2025-26 Primary Care APP Fellows

Giulia Arostegui, D.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C.

Giulia Arostegui is a family nurse practitioner who earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. As a registered nurse in progressive and critical care, her experience is primarily in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Arostegui’s experiences working with critically ill adults led her to pursue primary care with the intention of reducing health disparities, building trusting patient relationships, and increasing health literacy and community partnerships. She has a passion for patient education, geriatrics and health promotion with a focus on health equity. Her research interests include cognitive health, primary and urgent care utilization, palliative care and geriatrics. Arostegui’s primary care placement is with One Community Health in Sacramento, Calif.

Bao Dao, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Bao Dao is a family nurse practitioner who earned his Master of Science in Nursing degree from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nev. Dao’s nursing experience includes working as an inpatient nurse in several medical-surgical specialty units such as oncology, metabolic transplant, trauma, neurology, acute rehabilitation and orthopedics. Prior to nursing, Dao worked in emergency medical services and provided critical care to patients of all ages, including the medically underserved and vulnerable populations.

Dao is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of the underserved and marginalized communities, while improving access to primary care, promoting health equity and providing culturally sensitive care. His research interests include identifying strategies to reduce health disparities, increase health literacy and promote overall health. His clinical interests include orthopedics, preventative health screenings and chronic disease management with an emphasis on holistic, individualized patient-centered care. Dao’s primary care clinical assignment is with the UC Davis Health Healthy Aging Clinic in Sacramento, Calif.

Leonardo Catalan, M.S.N., C.P.N.P.-P.C.

Nicole Edegbe is a family nurse practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree both from the University of Rochester School of Nursing in New York. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Spelman College. Edegbe's extensive background in community service and working with families in underserved communities fueled her interest in disease prevention and health management of the infant to the geriatric patient- treating the family as a unit.

Edegbe has experience taking care of critically ill patients by previously working in the neonatal intensive care unit as a registered nurse. Throughout her time as a graduate student and RN, she has experience working in urban, rural and underserved communities. Edegbe's clinical and research interest includes reducing health disparities, community health, infant mortality and reproductive/women's health, as well as the elderly population as it relates to the rise of chronic disease and illness. Her primary care assignment is at Harmony Health in Marysville, Calif.

Dan Gao, M.S.N., A.G.P.C.N.P.-C.

Dan Gao is an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner who graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Davis.

Gao has experience as a registered nurse at an adult day-health center, caring for older adults living with dementia, cognitive impairments and complex physical disabilities. Her clinical interests include adult and geriatric primary care, chronic disease management and occupational health. She is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care and improving access to health services for underserved communities. Her primary care placement is at Sacramento County Health Center and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis Nurse-Led Mobile Clinic in Sacramento, Calif.

Kimberly M. Garnder, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C.

Kimberly M. Gardner is a dual-certified family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), having completed her Post Master’s Psychiatry and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate at Emory University. She integrates her clinical training with a background in law to address the complex intersection of health disparities, structural inequalities and the criminal legal system. Her work focuses on improving access to equitable mental health care for underserved communities. Her clinical placement is with the UC Davis Health Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Sacramento, Calif.

Sharie Johnson, M.S.N., A.G.P.C.N.P.-C.

Sharie Johnson is an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Ohio State University. Johnson began her nursing career in the float intensive care unit and pulmonary critical care, where she developed a strong foundation in managing complex, multisystem conditions across adult populations. Her passion for primary care was deepened by her clinical experiences in diabetes management, palliative care, dementia, endocrinology and university wellness. She also completed an international community nursing in Norway which broadened her perspective on community-based care and health equity. Johnson’s approach to patient care is rooted in advocacy, cultural sensitivity, and empowering patients through education and preventive care.

Johnson is committed to addressing healthcare disparities among underserved populations, particularly in urban and immigrant communities. Her clinical interests include chronic disease management, cardiopulmonary health and health promotion among older adults. She aspires to bridge gaps in communication and trust between patients and the healthcare system. Johnson’s primary care placement is at Sutter Lakeside Community Clinic in Lakeport, Calif.

