Where Your Health Comes First
Shannon Kelaita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned a BA in history from California State University, Fullerton in 1987 and a master’s in social work from Sacramento State University in 2012. Before entering the field of social work, Shannon was active in Calaveras schools and youth organizations. Shannon’s social work experience started at Calaveras County Behavioral Health where she provided individual and group therapy, crisis support, and dual diagnosis counseling. She spent three years with Calaveras Unified Schools, working as a school social worker and mental health counselor. She has over five years of experience in medical social work, serving at Sutter Amador Hospital and the Mark Twain Dignity Health Clinics. She has also provided psychotherapy through her private practice.
Shannon’s approach to therapy is compassionate and person-centered. She specializes in treating depression, trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders. She uses an eclectic blend of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, Solution-Focused-Therapy, and somatic awareness. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a powerful, evidence-based therapy effective for treating symptoms of trauma.
Diana Coleman FNP-BC is an advanced practice nurse practitioner with a national certification. Knowing and understanding how the body works is Diana’s passion. She enjoys teaching people how to stay healthy. She also likes to help them when they are sick. Diana started in the medical field in her late thirties and graduated with a degree in nursing in 1990. In 1997, she graduated from Pacific Union College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2005, she completed her master's degree in nursing from California State University, Fresno. She has worked in many different fields, from delivering babies to treating people with cancer. Diana has also held leadership roles and been a nursing instructor. Most importantly, she loves being a student; she is always learning. “Each and every patient/student I have come in contact with has been a blessing.”
Provider Bios
Dr. Randy Smart graduated from U.C. Davis with honors. He then started his medical training with a scholarship to the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland. His interest was in medical problem solving and human systems so he entered a three year residency in Internal Medicine. Following his residency, he then embarked on a twenty year medical career with the United States Air Force. He led medical missions to numerous third-world countries serving as an envoy for various United States interests. Dr. Smart returned to Calaveras County in 2002 and has served in a variety of leadership positions at the Mark Twain Medical Center. He is now the CEO of the Mark Twain Health Care District and has offered to also provide part time Internal Medicine services at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center.
Katie Murphy is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who obtained her Registered Nursing degree at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton and earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT. She then earned a post-Master certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from United States University in San Diego. Before becoming a nurse, Katie gained valuable experience as a Respiratory Therapist. With a background in ICU nursing and home care, Katie brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She is passionate about community well-being and committed to providing personalized, whole person care to the residents she calls neighbors. Katie blends technical proficiency with genuine compassion, focusing on preventive measures and overall wellness. As a wife and mother of three, she chooses to raise her family in beautiful Calaveras County and serve those in her community.
Tim Shank holds national board certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). He obtained his Master of Science in Nursing from Troy University. Originally from Mississippi, Tim has worked as a registered nurse in emergency medicine in Mississippi, Colorado, and California for over 10 years. He has gained experience in various settings and roles including rural access hospitals, large teaching hospitals, nursing management, and critical care simulations. Tim is passionate about education, shared decision-making, and helping patients identify and work toward their health goals.
Vicky Arellano is an Associate Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience across a variety of community-based roles. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services from California State University, Monterey Bay where she graduated with distinction in the major as well as a Service-Learning award for her work in hospice care. Recently, she obtained her Master's in Social Work from California State University, Stanislaus. Her wide range of experience in social work includes hospice care, skilled nursing, school-based intervention programs, and corrections. Vicky's passion includes mental health awareness, community growth, and empowering clients through an empathetic client centered approach. Vicky's primary role as the behavioral health consultant is to help patients assess their mental health needs through brief assessments to help connect patients with services either in or out of the clinic as well as provide psychoeducation on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
Dr. Christian Bader was born and raised in Lodi California. After graduating from Lodi High School, he went on to earn an associate of arts degree from San Joaquin College. Dr. Bader then graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton California with a bachelor of science degree in biology. He continued on to earn a doctorate in dental surgery from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1997. Following graduation, Dr. Bader started a private practice in Lodi and continues to work in that practice part time today. Dr. Bader is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Joaquin Dental Society. He has completed programs with PAC Live, California Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, and Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. After a few programs as a "student" dentist, He was invited to be clinical instructor with the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. As a clinical instructor he directly taught practicing dentists with their teams and patients the techniques and principles of cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers. In his free time, Dr. Bader enjoys time with his two sons, playing golf, and watching sports.
Susan Deax-Keirns is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma (1989) and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University (1991). Her training includes 8 years at Santa Clara University working with students, faculty and staff. In the middle of her tenure at SCU, she lived at a silent Interfaith Monastery for 1 year for a Mindfulness Intensive training. In 2005, she returned to the counseling field part-time (as she was mothering 3 small children). Her work history includes serving at Calaveras County Behavioral Health, acting as the Clinical Director at Mind Matters Clinic (a clinic that specialized in ADHD, Autism and Learning Disabilities) and providing therapy in a private practice setting. She is currently serving as the Director of Behavioral Health at Valley Springs Health and Wellness Center and offers counseling services to the patients in the clinic.
Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, alcohol issues, chronic pain, and trauma. Her therapeutic approach is informed by her training in Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), and research in neuroscience and brain health. She provides support, practical feedback, and evidence-based tools to help people move from where they are to where they would like to be.
Rachall Crowe is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who grew up in Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She then obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She holds a national certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a family nurse practitioner. She has over 16 years of emergency medicine nursing experience in both adult and pediatric populations. Her goal is to educate and guide you on your healthcare journey with personalized care.
Dr. Robert Gish is a physician who is renowned throughout California for his expertise in hepatology (liver diseases). He is board certified in internal medicine, hepatology, and liver transplantation. His original medical training was at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Gish has a number of academic appointments including Professor of Medicine & Attending Physician Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Dr. Gish has had and continues to have an active research program in viral hepatitis (HBV,HCV, HDV and HEV) liver transplant, bioartificial liver, and public policy especially related to liver cancer, liver transplantation and viral hepatitis.
He has published more than 600 original articles, review articles, abstracts and book chapters.
Dr. Gish joined the team at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center in 2021. He brings a great knowledge and skill-set to the clinic where he provides hepatology (liver) consultations each month.
Dr. Tam Nguyen graduated from California Polytechnic University at Pomona, California in 1984 with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He worked in Silicon Valley for various computer companies from 1985 to 1988. He then did a one-year post-graduate at Cleveland State University in Ohio from 1989 to 1990. Dr. Nguyen earned his dental degree from The Ohio State Dental School in Columbus, Ohio in June 1994. He has been practicing general dentistry since 1995 in Northern California. He is a member of the California Dental Association. He regularly participates in a Smile for Kids and Adult Programs to provide free dental check-ups and dental services in Santa Clara, Sacramento, and Placer District dental societies. Dr. Nguyen is currently working at VSHWC to provide dental care for an underserved community near and far.