Staff Members

  • Adon Vazquez

    Sacred Bundle Project Program Assistant

  • Alicia Steele, MD

    Family Medicine Physician

  • Anthony Johnson

    Facilities Associate/Driver

  • April Slaven

    Medical Biller/Coder

  • Arwa Almuraisi, BS

    Laboratory and Vaccine Medical Assistant

  • Byrn Oaks

    Medical Biller/Coder

  • Crystal LeCoy

    Development Administrative Coordinator

  • Daniel Weed, BA

    Facilities Associate/Driver

  • Danielle McIntyre, LLMSW

    Behavioral Health Therapist

  • Don James

    Facilities Lead

  • Dustin Sample

    Systems Administrator

  • Iris Luna, LLMSW

    Behavioral Health Therapist

  • Jennifer Gildner

    Medical Biller/Coder

  • Jermaine Miller, BS

    Construction Project Manager

  • Jessica Boyd, BA

    Youth Program Coordinator

  • Jessie Lucero, LBSW

    Case Manager

  • Jodie Kilbourn

    Lead Medical Assistant

  • John Marcus, AS

    Communications Specialist

  • John Peterson, MPA

    Assistant Director of Operations

  • Josette French, MD

    Physician

  • Kayla Cagle

    Practice Manager

  • Kimberly Copeland, PhD, MPA, CFRE

    Development Director

  • Lesley Burnham, AA

    Accounting Specialist

  • Malaika Ward, LMSW

    Behavioral Health Therapist

  • Mari Guzman

    Office Coordinator

  • Melissa Mytych

    Healthy Start Home Visitor

  • Mya Berger, BA

    Youth Program Coordinator

  • Nicole Hankus, BFA

    Youth Development & Planning Manager

  • Patrick Mayfield

    Facilities Associate/Driver

  • Ricardo Trevino, BS

    Human Resources Specialist

  • Salli Wabsis, BS

    Healthy Start Program Coordinator

  • Shelly Nimocks-Hinshaw

    Office Coordinator

  • Taylor Maxwell, BA

    GLS Program Manager

  • Tina James

    Executive Administrator

  • Tonia A. Royal, MA

    Human Resources Manager

  • Wefaq Aljahim

    Medical Assistant

Adon Vazquez

Sacred Bundle Project Program Assistant

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.

Alicia Steele, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Doctor Alicia Steele, born and raised in Michigan, is grateful for the opportunity to serve at American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit. Alicia has been deeply inspired by her family, a Zapatista indigenous community, an indigenous community in Pembroke, NC and the community of Detroit, Michigan. Her passion for community health justice led her to study medicine in a universal healthcare model in Cuba, at the Latin American School of Medicine. In Havana, Cuba, Alicia honed an ability to weave biological, emotional, cultural, and social needs into medical care. Following medical school in Cuba, Alicia returned home to complete her 3 year medical residency in Detroit. Alicia deeply believes in loving kindness, joy, justice, wellness and that clean water, cultural respect and understanding and healthcare are human rights. She can be found in her Southwest Detroit community enjoying delicious local food, art, music, dancing, playing sports, laughing, and smiling with her family, friends, and mother nature. Alicia is also a mother to two kittens, Vaquito (little cow) and Koalito (little koala) and many plants.

Anthony Johnson

Facilities Associate/Driver

Anthony Johnson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Detroit and Hamtramck public schools. Anthony likes writing poems, collecting toy cars and building toy cars. He also likes playing video games and collecting various types of video games. Anthony is a car fanatic, an electronics geek, and into all sports, especially teams of Detroit. He is into traveling and meeting new people from all over. Anthony is also into movies, DC & Marvel comics, mostly action packed, sci-fi! Though, he also likes some romance movies. He says he is adventurous, and a people person.

April Slaven

Medical Biller/Coder

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 Almuraisi, BS

Laboratory and Vaccine Medical Assistant

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.

Byrn Oaks

Medical Biller/Coder

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.

Crystal LeCoy

Development Administrative Coordinator

Crystal was first introduced to AIHFS in 2022 through the agency’s monthly sweat lodges. It was at her first lodge where she learned that access to traditional Native American teachings were available to her, and an admiration for healing through traditional, spiritual practice was planted.

Crystal now supports the Development Department through fundraising and grant writing activities, and enjoys partnering with each of the departments at AIHFS to empower and enhance the well-being of our local community.

Crystal’s commitment to the Red Road fills her free time with sweat lodges and other native ceremonies where she continues to learn how to incorporate teachings of the medicine wheel into everyday life. Her goal is to hold compassion and space for those seeking balance and harmony in their lives. You’ll find her tending fire at our sweat lodges, where she welcomes conversation on programs and resources available through AIHFS.

