from an historic schoolhouse in 2011, the Pediatric Center of Excellence Douglas AZ is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated entirely to the health and wellness of infants, children, and adolescents. Thoughtfully designed, the center delivers specialized pediatric care in one welcoming, fully equipped location.
Comprehensive Pediatric Services in One Place
At the Pediatric Center of Excellence Douglas AZ, you’ll find a full spectrum of services focused on kids—from routine check-ups to specialized therapy. Our team supports children and families with WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), speech therapy, and integrated behavioral health services. We also offer insurance eligibility and enrollment assistance to make healthcare more accessible to all.
Convenient Access with Extended Hours
For families juggling busy schedules, walk-in pediatric acute care is available Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 7 PM, and Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Walk-ins are accepted every morning from 8 AM to 9:30 AM—no appointment needed. Need lab services? Our laboratory is open Monday through Friday by appointment, with hours from 7 AM to 11:45 AM and 1 PM to 3:45 PM, and is closed from 12 PM to 1 PM for lunch.
Built Around Your Child’s Well-being
Housed in a beautifully restored school building, the center offers not just care but comfort. Bright spaces, child-centered design, and a focused staff create a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe, heard, and cared for.
Location & Access
Discover the Pediatric Center of Excellence Douglas AZ at 815 15th Street, Douglas, AZ. It’s centrally located to serve families from throughout the community, making world-class pediatric care both local and welcoming.
Providers
Anahi Huang, MD
Community Pediatrician
Community Pediatrician
- 520-364-5437
- Pediatric Center of Excellence - Douglas
Anahi Huang, MD
JOINED CCHCI IN 2022
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I stand by Chiricahua's vision because I truly believe that every single individual deserves quality health care.
ANAHI'S BACKGROUND
Born and raised in South America to Taiwanese parents, I have lived and witnessed firsthand many barriers to care such as cultural shock, language barrier, discrimination, financial constraints, and complex health care systems. I earned my medical degree in Ecuador and then decided to move to the United States to pursue specialty training in Pediatrics. I strive to provide the best quality health care possible to each one of my patients and their families and I am thrilled to join a team that shares the same passion.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Education:
Universidad Central del Ecuador – Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Residency Training:
Jackson Memorial Hospital / University of Miami
Miami, FL
2019-2022
Practice Interests:
Infectious Diseases, Developmental Pediatrics, Border Medicine
Patients seen:
Newborns to 21 years old
Language Proficiencies:
English
Spanish
Mandarin
Claudia Pleitez, MD FAAP
Pediatrician
Pediatrician
- 520-364-5437
- Early Childhood Center of Excellence
Claudia Pleitez, MD FAAP
JOINED CCHCI IN 2016
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in the project and I like the community. I love that we are the patient's health care home for the community where we serve.
CLAUDIA'S BACKGROUND
I was born and raised in El Salvador. I always wanted to do something productive in life. I have always been a people person and have found myself in caring for others. I have a strong belief in preventative care, that is the best medicine. I came to CCHCI after residency with my husband and son. I am a happy member of the Douglas community, doing my best to promote health within the whole community.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
Universidad de El Salvador
San Salvador, El Salvador
Masters in Tropical Medicine
Universidad de Valencia
Valencia, Spain
Pediatric Residency
Lincoln Hospital
New York City, NY
Darlene Melk, MD FAAP CPE
Chief Medical Officer
Chief Medical Officer
- 520-364-1429
- Early Childhood Center of Excellence
Darlene Melk, MD FAAP CPE
Darlene Melk, MD, FAAP, CPE
Chief Medical Officer, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.
Joined Chiricahua in 2010
Why I Believe in the Mission of Chiricahua
I believe strongly in community medicine. To provide the highest quality and most comprehensive care to our patients, we must work in partnership with one another. At Chiricahua Community Health Centers, providers are supported through care coordination, nursing expertise, and strong administrative infrastructure that allow us to practice medicine the way it should be practiced. This team‑based approach ensures every patient receives the care and respect they deserve.
