Meet The Team

Debbi Salom, DO

Interim Medical Director

Accepting New Patients

Dr. Debbi Salom, D.O. is a board-certified physician in Family Medicine with an emphasis in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. She graduated from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Salom completed her osteopathic residency in Family Medicine at Tempe St. Luke's Hospital in Tempe, Arizona. For her first ten years of practice, she had the pleasure of working with our military personnel and families at Naval Hospital Lemoore. Dr. Salom joined Valley Springs Health and Wellness Center in 2020 on a part time basis and in 2026 joined us full time! Dr. Salom enjoys working with patients of all ages, and believes the body has the ability to heal itself when given the necessary tools: proper diet, regular exercise, sleep, stress management, and proper movement. Using her knowledge of the interrelationship of structure and function, Dr. Salom works with her patients to achieve a healthier state.

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Christina Chow, DO

Pediatrician

Accepting New Patients

Christina Chow, D.O, FAAP is a Board Certified Pediatrician with over 20 years of experience in preventive care and chronic disease management. She is dedicated to the health of infants, children and adolescents, focusing on patient education and wellness. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Board-Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. She was born in San Francisco, CA and raised in the SF Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at U.C. Berkeley where she was awarded membership of the Cal Alumni Scholars Club and Golden Key National Honor Society. She earned her D.O. degree at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, CA and completed her Pediatric Residency at Kaiser Medical Center in Oakland, CA. As a Pre-Medical Student, she had received the 400-hour Service Award for volunteering at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA where she assisted the faculty, staff and medical residents throughout the multi-specialty clinics staffed by the Stanford University School of Medicine. She had also worked as a Medical Assistant and medical scribe in the field of Dermatology. She had also volunteered at the research lab of the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology at the University of California in San Francisco focusing on Women's Health. During medical school, she was Vice-President of the Asian American Medical Student's Association and she was awarded the Robert E. Corey Scholarship Award. She was also a Teaching Assistant for the Department of Osteopathic Medicine. She continued her passion for helping the underserved as she was a co-founder of the Pomona Community Health Action Team which provided free medical services through a mobile clinic staffed by volunteer physicians and medical students in order to provide medical care for the underserved patients of Los Angeles, California. She also helped to organize free health screenings for patients at a community center located in Chinatown (Los Angeles, CA). During her Pediatric Residency and afterwards, she had served as a volunteer physician at the RotaCare Clinic in San Leandro, CA where she taught medical students from UCSF and Pediatric Residents from Kaiser Medical Center (Oakland, CA) and Children's Hospital of Oakland, CA about Pediatric healthcare. She continued her passion for teaching as she was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics to the medical students from UC Davis, Touro University School of Medicine, California Northstate University College of Medicine (Sacramento, CA), and Family Medicine Residents from the Methodist Hospital (Sacramento, CA). Dr. Chow has a particular interest in the care of children with chronic medical conditions, Obesity, and Adolescent Medicine. She enjoys inspiring her families and patients to embrace a healthy lifestyle. During her free time she enjoys hot yoga, Pilates, traveling, drawing Arabian horses and snowboarding.

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Daniel Cooper, DO

Family Practice

Accepting New Patients

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Corinne Giesemann, MD

Family Practice

Accepting New Patients

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Robert Gish, MD

Hepatologist

Accepting New Patients

Dr. Robert Gish is a renowned physician specializing in hepatology (liver diseases) and is widely recognized throughout California for his expertise. He is board certified in internal medicine, hepatology, and liver transplantation. Dr. Gish completed his medical training at the University of California, San Diego. He holds multiple academic appointments, including serving as Professor of Medicine and Attending Physician at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He maintains an active research program focused on viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV), liver transplantation, bioartificial liver technologies, and public policy related to liver cancer, liver transplantation, and viral hepatitis. Over the course of his career, Dr. Gish has published more than 600 original articles, review articles, abstracts, and book chapters. In 2021, Dr. Gish joined the team at the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center. He brings extensive knowledge and a highly specialized skill set to the clinic, where he provides hepatology (liver) consultations each month.

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David Stone, MD

Pediatrician

Accepting New Patients

David Stone, MD was born in Minneapolis and the youngest of 4 children,  Dr. Stone studied at the University of Minnesota for seven years where he earned both his BA In Psychology and his MD degree. He was then drafted out of his pediatric residency at University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He served two years at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, where he met his wife of 51 years, Marsha Stone. Marsha is now a program manager for Amador Public Health Department. The Stones have 3 daughters and a son and are fortunate to have 7 grandchildren. Before practicing in Valley Springs, Dr Stone practiced Pediatrics in San Diego for 14 years, then taught at University of Texas Health Center Tyler and practiced in East Texas for 17 years then moved back to California with his family. He is currently the medical director of Pediatrics and the Nursery at Sutter Amador Hospital and Regional Champion for Epic electronic records. He was Associate clinical professor of Pediatrics at UC Davis Medical School Rural Prime Program and now heads the pediatric component of Sutter Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program Amador Track. After one half century in medicine, Dr. Stone remains enthusiastic about providing quality medical care to the children and adolescents of Calaveras County. He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with the families of this community.

