Meet our Board Members
CARHC is a non-profit public benefit corporation, governed by a seven-member Board of Directors and operated by volunteers. The Board meets bi-monthly and is responsible for the fiscal and programmatic oversight of all CARHC activities. Officers of the Board include an elected President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer. Day to day administration and management of the organization is provided by the CARHC Board President and Board of Directors.
Karen Paolinelli
Chief Executive Officer, Madera Community Hospital
President
Karen Paolinelli has more than thirty five years of health care experience including direct patient care as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. Paolinelli provides administrative oversight, strategic planning, facility decision making and operational leadership for Madera Community Hospital, a 106 bed acute care facility and Rural Health Clinic system.
Karen emphasizes quality patient outcomes based on safety, service and satisfaction in clinical practice. Karen supports an interdisciplinary team approach to the delivery of care, fiscal accountability/productivity including creating an environment in which collaboration is valued and excellence in clinical care, education, and research is promoted and achieved.
Jaxon Williams
Assistant Director of Hospital Clinics, Fairchild Medical Center
Vice President
Jaxon Williams joined the CARHC Board of Directors in January 2021. He has served as the Assistant Director of Hospital Clinics at Fairchild Medical Center for two years. He also serves as the Life Safety Officer in the hospital's Environment of Care Committee.
Jaxon obtained a BS in Healthcare Administration from Brigham Young University - Idaho. Prior to his career at Fairchild Medical Center, he worked for Providence Medical Group in Oregon and HCA Physician Services Group in Idaho.
Jaxon enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and exploring everything that California has to offer. He is passionate about serving the underserved.
Assistant Director of Hospital Clinics, Fairchild Medical Center
Vice President
Jaxon Williams joined the CARHC Board of Directors in January 2021. He has served as the Assistant Director of Hospital Clinics at Fairchild Medical Center for two years. He also serves as the Life Safety Officer in the hospital's Environment of Care Committee.
Jaxon obtained a BS in Healthcare Administration from Brigham Young University - Idaho. Prior to his career at Fairchild Medical Center, he worked for Providence Medical Group in Oregon and HCA Physician Services Group in Idaho.
Jaxon enjoys hiking, playing volleyball, and exploring everything that California has to offer. He is passionate about serving the underserved.
John Angell
CFO, Sequoia Family Medical Center
Treasurer
John Angell has served Sequoia Family Medical Center in the role of CFO since 2013. Founded in 1994, Sequoia Family Medical Center is an Independent RHC group that operates several multi-specialty clinics throughout Tulare county. John joined the Board of the California Association of Rural Health Clinics in 2017.
Since joining Sequoia Family Medical Center, John has focused on expending the services offered to our patients by adding a Women’s Health Department, adding new specialty services and expanding the Family and Pediatrics departments. In addition, Sequoia Family Medical Center has opened two new locations, which has helped to expand access to care in Tulare County. These experiences helped John develop a deep understanding of the Federal and State legal and regulatory requirements for Rural Health Clinics. Prior to joining the Sequoia Family Medical Center John held Director and Officer level positions at Farmers Insurance, Wells Fargo Bank and the Bank of New York. John obtained both a BS and an MS in Economics from the University of Delaware.
CFO, Sequoia Family Medical Center
Treasurer
John Angell has served Sequoia Family Medical Center in the role of CFO since 2013. Founded in 1994, Sequoia Family Medical Center is an Independent RHC group that operates several multi-specialty clinics throughout Tulare county. John joined the Board of the California Association of Rural Health Clinics in 2017.
Since joining Sequoia Family Medical Center, John has focused on expending the services offered to our patients by adding a Women’s Health Department, adding new specialty services and expanding the Family and Pediatrics departments. In addition, Sequoia Family Medical Center has opened two new locations, which has helped to expand access to care in Tulare County. These experiences helped John develop a deep understanding of the Federal and State legal and regulatory requirements for Rural Health Clinics. Prior to joining the Sequoia Family Medical Center John held Director and Officer level positions at Farmers Insurance, Wells Fargo Bank and the Bank of New York. John obtained both a BS and an MS in Economics from the University of Delaware.
Paulette Adams
Director, Fairchild Medical Clinics Paulette Adams, RN has served since 2008 as the Director of Fairchild Medical Clinics—a multi-specialty, provider based RHC serving northern California’s Siskiyou County. She earned her degree in 1976 and in 1986 began employment at the Siskiyou General Hospital, now known as Fairchild Medical Center. Paulette has demonstrated her dedication and passion to serving the rural health community while facilitating innovation and growth for both the clinics and hospital. With her knowledge, hard-work, and commitment the clinics now offer eleven separate, specific services including medical, surgical, behavioral health, and dental care. This past year, based upon high community need, Fairchild Medical Clinics has incorporated a Visiting Nurse Service Program. Paulette has worked alongside the Siskiyou Home Health Services team throughout their closure to ensure that this much needed service is not lost from the community. Paulette has been a board member of the CA Association for Rural Health Clinics since 2013. |
Vicky Reilly
Medical Clinic Director, Tehama County Health Services Agency
Vicky has worked for the Health Services Agency in Tehama County for 18 years. She has spent the last 8 years as the Medical Clinic Director. In her current position, she focuses on fostering a clinic environment where the goal is to provide exceptional healthcare for patients and families with a commitment to quality, compassion, and respect. Her team is in the process of integration with Public Health, Behavioral Health and Substance Use Recovery services in order to offer comprehensive whole person care from a newly remodeled state of the art facility.
