Meet the Board

 
 
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PAST president

Jaime Flores, MPH, RD
Santa Clara County Public Health Department

Jaime Flores is a Registered Dietitian and Health Care Program Analyst with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. She currently supports the Healthy Communities Branch with their strategic planning, evaluation training, and fiscal tasks.  She led the development and coordination of the Healthy Worksite Program in Santa Clara County from 2014-2017 and oversaw BANPAC’s healthy worksite policy work from 2014-2016. Jaime completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics from California State University, Fresno, her MPH in Community Health Education from San José State University, and dietetic internship through UCSF Medical Center.  Jaime enjoys traveling, visiting farmers’ markets, and trying new restaurants.

Jaime looks forward to leading CCLHDN next year and expanding membership and networking opportunities.

 
 
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treasurer

Treasurer: Stephanie Russell, MPH, RD,
California Department of Aging

Stephanie works in the CalFresh Healthy Living program at the California Department of Aging. She appreciates being able to work in her field, public health nutrition. Stephanie is interested in helping CCLHDN members share their experiences and ideas with one another.

When she’s not at work she likes to kayak, hike, and ski in the mountains. Stephanie received her B.S. in Dietetics at Oregon State University and her Master’s in Public Health Nutrition from UC Berkeley.

 
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Past President:

Maridet Castro Ibanez, R.D.
Administrative Manager I, Nutrition Services/WIC Program
County of Orange Health Care Agency

Maridet is currently the Nutrition Services Manager of the County of Orange Health Care Agency Nutrition Services/WIC Program and has been in this position since 2002.  She has considerable experience in the field of nutrition, starting in acute care and then in the field of public health nutrition, where she started as an office assistant and worked her way through the ranks as a public health nutritionist, program supervisor, and now as the manager.  In addition, she oversees collaboration with the local detention facilities, early intervention programs, which adds to a diverse public health nutrition department. Through a network of local and state partners, nutrition education and physical activity programs are shared and implemented in the county – making a difference in helping OC residents make healthier choices.  

Maridet is a proud member of CCLHDN.  “I don’t think I could have reached my goals in public health nutrition, if it weren’t for the support and energy from my co-CCLHDN colleagues.”  Maridet is currently Past-President and looks forward to be part of an organization that will develop future leaders.

 
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past-PResident

Nayan Patel, RD, MAS
Shasta County Public Health

Nayan Patel is a Supervising Public Health Nutritionist at Shasta County Public Health. She joined Shasta County after an 11 year career at San Mateo Public Health where she started as an entry level dietitian and worked her way up to Project Coordinator of Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention.  Nayan attended UC Davis for her undergraduate and graduate education. She has worked extensively on policy, systems and environmental changes related to nutrition by coordinating nutrition education, obesity prevention, and school wellness initiatives. Most notably, she championed farm to school efforts that led to local produce on the cafeteria lunch menu through an entire school district, led partnerships with providers to initiate a model Parks Rx program, and co-chaired the Bay Area Nutrition Physical Activity Collaborative (BANPAC). Nayan is passionate about healthy cooking and marketing nutritious foods to young children. For fun, she enjoys running, baking, and going on travel adventures with family and friends. 

Nayan served as the 2018-2019 CCLHDN President.