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Ms. Diana Coleman

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)

Accepting New Patients

Diana Coleman, FNP-BC, is an advanced practice nurse practitioner with national certification whose passion is understanding how the body works and sharing that knowledge with others. She enjoys teaching people how to stay healthy and is equally dedicated to caring for them when they are sick. Diana began her medical career in her late thirties and earned her nursing degree in 1990. She went on to graduate from Pacific Union College in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2005, she completed her Master of Science in Nursing at California State University, Fresno. Over the course of her career, Diana has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings, from delivering babies to caring for patients with cancer. She has also served in leadership roles and worked as a nursing instructor, sharing her expertise with the next generation of nurses. Above all, Diana considers herself a lifelong learner and treasures the relationships she builds in her work. As she says, “Each and every patient/student I have come in contact with has been a blessing.”

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Ms. Rachall Crowe

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC, ANCC)

Accepting New Patients

About Rachall Crowe, FNP-BC Rachall Crowe is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who grew up in Alabama. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing from Troy University. She holds a national certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Family Nurse Practitioner. With over 16 years of emergency medicine nursing experience caring for both adult and pediatric patients, Rachall brings extensive clinical expertise to her practice. Her goal is to educate and guide you on your healthcare journey, providing personalized, compassionate care tailored to your individual needs.

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Ms. Lauren Date-Chong

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Accepting New Patients

Lauren Date-Chong is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who grew up in the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Irvine, where she first discovered her passion for healthcare. To gain hands-on patient care experience, she worked as a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic before pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing at Vanderbilt University. Lauren has always loved caring for pediatric patients and treats each child as if they were her own. She has a strong interest in preventive care and enjoys partnering with families to ensure they have the knowledge and resources needed to help their children grow and thrive. She is particularly passionate about discussing nutrition and mental health with families and believes both play a vital role in supporting children’s overall health and well-being. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, gardening and caring for her many plants, and baking.

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Ms. Christine A Elder, PA-C

Dermatology

Accepting New Patients

Christine A Elder, PA-C, MPAS, ATC, is a certified Physician Assistant with 40 years of experience. She is excited and happy to be part of building Dermatology Services at VSHWC. Her current focus is teaching her Dermatology care skill set to the practitioners at VSHWC to effectively diagnose, treat and manage all types of Dermatology disorders, from skin cancer to painfully itchy rashes. Her experience includes 20 years of working directly in the field of Dermatology and 20 years working in general medicine. Christine also worked as a human physiology researcher for NASA, creating scientific inventions and publications. Christine started her medical journey in Sports Medicine, being one of the first of women certified as an Athletic Trainer in the 1980’s. It is her hope that by teaching and sharing her skills, it will bring superior Dermatology Services to the Calaveras Health Care area.

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Ms. Katie Murphy

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C)

Accepting New Patients

Katie Murphy is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing personalized, whole-person care to the community she calls home. She began her healthcare career as a Respiratory Therapist, gaining valuable frontline experience that continues to inform her patient-centered approach. Katie obtained her Registered Nursing degree from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California. She went on to earn both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. To further specialize her skills, she completed a post-Master certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from United States University in San Diego. With a strong background in ICU nursing and home care, Katie brings a broad clinical perspective and a wealth of expertise to her practice. She is passionate about community well-being and is committed to preventive care, early intervention, and supporting overall wellness for individuals and families. Katie blends technical proficiency with genuine compassion, taking time to understand each patient’s unique needs, goals, and circumstances. As a wife and mother of three, she has chosen to raise her family in beautiful Calaveras County and is honored to serve the residents of her community as both a neighbor and a trusted healthcare partner.

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Ms. Susan Deax-Keirns

LMFT - Director of Behavioral Health

Accepting New Patients

Susan Deax-Keirns, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over three decades of professional and personal experience supporting individuals and families. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma and her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. Susan’s clinical background includes eight years providing counseling services to students, faculty, and staff at Santa Clara University. She also completed an intensive year of mindfulness training while living in a silent interfaith monastery, an experience that continues to inform her therapeutic approach. In addition to her professional training, Susan brings the life experience of more than 32 years of marriage and parenting. Susan currently serves as the Director of Behavioral Health at Valley Springs Health and Wellness, where she provides specialty mental health care while also leading and supporting the behavioral health program. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, alcohol-related concerns, chronic pain, and trauma. Susan’s approach integrates Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and neuroscience-informed care. She is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where clients receive practical feedback and evidence-based tools to help them move from where they are toward where they would like to be.

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Dan Davies, Ph.D

Psychologist

Accepting New Patients

Dan Davies, Ph.D - Psychologist -I received my Masters and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, I received my B.S. from the University of California, Davis. I worked with top neuroscience and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) experts and my research involved the neuropsychological assessment of ADHD. I am a licensed Clinical and Educational Psychologist working in private practice for over 15 years. I am also a credentialed school psychologist and I also have practiced in the public school system. With my extensive training and experience in clinical and school settings, I have worked with students of all ages, as well as families and adults. I have tested hundreds of students for a wide spectrum of struggles. I have also counseled students and families to help overcome many barriers to academic success. As the parents of three children, my wife and I are constantly adapting to the challenges of parenting children with very different personalities through the ups and downs of school and life.

