Wellness Team & Programs
Our Team
HSI is led by our Director of School Health. The HSI Wellness Team is comprised of staff from each school district to coordinate efforts locally. Sequoia Healthcare District directly supports close to 60 full and part-time positions, including nurses, counselors, mental health providers, and physical education coaches, who significantly enhance the health and wellness of their school communities.
Karen Li, MD, Director of School Health
Education: BS, UCLA; MD, UCSF; Pediatric Residency, Children’s Hospital, Oakland
Dr. Li identifies health and safety needs, formulates plans and goals, provides vision and leadership to the HSI Wellness Team, and collaborates with community partners. Dr. Li was the former Wellness Coordinator at Sequoia Union High School District and local pediatrician.
Wellness Coordinators
Bio
Education: BA Speech Communications, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Teaching Credential, SFSU; MA School Administration, NDNU
Ms. Sevillia is the Education Services Wellness Coordinator for BRSSD. Prior to her current role, Ms. Sevillia has served as the Assistant Principal at Sandpiper School, having also spent the previous 4 years as a Coordinator in the Curriculum and Instruction at the San Mateo County Office of Ed. Kristen is devoted to making a district-wide impact by supporting programs aimed at the whole child.
Bio
Education: BS Psychology, CSU Long Beach; MS Clinical Child Psychology, CSU East Bay; Certificate in Art Therapy
Chris Arrington is the Wellness Coordinator/Mental Health Lead for the MPCSD. Chis has worked in education for 36-years and the last 30-years as a school psychologist. He has been in the MPCSD for 18-years, providing social-emotional trainings for parents and staff. He has also been part of growing the district-wide PBIS programs and providing intensive behavioral/emotional support for special needs students.
Bio
Education: BA Psychology and MA Education-Counseling and Personnel Services, CSU, Bakersfield; Administrative Services Credential, Santa Clara County Office of Education
As the Director of Health and Wellness for RCSD, a K-8 district Patrinia Redd is the Director of Health and Wellness for the RCSD. She has twenty one years of experience working with programs supporting youth as a counselor, social worker, site administrator and most recently as a district Director of Pupil Services focused on special education needs. Patrinia’s goal is to increase student’s and families’ access to supports that will enhance the health and wellness for the Redwood City community.
Bio
Education: BS Business Management, Santa Clara University; Teaching credential, MA Education, UC Davis
Javier Gutierrez coordinates health services, education programs, and proactive support for the students of SUHSD. As a former teacher and administrator, this position continues Javier’s efforts to develop the whole student while positively impacting academic success. He works with professionals and community partners to develop physical, mental and behavioral health, and socio-emotional support programs.
Bio
Education: BA Boston College; MPH, San Jose State University
Nell Curran is the Wellness Coordinator for Las Lomitas Elementary School District where she supports the needs of staff, students, and families while also building a culture of wellness across the district. Nell brings 15 years of public health education experience from her time at the Stanford School of Medicine.
Bio
Education: BA Psychology, University of Mumbai; MS, Educational Psychology, University of Southern Illinois, Carbondale, IL; Ph.D. Educational Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Minoo leads the Wellness Team in the PVSD, which comprises 2 schools: Ormondale (grades TK-3) & Corte Madera School (grades 4-8). Minoo started her career as a school psychologist and then worked as an administrator in the Department of Special Education in San Francisco Unified School District. She has been at PVSD since 2014 and is now Director of Educational Services & Wellness. As part of the district leadership team she helps implement actions that address the district’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals related to both academic achievement as well as wellness.
Bio
Education: MA Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Science, Boston University School of Medicine
Ilana Yakubovich (she/hers) is the Health and Wellness Lead for SCSD. Ilana has experience counseling adolescents and young adults with eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Ilana shifted gears to work in health promotion and outreach; she has developed health and wellness programs for a homeless day shelter, and most recently, in the higher education setting. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and taught yoga and mindfulness for self-esteem improvement in the Boston Public Schools system. Ilana participated in a social justice and mindfulness fellowship in Berkeley several years ago, and is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area, and is so thrilled to be part of the Sequoia Healthcare District community!
Bio
Education: BS Nursing, SJSU; Teaching credential, Sacramento State
Abbe Keane is the Wellness Coordinator at WESD. She has worked for nearly thirty years as a public health nurse as well as a school nurse and consultant to numerous schools along the Peninsula. Abbe has been involved in teaching science and health education classes and currently works as the school nurse for both the Woodside and Portola Valley districts.
About School District Wellness Programs
Eight school districts within the boundaries of Sequoia Healthcare District receive funding to implement a comprehensive wellness program based on CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model.
Click below on each district to go to the district’s wellness page.