Cheyenne Matyac, D.N.P., F.N.P.-B.C.

Cheyenne Matyac is a family nurse practitioner who earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of California, Irvine. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Diego State University. With five years of acute care experience as a registered nurse, Matyac has a strong foundation in pulmonary medicine, internal medicine, and abdominal organ transplant surgery, with expertise in caring for telemetry patients all gained while working at Keck Hospital of USC. She was inspired to work in primary care after witnessing first-hand the consequences of unmanaged chronic conditions, resulting in the need for kidney and liver transplantation.

During her FNP clinical rotations, Matyac completed over 750 hours gaining diverse experience in primary care and specialty settings including pediatrics, emergency medicine, cardiology, geriatrics, urology oncology and nephrology. These experiences have prepared her to provide comprehensive, holistic care across the life span tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Matyac’s clinical interests include preventative health screenings, chronic disease management and improving health literacy while providing culturally competent care. She aims to empower patients to take charge of their own health while collaborating with them through shared decision making. Matyac’s primary care placement is at Alexander Valley Healthcare in Cloverdale, Calif.

Sartaj Randhawa, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Sartaj Randhawa is a family nurse practitioner who graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA. Simultaneously, Randhawa worked as an Occupational Health Registered Nurse at the University of California, Merced. In this role, he helped expand medical services for university employees and broadened access to care in a medically isolated region of California. Most notably, he aided in reducing delays in treatment by streamlining workflows and promoting injury prevention services.

Born and raised in the Central Valley, Randhawa has witnessed firsthand the unique challenges patients face and is committed to delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to medically underserved communities. His primary care clinical assignment is at Health and Life Organization, Inc. in Sacramento, Calif., where he hopes to strengthen his clinical foundation and continue advancing equitable care for vulnerable populations.

Erin Ear, M.S.N., P.H.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Erin Ear is a Family Nurse Practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing and advanced practice training from the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing. As a registered nurse, she worked in outpatient primary care and provided street medicine in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, delivering care to patients facing complex medical and social challenges. Prior to her NP training, she served as a case manager supervisor at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Sacramento, where she supported individuals navigating housing instability, substance use and chronic conditions.

Ear is passionate about advancing health equity and ensuring that individuals who are often overlooked receive high-quality, whole-person care. As the first-generation daughter of immigrant parents, she witnessed firsthand the importance of accessible, compassionate healthcare in managing chronic illness. Her clinical interests include wound care, primary prevention, and care for underserved and medically vulnerable populations. Erin’s primary care clinical assignment is with HealthRIGHT 360 in San Francisco, Calif.

Suhyoung "Sue" Kim, M.S.N., A.G.P.C.N.P.-C.

Suhyoung "Sue" Kim is an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin. Kim worked as an intensive care unit nurse in Laredo, Texas, for two years. During this time, she developed a strong interest in preventative care, particularly for marginalized and underserved communities. This experience inspired her to further her education and clinical training in primary care.

Kim’s clinical interests include diabetes management, addiction medicine and preventive care for vulnerable populations. She is passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care to improve long-term health outcomes in medically complex and socially underserved individuals. Kim currently works at HealthRight 360 in San Francisco, Calif.

Angela Boeshans, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Angela Boeshans is a family nurse practitioner who earned a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on Family Nurse Practice from Sonoma State University. As a registered nurse, Boeshans has cared for patients with acute medical conditions in the medical ICU, neurology, oncology, and in home health settings for seniors at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. She is certified as a critical care registered nurse and has provided care for critically ill patients in the MICU for the past 19 years. Over the past 30 years, she has been committed to serving underserved populations, including Spanish speakers, and as an FNP, she aims to collaborate with women to enhance their health care needs. Boeshans currently practices at Marhsall Medical in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Jennifer Commins M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Jennifer Commins is a family nurse practitioner who holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University. She possesses over a decade of inpatient nursing experience at UC Davis Medical Center, specializing in high-risk obstetrics, newborn care, and women’s health and brings extensive expertise in family-centered care. Her clinical training as a Family Nurse Practitioner spans family medicine, pediatrics, adult primary care, and women’s health. She is also pursuing an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification to further enhance her support for families.

