Meet the Emmons Wellness Center Team
Devon Sakamoto, MPH
Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness
Devon received a B.A. in Women's Studies from the University of California Riverside (UCR), and a Master of Public Health from George Washington University. She is currently pursuing an...
Medical Services
Lily Nourmand, MD
Medical Director
Lily Nourmand attended UCLA where she received a B.S. in microbiology. Dr. Nourmand received her M.D. from the UCLA School of Medicine and finished residency in Family Medicine at Stanford- San...
Evelyn Chan, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Evelyn attended University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Economics and Specialization in Computing. She was working in Healthcare IT for several...
Rashilda Storm, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Rashilda has been in healthcare for 15 years working as an RN 1st in NYC and later obtaining her Masters of Science at Hunter College. Rashilda moved to California in 2016 with a focus in Adult-...
Psychological Services
Jenny Heetderks, Psy.D.
Director of Counseling Services
She/Her/Hers
Jenny is a clinical psychologist with a B.A. in Mathematics from Taylor University, an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and a Psy.D. from California School of Professional...
Anna Rivera, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
Anna is a clinical psychologist who provides services using a lens that is justice-oriented, trauma-informed, and holistic. Areas of focus include identity (ethnicity, culture, gender...
Rich Estrada, LMFT
Senior Staff Therapist and Outreach Specialist
Rich is a licensed therapist and graduated from Pacific Oaks College with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. His background includes experience working in community mental health with the...
Claudia Ortega, LCSW
Staff Therapist
Claudia (she/her/hers) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker born and raised in southeast LA and an Oxy Alumna. Claudia received her BA in Psychology and her MSW from the University of Southern...
Liz Mendez, LCSW
Staff Therapist
Liz (she/they) is a First-Generation, Queer, Xicana therapist who earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton and her Master’s in Social Work from the...
A. Paul Kurkjian, MD
Staff Psychiatrist
(323) 259-2657
Dr. Azad Paul Kurkjian is a board-certified adult and child psychiatrist specializing in neuropsychiatry. Dr. Kurkjian’s clinical interests include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety...
Melissa Ireland, MS, RD, CSSD
Nutritionist
Melissa is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified in Sports Dietetics. She provides nutrition counseling for the general population and athletes to manage and address health conditions and...
Project S.A.F.E.
Lizzy Denny
Director and Survivor Advocate, Project SAFE
Lizzy Denny (she/her/hers) is originally from Louisville, Kentucky but has lived in Los Angeles for the past 8 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Earlham College in Comparative...
Stephani Candelaria
Project SAFE Intake and Programs Coordinator
Stephani Candelaria (she/her/ella) is a musician/activist and trauma-informed, decolonization-focused educator from San Juan Bautista, California (Amah Mutsun tribal land). She holds a Masters...
Joaquin Caro
Project SAFE Prevention Education Coordinator
They/Them/Theirs
Joaquin is a healing justice advocate, meditation facilitator, and abolitionist from Long Beach, CA (occupied Tongva/Chumash Land). Joaquin earned a Bachelor of Science in Human...
Support Services
Ana Casillas
Manager of Clinical Operations
Ana attended Cal State Los Angeles where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management. She was working in the hospitality industry in various roles and found her calling...
Krista Place
Student Benefits & Insurance Specialist
Krista is the Student Benefits & Insurance Specialist at Emmons Wellness Center. She joined the Emmons team in July 2015. Krista has been working in the insurance and medical billing field...
