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LA County

Nutrition and Physical Activity Program

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Contact Us

Contact the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program

Address:

3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010

Email:

NutritionProgram@ph.lacounty.gov

Student Interviews

For any student interview requests for the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program team, please email DPH Media at media@ph.lacounty.gov . Please submit your request at least three weeks in advance, as it can take up to 2-3 weeks for requests to be assigned to the appropriate staff.

Please include the following:

  • Your full name and school
  • Deadline for the interview (not the deadline for the project)
  • Syllabus from the class requiring the interview
  • Questions or topic (at minimum) that you would like to cover

PROGRAM STAFF

  • Dipa Shah-Patel, MPH, RDN

    Director

    Ms. Dipa Shah-Patel directs the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, and has over twenty years of experience implementing federally funded and state administered nutrition programs to improve the health of low-income, vulnerable communities, especially communities of color. Ms. Shah-Patel is a seasoned public health administrator and manages a program budget of $25 million annually. Under her leadership, the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program has shifted its focus to addressing upstream factors that impact diet-related diseases, including food insecurity and poverty. She has served on numerous task forces and presented to a variety of audiences on food insecurity and its relationship to diet-related chronic diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Ms. Shah-Patel was instrumental in the development of several Board motions adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors focused on screening for food insecurity in County clinics, reducing food waste and food insecurity and healthy food access for diabetes and prediabetes prevention. Ms. Shah-Patel has been recognized for her leadership in establishing healthy school environments, excellence in public health programs, exceptional media & communications and advancing health equity. She received both her B.A. in History and M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences from UCLA. She is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

  • Lana Sklyar, MPH

    Senior Program Manager

    Ms. Lana Sklyar oversees the Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) for the CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners and provides technical assistance on data entry, data management, and analysis. Ms. Sklyar also ensures that all sites where SNAP-Ed services take place are qualified and manages the Site List for Los Angeles County, as well as coordinates with California Department of Social Services and California Department of Public Health to complete reporting and schedule biannual site visits. Prior to working with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Ms. Sklyar worked for the Community and Field Services Division under Service Planning Areas 3 (San Gabriel Valley) and 4 (Metro Los Angeles), where she assisted with workforce development, completed Quality Improvement projects to increase completion rates for patients staring treatment for Tuberculosis Infection, and worked on strategically planning and coordinating programmatic responses to Public Health outbreaks (e.g., Zika Virus, Meningitis). Ms. Sklyar received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

  • Fatinah Darwish-Elsherbiny, MPH, RDN

    Senior Program Manager

    Ms. Fatinah Darwish-Elsherbiny is the Senior Program Manager at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. She has over five years of experience collaborating with healthcare organizations to implement food insecurity screening tools, refer food insecure patients to local food resources, and conduct free produce distributions to patients at clinic sites. She serves as the project manager for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), Produce Prescription Project (PPR), which provides eligible patients with a “produce prescription” that can be redeemed at local grocery stores to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Ms. Darwish-Elsherbiny co-facilitates the LA County Food Rx Collaborative, a learning collaborative with Department of Health Services aimed at coordinating and streamlining food security efforts across LA County’s safety-net healthcare sites. Prior to DPH, Ms. Darwish-Elsherbiny worked as a registered dietitian in outpatient, inpatient and long-term care facilities. She received a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from the Ohio State University and completed her dietetic internship at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. She obtained a Master of Public Health from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

  • Cara Elio, MPH, MSEDE, RDN

    Senior Program Manager

    Ms. Cara Elio provides guidance and oversight for the CalFresh Healthy Living Program implementation and evaluation, including program design and request for proposals solicitation processes. Ms. Elio interfaces with internal and external partners to further program goals. Over the course of Ms. Elio's 18 year career prior to DPH, she worked as a registered dietitian in acute clinical, long-term care, rehabilitation, adult and pediatric primary care, and skilled nursing facilities. Ms. Elio also has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in positions ranging from Project Coordinator to Co-Executive Director. Her work spanned exploring models for enhancing primary care by integrating services from registered dietitians and building wellness programs for foster youth facilities in rural North Carolina to supporting Los Angeles obesity and chronic disease prevention efforts through programs that guide healthy retail corner store transformations, bolstering sales and consumer nutrition education for California producers, and the CalFresh Healthy Living Program. Ms. Elio received a Bachelors in Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Saint Louis University, completed her dietetic internship at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, received her Masters of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a Masters in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston-Victoria.