Commins is committed to compassionate, patient-centered care, empowering patients through education, preventive care and collaborative decision making. Her clinical interests include reproductive health, pediatrics and holistic, culturally sensitive support across the lifespan. She currently practices at Marshall Family Medicine in Placerville, Calif.

Jewel George, M.S.N., F.N.P.

Jewel George is a family nurse practitioner who holds a Master of Nursing Practice degree from Samuel Merritt University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Chamberlain University and obtained a registered nurse license. George has a background in working as a registered nurse at the Sacramento Veterans Affair Medical Center in the outpatient setting as well as the inpatient setting providing care at the bedside. During her nurse practitioner education, George had the opportunity to work in the primary care setting, women’s health and nephrology. She is passionate about primary care, serving the underserved and ensuring preventative care goals in the community. Her current primary care assignment is at Marshall Family Medicine in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Marisa Neeley, M.H.S., P.A.-C.

Marisa Neeley is a board-certified physician assistant who earned her Master of Health Science from Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz. She is passionate about providing holistic, patient-centered care, particularly to underserved populations. Her dedication to global health is reflected in her medical mission work in Mexico and Albania. Neeley’s clinical approach is grounded in the biopsychosocial model, thoughtfully integrating biological, psychological, and social factors to develop comprehensive, individualized treatment plans.

Neeley places a strong emphasis on building meaningful provider-patient relationships and is known for her empathetic, supportive presence during times of uncertainty. She believes that compassionate care can significantly impact a patient’s health journey, and she actively advocates for vulnerable populations. She brings both clinical precision and emotional intelligence to her work, creating a space where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered. Her clinical interests include women’s health, pediatrics, preventive care and lifestyle medicine. She currently practices family medicine at Marshall Medical in Cameron Park, Calif.

Samantha Bejarano M.S.N., F.N.P.

Samantha Bejarano is a family nurse practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. As an RN, she cared for hospice and palliative patients in the Sacramento area, supporting individuals and families through end-of-life transitions with empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity. These experiences deepened her understanding of the human aspects of healthcare and strengthened her commitment to delivering holistic, evidence-based care that emphasizes prevention, early detection of health issues, and patient empowerment. Bejarano developed a strong appreciation for individualized, comprehensive care and recognized the importance of proactively managing both acute and chronic conditions to improve patient outcomes.

Bejarano’s clinical interests include urgent care medicine, musculoskeletal disorders and family medicine. She is particularly passionate about incorporating lifestyle modification, patient education and motivational strategies into practice to help individuals achieve sustainable health outcomes. Her primary goal is to inspire and empower patients to take ownership of their health by fostering a supportive environment that promotes informed decision making and lasting lifestyle change. Bejarano’s primary care assignment is with WellSpace Health in Sacramento, Calif.

Anastasia Budasova, M.S.N., F.N.P.-C.

Anastasia Budasova is a family nurse practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University, Sacramento. With over seven years of experience as a registered nurse, Budasova worked with culturally diverse residents of San Joaquin and Sacramento area. She provided care to medically underserved population on medical-surgical, acute surgical, and progressive care units with ICU overflow patients. Most of her patients had multiple chronic health conditions that were not adequately managed due to various reasons, most commonly the lack of access to medical services and low health literacy. Budasova is dedicated to serving local community and treating patients with a focus on health promotion and restoration. Her goal is to provide comprehensive high-quality care to underserved population and to achieve improved health outcomes by demonstrating integrity, respect and dedication. Budasova’s primary care clinical assignment is at WellSpace Health in Roseville, Calif.

Jeanelle Gonzalez, M.S.N., F.N.P.-C.