Daniel Weed, BA

Facilities Associate/Driver

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 for organizations like AIHFS that provide services to the Southeast Michigan 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 spend time with his family.

Danielle McIntyre, LLMSW

Behavioral Health Therapist

Danielle McIntyre, is a tribal member of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee Michigan, originally from Toledo, Ohio.   Danielle has been working in community mental health for almost a decade, the last 7 years as a mental health therapist.  Her Master’s Degree is in social work, and two prior Bachelor degrees, were all done at Eastern Michigan University.  Danielle is passionate about working in mental health and substance abuse, with underserved populations.

Danielle spends her free time with her young children up at the reservation, in lakes, on trails, with friends and family, always searching for something new to learn.  Danielle also enjoys reading, music festivals, photography, philosophizing with like-minded people, and participating in ceremonies.

Don James

Facilities Lead

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 Sample

Systems Administrator

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.

Iris Luna, LLMSW

Behavioral Health Therapist

Iris is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Peshawbestown, Michigan. She graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan with a specialization in the welfare of children and families. Iris is passionate about serving the Native American population and others in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) community. She is honored to have the opportunity to assist those who seek support from AIHFS.

In her leisure time, Iris enjoys visiting her hometown of Traverse City, going to powwows, practicing yoga, hiking, trying new food, and hanging out with friends and family.

Jennifer Gildner

Medical Biller/Coder

Jennifer has been in the medical field since 2000. She got her EMT basic license in 2010, and enjoyed being on the front lines. She has worked in multiple positions and loves being able to help people in any way she can.

She likes to explore new things and adventures with her kids. “My inspiration is my daughter, who amid health issues graduated a year early. I enjoy spending time with my kids and sitting around the fire.”

Jermaine Miller, BS

Construction Project Manager

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, BA

Youth Program Coordinator

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.

Jessie Lucero, LBSW

Case Manager

Jessie Lucero is an enrolled member of Taos Pueblo. She is an urban Native and has spent her life living in Detroit. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with a Bachelors of Social Work, with specializations in geriatrics and cultural studies. Throughout her college career, she participated in MSU’s North American Indigenous Student Organization, and served as a cultural programmer and co-chair. 
Jessie is a licensed social worker and has over 10 years of working in the healthcare industry. She has a deep passion for social work, and is honored to work for the agency which has enriched her life in many ways. 
Jessie is walking on the Red Road. In her free time, she enjoys attending community social and spiritual events, powwows, and round dances. She is a women’s traditional dancer, and enjoys making beadwork. 

Jodie Kilbourn

Lead Medical Assistant

Jodie decided to work for a nonprofit organization because she has struggled in the past. Life gets hard and Jodie knows how it feels when you have nowhere to turn. She likes that we can give back to the community and help everyone to be successful and healthy.

Her Mom is her hero. Jodie remembers her being a warm, welcoming and a caring person. Jodie tries to live life as her mom did. Not only do she want her to be proud of the woman she became, but she would also like to be remembered one day in the same way.

Jodie LOVES to sing! She really enjoys all types of music and tends to have her own personal concerts from time to time.

“I always say, I should have been famous, but my nerves get the best of me.”

John Marcus, AS

Communications Specialist

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 Peterson, MPA

Assistant Director of Operations

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.

Josette French, MD

Physician

Josette French, MD is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan. Her tribal roots are tied to Sugar Island on her grandmother’s side and Saint Ignace on her grandfather’s side.

She is a board-certified family physician and earned her ten-year recertification in 2015. Dr. French received her Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University in New Haven, CT in 1991 and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Gainesville, FL in 1995. Dr. French completed her family medicine residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, MI in 1998. She has worked at AIHFS since 1998 and is dedicated to trying to lessen the health disparities seen in the Native community.
In her leisure time, she enjoys spending lots of time with her family, getting outside to walk and bike as much as possible, relaxing on Michigan’s beautiful beaches, and staying centered with daily meditation and yoga.

Kayla Cagle

Practice Manager

Kayla first began her career in Healthcare in 2009 after receiving her certification in Medical Assisting. From that point on, Kayla has constantly challenged herself to learn new positions/roles which have allowed her to move forward with new opportunities of advancement and growth.
She shares that she is inspired to always try and do better than yesterday, and that her compassion for others has helped drive her to always work harder so she can continue to move forward and help others in need.
In her spare time, Kayla enjoys being with family and friends. She is the mother of two beautiful girls, Madelynn and Kinley, proud aunt of 4 boys and oldest sibling of 5.

Kimberly Copeland, PhD, MPA, CFRE

Development Director

Kimberly Copeland serves as the Development Director at American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS), where she has been an active member of the community since 2012. With over ten years of experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising, Kimberly is dedicated to mission-driven work that enhances the health and well-being of the community.

