You will join a small but dedicated physician team rebuilding under new leadership. Currently, the organization employs two full-time family medicine physicians who practice across both clinic locations. Dr. Faith Chisum completed her medical training at UC San Diego and her residency at Scripps Family Practice in Chula Vista, bringing deep familiarity with the local healthcare landscape and community needs. Dr. Benjamin Pratt Levin trained at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, completed his residency at Scripps Family Practice, and went on to fellowship training in advanced hospital medicine at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Both physicians provide full-spectrum family medicine including prenatal care, with deliveries at Scripps hospital.
The team has experienced significant turnover over the past two to three years, reducing what was historically a much larger physician group. At its peak, the organization employed six MDs, two nurse practitioners, and one physician assistant, plus specialists, totaling 12 to 13 providers. An internal medicine physician departed at the end of December, creating the current opening you would fill. The new leadership team has prioritized rebuilding clinical capacity while implementing systems to improve physician retention, including the inbox coverage team and schedule flexibility that distinguish this opportunity from previous iterations of the practice.
Four nurse practitioners round out the primary care team, each bringing distinct training and areas of focus. Stefany O'Connell and Chinyere Opara both completed their family nurse practitioner training at Azusa Pacific University and provide comprehensive family medicine care. Stephanie Cunningham brings pediatric expertise as a Doctor of Nursing Practice with pediatric nurse practitioner certification from the University of South Alabama, focusing on pediatric and family medicine. Katherine Allen completed her training at Southeastern Louisiana University and practices family medicine. The organization has found nurse practitioner recruitment significantly easier than physician recruitment, with robust applicant pools for APP positions.
The clinical team includes medical assistants working toward a 1:1 ratio with providers, though current staffing challenges mean some providers share MAs. Leadership has prioritized expanding MA staffing to ensure each full-time provider has dedicated support. Each location has registered nurses providing triage and clinical support, with plans to add licensed vocational nurses and establish nursing manager positions at both sites. The Director of Nursing position is currently filled by JP, the Director of Operations, who oversees nursing across both clinics while leadership recruits a permanent Director of Nursing.
The behavioral health team works directly alongside primary care providers at both clinic locations. Dr. Anish Dhamija serves as Director of Psychiatry and Integrated Care, bringing dual training in family medicine and psychiatry from UC San Diego. This combined background allows him to understand both primary care workflow and psychiatric complexity, making him an ideal resource for consultation on complex cases. Two associate clinical social workers, Mayra Carranza (trained at CSU San Marcos) and Carina Segundo (trained at SDSU), provide therapy services and warm handoff support when you identify behavioral health needs during patient visits.
Behavioral health care managers complement the clinical team, conducting brief interventions, determining appropriate level of care, and connecting patients to outside resources when specialized treatment is needed. The team manages medication-assisted treatment programs for substance use disorders and administers long-acting injectable medications for appropriate patients. This integrated structure means behavioral health support is available immediately during your patient encounters rather than existing as a separate referral pathway your patients may never access.
Several specialists practice on-site at the clinics, simplifying referrals and care coordination for your complex patients. Maria Elena Almirante provides podiatric medicine services at both locations, essential for the diabetic and geriatric populations you will serve. A cardiologist sees patients four hours weekly at the Nestor location, with more extensive cardiology services at Imperial Beach. Chiropractic services are available at both clinics for patients with musculoskeletal concerns.
The dental team operates from the Imperial Beach location, where Dr. Clarissa Damasco (Western University) and Dr. Andres Casallas (Loma Linda/Universidad Nacional de Colombia) provide general dentistry services with support from a dental hygienist. The organization owns a mobile dental unit that will launch community outreach programming in April, extending dental access beyond the clinic walls. Marianna Gonzalez Chavez, a registered dietitian with graduate training from USC, provides nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy for patients with diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions requiring dietary management. Optometry and limited ophthalmology services will launch in April 2025, adding vision care to the comprehensive services available on-site.
The entire leadership team arrived within the past two years as part of an organizational renewal focused on improving clinical operations and physician satisfaction. Dr. Palomino serves as Chief Medical Officer, having joined seven months ago. Dr. Pacheco serves as a second Chief Medical Officer, also joining eight months ago. Both bring fresh perspectives and commitment to building a sustainable practice environment. Zach, the Chief Financial Officer, has been with the organization almost two years, with seven months in the CFO role after serving as Director of Revenue Cycle. JP serves as Director of Operations, overseeing day-to-day clinical operations and currently managing the nursing department.
Each clinic has a dedicated clinic manager handling scheduling, staffing, supply management, and patient flow. Martha has served as clinic manager at the Nestor location for eight years, providing institutional memory and operational expertise during the leadership transition. The Imperial Beach location has a clinic manager coordinating operations at that larger site. This management structure allows physicians to focus on clinical care rather than administrative problem-solving, with clear escalation pathways when issues arise.
The organization's culture centers on serving underserved populations with limited healthcare access. Everyone from leadership to front desk staff understands the mission of providing comprehensive, affordable care to communities often overlooked by the broader healthcare system. This shared commitment creates a sense of purpose that transcends the challenges of FQHC practice. Your colleagues chose this setting because they value mission-driven work, not because they lacked other options.
The current team is transparent about recent challenges. Turnover has stretched remaining providers and created staffing pressures that new leadership is actively addressing. The rebuilding process offers you the opportunity to help shape practice culture and workflows as the organization stabilizes and grows. You will join at a pivotal moment when your input and experience can influence how the practice develops rather than inheriting rigid systems resistant to change.
You will practice alongside colleagues who understand the complexities and rewards of caring for underserved populations. The team is small enough that you will know everyone by name and work collaboratively rather than existing as an anonymous provider in a large system. This intimacy creates both accountability and genuine professional relationships.