Board of Directors

Dr. Ahana Sandhu joined the Board of Directors to support the mission of expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered, and community-responsive care for underserved populations. She is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine physician with extensive training and leadership experience, having served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine and Chief Sleep Medicine Fellow. Dr. Sandhu has cared for diverse patient populations across academic and safety-net settings, giving her firsthand insight into the barriers that limit access to specialty and preventive care. She is committed to advancing health equity, strengthening integrated care models, and supporting governance strategies that reflect community needs and improve health outcomes.

Mary Renner served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Central Valley Health Network (CVHN), a regional consortium consisting of 16 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that serve the Central Valley, Sacramento, and Northern California regions. With nearly 25 years of experience in healthcare management, specifically within the community health center sector, Ms. Renner has been dedicated to improving access to quality healthcare for underserved populations.

Prior to becoming COO, Mary served as Workforce Development Director at CVHN and briefly served as Interim CEO in 2011 and 2012. During her time with CVHN, she also served as the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Director, overseeing all day-to-day operations, including Quality Improvement and Workforce Development. Additionally, for 10 years, Mary served as a Board Member of the Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, a position appointed by the Governor of California.

Before joining CVHN, Mary was the Chief Human Resource Officer for Clinica Sierra Vista in Fresno, Sequoia Community Health Foundation, and United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administrative Studies from the University of California, Riverside. Mary was introduced to the community health center movement while working as the Executive Director at FLG Consulting from 2000 to 2003, and she has been passionate about this work ever since.

Maria G. Palomares, RN, is a registered nurse with experience in oncology, hospice care, aging services, and public health. Since becoming a registered nurse in 2021, she has worked with diverse patient populations and has developed a strong understanding of the healthcare, social, and community factors that influence health and well-being. Her background in social work and public health provides a unique perspective on addressing the needs of individuals and families across the communities Clinica Sierra Vista serves.

In addition to her professional experience, Maria is a mother of four and a caregiver for her senior mother. These roles have given her firsthand insight into the challenges families face when navigating healthcare services, caregiving responsibilities, and access to community resources.

As a Hispanic healthcare professional, Maria is passionate about advancing health equity and supporting access to quality care for underserved populations. She is honored to serve on the Clinica Sierra Vista Board of Directors, where she draws on her experience in healthcare, public health, and social services to support the organization’s mission and strengthen the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

Lilliana Garcia Pacheco, MSN, brings a valuable combination of clinical expertise and deep community connection to Clinical Sierra Vista. Holding a Master of Science in Nursing, she offers a unique perspective informed by both her professional healthcare experience and her personal background. Coming from a family with strong ties to agricultural field work, Ms. Garcia Pacheco has firsthand insight into the challenges and needs of the populations served by Clinical Sierra Vista.