Professional Background
Darlene Melk, MD, FAAP, CPE, is a pediatrician and physician executive whose path to medicine is deeply shaped by personal experience and commitment to service. Raised by a single mother and as the daughter of a Cuban refugee, Spanish is her first language and remains central to her clinical and leadership work. Diagnosed with Type One diabetes at the age of eight, Dr. Melk developed an early determination to care for children facing medical and social challenges similar to her own.
Her lived experience continues to inform her approach to patient‑centered, community‑based care and her dedication to improving health outcomes for children and families with limited access to services.
Education and Early Career
Dr. Melk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Arizona State University in Tempe before completing medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. She then completed her pediatric residency at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center, where she was honored as Senior Resident of the Year.
Following residency, Dr. Melk began her career at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Phoenix. The ability to care for any child regardless of background, insurance status, or circumstance solidified her commitment to practicing medicine in the FQHC environment.
Leadership at Chiricahua
Dr. Melk joined Chiricahua Community Health Centers in 2010 as a Community Pediatrician. Over the next decade, she assumed increasing leadership responsibilities, serving as Director of Community Pediatrics and later Director of Community Medicine. In 2020, she was appointed Chief Medical Officer of Chiricahua, overseeing clinical quality, provider engagement, and integrated care delivery across the organization.
Her leadership focuses on strengthening team‑based care, advancing clinical excellence, and supporting providers in delivering comprehensive services to children and families throughout rural southeastern Arizona.
Regional and Statewide Leadership
Beyond Chiricahua, Dr. Melk has played an active role in regional and statewide health and early childhood initiatives. She served on the First Things First Regional Council from 2016 to 2023 and as Chair of the Council from 2019 to 2023. In 2024, she was appointed by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, the state‑level leadership body for First Things First.
Dr. Melk has also served on the Board of the Western Clinician Network since 2021 and was elected President for a one‑year term in 2023. She previously served on the Steering Committee for the Douglas Education Partnership Council and is currently Chair of the Pediatric Leaders Peer Network Committee for the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers.
Academic and Professional Development
Dr. Melk completed her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. She went on to receive her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson and completed her pediatric residency training at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Maricopa Medical Center, where she was recognized for excellence in clinical leadership.
In 2022, Dr. Melk was designated a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) by the American Association of Physician Leaders, recognizing her advanced training and leadership in clinical management and health system performance.
She is currently completing a Master of Applied Science degree in Population Health through Johns Hopkins University, with an expected graduation in 2027. This advanced training supports her work at Chiricahua by strengthening data‑driven decision making, population‑focused care strategies, and long‑term clinical quality improvement initiatives.
Click here for more info about our Pediatric information
Devyn Thurber, MSN, MPH, PNP-BC
Director of Advanced Practice Pediatrics & Ancillary Staff
Director of Advanced Practice Pediatrics & Ancillary Staff
- 520-364-1429
- Pediatric Center of Excellence - Douglas, Sierra Vista Pediatrics
Devyn Thurber, MSN, MPH, PNP-BC
JOINED CCHCI IN 2015
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in the mission of CCHCI, because it strives to break down social and economic barriers to health for all members of its surrounding community. I am excited to be a part of a growing team that works every day to bring high quality, evidence-based health care to as many children as possible irrespective of their family’s ability to pay.
DEVYN'S BACKGROUND
Growing up, I experienced first-hand the barriers to health that come with living in a rural community. After studying architecture in college, I worked as a patient advocate filing insurance claims for nutritional counseling and advocating on behalf of patients for comprehensive care. My desire to gain a better understanding of how social and economic factors affect the quality of patient care is what led me to pursue my Masters of Public Health (MPH) at Dartmouth College. As an MPH intern for the Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC), I witnessed the important role that families play in helping to prevent nutrition-related chronic illnesses that begin in childhood. I attended Yale University to train in pediatric primary care and diabetes management with the professional goal of returning to a rural community where I could work every day to educate families about disease prevention, so that they have the tools to grow healthy families regardless of their circumstance. Outside of my clinical role, I enjoy trail running and spending time exploring Cochise County with my husband, 2 sons and 2 dogs.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
Yale University School of Nursing
New Haven, Connecticut
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
Yale University School of Nursing
New Haven, Connecticut
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire
Board Certification / Specialty
Pediatrics, Board Certified
Patients Seen
0 – 21 years old
Eduardo Marrero, MD FAAP
Director of Community Medicine
Director of Community Medicine
- 520-364-5437
- Pediatric Center of Excellence - Douglas
Eduardo Marrero, MD FAAP
JOINED CCHCI IN 2016
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in the philosophy of CCHCI, they have an excellent team and bring high quality health care to anyone who needs it.