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Ms. Shannon Kelaita

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Accepting New Patients

Shannon Kelaita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned a BA in history from California State University, Fullerton in 1987 and a master’s in social work from Sacramento State University in 2012. Before entering the field of social work, Shannon was active in Calaveras schools and youth organizations. Shannon’s social work experience started at Calaveras County Behavioral Health where she provided individual and group therapy, crisis support, and dual diagnosis counseling. She spent three years with Calaveras Unified Schools, working as a school social worker and mental health counselor. She has over five years of experience in medical social work, serving at Sutter Amador Hospital and the Mark Twain Dignity Health Clinics. She has also provided psychotherapy through her private practice. Shannon’s approach to therapy is compassionate and person-centered. She specializes in treating depression, trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders. She uses an eclectic blend of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, Solution-Focused-Therapy, and somatic awareness. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a powerful, evidence-based therapy effective for treating symptoms of trauma.

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Ms. Breanna Herron

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Accepting New Patients

Breanna Herron is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in 2018. She began her career in addiction treatment, providing care in a substance use clinic and supporting individuals working toward recovery and stability. Over the years, she has continued her work in community mental health settings, serving diverse populations and helping expand access to behavioral health services for those who may otherwise face barriers to care. Breanna specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship stress, life transitions, and substance use concerns. Her approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based care, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, trauma-informed practices, and strength-based approaches. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space where patients feel seen, empowered, and equipped to make meaningful progress toward healing and wellbeing.

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Ms. Vicky Arellano

Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)

Accepting New Patients

Vicky Arellano is an Associate Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience across a variety of community-based roles. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services from California State University, Monterey Bay where she graduated with distinction in the major as well as a Service-Learning award for her work in hospice care. Recently, she obtained her Master's in Social Work from California State University, Stanislaus. Her wide range of experience in social work includes hospice care, skilled nursing, school-based intervention programs, and corrections. Vicky's passion includes mental health awareness, community growth, and empowering clients through an empathetic client centered approach. Vicky's primary role as the behavioral health consultant is to help patients assess their mental health needs through brief assessments to help connect patients with services either in or out of the clinic as well as provide psychoeducation on a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

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Ms. Jill Walter

Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)

Accepting New Patients

Jill Walter, MSW, ACSW, is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who uses a trauma-informed approach that integrates mindfulness with evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, and IFS-informed practices. Jill helps individuals develop practical skills for managing stress, healing from difficult experiences, and strengthening emotional well-being.

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Ms. Lexington Wheeler

Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)

Accepting New Patients

Lexington Wheeler, ACSW, is an Associate Clinical Social Worker specializing in pediatric behavioral health. Lexington works with children, adolescents, and families experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges, and supports individuals navigating anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, life transitions, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Lexington has a special interest in supporting children with behavioral concerns and individuals on the autism spectrum. Lexington takes a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy and focuses on helping clients build practical coping skills while creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Lexington incorporates evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and talk therapy to help clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Lexington earned a Master of Social Work from California State University, Stanislaus and currently practices under the supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Worker Shannon Kelaita while working toward full clinical licensure.

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Dr. Christian Bader, DDS

Dentist

Accepting New Patients

Dr. Christian Bader was born and raised in Lodi, California. After graduating from Lodi High School, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Joaquin College. He then attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Dr. Bader went on to earn his Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1997. Following graduation, he returned to his hometown and established a private dental practice in Lodi. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the San Joaquin Dental Society. Committed to ongoing education and excellence in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Bader has completed advanced training programs with PAC Live, the California Center for Aesthetic Dentistry, and the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. After participating in several programs as a student dentist, Dr. Bader was invited to serve as a clinical instructor with the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. In this role, he directly taught practicing dentists, along with their teams and patients, the techniques and principles of cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Bader enjoys spending time with his two sons, playing golf, and watching sports.

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Dr. Tam Nguyen, DDS

Dentist

Accepting New Patients

Dr. Tam Nguyen graduated from California Polytechnic University at Pomona, California in 1984 with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He worked in Silicon Valley for various computer companies from 1985 to 1988, then completed a one-year postgraduate program at Cleveland State University in Ohio from 1989 to 1990. Dr. Nguyen earned his dental degree from The Ohio State Dental School in Columbus, Ohio in June 1994 and has been practicing general dentistry in Northern California since 1995. He is a member of the California Dental Association. He regularly participates in Smile for Kids and Adult Programs, providing free dental check-ups and dental services through the Santa Clara, Sacramento, and Placer District dental societies. Dr. Nguyen is currently working at VSHWC, where he provides dental care for underserved communities both locally and beyond.

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Dr. James Sommers , DDS

Dentist

Accepting New Patients

James Summer, DDS., earned his dental degree from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis. Having grown up in Calaveras County, Dr. Sommer is proud to have returned to his hometown community to provide care and give back to the place where he grew up. He is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable and informed, taking the time to explain treatment options and tailoring care to each individual's needs.

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