Meet Our Team
“What makes Corktown Health special is the camaraderie and dedication amongst our staff. It makes me feel like I am part of a community where people truly care.”
Valentina Djelaj,
VP of Programs & Community Impact
Corktown health Leadership Team
Select one of our leaders below to read their full bio
Clinic Services
Dr. Dana Kabbani
(She/Her)
Physician
Dana Kabbani is from Los Angeles, CA. She obtained her degree in Biological Sciences from California State University, Fullerton. She went to medical school at The Medical University of the America’s, and completed her residency at WSU/DMC. She lives in Canton with her husband and their rescue dog, Seymour.
Patrice Wade-Olson
(She/Her)
Nurse Practitioner
Patrice specializes in HIV care, LGBT focused primary care, gender affirming therapy, HIV prevention, and sexual health.
She is passionate about trauma informed care and creating safe and comfortable spaces for her patients. She is working on research to address trauma and its impact on health.
Patrice Wade-Olson has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s of Nursing from Grand Valley State University. Patrice is an ANCC board certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and a certified HIV Specialist through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
Dena Williams
(She/Her)
Lead Medical Assistant
Adenia ‘Dena’ is the Lead Medical Assistant at Corktown Health. Dena leads a strong team of Medical Assistants that perform a number of medical and administrative tasks. She works closely with our team of nurse practitioners and physicians to assure that patients receive safe and competent care. Dena takes medical histories, explains treatment procedures to patients and assists providers during exams. Her value to Corktown Health is immeasurable.
Dena received her medical assistant training at Everest Institute. She will begin nursing school in January, 2021. In her spare time, Dena enjoys reading, arts and crafts and cooking.
Wendy Rabb
(She/Her)
Medical Assistant
Charlene Singleton
(She/Her)
Medical Assistant
Behavioral Health Services
Claudia Jean-Pierre LMSW
(She/Her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Claudia is a clinical behavioral health therapist, providing individual and group therapy with Corktown Health since 2019. She is a sex positive therapist and ally, working with the LGBTQ+ community, those navigating mental health needs and those living with HIV. She believes that healing work is a collaborative endeavor and combines experience, education, and innovation to provide a friendly and realistic approach to counseling. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused modalities to help clients safely explore their culture, identity, spirituality, and family legacy to make choices about their own needs.
Prior to her work at our agency, Claudia worked at Wayne County Community Mental Health for eleven years, providing therapeutic and management services. She enjoys celebrating Caribbean culture, movement in various forms, and spending time in nature.
Lauren Harper LMSW
(She/Her)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Lauren is a fully licensed LMSW who completed her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2005 at West Virginia University. She has studied various therapeutic modalities to help people improve their experience of living and focus on and enhance their innate goodness and strength, make choices, create their safety, and experience interconnectedness.
Her primary experience treating symptoms, discomforts, or disorders arising alongside life experiences comes from working as a therapist for active-duty members of the military and from working as a therapist at a methadone clinic as well as at a recovery center. Lauren has also been a social worker at multiple service centers and shelters for people who are experiencing homelessness. In terms of techniques, she has studied EMDR, CPT, CBT, relaxation techniques, DBT, and ACT and can offer a range of coping tools.
Jay Sean Fallon LMSW
(He/Him)
Associate Manager of Behavioral Health & Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jay received his Masters of Social Work degree in 2013 from Wayne State University and is currently a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Michigan. He has been providing behavioral health services at Corktown Health since 2018. Jay works specifically within the LGBTQ and HIV communities providing therapy services to individuals, couples and families that have experienced various forms of trauma, gender identity, HIV/AIDS, anxiety, depression, anger, life transitions, family/relationship issues, and parent/child concerns.
Prior to joining our agency, Jay worked in the Social Work field for over 15 years providing case management, advocacy and mental health services to at-risk and vulnerable populations of all ages. He has assisted with regional and national trainings focused on Transgender Health Care, Sexual identity, Collaborative Care, Social determinants of health, Adolescents, Trauma and HIV/AIDS. In his spare time, Jay likes to bake and spend time in his garden.
