Advisory Board

Chelsea Vircks

Chelsea leads the Greater San Diego division of the American Heart Association in community impact through policy and systems level public health changes, strategic relationship building, technical assistance in quality clinical care, and advocacy for evidence-based solutions. She expanded her passions for health equity and cross-sectional excellence into unique internal and external collaborations.

Prior to the Heart Association, Chelsea wet her feet in the San Diego community with the amazing team at Champions for Health. While finishing her Masters of Public Health degree at the University of Southern California, she led continuing education projects, and grant development and writing. Her background in medical research and Bachelors in Science in Biochemistry from UW-Madison has guided her interest in science-driven solutions with community-centered input and implementation.

Chelsea enjoys new adventures in backpacking, exploring the culinary secrets of new cities, and hanging out with her partner Joel and plump tabby cat ‘Bailey’.

Ana M. Navarro, Ph. D.

Doctor Navarro is a current professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). For over 30 years, her work has focused on health equity through cutting-edge community-based participatory interventions that improve health status and access to health care in under-served communities. Dr. Navarro’s commitment to ramp up health equity permeates her long-standing community service, and her community-centered research, education, mentoring, and training initiatives.

Marlene Ruiz RN, BSN, MA Ed

Retired from 50 years at Kaiser Permanente as Director of Education and Research, Marlene is still active with the San Diego Nursing and Allied Health Consortium. Their current issues are related to clinical experience for all the nursing and health care students in San Diego County. Marlene is also active with several community-based councils and boards including the Assn. CA Nurse Leaders, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, SD Co Community Action Board, and League of Women Voters. Marlene remains in contact with several students/graduates she has mentored over the years. Finally, Marlene supports several scholarship activities for students in nursing and advanced education programs.

Reverend Clarice Christian (RN)

Rev. Clarice Christian is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Chapel Christian Church. Born in Fort Smith Arkansas where she met and married her husband of 35 years, Pastor Christian holds a Master’s Degree in Divinity with a Major in Pastoral Ministry. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Theology and is the owner of CChrist Bookstore in Lemon Grove, California. Retired from Kaiser Permanent after 26 years where she worked as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Administrator, she is a member of the San Diego Black Nurses Association.

Chelsea Vircks

Ana M. Navarro, Ph. D.

Marlene Ruiz RN, BSN, MA Ed

Reverend Clarice Christian (RN)

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