Our Current CDC Leadership Team

Class of 2026

Danika Banh

“CDC is a reminder that access to proper oral healthcare and treatment is still a significant barrier in our society today. Coming from a refugee family background and having volunteered with free dental clinics and educational initiatives, I joined CDC to continue working towards mitigating this gap. I look forward to working with our patients and learning from their experiences!”

Tiffany yu

“My previous job working at a FQHC made me realize how difficult it was for many members of my community to have affordable access to dental services. I find it very valuable and fulfilling to have this opportunity to provide care to the underserved population in my community. I am very excited to be a part of the CDC team to provide dental care to those that need it the most, as well as to improve myself as a clinician.”

Eric Lin

“My interest in community dentistry motivated me to be a part of CDC. My previous experiences working at a nonprofit dental organization showed me firsthand the barriers that limited dental care access to many communities. After listening to the stories of the individuals I have served, I aspire to be a dentist who breaks down obstacles, and CDC enables me to make an impact earlier as a dental student.”

Darnell Cuylear

“Having witnessed the significant challenges people encounter in accessing dental care due to shortages and financial obstacles during my time in New Mexico, I have developed a deep passion for making a difference. I am now excited to be a part of a community that not only addresses these issues but actively creates pathways for dental care and education. I am grateful to be apart of CDC and I look forward to contributing to the teams efforts in providing care to the community.”

Alina Huynh

“A major motivator for me in wanting to pursue dentistry was to bridge the systemic barrier facing marginalized community regarding the accessibility and affordability of dental care. Volunteering at a clinic serving the unhoused community, I was able to witness how their lived experiences highlighted an unfulfilled niche within society that served the most vulnerable and underscored the role of dentists as crucial care providers. In joining CDC I hope to contribute to the bridging of healthcare barriers and continue to learn from those of the community as to how I can better accompany them along their journey to reach their dental and healthcare goals.”

Youssef Elgawly

“Being able to serve our local communities through CDC is a major part of the reason I pursued dentistry in the first place. I’ve been a part of community service for a very long time now and for the first time, I finally get to contribute from a healthcare perspective! I can’t describe the joy I get from uplifting people, especially the underserved and I’m beyond blessed to be in a position to do so. I look forward to all the people we will help and the impacts we will make!”

Celine Ngo

“After volunteering on a service trip to Vietnam and working as a treatment coordinator in private practice, I quickly learned that the barriers to oral healthcare access, notably cost, were not so different abroad and at home. I joined CDC to learn how to not only tackle these disparities through community dentistry, but also serve and empower members of vulnerable populations, whether it is through education or compassionate and culturally-competent care.”

David Forero

“I joined the Community Dental Clinic driven by a deep desire to make a difference. As an immigrant, I've witnessed the invaluable role of community clinics and the positive they can have. My prior experiences in clinical settings have motivated me to continue to support the Spanish-speaking community and all communities in the Bay Area. I'm grateful for CDC's outstanding work in providing free healthcare to those in need, and I'm dedicated to contributing to their mission of ensuring accessible healthcare for all.”

Aly kong

“What drew me to dentistry in the first place was my desire to make immediate, positive change for others, especially for those who lack access to resources. Dentistry to me is an instrument for empowerment. A dentist exercises control but in a way that also returns it forward. CDC allows me to explore my purpose and my passion for both dentistry and community health even as a dental student. As a part of this amazing organization, I hope to make a positive impact on the SF community.”

Allison Biascan

“As an undergraduate student, I was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry after witnessing just how severely lacking access to comprehensive dental care and education is within underserved communities. I joined CDC because I wanted to continue working toward dismantling the barriers to oral healthcare that continue to exist within our society and to learn how to become a better advocate on behalf of our patients in need. I look forward to learning more about our patients' unique backgrounds and hope to create an inclusive space where patients feel they can establish their dental home!”

Eric Lin

“My interest in community dentistry motivated me to be a part of CDC. My previous experiences working at a nonprofit dental organization showed me firsthand the barriers that limited dental care access to many communities. After listening to the stories of the individuals I have served, I aspire to be a dentist who breaks down obstacles, and CDC enables me to make an impact earlier as a dental student.”

