Staff Members

Adon Vazquez (Cherokee/Mexican/Macedonian) is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, North Carolina. He is currently attending Wayne State University for his bachelor’s degree. He has been a part of the Native community his whole life and was a member of the Dreamseekers youth group here at AIHFS.
His main focus with his work is to make not only this community, but every community that he visits a suicide safe community. He has started doing this by becoming an inaugural member of the National Council of Urban Indian Health’s Youth Council in Washington DC as well as one of the ambassadors for We R Native from Michigan. In his free time, he likes to travel to powwows and round dances as well as listening to music and spending time around the fire.

April has earned her Associate Degree in Health Information Technology and is a few credits away from a Bachelor in Healthcare Administration. She has over 15 years of billing and A/R experience and is very excited to be brought on board at AIHFS.
In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her 2 adult children. April also plays the violin, likes to crochet, and loves trying new food. She grew up in Southwest Detroit and still continues to live close.
“Detroit inspires me to see how far parts of the city have come through the last few years. My hero is, and always will be, my mom. A little fun fact is that I used to attend Sunday school in the church next door.”

Arwa is from Yemen. She has three children and likes to spend time with her family. She has been in the medical field for eight years and the reason why she likes the field is to help patients in need. She considers her husband to be her hero.

Ashley Fairbanks has a duel B.A. in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies from The University of Michigan – Dearborn. She is extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. For several years she has worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector with an aim to foster collaborations between organizations. Ashley is excited to work with the community that AIHFS supports, and to assist in getting services to as many community members as possible. In her spare time she enjoys film and media analysis, and as an undergraduate presented her research on ‘Masculinity, Mental Health, and Stand-up Comedy’ at the National Women’s and Gender Studies Conference.

Audria Mixon has worked within the healthcare field for 20 years in a variety of different roles. She has several years’ experience with direct patient care, administrative, clinical, and medical assisting/nursing teaching and training.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, with a passion for working within the healthcare field. She has two children, a 19-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. Her children inspire her and keep her motivated daily!

In her free time, she enjoys traveling (mainly to warm climate places) especially where there is a beach involved, spending time with her children, family and friends, listening to music, along with trying to guide her children in the right direction to this thing called “life.” She enjoys the continuous learning within healthcare and strives to provide great patient care. She is very compassionate and continues to provide empathy to every individual.  She loves to have fun and loves to be surrounded with positive individuals and energy.

Her hero is her mother who continues to display a strong work ethic and always has a positive attitude and nurturing spirit. “To know her is to love her.”

She looks forward to working in the community and providing tools, resources, and a helping hand where needed to make a difference in somebody’s life or just contributing to someone having a better day!

Byrn graduated from TESST College in Maryland for Billing and Coding with a 4.0 GPA in 2013. Over the 10 years since, he has had experience running a primary care front end office in Maryland for 3 years. And working as a medical collector in Arizona for 3 years, as well as a remote biller for CVS Health for 4 years. In his free time Byrn likes to spend time with family and friends, and loves to cook. Byrn loves working in non-profit because he like the thought of making a difference through helping others.

Cierra is a first-generation college graduate from Concordia University where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Upon graduation, she began her career as a pediatric emergency medicine nurse at the University of Michigan. Cierra is excited to bring her passion for nursing and humanity to AIHFS. She also looks forward to getting to know Mothers in the community and spreading awareness about pediatric development through the Healthy Start program.

A saying she tries to abide by throughout her life is, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

In her free time, she likes to travel and spend quality time with her loved ones.

Daniel graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A in History and a Minor in Communications. While at Wayne State, Daniel became involved in the Native American Student Organization (NASO) and Native Development Network Learning Community (NDN LC). Daniel has five years of experience working in facilities and transportation positions. He likes working at organizations that focus on providing service to the local community. He is inspired by his parents, a retired Spanish teacher and a former stay-at-home father turned factory worker. In his spare time, Daniel likes to read, plays games, spends time with friends and family, and perform in an Aztec dance group.

Don (Cherokee/Macedonian) is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, North Carolina. In his spare time, he likes hanging out with his friends, whether it’s sharing food or taking in a ballgame. He is inspired by positive people who work hard for what they want in life: good heart and soul people. Don is a caring person who wants to contribute in any small way to see someone do well. His heroes are the men and women who protect the freedom we have in this great country we live in.

Dustin has been the Systems Administrator for AIHFS since 2013. Dustin has been dedicated to aiding AIHFS’s goals and growth through installing and maintaining high quality systems, and working directly with AIHFS’s technical partners.