Jeanelle Gonzalez is a Family Nurse Practitioner who earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology from the University of California, Davis. Before pursuing her nursing career, Gonzalez gained diverse experience in healthcare, including serving as a community clinic volunteer for largely immigrant and uninsured populations, working as an ER medical scribe, coordinating quality improvement projects at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, and leading COVID-19 testing at an elementary school in Sacramento, CA during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her broad clinical background, particularly with underserved and underinsured populations, has deepened her passion for reducing health disparities, empowering patients through education, and providing holistic, patient-centered care. Her goal as a nurse practitioner is to partner with each individual in their care—focusing not only on preventing and treating illness, but also on promoting holistic wellness. She strives to empower each person to achieve their personal goals and attain their highest level of health. Jeanelle’s primary care clinical assignment is at WellSpace Health in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Belen Jimenez, M.S.N., F.N.P.-C.

Belen Jimenez is a family nurse practitioner who graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from California State University, East Bay. She has a strong foundation in healthcare communication and advocacy, gained through her work as a Spanish healthcare interpreter and birthing doula for the past eight years.

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Jimenez gained extensive experience supporting patients across diverse clinical and cultural settings. Her work with Spanish-speaking and underserved communities has shaped her commitment to advancing health equity, culturally competent care and improved patient-provider communication. Her clinical interests include women’s health, specifically pregnancy care and preventive primary care. Jimenez’s primary care clinical assignment is at WellSpace Health in Roseville, Calif.

Karla Moreno, M.H.S., P.A.

Karla Moreno is a physician assistant who earned her Master of Health Services in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of California, Davis. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services from Western Michigan University. Before becoming a PA, Moreno worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Technician, where she gained extensive experience providing direct patient care and supporting individuals with daily health needs. These roles gave her a strong foundation in patient-centered care, communication and teamwork.

During her PA training, Moreno completed rotations in internal medicine, emergency medicine, and family medicine, where she built skills in diagnosing and managing both acute and chronic conditions, preventive health and patient education. She is committed to providing accessible, equitable, and high-quality care to diverse patient populations. Moreno’s primary care assignment is with WellSpace Health in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

Ramanpreet “Raman” Sidhu, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Raman Sidhu is a family nurse practitioner who graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from Samuel Merritt University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Samuel Merritt University. Her DNP project is focused on improving breast cancer screening rates.

Sidhu’s nurse practitioner clinical rotations have included labor and delivery, postpartum care, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology, women’s health and primary care, equipping her with a strong foundation to care for patients across the lifespan. Her clinical interests include diabetes management, hypertension and preventative medicine, with a strong emphasis on patient education and culturally sensitive care. She is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, which allows her to better serve diverse patient populations. Sidhu’s primary care placement is with WellSpace Health in Roseville, Calif.

Allison “Aly” Pierson, MSN, F.N.P.-B.C.

Aly Pierson is a family nurse practitioner who graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in microbiology from Miami University, and an Associate degree of Nursing from the Santa Rosa Junior College. She began her medical career working as an EMT and emergency room technician. As a nurse, Pierson spent time working in outpatient endoscopy and cosmetic dermatology. She has also taken part in several state-side and international service trips. These combined experiences rooted a deep love for primary care, preventative health, and fostering meaningful and trusting relationships with her patients. Pierson is deeply committed to building a supportive environment where a therapeutic patient-provider relationship can flourish. She focuses on proactive and preventative health management to help her patients achieve and sustain overall wellness.

Pierson’s interests are dermatology, preventative health, adolescent health and perimenopause treatment. She currently works as an FNP at West County Health Center in Sebastopol, Calif.

Valerie Stone, M.S.N., F.N.P.-C.

Valerie Stone is a family nurse practitioner who graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University. She has been a registered nurse since 2014 and has been residing in rural western Colorado since 1993. She has held nursing positions in hospice, home health, Nurse-Family Partnership, and camp nursing. Prior to becoming a registered nurse, she started a yoga studio in her home town and helped run an organic vegetable, flower and herb farm with her husband. She is passionate about health promotion and loves to spend time hiking, camping, gardening and cooking healthy food. She works as an FNP at West County Health Center in Sebastopol, Calif.