Pediatrics

Anahi Huang, MD

Andrew W. Mayberry, MD FAAFP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2020

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I'm a believer in healthy communities and health for all.

ANDREWS BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in the area. I am committed to providing the best healthcare to the people of the San Pedro Valley.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Professional School
Bachelor’s of Art
Arizona State University 1993

Doctor of Medicine
University of Arizona 1997

Board Certifications:
Family Medicine

Practice Interests
Sports medicine, Orthopedics

Patients Seen:
Infants, children, teens, adults, and seniors

Christina Howton, FNP-C

Claudia Pleitez, MD FAAP

Daniel A. Driscoll, MD PhD FAAP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2018

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

Health care delivery to all improves lives, futures, and creates opportunities for whole communities to reach their potential and widen their horizons.

DANIEL'S BACKGROUND

I love being a primary care pediatrician. I am interested in all aspects of child health and have a wide background delivering care from birth through college. My passion is to create relationships with families and their children in order to increase health literacy.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Darlene Melk, MD FAAP CPE

JOINED CCHCI IN 2010

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in community medicine.  In order to provide the highest quality and most comprehensive care to our patients, we need partners.  At CCHCI we have care coordination, nursing expertise, and administrative support to practice the kind of medicine that everyone deserves.

DARLENE'S BACKGROUND

Raised by a single mom, Dr. Darlene Melk’s journey to becoming Chief Medical Officer at Chiricahua Community Health Center, Inc is both impressive and inspiring. As the daughter of a Cuban refugee, Spanish is Dr. Melk’s first language, and she remains bilingual to this day. Diagnosed with Type One diabetes at age eight, Dr. Melk knew early on she wanted to be a doctor to take care of children like her and set her mind to realizing that dream early on.

After graduating from the University of Arizona Medical School and completing her residency training at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she was recognized as “Senior Resident of the Year”, Dr. Melk stayed true to her passion in serving children with barriers to care. Her first job was working for a Federally Qualified Health Center or FQHC in Phoenix and knowing that she could see any child, regardless of the circumstances into which they were born, solidified her resolve to serve in the FQHC environment.

Dr. Melk joined Chiricahua in 2010 as a Community Pediatrician and over the next ten years served as Director of Community Pediatrics and Director of Community Medicine before becoming Chief Medical Officer in 2020. She was a member of First Things First Regional Council from 2016/2023 and was the Chair for the Council from 2019/2023. In 2024, Dr. Melk was appointed by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to the Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board, which is the First Things First State level directorate. Dr Melk has also served as a Board Member of the Western Clinician Network since 2021 and was elected President for a one-year term in 2023. Dr. Melk additionally served on the Steering Committee for Douglas Education Partnership Council from 2017/2023 and is currently Chair of Pediatric Leaders Peer Network Committee for the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Deanna Merrill, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, CWOCN

JOINED CCHCI IN 2023

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone. As a resident of Cochise County, I understand the issues regarding access to healthcare that can occur living in a rural community. My goal is to be a resource in achieving optimal health for the children in Cochise County that I have the privilege of caring for.

DEANNA'S BACKGROUND

I was raised in St. David, where I currently live with my family. I am the mother of seven children and have two grandchildren. I have worked in the healthcare setting my entire adult life, first as a unit clerk, then as a medical transcriptionist, finally becoming a nurse in 2015. My nursing background includes neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, and earning an additional certification in wound, ostomy and continence nursing with a focus on the pediatric population.

I love going to school and have enjoyed obtaining my education. In my free time, I read, plan, organize and clean. I love spending time with my family and think they are the best.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

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, son and 2 dogs.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Dia Madden, DNP, FNP-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner

JOINED CCHCI IN 2010

I initially went into nursing thinking that I wanted to specialize in the care of vulnerable populations, but realized–after many years in  pre-hospital and critical care–that every person that comes to you is vulnerable in some way.  I knew that I wanted to work for an organization that understood that it takes a dedicated and highly trained team to take care of patients.  I am very passionate about being a part of the patient centered medical home where we provide patients a place to come where all members of the team take the time to truly know them.