Hello, my name is Erin. I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my Miniature Poodle, Jake. I was born and raised in Michigan and moved to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 18. I’ve spent years working in customer service and am enrolled in a Certificate Program at Wayne County Community College.  I am excited to be a part of the American Indian Health family! I aspire to help patients get the care they need as well as helping the staff do their jobs more effectively. I believe every problem has a solution and working for a non-profit allows me to help lower income individuals and families which I find very rewarding.

“Hi, my name is Irianna Peraza.” Irianna is the office coordinator here at AIHFS. She is also bilingual, she speaks Spanish and English. She was born in San Diego California but moved here to southwest Detroit when she was 9 and has never moved ever since. She is a proud mother of 3 beautiful girls. She really looks forward to working for AIHFS. She really enjoys being here. She loves to learn new things every day and this is definitely the place where she can.

Jermaine received his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Construction Management. He has been working in the construction management field for 18 years in various roles.
Jermaine loves working with people. He’s a people person who loves to interact with people from different backgrounds. Working in non-profit is rewarding and allows him the opportunity to give a helping hand to underserved populations.
He likes to spend most of his free time connecting with family and coaching his kids with their extra-curricular activities.

Jessica Boyd is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor with a double major in Sociology and American Culture. She enjoys reading, watching movies, doing puzzles, arts and crafts, game night with her family, dancing when the mood strikes her and is working on her knitting skills. She strives to be a positive role model for her daughter. She also has one unfriendly yet adorable cat named Lizzy. She is excited to be working at AIHFS and looks forward to working with the community.

John Marcus has family roots in Six Nations, Ontario; Taos Pueblo, N.M. and the Sault Ste Marie Band of Chippewa Indians.
He contributes to our agencywide and program specific community outreach efforts using print, video, digital and web-based mediums. He also administrates our website, our social media accounts and our Mailchimp account.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to work with Community, especially in a capacity where communication, education, and how this information is exchanged, are crucial elements: these elements can be the seeds of a healthy community.”

John is from a little bit of everywhere, but eventually decided Michigan is his favorite to live. He has a Master’s in Public Administration with a B.S. in Political Science. He has previous experience with mental health working in supportive housing through the Americorps VISTA program. In addition, he previously worked on the I-LEAD and Food Sovereignty/Fitness programs with AIHFS. John has a passion for helping communities and understanding how systemic changes could affect their lives. His favorite saying is “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Problems” and tries to live by it. In his free time, he enjoys reading, making petrified wood jewelry, playing dungeons and dragons, listening to music, and jumping into cold-water pools as part of his self-care routine.

Jordan Lewis attended 3 colleges, two were in Texas and one in Oklahoma due to being a student athlete on scholarship. She was born and raised in Detroit Michigan, and attended high school at Martin Luther King Jr. Sr High school. The college she graduated from is Rogers State University, in Claremore Oklahoma, where she played basketball and received her Bachelor’s in Allied Health Athletic Training. Jordan is now attending Wayne State University in the Exercise Sports Science Graduate Program to pursue a career in Athletic Training or Personal Training. Her passion is sports and being in an atmosphere with athletes, since she believes sports prepares you for some of the hardest challenges in life.

However, she has discovered some new desires since working at AIHFS, like helping and being a mentor to the youth. Jordan is new to working at a nonprofit agency as well as being a home visitor. She is learning a lot and feels like she is really helping and providing resources our community needs. Jordan aspires to promote a healthier lifestyle to families and give the skills and resources they need to be healthy; working for a nonprofit, she can do so which she finds very fulfilling.

Kimberly has been a member of the AIHFS community since 2012. She is inspired by mission-driven work and has over ten years of experience in fundraising for Detroit-area non-profit organizations including Hospice of Michigan, Detroit Parent Network, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Kimberly holds a PhD in Education Evaluation and Research and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), both from Wayne State University, as well as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. In her free time, she enjoys participating in the Ogichida Kwe Singers, a Native American women’s singing group comprised of women and girls from many nations. She also can be found taking dance classes, reading, and playing the accordion.

Lesley started working at AIHFS in September 2014 as an Accounting Assistant. Lesley has her Associates in Accounting Management from Baker College. Her hobbies include traveling, shooting on a dart league, camping, cooking, attending concerts, playing with her two dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

Marcela Martinez is a Medical Assistant with nine years of experience working in the medical field for nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit organizations play a big role in her community since it gives the opportunity for uninsured patients to get the medical care that they need at a low cost.