  • Dayana Queiroz, MPH, RDN

    Public Health Nutritionist

    Ms. Dayana Queiroz provides public health nutrition expertise and technical assistance to the CalFresh Healthy Living program's funded partners. She also assists with coordinating the Promotores Training Program which is a training series developed to train promotores, community health workers and health educators to become a trusted community resource for nutrition information, food assistance programs, and food resources. Dayana received her Master's Degree in Public Health from the University of Florida and is also a Registered Dietitian. Prior to working with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, she has worked in post-acute rehabilitation for older adults, in-patient clinical nutrition, renal nutrition, and early childcare nutrition. Her experience working with various age groups and levels of prevention have validated and solidified her passion in public health, promoting health equity, and diminishing health disparities.

  • Jennifer Clark, MS, RDN

    Program Manager

    Ms. Jennifer Clark provides programmatic oversight to CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners in the food bank/food pantry and early childhood education sector. Previously, Ms. Clark worked as a Public Health Nutritionist in DPH's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. She received a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University and completed both her Masters of Science in Nutrition and her dietetic internship through the California State University, Los Angeles Coordinated Dietetic Program.

  • Jennifer Florez, MPH

    Communications Manager

    Ms. Jennifer Florez oversees the public relations component of various programs under our Nutrition and Physical Activity unit. She works on marketing and public relation strategies to further awareness of our programming throughout LA County. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and obtained a Master of Public Health from University of Southern California (USC) with an emphasis in Health Communications.

  • Julia Caldwell, MPH, PhD

    Chief Research Analyst

    Dr. Julia Caldwell is a research analyst that evaluates CalFresh Healthy Living program deliverables and other services. Julia received a Masters in Public Health and PhD in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago.

  • Keisha Macon, MPH

    Research Analyst III

    Ms. Keisha Macon provides support in the research and evaluation team for CalFresh Healthy Living and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Prior to joining the Nutrition and Physical Activity program, Ms. Macon worked as a Research Analyst with LA County’s Division of HIV and STD Programs HIV Surveillance Unit. While there, she monitored HIV case reporting throughout LA County and worked to improve data quality by ensuring the accuracy and completion of key HIV reportable variables. Ms. Macon received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from California State University, Fullerton.

  • Kelli M. Vos, MSPH

    Communications Manager

    Ms. Kelli Vos provides communications and public relations support for the CalFresh Healthy Living program. She received a Master of Science in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with an emphasis on health education and health communication.

  • Parvaneh Lalezari MS, RDN

    Nutritionist II

    Ms. Lalezari has 23 years of experience to helps communities improve their health through nutrition education and physical activities. Prior to working with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Ms. Lalezari worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program where she educated and trained CHDP providers, CHDP and Foster care nursing staff and other agencies on the use of nutrition assessment and screening tools regarding prevention of childhood obesity, Participated in statewide CHDP Nutrition Subcommittee in the development, evaluation, and implementation of nutrition policy, procedures, educational materials and training sessions for statewide use. She also worked as a registered dietitian with Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) Program, Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), MacLaren Children’s Center, UCLA, Department of Human Nutrition, and Jenny Craig International. As a Food technologist she worked for Boskovich Farms, Inc. and Excelline Foods, Inc. She received a Bachelor in nutrition and dietetics and a master in food technology from Teheran University in Iran. Also, in United State California State University of Northridge, Didactic Program in Dietetic and completed her dietetic internship through the California State University, Los Angeles Coordinated Dietetic Program in Northridge Hospital. Teaching Techniques Courses, Los Angeles Valley College, Pierce College.

  • Rita Mozian, MPH, MCHES

    Program Manager

    Ms. Rita Mozian provides programmatic oversight to CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners within the school districts. Prior to her role as a Project Manager, Ms. Mozian has worked with DPH’s Community and Field Services Division for Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and Santa Clarita Valley. In her role, she has worked on a variety of projects involving planning, implementing, evaluating health promotion and disease prevention programs. She has collaborated with several community agencies and on a variety of Public Health topics. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration and Master’s Degree in Public Health from California State University, Northridge.

  • Tania Marquez, MPH

    Program Manager

    Ms. Tania Marquez provides programmatic support to CalFresh Healthy Living funded partner in the healthcare sector. Ms. Marquez began her career with the County in 2012 as an Outreach Worker for the Latino Campaign under the Network for a Healthy California. She conducted nutrition education classes and food demonstrations with community members and participated in large community-wide events focused on nutrition education and physical activity promotion. Ms. Marquez received her Bachelor of Nutritional Science from California State University, Los Angeles and completed her Master of Public Health at the University of Southern California (USC).