Tony (Tiange) qu

“Growing up, I saw firsthand how financial and educational barriers kept my community from accessing essential dental care. Now, at the CDC, I have the opportunity to help bridge that gap and support those in need—a mission I am deeply honored to contribute to.”

Millie hernandez

“My personal and professional mission is to improve lives with a holistic understanding of patient circumstances within the context of oppressive systems that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. I joined CDC to practice this mission and learn more about what it takes to assist patients in navigating and dismantling barriers in access to dental care to lead long and healthy lives.”

grace nguyen

“From an early age, I recognized health disparities in my hometown and felt motivated to change this because healthcare services are a human right that should not be determined by socioeconomic status. Volunteering at a community health center in LA showed me the necessity of increasing access to quality dental care, education, and preventive services for populations in need. I am thrilled to continue this work during dental school with the amazing team at CDC and help provide exceptional, free care to our patients.”

mia Espinoza

“I had the opportunity to work at a FQHC as a pre-dental student, where I saw firsthand how access to dental care impacts mental, physical, and cultural wellbeing. My time at the clinic was personally rewarding as I developed close relationships with patients and families coming in for dental care. Connecting with patients from my community solidified my goal of working in public health dentistry. CDC bridges the gap to accessible care and contributes to improved oral health outcomes for diverse patient populations. As a CDC Coordinator, I am excited to continue building the skills and experiences that will allow me to better serve the oral health needs of the community members who need it most.”

AlEsha Harris

“With 8 years in the U.S. Public Health Service and experience volunteering with several Remote Area Medical (RAM) events, I am deeply committed to serving those in need. Those exposures inspired me to undergo a career change and apply to Dental School. Witnessing firsthand the healthcare disparities that impact underserved communities has fueled my dedication to closing this gap. Joining the Community Dental Clinic allows me to bring my skills and passion for equitable care to a team that shares my mission. I am honored to contribute to this work and help make a positive impact on community health.”

Ana paula lopez

“Having served for free dental clinics for Bay Area residents in the past demonstrated the importance of increased accessibility to dental care. I am a strong believer that CDC allows us to provide members of the surrounding community with high quality dental care they would be unable to obtain otherwise. The work CDC has done throughout the years, made me want to contribute to this wonderful clinic and serve as a helping hand to the community. As part of CDC, I want to help bridge disparities in healthcare and provide comfort to the San Francisco community.”

isabel angela mangoba

“As a volunteer for a community clinic at UC Davis, I witnessed firsthand the barriers to healthcare that our patients faced and developed a deep passion for community health and advocating for health equity. CDC allows a space for marginalized populations within the SF community to receive accessible oral health care and find their dental home. Now that I have come to understand the systemic disparities that exist in health care, I am motivated to leverage my position as a dental student to address and bridge these gaps in as a part of CDC. CDC has given me the privilege of contributing to accessible, culturally humble dentistry and hearing the stories of underserved communities, and I know I will carry everything I have learned in CDC thus far with me as I grow into the health professional I aspire to be :)”

Madelyn yeh

“Volunteering at and organizing free healthcare clinics in Seattle has shown me the barriers many face in accessing dental care, whether that be financial strain, transportation challenges, or limited resources. I joined CDC because of our team's commitment to providing 100% free, compassionate care to those in need. As a fully student-run clinic, we’re making a direct impact on our community, transforming lives, and bridging critical gaps in access to dental care. I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a driven team and will carrying my experiences into my future as a clinician.”

Elena Sacchetti

“Through my community involvement, it has become evident to me that a person’s oral health is inseparable from their financial situation. I believe all people deserve to live healthy, pain-free lives, regardless of their financial status. As part of CDC, I can work to make this a reality by helping underserved communities of San Francisco gain and maintain access to compassionate dental care.”