Financial Support Services
LaTanya Riggs
(She/Her)
Program Manager
La Tanya is a native of Detroit, MI. She has served in the human services field for over 15+ years in the areas of domestic violence, child welfare, and mental health. La Tanya prides herself on her ability to connect with clients where they are and helping them to reach their desired goals. La Tanya continues to serve here at Corktown Health using her expertise and career experience as the Financial Support Services Program Manager.
Anjel Lopez
(She/Her)
Client Service Specialist
Anjel is the lead Client Service Specialist for the Food & Nutrition program at Corktown Health.
Anjel works directly with the agency dietitian by providing critical nutritional information to clients. She specializes with translation services for the agency. Anjel currently serves on the agency Quality Committee. She has also held the roles of Early Intervention Specialist and Case Manager.
Anjel is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health.
Otis C. Baker
(He/Him)
Client Service Specialist
Otis serves as a Client Service Specialist in the Food & Nutrition Program at Corktown Health.
Otis provides food vouchers and supplements to clients enrolled in the program. He works directly with the agency Dietitian, providing vital client information to maintain their nutritional health.
Otis had the pleasure of serving on the Client Advisory Board as a staff liaison and has been with the agency for over three years.
Tobi Salo
(They/Them)
Client Service Specialist
Tobi has recently transitioned from the Care Management team, where they served as an Early Intervention Specialist to the Support Services team where they will provide services in our Food and Nutrition Program.
Tobi has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wayne State University with a double major in Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. They are currently working on a Masters in Clinical Social Work with a career goal of being a therapist, specializing in working with the queer and transgender communities.
Preventive Health Services
Kelly Cousins
(She/Her, They/Them)
Preventive Health Services Manager
Kelly is currently the Preventive Health Services Manager at Corktown Health, providing guidance and support for our Prevention, Tobacco Cessation and Hypertension and Obesity Programs.
With a Masters from Africa International University in Nairobi, Kenya, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Texas Christian University, Kelly has worked at the intersections of Public Health, Education and Social Work for the past 15 years. She is a licensed Social Worker, Teacher, Health Coach and Community Health Worker.
Drake Collins
(He/Him)
Associate Program Manager
Drake is the Prevention Specialist at Corktown Health and a member of the Southeast Michigan HIV/AIDS Council (SEMHAC), where he is also the co-chair of the Integrated Planning Committee.
Drake provides condom and hygiene kit distribution, HIV counseling, testing and referral, risk reduction counseling, and PrEP navigation services.
Drake has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a certificate in LGBT Studies from Kent State University and is a Community Health Worker registered with the Michigan Community Health Worker’s Association. He is currently pursuing certification as a sex educator.
Jonathon Arntson
(He/They)
Prevention Specialist
Jonathon is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Health Coach, and Community Health Worker. He has also completed the Multicultural Leadership Series with New Detroit. Seven years ago, he began working in the HIV field as a volunteer on the Michigan HIV/STI Hotline. Since then, Jonathon has served as a case manager, health education coordinator, and recruitment specialist.
Jonathon has an Associates of Art in Liberal Arts and Sciences from West Shore Community College and is in his senior year at Wayne State University in pursuit of a Bachelors of Arts in Urban Studies and Creative Writing. Jonathon’s areas of focus are public health in the city, climate change resiliency, and empowered storytelling.
As part of the Keep it Movin’ fitness and nutrition program, Jonathon coordinates healthy lifestyle interventions such as Wednesday Walkers and Wheelers and Cooking for One. He also provides support services and health education for those with hypertension and/or obesity, and those ready to reduce or quit tobacco.
Mickey Ruffin
(He/They)
Prevention Specialist
Care Management Services
Jessie Kightlinger
(She/Her)
Associate Program Manager
Jessie is currently the Health Insurance Coordinator and a Case Manager for Corktown Health. She is also a Certified Application Councilor for the Affordable Care Act, a Certified Insurance Navigator, Community Partner and Lead Point of Contact for MDHHS MI Bridges Medicaid Program and a Certified Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Councilor for the state of Michigan.
Jessie provides guidelines and training regarding health insurance to personnel as well as clients and members of the public. She also provides referrals to link people living with HIV to resources and services that will assist them with starting and staying in medical care. She provides support through advocacy and empowers clients to understand their health options.