  • Vanessa Hoos, MPH, REHS

    Program Manager

    Ms. Vanessa Hoos provides programmatic oversight to CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners that distribute produce to underserved communities. Prior to her role as a Program Manager, Ms. Hoos worked as an Environmental Health Specialist with DPH’s Environmental Health Division. In her role, she has inspected food facilities for compliance with public health laws, conducted foodborne illness outbreak investigations, and has extensive knowledge of food safety practices and policies surrounding the donation of surplus food. As a CDPH-certified Lead Inspector/Assessor in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, she conducted environmental investigations at the homes of lead poisoned children and provided education to the public and contractors on lead-safe work practices to prevent childhood lead poisoning. Ms. Hoos received her Bachelor of Health Science from California State University, Long Beach and completed her Master of Public Health at Los Angeles Pacific University.

  • Veena Koda, MPH, RDN

    Public Health Nutritionist

    Ms. Veena Koda is a Public Health Nutritionist supporting the Nutrition Access LA coalition and several projects aimed at improving nutrition and food access throughout the County. She holds a Master's in Public Health, focusing on Health Behavior and Health Promotion, and is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Veena previously worked as a Clinical Dietitian in hospitals and post-acute care settings providing medical nutrition therapy to patients with complex needs. Before joining Los Angeles County, she was a Program Manager at Alameda County's Nutrition Services and Diabetes Program, developing education curricula, teaching nutrition classes, coordinating coalition meetings, and assisting with countywide health campaigns.

  • Victoria Ayala, MPH, RDN

    Program Manager

    Ms. Victoria Ayala provides programmatic oversight to the American Rescue Plan funded Los Angeles County Market Match and Grocery Voucher programs. She also oversees the Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) for the CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners and provides technical assistance on data entry, data management, and analysis. Ms. Ayala is also responsible for overseeing all dietetic and public health interns. Prior to working with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, Ms. Ayala worked as Clinic Supervisor for Northeast Valley Health Corporation Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Ms. Ayala received a Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Environmental Sustainability from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She completed her dietetic internship at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

  • Viridiana Ortiz, MPH, CHES

    Health Educator

    Ms. Viridiana Ortiz provides curriculum expertise and technical assistance to funded partners of the CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) Program. As part of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s (LACDPH) Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, she collaborates with partners to strengthen community capacity, ensure curriculum fidelity, and support high-quality program implementation that promotes equitable access to nutritious foods and opportunities for active living. Prior to joining the DPH, Ms. Ortiz served as the Program Coordinator at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) implementing the CalFresh Healthy Living grant. In that role, she led community-driven initiatives that integrated evidence-based nutrition education, dynamic community events, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) strategies designed to advance health equity through culturally responsive and trauma informed approaches. Ms. Ortiz has facilitated nutrition education programming in schools, community-based settings, hospitals, and food distribution sites, engaging participants of all ages in both English and Spanish. Her bilingual work reflects a deep commitment to empowering communities and advancing sustainable, community-centered health initiatives. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Master of Public Health, with a concentration in Community Health Education, from California State University, Northridge. Ms. Ortiz is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), demonstrating her dedication to excellence and professional standards in health promotion and education.

  • Xochitl Valdivia, MS, RDN

    Program Manager

    Ms. Xochitl Valdivia provides programmatic oversight to CalFresh Healthy Living funded partners that provide nutrition education and promote physical activity to underserved communities. She also manages the Promotores Training Program which is a training series developed to train promotores, community health workers and health educators to become a trusted community resource for nutrition information, food assistance programs, and food resources. Ms. Valdivia received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Food Science, completed her Dietetic Internship and obtained her Master’s degree in Nutrition from California State University Northridge. After completing her dietetic internship, she realized that her passion for helping people while combating health disparities has driven her to work in areas such as the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

  • Zoila Romero

    Health Education Assistant

    Ms. Romero conducts health education classes and activities designed to educate individuals to take the necessary steps for the preservation of their own health and safety. Ms. Romero transferred from the Department of Mental Health where she provided mental health workshops in SA7 as a Community Health Worker. Ms. Romero has 20 years of experience working with a diverse community throughout the South-Central area, SPA 6, 7 and 8. Prior to working for the county, Ms. Romero worked for The Lundquist Institute Harbor UCLA as Community Health Worker, Home Visitor, Certify WIC Nutritionist Assistant, Lactation Educator Counselor, Community Outreach Worker and Clerk. She worked at Lomita Family Medicine, planning, guiding and facilitating diabetes Group Medical Visits. Prior to that for 3 years, she worked as a Home Visitor with Healthy Families America and First 5 LA providing support and education to families in their homes focusing on positive parenting. For 15 years, she conducted nutrition and breastfeeding individual and group health education to pregnant women, infants and children, enrolling, certifying and distributing food vouchers to WIC program participants according to policies and guidelines. Ms. Romero takes her role as a privilege and an honor to serve her community.