EDUARDO'S BACKGROUND
I earned my medical degree from the University of El Salvador and completed my pediatric residency at NYC Health Hospitals and Lincoln Hospital in New York City, NY. I also attended the University of Maryland where I worked a four month rotation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I always ensure that children and parents have a great experience when visiting the Pediatric Center of Excellence in Douglas, AZ.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
University of El Salvador
El Salvador
Residency Training
Lincoln Hospital
New York City, NY 2010-2013
Board Certification / Specialty
Board Certified in Pediatrics
Patients Seen
Newborns to 21 Years
Gabrielle Lugo, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- 520-364-5437
- Pediatric Center of Excellence - Douglas
Gabrielle Lugo, PNP
JOINED CCHCI IN 2022
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in the mission of CCHCI because all people deserve high quality health care regardless of social, economic, or immigration status.
GABRIELLE'S BACKGROUND
I grew up in Orlando, FL, where I attended elementary, middle, and high school. I completed my undergraduate Bachelor’s of Science at the University of South Florida. After graduation, I decided to pursue a degree in nursing and completed my Bachelor’s in nursing at the University of Miami. While working at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, I completed my Master’s in Nursing in 2016 with a focus in pediatric primary care. I met my husband in Miami while practicing pediatric neurology. We married in 2019 and moved to Iowa so that he could pursue a fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology. While living in Iowa, I worked in school-based clinics and witnessed the barriers to primary and preventive health care that exist in this country and the need for community collaboration to deliver this care. My husband and I relocated to Douglas after falling in love with CCHI, the views, and the town. I have always loved working in pediatrics and especially enjoy seeing my patients grow.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School:
Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL 2008
Bachelors of Science in Nursing
University of Miami
Miami, FL 2010
Masters of Science in Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL 2016
Board Certification:
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
Practice Interests:
Primary Care Pediatrics
Patients Seen:
Birth – 21 years
Language Proficiencies:
Fluent in English and Spanish
Gino Bardi Lola, MD
Pediatrician
Pediatrician
- 520-364-5437
- Pediatric Center of Excellence - Douglas
Gino Bardi Lola, MD
JOINED CCHCI IN 2022
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe that everyone deserves great medical treatment and when I got to know Chiricahua I saw that the vision aligned with my beliefs. I think the community is great and I'm excited to start practicing here.
GINO'S BACKGROUND
I was born and raised in El Salvador, and that’s where I did my medical school. I came to the US in 2014 to further my medical career. I did my training as a pediatrician in Miami and in 2019, I moved to Iowa City to continue my training in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Iowa. After finishing my training, I just now moved to Douglas.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Medical school:
Universidad Dr Jose Matias Delgado, El Salvador
Pediatric residency:
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami
Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology:
Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City
Practice interests:
I have a strong interest in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Patients seen:
Birth – 21 y/o
Language proficiencies:
Fluent in English and French, Native speaker in Spanish
Jeffrey Holzberg, MD MSc FAAP
Community Pediatrician
Community Pediatrician
- 520-364-5437
- Early Childhood Center of Excellence
Jeffrey Holzberg, MD MSc FAAP
JOINED CCHCI IN 2017
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
In Line with the mission of Chiricahua, I believe in putting patients first and providing a high level of care, no matter who comes to the clinic's doorstep. Chiricahua also allows the opportunity to partner with the community outside of the clinic doors.