Marcela is inspired daily by her parents, brothers, daughter and two sons. In her free time, Marcela likes to play with her baby Chihuahua Luna, and go to local sport games with her kids.

Patrick is a U.S. Army Vet, born in Detroit, Michigan. He has worked many years in retail and accounting. He is very dedicated to his family and his grandkids are very special to him. He enjoys hunting, fishing, bowling, and attending sporting events, such as the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions games. He takes great concern for the environment and does what he needs to do to help. He enjoys helping the community, spending time at AIHFS, and being involved in certain programs we offer.

Ricardo Treviño earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Development and a minor in management from Oakland University in Oakland county, where he lives.  Ricardo brings over 12 years of HR experience to AIHFS, and has served a diverse workforce at local minority owned businesses in Southeast Michigan.  For over 15 years, he has delivered a variety of youth leadership and skills training programs for area non-profit agencies including The Boys and Girls Clubs, Covent House Michigan, and Youth-Build Detroit.

Ricardo is of Mexican American and Indigenous Mexican heritage.  His mother’s family draws their roots from the Chicimeca people in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.  He has been walking the Red Road for nearly 30 years, and practices native spiritual traditions of the Lakota, the Native American Church of Mexico, and the N.A.C. of the Morning Star here in Michigan.  He is a Sun Dancer and Pipe Carrier and can be found traveling most weekends participating in ceremonies throughout the Great Lakes region, where he enjoys tending fire.  He is most proud of being a father of two daughters and has one granddaughter.

Ya’at e’ e’ h! Shelly is dine and African American. Shelly has been actively involved in the community thru various cultural events offered at AIHFS. Go red wings! Along with hockey, she enjoys jewelry making, powwows, reading and making people laugh! Shelly is proud to part of the AIHFS family! Ahe’hee’

Taylor Maxwell attended the University of Alabama where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with a minor in Social Work, and a specialization in North American Archaeology. She worked in various human-centered and archaeological research labs, as well as working alongside the native community of Moundville, AL throughout her collegiate career. One of her passions includes collaboration within communities for anthropological and archaeological projects as well as the ethical treatment and execution of repatriation for all native communities. She previously worked with the Alzheimer’s Association as a part of their outreach and fundraising team. She is excited to be returning back to her home state of Michigan to further expand the scope and reach of AIHFS’s Sacred Bundle and Native Connections programs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her blue heeler Lou, traveling to any U.S state she hasn’t been, baking new recipes, and boating on any and all Michigan lakes.

Tina (Cherokee/Macedonian) is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, North Carolina. She has been a part of the native community her whole life and was one of the first members of the youth group Dreamseekers here at AIHFS. She is a proud mother of two handsome boy’s Adon and Adrian. In her spare time she likes spending time with her family and friends and traveling to pow wows as much as she can.

Todd Boike graduated from Siena Heights University with a degree in Psychology Masters classes in Counseling and a minor in Sociology. He was put into his college Hall of Fame for Baseball in 2015 and played Professional Baseball for the Montreal Expos. He has worked in the Supply Chain/Logistics field for over 18 years, Ford, Penske, Livingston, and FX Coughlin. Todd has a 10 yr old son who inspires him. He keeps Todd busy with his AAA Hockey for Belle Tire and Travel Baseball for the Michigan Storm. Todd’s Father is his Hero: He was a Wayne County Commissioner and was always there for him, from being a father and a coach. Todd loves to Golf, Coach and play Hockey.

Tonia obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Wayne State University and her Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from Marygrove College. She prefers working within the non-profit arena because it allows her to demonstrate her innate compassionate, humanistic side which in turn grants her many opportunities to service the under privileged within society.

In her spare time she likes to catch up on her rest, along with spending time with family and friends while enjoying a great meal. Additionally, exercising is a priority for her to relieve stress.

Her hero is herself and Viola Davis and all those individuals who persisted on through overwhelming obstacles, odds and challenges.

Wefaq received her Medical Assistant certification from Schoolcraft College. She is from Yemen. She has four children. Her favorite hobby is sewing. In her spare time she likes to read her favorite book, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T Kiyosaki. Her hero is her mom.

William is a Lumbee Indian from Pembroke, North Carolina. He retired from Chrysler’s in 2008 after over 44 years of employment there. He is a father of 4 and a grandfather of 8. He has been married for 32 years. His hobbies are fishing and NASCAR racing. Around the agency here he is also appreciated for cooking real southern bar-b-q!