She holds a PhD in Education Evaluation and Research and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Wayne State University. Kimberly’s expertise in fundraising, program evaluation, operations management, and community organizing has benefited several Detroit-area organizations, including Hospice of Michigan, Detroit Parent Network, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. She is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), showcasing her proficiency in philanthropy and grant writing. Additionally, she serves on the Board at the Downriver Council for the Arts (DCA), contributing to the advancement of the arts in our community.

Outside of her professional role, Kimberly is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work has been showcased at venues such as the Muskegon Museum of Art and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. She creates movement, sound, and visual art, and enjoys dance classes, reading, and playing the accordion.

Lesley Burnham, AA

Accounting Specialist

Lesley started working at AIHFS in September 2014 as an Accounting Assistant. Lesley has her associate degree 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.

Malaika Ward, LMSW

Behavioral Health Therapist

Malaika Ward is a behavioral health therapist here at American Indian Health and Family Services. She attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where she obtained a BA in Sociology. She joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was an elected representative in the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU). It was at this beautiful campus where she went to her first statewide Pow-Wow and enjoyed fried bread for the very first time. After working for a year as a community organizer, she was admitted to graduate school at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. While at UM she worked on research projects about black males and suicide. She graduated in 2007 with Honors. As a well-rounded social worker with experiences in the school systems, community mental health and nonprofits, she developed an anti-bullying program, and a substance abuse program. She is currently focused on assisting adults stay clean and sober with the use of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When she is not at work she enjoys visiting yard sales, turning items into art, going to art museums, and attending music concerts.

Mari Guzman

Office Coordinator

Mari grew up in Southwest Detroit with a parent who spoke no English. Mari saw the struggles and discrimination her mom received because her mom was only Spanish speaking. Today as a cross-trained medical assistant Mari is happy to provide patient care and support to those in need of translation services in Spanish.  This is why she is very excited to be part of a non-profit organization like AIHFS who is so giving and helpful to the community. Her goal is to provide care and to ensure our clients feel valued.

Melissa Mytych

Healthy Start Home Visitor

Melissa has lived in Louisiana, Texas, New York, and Hawai’i, but considers Michigan her home. She loves to be among the freshwater lakes and cedar trees here. She is devoted to serving her community through a variety of ways, including massage therapy, childbirth support and education, and creating nourishing and delicious meals.  She is a student of midwifery and traditional birthing knowledge, and is passionate about seeing families thrive together.  You can usually find her around the fire at our community sweat lodges here at AIHFS. She also enjoys walking in the woods, expressing herself through writing, reading a good book, opening her voice through song, and is currently learning to play the guitar.

Mya Berger, BA

Youth Program Coordinator

Mya graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in History before becoming the Education Coordinator for the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum; a children’s museum in central Michigan, where she often worked with the Saginaw Chippewa Academy. From there, she found her passion in community involvement and turned her focus to the non-profit world. Her passion for learning and eagerness to serve the Detroit community is what brought her to AIHFS. 

In Mya’s free time, she likes to spend time with her family and animals (two cats, a rabbit, and a leopard gecko!), participate in crafts, and romanticize the small things in life.  She has made it her mission to explore as many of Detroit’s historic, cultural, and social hotspots as possible to connect with the city in a way that the pandemic had previously prevented her from doing. 

Nicole Hankus, BFA

Youth Development & Planning Manager

Nicole is honored to bring her curiosity, creativity, and compassion to her work with youth at American Indian Health and Family Services. She is a certified k-12 visual arts teacher who studied at University of Michigan for her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Michigan State University for her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education, and is currently studying at Wayne State University for her Masters in Art Therapy and Clinical Mental Health.

She is dedicated to learning and practicing balanced wellness of body, heart, mind and Spirit with the Medicine Wheel Teachings she has received from Andean, Celtic and Lakota Elders. She enjoys creating, reading, cooking, being in nature with her dog, and being with community in Ceremony. Her vision is for each youth to know themselves, with roots in their culture, tools for their journey, and beautiful dreams for their future.

Patrick Mayfield

Facilities Associate/Driver

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 Trevino, BS

Human Resources Specialist

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.

Salli Wabsis, BS

Healthy Start Program Coordinator

Salli Renee Wabsis, BS, is a member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Michigan. She is fortunate for having a career in social services working for Indigenous youth and families in San Diego and Seattle. She is grateful for the opportunity to now serve Indigenous families at American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit.

Salli practices the Medicine Wheel teachings to keep her balanced. Salli has three sons and two grandchildren. In her leisure time, she enjoys beading, spending time with her family, and watching her youngest son play AAU basketball.

Shelly Nimocks-Hinshaw

Office Coordinator

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, BA

GLS Program Manager

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 James

Executive Administrator

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.

Tonia A. Royal, MA

Human Resources Manager

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 Aljahim

Medical Assistant

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.

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