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

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

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

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

Jonathan Melk, MD, FAAP

Karina Bechtold, DNP, FNP-BC

JOINED CHIRICAHUA IN 2021

I grew up in Douglas with amazing parents and two overprotective older brothers. I always did well in school and stayed busy by participating in sports. I especially loved playing soccer although I wasn’t a very skilled player. Later, I decided to go to college in Tucson, not only did this make sense financially but also was close enough for me to visit my family often. I later started my own family, marrying my husband Josh in 2008 and later having children, Jay and Lucia. We like to travel as a family and we visit many places including my husband’s home state of Pennsylvania. Although it is fun to visit other places, and living in Tucson for nearly 17 years was fun, I have always been called back home.

In 2021 I moved my family to Douglas, my home town, so that I can spend more time with my parents and to provide medical care to the community that gave me such a great childhood. My husband needed much convincing, but after being here a few months he completely understands and appreciates the small-town appeal. It’s a place where we easily connect with our neighbors, where recommendations are made word-of-mouth not through a google search, and where my children get to spend most of their day with their grandparents who love them so much and treat them so well. My entire family is happy to be in Douglas. Thank you to my home-town community for welcoming me back and for allowing me to help with your medical needs. I take the job and the responsibility very seriously and it’s one I hope to have for many years to come.

After completing general course work at Cochise College I then moved on to study at the University of Arizona. I have a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology and in Nursing. While working as a bedside cardiac nurse at a large Tucson hospital I completed my Master’s in Nursing practice with a focus in Family Nurse Practitioner in 2015, and then earned my degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice in the spring of 2016. That makes me a doctor-nurse 🙂

Practice Interests:

I love caring for patients of all ages. I especially like interacting with teens.

Kathleen Vedock, DO, IBCLC

JOINED CCHCI IN 2017

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

My goal is to get to know children and their care-takers, partnering with the entire family, working together to provide individualized, comprehensive care. Chiricahua allows me to practice this kind of medicine.

KATHLEEN'S BACKGROUND

My fond recollection of the physician who cared for me from birth to 21yrs inspired me throughout my life to become a pediatrician. Beyond my seventeen years of clinical experience caring for children, motherhood has complimented and enriched my practice as a pediatrician beyond my expectations. The experiences I share with my husband as we raise our young sons and daughter, are both exciting and enlightening, and my passion for a child’s well-being continues to grow. My own breastfeeding challenges lead to my interest in breastfeeding medicine. As a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), I hope to help guide mothers in their own breastfeeding journey.

Outside of medicine I share with my family a love of the great outdoors and strive to live a healthful, meaningful life. As an Army spouse, we’ve enjoyed experiences serving the nation while exploring the country. Our interests in the Southwest brought us back to southern Arizona.

Professional School

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia,PA (1994-1998)

Residency Training 

(pediatric residency) Geisinger Medical Center, Danville,PA (1999-2003): (internship) Geisinger Medical Center 1998-1999, Danville,Pa

Practice Interest

Breastfeeding Medicine

Patients Seen

Birth to Young Adult
Breastfeeding dyads

Kayla Percy, MSN, MPH, RN, CPNP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2018

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

Chiricahua’s mission aligns with my values and goals as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Public Health advocate. Providing healthcare for all is essential. All children deserve affordable, competent care. The Chiricahua philosophy of combining individual and population health leads to true accessibility and is both inspiring and necessary. Chiricahua has found innovative ways to reach local communities and eliminate barriers to healthcare. I work at Chiricahua, because as we care for individuals, we focus on prevention, guidance and community level concerns. Here, we understand that children and adolescents have lives outside the exam room, and those concerns must also be addressed to provide the best possible care.

