Coming soon

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Dr. Angeline Lazarus is a pulmonologist who became the Medical Director in 2022. Previous to this position, Dr. Lazarus served on the Board of MKHC, and also the Reach Board for many years.  She graduated from Madras University in Madurai, India before emmigrating to the U.S. where she completed her internship and residency, joined the United States Navy, and completed her fellowship in pulmonary and critical medicine at the National Naval Medical Center. After leaving the Navy at the rank of Captain, Dr. Lazarus continued academic practice at Walter Reed. She retired in 2019 and now practices as a volunteer physician. She is a Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) at Bethesda, MD and continues to be active in teaching. Dr. Lazarus received the  Jane F. Desforges Distinguished Teacher award from the American College of Physicians (ACP), James Leonard Teaching Excellence award from USUHS, and other teaching awards. She received her Mastership by the ACP.

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Leslie has cared for patients in clinics and private practice, in family medicine, rheumatology, urgent care, internal medicine, and student health. She has held university faculty and administrative positions including program director, associate dean, and dean. Leslie has a long publishing history of peer-reviewed scholarly articles and books. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and of the Association of Rehabilitation Nursing. She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Health Policy, and Ethics.

Ali Smith joined the Kaseman Health Clinic in April 2022 as Nurse Supervisor. In that capacity, she trains and supervises all nurses and medical assistants, and ensures appropriate nursing coverage is available. She also works closely with the Clinic Manager, Medical Director, Primary Care Provider, and Specialists to develop policies and procedures that allow the clinic to provide and coordinate high quality patient care. 

Ali began her educational journey at the Friends School in Baltimore where the Quaker principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship made a strong impression that she carries into her professional life. A Friends school trip provided the opportunity to live with a family in Argentina and volunteer at the local church and school. The experience sparked her passion for serving others and working with those from other cultures. Ali continued her education and earned her bachelor degree in Spanish and Biology, then went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on Clinical Nurse Leadership from the University of Maryland. 

Wanting to focus on preventative health care and community outreach, Ali made the move from Critical Care to Kaseman Health Clinic. This position also provides her with the opportunity to work with people from other cultures. She says the Clinic is a “compassionate place for patients to receive primary and specialty health care when they might otherwise not have access and I am happy to be a part of the team."

In November, 2018, Magda joined MKHC as a medical assistant.  Her gentle touch and fluent Spanish makes the pinch of the needle drawing blood more comfortable for our patients. Originally from Chile, Magda understands the cultural differences encountered by people who are new to the U.S. She is able to help explain what is about to happen so those differences are not as scary.

At MKHC, Magda says “I am able to help patients who come from a background similar to mine.  Most people seeking medical care because something doesn’t feel right are anxious. When you do not have insurance or money to pay for care, and in addition you come from a community where families take care of each other, and almost everyone is family, coming to a new place is really scary.  I try to make that connection so our patients don’t feel like everyone is a stranger.”

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Carmen is an experienced administrative healthcare professional who has worked in various positions of health care outreach and partner relations. As Clinic Manager, she leads the administrative staff and serves as the liaison to the medical staff. Carmen develops relationships with partner organizations to provide the most comprehensive health services to MKHC patients. Her work with the Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program will benefit the Diabetes Center that MKHC is developing. Previous to coming to MKHC, Carmen worked for Adventist Healthcare, a partner in MKHC’s mission to care for the medically underserved

Carmen is fluent in English and Spanish, and has volunteered as a healthcare translator and interpreter. She holds an MBA in Management as well as a Masters in Economic Theory.

Teresita has worked for Community Reach of Montgomery County for almost 20 years, the last 10 at MKHC. In that time, she has been involved in just about every aspect of MKHC administration: health education, patient flow, electronic medical record management, front desk, and now, eligibility coordination and grant reporting. As one of the first faces patients see, she patiently guides them through the first visit. As about 75% of MKHC patients speak Spanish as their first language, Teresita’s fluency in both Spanish and English make communication much easier and patients feel safe and cared for. 

Talking about her work at MKHC, Teresita says “Having watched family and friends struggle with finding quality health care, I  make it my priority that patients feel cared for and listened to from the moment they walk through our doors. Guiding patients through the eligibility process allows me to connect with them in a meaningful way and show them I care about their wellbeing.”

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Deanna has worked in the administration of Montgomery Cares clinics since 2012.  She has helped guide patients through the process of enrollment, provided referrals and information to specialists, and worked closely with partners like Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Recently the representative of one of our partners described how much she enjoyed working with Deanna.  She knew Deanna’s goal was always to provide the most efficient and quality care to the patients she served. She is knowledgeable, warm, and incredibly adept at finding ways around the red tape that is part of so many of the programs that help those with little means.

When asked why she chose a position at MKHC, Deanna stated, “Growing up in West Virginia, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to get one’s health needs addressed when you don’t have the funds, the insurance, or the experience to be your own advocate. I like being an advocate for our patients and helping them understand how to work through the system.”

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A volunteer herself, Andy chose to serve as our Volunteer Supervisor on the one weekday she does not work at her paid position in public health. She is one of our longest continually serving volunteers, and is considered an integral part of our staff. Anyone who wants to volunteer at MKHC, and any volunteer needs MKHC has are directed to Andy.  She talks with both staff and potential volunteers to make sure anyone who is on boarded fills an MKHC need and also is fulfilling their reason for giving their time. Andy became aware of Community Reach through her faith community and the work we do together in December Holiday Giving.  

Why does Andy spend her day off at MKHC?  She says working here “keeps me in closer contact and provides a better understanding of who is directly affected by the work I do in public health.  Making a good connection between volunteer and Clinic need provides an immediate sense of accomplishment and a result that can be seen very quickly.”

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