JEFFREY'S BACKGROUND
I enjoy being a pediatrician because I work directly with kids on their immediate health concerns while simultaneously working with the community to prevent those same health concerns in future years. Before entering medical school, I spent a year in the urban Bronx of New York and then the next year in rural India. Both of these experiences trained me to look at the upstream factors of health, the aspects of life that affect patient’s health before they ever arrive in the clinic. These years showed me the power of community workers to care for their local population better than any doctor could. In residency, I evaluated the effectiveness of community workers to improve development in early childhood among local residents.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
Undergraduate at Tufts University
Medford, MA 2003-2007
Medical School at Emory University
Atlanta, GA 2009-2014
Residency Training
University of Colorado
Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Aurora, CO 2014-2017
Specialty
Pediatrics
Practice Interests
home visitation, holistic care, community empowerment
Patients Seen
All patients ages 1 day to 21 years old
Ninive A. Quijada, RDH BSDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Registered Dental Hygienist
- 520-364-1429
- Willcox Medical Center, Ginger Ryan Clinic, Pediatric Center of Excellence
Ninive A. Quijada, RDH BSDH
JOINED CCHCI IN 2015
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in providing health care to the community. I strongly believe in education and the importance of health awareness; CCHCI strives for that and I am very happy to be able to be part of such a strong team. Working together we can raise health awareness to Cochise County and neighboring communities.
NINIVE'S BACKGROUND
I was born and raised in Douglas, AZ. From a personal stand point, I can say the health awareness was minimal to none growing up. Finding my passion in oral health, I attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ earning my Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in May 2014. I was eager to come back to my home town and help provide oral health awareness to my community. Being a recent graduate, I am very blessed to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and skills to my own community. I am a member of the Arizona Dental Hygiene Association. I am excited and passionate about my career choice and future goals.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
Northern Arizona University Dental Hygiene Program
Flagstaff, Arizona
Practice Interests
Dentistry of all ages
Patients Seen
9 months and older
Pamela Oliphant, RDN
Registered Dietitian
Registered Dietitian
- 520-364-1429
- Early Childhood Center of Excellence, Pediatric Center of Excellence
Pamela Oliphant, RDN
JOINED CCHCI IN 2016, Registered dietitian
Pamela Oliphant, RDN, is a registered dietitian at Chiricahua Community Health Centers who has served the Cochise County community since joining CCHCI in 2016. She brings decades of clinical and consultant experience to supporting patients of all ages in reaching their nutrition goals.
Why Pamela Oliphant Believes in the Mission of CCHCI
I’m excited to be working with the employees of Chiricahua, in providing excellent healthcare for all in Cochise County.
PAMELA'S BACKGROUND
Pamela has spent 29 years as a clinical and consultant dietitian, combining her interests in cooking, gardening, and cultural foods to help patients succeed.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
B.S. Food, Nutrition, Dietetics
California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Residency Training
Coordinated Undergraduate Dietetics Program
Board Certification / Specialty
Certifications in Food Safety and Food Allergy Management
Patients Seen
All Ages
Terri Kibler, RDH BSDH
Registered Dental Hygienist
Registered Dental Hygienist
- 520-364-1429
- Willcox Medical Center, Ginger Ryan Clinic, Pediatric Center of Excellence
Terri Kibler, RDH BSDH
JOINED CCHCI IN 2012
Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI
I believe in providing efficient health care and constantly seeking ways to increase access of healthcare to rural areas. CCHCI removes the stigma attached to rural health care. We work hard to bring the highest quality healthcare to Cochise County and beyond.
TERRI'S BACKGROUND
I am originally from Connecticut, but grew up in Tempe, Arizona. I attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, and earned my Bachelor of Science-Dental Hygiene in 2000. I practiced in Central Arizona then moved to Willcox where my husband and I own Markwood Farms. I am an allied member of the Arizona Dental Association and have served on their Council of Governmental Affairs. In 2005, I was honored as Team Member of the Year by the Arizona Dental Association. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise in dental hygiene to Southeastern Arizona and the patients of Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Professional School
Northern Arizona University Dental Hygiene Program
Flagstaff, Arizona
Practice Interests
Dentistry of all ages
High Anxiety/Special Needs
Patients Seen
9 months and older