Kayla's BACKGROUND

Milla Rosen, MD FAAP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2013

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in the mission of CCHCI because with the help of a highly professional and well trained staff, we recognize the need to deliver the same standard of high quality medical care--equal to that found in metropolitan areas--to the surrounding rural communities.

MILLA'S BACKGROUND

Nori Ruo, MD FAAP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2015

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

The mission statement is simple and clear: CARING FOR PATIENTS and BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. It’s truly reflected in each person associated with the Chiricahua family. I am eager to join in, learn from, and help reach this great vision…
HEALTH FOR ALL.

NORI'S BACKGROUND

I came to Chiricahua having spent most of my career in central and western Pennsylvania, caring for the young patients and their parents, and enjoying the immense rewards, trust and the special relationships with each family as a general pediatrician in these small towns. But my great passion is to continue supporting medical missions with a ministry nearby serving the Tarahumara and Pima peoples in north central Mexico. In just a short time here in Cochise County, I have been so impressed with all the levels of this organization, the mission and motivation to help the various groups and the families here, and the vision and creativity to reach each individual to meet his or her health need

Professional School
Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois

Residency Training 
University of Minnesota Pediatric Residency Program, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Board Certification / Specialty
Pediatrics, Board Certified

Patients Seen
Newborn to 21 years old

Rebecca “Becky” Satter, DNP, FNP-C

JOINED CCHCI IN 2022

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe that Cochise County is a better, healthier place because of CCHCI. Having access to healthcare services is a right that the entire community has. I am proud to be associated with an organization that so closely aligns with my values.

MY BACKGROUND:

I went into nursing knowing I would have an opportunity to help people in a meaningful way.  I didn’t know then that I would not only enjoy this profession this much, but that with continued education I would have so many opportunities to make a difference in so many people’s lives. I am passionate about working with my patients as a team to provide the best possible care that they deserve.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Practice Interests

Preventative Care. I especially enjoy working with young adults to set them up with the tools they need for a lifetime of good health.

Patients Seen

Ages 0 – adult.

Steven Dahlke, MD FAAP

JOINED CCHCI IN 2015

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in the CCHCI mission because I have been impressed by the excellent care that everyone receives. Everyone is treated fairly and with compassion. These are things that I always strive to do.

Steven's BACKGROUND

Tammy Posey, PNP-C

JOINED CCHCI IN 2012

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in being of service to the families of my community.  I am proud to be a part of this team that continuously re-examines itself to ensure that we are providing the best care and for ways to become even better.

Tammy's BACKGROUND

Tonya Johnson, DNP, FNP-C

JOINED CCHCI IN 2016

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in the CCHCI mission of healing the whole person, where you're not just a number but a person. We help those in need and treat you as we would want to be treated.

MY BACKGROUND

I have a background in family care, urgent care, hospital, clinic and nursing home care. My passions are helping those in need and healing, not only the body, but the whole person.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

Professional School

West Texas A&M University

Board Certification

Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Victoria Ochoa, FNP-C, MSN

JOINED CCHCI IN 2022

Why I Believe in the Mission of CCHCI

I believe in helping people of this community and providing care for all, regardless of whether they can pay. I enjoy the teamwork that comes with CCHCI to meet the mission of providing health for all.

MY BACKGROUND

I was born and raised in Douglas AZ and attended A Avenue Elementary School, Paul Huber Middle School, Douglas High School and Cochise College, where I became a Registered Nurse. I worked at Canyon Vista Medical Center for 4 years, commuting back and forth to Douglas. As I was about to start my family of 2 boys, Cain and Xavier, with my husband Fabian, I decided I no longer wanted to commute and I wanted to do more for my community; the community where I would raise my family. I took a part time job at DCI, a dialysis clinic in Douglas and began to attend the University of Phoenix where I received my Masters of Science in Nursing – FNP.

I enjoy spending time with my family, we are always doing something; barbecuing, going to the park, hiking or at a baseball game.

My medical passion is to provide health care to the community that raised me.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

University of Phoenix

Family Nurse Practitioner – FNP-C