Originally hailing from the west coast, Jessie moved to Detroit after obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science with a focus in Psychology from University of Oregon. She began working in the Ryan-White non-profit sector by doing community outreach, counseling and testing, and health education for the community.
LaSean Madden
(She/Her)
Lead Medical Case Manager
LaSean is currently a Medical Case Manager with Corktown Health.
LaSean has experience in the criminal justice field as well as the field of social work. She has experience in case management for survivors of domestic violence and juveniles both in detention and on probation. LaSean has also worked as a family preservation worker in Wayne County providing home-based intervention services and resources to families referred by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Currently, LaSean is studying ASL with plans of being an interpreter, and providing mental health and case management services to the Deaf community.
Erica Walker
(She/Her)
Social Work Case Coordinator
Erica is currently the Intensive Medical Case Manager/Social Work Case Coordinator with Corktown Health. As a native of Detroit, she has served in the public health, human services, patient care, and health education fields for over 10 years in the areas of chronic disease & co-morbidities management (including CKD, Hypertension, Diabetes, HIV, and COPD), substance use prevention, and mental health. Erica prides herself on her ability to assess the client’s needs & working clients to help them reach their goals. With a Masters of Education degree from Wayne State with a focus on Health Education, Erica has met the required academic preparation qualifications to sit for the competency-based examination for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) national credential and successfully passed the exam in 2021. Erica also holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology/Pre-Med from the Michigan State University and has experience as a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician, Phlebotomist, and patient care technician. Erica understands the importance of health education, health literacy, and health advocacy. She loves to travel, loves to read, and loves working out! Erica is excited to continue to serve the community at Corktown Health using her expertise and career experience as the Intensive Medical Case Manager and Health Educator.
Administrative Staff
Amanda Watkins
(She/Her)
Executive Assistant to the President & Chief Operating Officer
Amanda is currently the Executive Assistant to the President and Chief Operating Officer of Corktown Health. Amanda has a Master of Education from Wayne State University, a Bachelor of Arts in History, Secondary Education, and Social Sciences from the University of Detroit Mercy, and has received her certification in Humane Education from the Berman Academy of Humane Education.
Abbie Mays
(She/Her)
Customer Services Specialist
Abbie is the Customer Services Specialist at Corktown Health. She has over 26 years of customer service experience and 9 years of them have been with our agency.
Abbie is the first point of contact for patients at our agency. She uses her enhanced customer service skills to make the clinic experience a positive one for each and every individual. Abbie’s duties include but are not limited to scheduling appointments, insurance coding, and data entry.
Abbie is a very powerful force in the workplace. She uses her positive attitude make a difference in everyone’s day. In her spare time Abbie enjoys shopping, traveling with her husband, and buying new culinary gadgets to create exquisite meals.
Abbie graduated from Everest institute with her certificate in Computer Technology in 2011.
Nicolette Juncaj
(She/Her)
Quality and Data Coordinator
Nicolette is the Data and Quality Coordinator at Corktown Health. Nicolette holds a Master of Public Health degree from Oakland University and is passionate about Quality Improvement, Social Determinants of Health, and data. She has worked with several nonprofit organizations and previously worked at Macomb County Community Mental Health. She strives to help underserved individuals and communities reach health equity through data, research, and quality improvement interventions. On her free time, Nicolette enjoys painting, reading, and roller blading.
Taquana McKinney
(She/Her)
Billing Specialist
Taquana (TQ) is currently the Billing Specialist at Corktown Health. She has over 20 years of customer service, accounting, banking and billing experience. She strives to make sure that she provides excellent service and support to all her co-workers.
Taquana has her Bachelors of Science in Business and Accounting and a Certification in Computerized Accounting. As a mother of 5 and a Gaga to her smart 1 year old grandson she enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling with her husband.
LaTonya Dalton
(She/Her)
Scheduling Specialist
LaTonya is the Scheduling Specialist at Corktown Health. She has over 24 years of customer service experience.
LaTonya is a mother of three children. She enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with her husband and children.
Sonia Sollie
(She/Her)
Registrar and Insurance Specialist
Sonia is the Registrar and Insurance Specialist at Corktown Health. She has over 16 years of experience in health insurance regulation and procedures. Sonia is a RHIT and has an Associate’s Degree in Health Information Technology from Wayne County Community College.
