Mission & Leadership

History.

Formally Metro Community Provider Network, STRIDE Community Health Center is a 501 (c) (3) Non-profit established as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Since its inception in 1989, STRIDE has provided excellent patient-centered care for all. Beginning with a single clinic and one physician in Aurora, Colorado, STRIDE has since undergone substantial growth, transforming into a comprehensive and integrated healthcare delivery system that operates 13 brick-and mortar clinics, including six school-based health centers and a versatile Mobile Health Team.

Mission.

STRIDE partners with the community to provide excellent, culturally-sensitive health services to meet the needs of each individual.

Executive Team.

The Chief executives of STRIDE possess over 100 years of experience in Community Health, while the deputies have more than 200 years of experience in advocating and enhancing sustainable healthcare access for all individuals, irrespective of their circumstances or ability to pay. The team values innovation and sustainability, with a focus on prioritizing EDI.

Clinical Approach: At STRIDE, we pride ourselves on our patient-centered approach to healthcare. Using a team-based model, our patients receive individualized care from a variety of healthcare professionals.

With this approach, our team is able to see a large number of patients each day, while still increasing the level of care and attention given to each individual. Our goal is to provide exceptional healthcare services to our community's most vulnerable populations, and we strive to ensure our patients feel heard, cared for, affirmed, and respected.

2023 Annual Report

Santos Vera

President and CEO

Santos Vera is a healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience leading safety-net healthcare organizations such as federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and academic medical groups. He has achieved success through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence to assist FQHCs in maximizing services for the marginalized and uninsured patients we serve. He is known for creating an organizational culture that thrives on humility, transparency, and authenticity. Mr. Vera’s servant leadership and inclusive style allow him to engage frequently with internal and external stakeholders.

Mr. Vera’s career includes roles as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Administrator/Executive Director at organizations dedicated to a variety of healthcare causes including social justice and public policy.

As a strategy and operations leader, he blends his passion for social impact with out-of-the-box thinking combined with his expertise to help healthcare organizations provide improved quality of care. Most recently, Mr. Vera was named as one of the Top 10 Healthcare Leaders of 2022. His other achievements have included FQHC merger and acquisitions, the development of hospital and FQHC divergent programs, specialty care service line, Ryan White and dental program expansion, FoodRx program, and the planning and development of de-novo health centers.

Mr. Vera serves as a Board member of a non-for-profit healthcare organization focused on caring for women with breast and cervical cancer. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California teaching a graduate program. He serves on several committees on Leadership that is centered on mentoring and coaching young leaders. Mr. Vera graduated from Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine. He went on to complete a Fellowship with Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center – Los Angeles County. Additionally, he attended the University of Southern California where he received a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration with an emphasis on Leadership and Finance. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Healthcare Strategy.

April Peer

Chief Financial Officer

April Peer is a proven industry expert in finance and operations management within healthcare. She is a dedicated professional who has aligned her career visions to achieve set goals across multiple organizations over the years. As a senior accounting and financial management executive, April possesses a vast knowledge cutting across multiple facets of finance, helping her streamline business operations that drive growth and increase efficiency and bottom-line profit. Her expertise cuts across the fields of Accounting and Financial oversight, business planning and analysis, financial forecasting, grant management, revenue generation, budget management, relationship building, amongst others.

Dr. TJ Staff, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Thomas J. Staff, MD, MPH, is an accomplished physician leader who has been practicing in the Denver area since 2012.

He brings over 25 years of experience working with academic safety-net health care organizations to address health disparities for the most vulnerable and marginalized patients populations.

He comes to us from Denver Health where he served as the Associate Program Director for the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency program and practiced full scope family medicine at the Lowry Family Health Center. Prior to that he was medical director for a clinic in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s west side.

Dr. Staff attributes his knowledge of medicine and social justice to his time at Georgetown University, where he completed his undergrad and medical training. Before relocating to Denver, Dr. Staff completed his family medicine training at PCC Community Wellness Center and West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois. Additionally, he completed a two-year fellowship in Maternal & Child Health and Public Health at UIC.

Christi Garriott

Chief Operating Officer

Christi Garriott joined STRIDE in 2022. Christi was a patient of a Federally Qualified Health Center, for many years as a child, and has lived personal experience that mirrors many of the families served by STRIDE every day. With more than two decades of experience in Colorado Federally Qualified Health Centers, Christi’s focus at STRIDE is positively contributing to the patient experience through operational efficiencies that are focused on creating and maintaining a healing environment for the patients who trust our organization with their health care. Christi is an Executive Fellow in Community Health, as designated by the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance at the University of Kansas, with significant experience in Revenue Cycle, Information Technology, Analytics and Health Center Operations.