Class of 2026

Danika Banh - Co-Director
Tiffany Yu - Co-Director
Bianca Romana - EpiC Coordinator
Joseph Kazancioglu - EpiC Coordinator
Ashley Wang - Treasurer
Vy Tran - Supplies Coordinator Caroline Chen - Patient Coordinator Jihee Yoon - Secretary

Class of 2025

Ingrid Chai - Director
Susu Le - Co-Director
Angela Lee - EpiC Coordinator
Isabelle Tseng - EpiC Coordinator
Ryan Wilson - Treasurer
Jacqueline Ong - Supplies Coordinator Edwin Calzada Nguyen - Patient Coordinator

Class of 2024

Danny Do - Co-Director
Tiff Trat - Co-Director
Stephanie Cho - Project Manager
Wonhee Cho - Axium Coordinator
Rose Hinson - Patient Coordinator
Kairong Lin - Supplies Coordinator
Carolyn Nguyen - Secretary
Stanley Onuegbu - Treasurer

Class of 2023

Alejandra Saenz - Co-Director
Ellysha Sunga - Co-Director
Shreya Shah - Project Manager
Joanna Chua - Secretary
Tiffany Huang - Axium Coordinator
Hanna Nguyen - Faculty Coordinator
Cinthya Tovar - Patient Coordinator
Luan Tran - Treasurer

Class of 2022

Lori Martinez-Rubio - Co-Director
Austen Lucena - Co-Director
Marvin Chen - Project Manager
Theresa Bui - Faculty Coordinator
Camille Loria - Supplies Coordinator
April Martinez - Patient Coordinator
Guadalupe Quintero - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2021

Amelia Herrera - Co-Director
Kevin Hildebrandt - Co-Director
Lincoln Nguyen - Project Manager
Navi Dhillon - Supplies Coordinator
Kelly Mika Katsura - Faculty Coordinator
Lisa Ngo - Axium Coordinator
Stephanie Shimizu - Secretary

Class of 2020

Angela Chen - Director
Brett Parks - Assistant Director
Avigael Rebecca Lerman - Supplies Coordinator
Michael Nguyen - Treasurer
Victoria Nguyen - Supplies Coordinator
Semantha Yu - Faculty Coordinator

Class of 2019

Arvin Pal - Director
Jaime Chung - Secretary
Jennifer Hofmann - Patient Coordinator
Juliana Ko - Treasurer
Alexander Romash - Supplies Coordinator
Catherine Tang - Supplies Coordinator
Emily Yang - Faculty Coordinator

Class of 2018

Keely Walgama - Director
Mitch Carey - Supplies Coordinator
Tiffany Cheung - Patient Coordinator
Dean Gretzinger - Treasurer
Kyle Kitasoe - Supplies Coordinator
Amin Sarraf - Faculty Coordinator
Valerie Torricos - Secretary

Class of 2017

Caitlyn McGue - Director
Jeff Delagadillo - Treasurer
Brian Lee - Faculty Coordinator
Jasmine Manubay - Axium Coordinator
Jeffrey Pronillof - Supplies Coordinator
Sepi Shafa - Supplies Coordinator
Ruth Yan - Patient Coordinator

Class of 2016

Valentina Zahran - Director
Amin Abdallah - Axium Coordinator
Steven LeRoy - Treasurer
Mindy Li - Faculty Coordinator
Tessa Miller - Secretary
Chris Traxler - Supplies Coordinator
Ricky Vargas - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2015

Heather Wong - Director
Ozzy Amezcua - Supplies Coordinator
Crystal Chang - Patient Coordinator
Michael Hong - Treasurer
Chris Taehyun Kim - Axium Coordinator
Alexa Navasero - Secretary
Garrett Rubio - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2014

Ryan Ray Dela Cruz - Director
Pamela Bui - Supplies Coordinator
Kevin McKinney - Axium Coordinator
Jenny Neglerio - Secretary
Alison Parker-Cole - Supplies Coordinator
Dmitriy Pivnik - Treasurer
Stephanie Purnomo - Patient Coordinator

Previous Alumni

Learn more about some of our previous alumni on our alumni interviews page.