Medical Clinic Director, Tehama County Health Services Agency
Vicky has worked for the Health Services Agency in Tehama County for 18 years. She has spent the last 8 years as the Medical Clinic Director. In her current position, she focuses on fostering a clinic environment where the goal is to provide exceptional healthcare for patients and families with a commitment to quality, compassion, and respect. Her team is in the process of integration with Public Health, Behavioral Health and Substance Use Recovery services in order to offer comprehensive whole person care from a newly remodeled state of the art facility.
Linda Nichols
Director of Clinic Operations
Linda has worked as a Registered Nurse in the medical field for over 30 years. She currently holds the position of Director of Clinic Operations at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta.
Linda and her team strongly believe that quality and access to care are very important to the health community. Their clinic offer MAT, Chiropractic, OB/GYN, General Surgery, Family Practice, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Tele Psychiatric, Nutritional Services and they are currently working on mental health in pregnancy. Linda has a passion for what she does and has dedicated much of her time to the Rural Health community.
Linda has been a board member of the CA Association for Rural Health Clinics since 2019.
Director of Clinic Operations
Linda has worked as a Registered Nurse in the medical field for over 30 years. She currently holds the position of Director of Clinic Operations at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta.
Linda and her team strongly believe that quality and access to care are very important to the health community. Their clinic offer MAT, Chiropractic, OB/GYN, General Surgery, Family Practice, Podiatry, Orthopedics, Tele Psychiatric, Nutritional Services and they are currently working on mental health in pregnancy. Linda has a passion for what she does and has dedicated much of her time to the Rural Health community.
Linda has been a board member of the CA Association for Rural Health Clinics since 2019.
Laura Fierce,
Revenue Supervisor OP Services
Laura Fierce offers extensive knowledge of healthcare with over 25 years of outpatient and healthcare billing experience. As the Revenue Supervisor of outpatient clinics of Dignity Health, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Laura is responsible for the management of all billing, collections and regulatory concerns for the rural health clinics that are held on the hospital license. Laura has excelled in understanding and interpreting regulatory concerns for the hospital clinics and the hospital. She also serves as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the clinics and has been proactive in her efforts to prepare the clinics for the unexpected. Prior to her current position, Laura was a key leader to license four hospital based Rural Health Clinics over the course of five years in Tehama County. Laura began her healthcare career working in coding and billing with an emphasis on Rural Health Clinics. With a strong understanding of RHC regulatory requirements and billing, Laura joined CARHC in 2021.
Laura offers, "Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare in their local communities. The clinics with Dignity Health provide a wide range of services to the community including primary care, OB Services, Podiatry, Dermatology, Oncology, Acute Care, and Pediatrics. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health services in their community."
Revenue Supervisor OP Services
Laura Fierce offers extensive knowledge of healthcare with over 25 years of outpatient and healthcare billing experience. As the Revenue Supervisor of outpatient clinics of Dignity Health, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Laura is responsible for the management of all billing, collections and regulatory concerns for the rural health clinics that are held on the hospital license. Laura has excelled in understanding and interpreting regulatory concerns for the hospital clinics and the hospital. She also serves as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the clinics and has been proactive in her efforts to prepare the clinics for the unexpected. Prior to her current position, Laura was a key leader to license four hospital based Rural Health Clinics over the course of five years in Tehama County. Laura began her healthcare career working in coding and billing with an emphasis on Rural Health Clinics. With a strong understanding of RHC regulatory requirements and billing, Laura joined CARHC in 2021.
Laura offers, "Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare in their local communities. The clinics with Dignity Health provide a wide range of services to the community including primary care, OB Services, Podiatry, Dermatology, Oncology, Acute Care, and Pediatrics. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health services in their community."
Sherrie Bakke
Patient & Community Engagement, Business Development
Sherrie has eighteen years of service in healthcare advocacy, access, fundraising and support services with the American Cancer Society provided an important foundation for a career in healthcare business development.
Self-described as a healthcare access advocate, Sherrie has dedicated her professional life to improving community’s health literacy, promoting healthcare quality, supporting internal and external constituents in their quest to navigate the healthcare system and improve healthcare efficiency.
“My purpose for serving on the CARHC Board of Directors is to mentor and be mentored, provide meaningful education for those doing the hard work of operating a Rural Health Clinic and supporting our aligned goal of ensuring quality primary and specialty medical care is available in rural communities throughout California.”