Matt Ullrich, Esq.

General Counsel

With over thirteen years of experience in healthcare law, Matt Ullrich has held pivotal roles such as Deputy General Counsel and Director of Legal Services at Colorado Access, and Associate General Counsel at Colorado Permanente Medical Group, P.C. His background also includes notable tenure at Caplan and Earnest, LLC, and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Matt's dedication to enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all is underscored by his collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach. Recognized as both one of the Best Lawyers in America and a Colorado Super Lawyer Rising Star in healthcare, Matt's commitment to excellence is evident in his track record.

Dr. Aza Fahed, MD, FAAP

Deputy Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Aza Fahed brings over 14 years of dedicated service to children and families in Aurora, serving as a pillar of support and advocacy within the community. Her specific passion for pediatric health underscores her dedication to nurturing healthy communities, both physically and mentally. As a longstanding member of the STRIDE medical team, Dr. Fahed demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing pediatrics, refugee services and reproductive justice, embodying compassion and empathy in all her endeavors. With a profound understanding of the complex needs of vulnerable populations, Dr. Fahed has emerged as an extraordinary leader and patient advocate. Her passion for pediatric health is palpable, and she possesses a remarkable ability to connect with families, providing invaluable support and guidance through challenging times. As the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, she is poised to lead with integrity and compassion, driving forward initiatives that prioritize the well-being of children and families in Aurora and beyond.

Alan Ray Reed

Deputy Director of Nursing

Alan Ray Reed is STRIDE’s Nursing/Clinical Operations Executive and a practicing Advanced Practice Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Reed has 7 years of advanced practice experience in community health/primary care. His clinical passions include primary community health care, refugee health, substance use, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and integrated behavioral health. Mr. Reed brings both the provider and nurse perspective to his leadership work and strives to build a high performing team of clinical support aimed at improving the lives of STRIDE patients and staff while delivering high-quality, cost-effective care to our most vulnerable communities. Outside of work, Mr. Reed enjoys hiking, cycling, motorcycling, and spending time with friends.

Dr. Dellena Aguilar

Deputy Director of Equity and Wellness

Dr. Dellena Aguilar is a highly esteemed licensed psychologist with an illustrious career spanning over two decades, dedicated to the advancement of equity and social justice. Currently affiliated with Stride, she serves as a beacon of leadership within the organization, building upon her previous tenure in behavioral health to drive transformative change. With a profound commitment to fostering positive change within communities, Dr. Aguilar has emerged as a prominent leader in addressing systemic issues and advocating for marginalized populations.

Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering passion for dismantling institutional racism, igniting critical conversations and empowering individuals to challenge systemic biases. Her expertise in exploring the intersections of class, race, and gender positions her as a thought leader in the field, driving awareness and promoting inclusivity. As a tireless advocate for equity, Dr. Aguilar's work extends beyond advocacy to actionable change, ensuring that she addresses the unique needs and experiences of all individuals, both within Stride and in broader society.

Dr. Sung Cho, DDS

Deputy Dental Officer

Dr. Sung Cho is an accomplished dental leader with a distinguished 15+ year career and an approach to patient care that extends beyond dental treatment, emphasizing comprehensive health education and integrated healthcare solutions.
Graduating from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, Sung's journey has been defined by his unwavering commitment to pediatric and general dentistry and innovative oral health care solutions for underserved populations. Beginning his career with a residency at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, Sung then transitioned to STRIDE in 2009, where he initially served as a Staff Dentist. Recognized for his clinical acumen and leadership potential, Sung ascended to the role of Dental Director in 2013, spearheading transformative initiatives that propelled the dental department’s expansion to Parker, Hampden, Delmar, and Englewood. His dedication to advancing dental education is evident in his advocacy for student rotation programs, including the establishment of the hygiene student rotation program in collaboration with the Community College of Denver.

Dr. Jody Ortman, LP, LAC

Deputy Director of Behavioral Health

With 16 years of experience in the Behavioral Health field, Dr. Ortman is passionate about integrated care and improving client outcomes (fueled by snacks and caffeine). She was drawn to this field to support others in designing healthier lives for themselves.

Dr. Ortman previously worked in the FQHC system in Arizona and joins us from Mental Health Partners, where she served as the Director of Integrated Care.

To schedule meetings with members of the executive team, please reach out to: Executive.Assistant@stridechc.org

Development, Events, and Partnership Inquiries should be sent to: Philanthropy@stridechc.org

Call : (303) 7STRIDE
(303) 778-7433

History.

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