PONTIAC, Mich.—(May 16, 2025)—Leaders from Honor Community Health, Oakland County’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), today reiterated their deep concern about congressional plans to terminate Medicaid funding, which would …
Every August, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) sponsors National Health Center Week (NHCW) to celebrate and increase awareness of America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers (CHCs). National Health …
Honor Community Health was excited to have a visit from Dr. Luis Padilla, the associate administrator for the health workforce at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). He also serves …
Debra Brinson, MPA
Debra Brinson is the Chief Executive Officer and Designated Institutional Official at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network (d/b/a Honor
Community Health), Oakland County’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Additionally, she serves as the Interim Executive Director of the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan, the voice for school- based health centers in Michigan.
In her previous roles, she has served as Deputy Health Officer of the Ingham County Health Department, where she established the state’s first public health community health center, where she was appointed as the CEO of the public FQHC, overseeing FQHC operations and ensuring the execution of the Health Department’s statutory responsibility to protect and promote the health of county residents.
Bo Sekulska is the Program Residency Administrator at Honor Community Health. Bo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Marketing from the University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Torun, Poland, and completed the Medical Assistant program at Carnegie Institute.
Bo’s journey at Honor Community Health began as a Medical Assistant, where she played a crucial role in developing the Orchard Lake Center. Her outstanding performance quickly led to promotions to Site Supervisor and Manager. Over the next 8 years, she managed the largest site, Family Medicine Center, alongside the residency program.
Recognized for her exceptional leadership skills, Bo was promoted to Director of Health Center Operations, where she oversaw and supervised all Honor sites. With the establishment of Honor’s residency program, Bo’s passion for working with residents inspired her to become the Residency Program Administrator once again.
In her current role, Bo expertly manages the administrative aspects of the medical residency program, including resident recruitment, scheduling rotations, maintaining compliance with accreditation standards, coordinating educational activities, and providing unwavering support to residents and faculty members.
Outside of her professional life, Bo enjoys abstract painting, walking, biking, traveling, reading, and crocheting.
Nikhil Hemady, MD, FAAFP
Nikhil Hemady, MD, graduated from Rural Medical College, Pune University, India, and completed his family medicine residency program at North Oakland Medical Centers, Pontiac, Michigan. He has been the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network since its inception.
Until 2024, Dr. Hemady also served as Program Director of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Pontiac General Hospital (PGH) for 17 years. He now serves as core faculty at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network’s Family Medicine Residency Program.
Over the years, in his dual roles as CMO of Honor Community Health and Program Director of PGH’s Family Medicine Residency Program, he has helped to strengthen the partnership between the two entities and to seamlessly integrate, within the residency curriculum, the amazing educational opportunities that a federally qualified health center has to offer. Dr. Hemady is board-certified in family medicine and hospital medicine.
In 2022, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) awarded Dr. Hemady the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.
In addition to his clinical and residency duties, Dr. Hemady is actively involved in various national committees, including the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) examination committees. He is a member of the ABFM Exam-Writing Committee and has co-authored its Hospital Medicine Self-Assessment Module. He has also served as a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hospital Medicine Exam-Writing Committee as a representative of the ABFM to the ABIM. Additionally, Dr. Hemady is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Hemady’s hobbies include photography and travel.
Naina Hemady is the Institutional Graduate Medical Education (GME) Administrator and Contract Administrator.
In her GME Administrator role, she liaises with the Designated Institutional Official and is responsible for the administrative oversight of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) training programs at Honor Community Health.
She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Information Technology from Walsh College, Troy, Michigan.
She began her career as a grant writer and then as a financial analyst for North Oakland Medical Centers. Over the years, she has excelled at building and maintaining relationships with community leaders. Her astute understanding of healthcare systems and graduate medical education has enabled her to prepare our organization for the future.
Her hobbies include reading, sketching, and traveling.
Faisal Shareefuddin, MD, joined the residency program faculty at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network in 2022 as a full-time Associate Program Director and Addiction Medicine Preceptor. He graduated medical school from Mahadevappa Rampere Medical College, Gulbarga University in Gulbarga, India and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Pontiac General Hospital (PGH) in Pontiac, Michigan.
Dr. Shareefuddin is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. He oversees the facility’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program. His goal is to teach residents substance abuse screening and diagnosis in patients and to implement evidence-based substance use treatments successfully.
When not caring for his patients or spending quality time with his family, Dr. Shareefuddin enjoys playing tennis.
LaToya Austin, MD graduated from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine, in Coolidge, Antigua and Barbuda. She completed her Family Medicine residency at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan before joining the staff at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network.
Dr. Austin currently serves as Associate Chief Medical Officer at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network, a position she has held since 2017. Besides Obstetrics, she has a special interest in women’s health issues and oversees the facility’s Maternal and Infant Health Program.
Prior to her role as core faculty at Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network’s Family Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Austin served as core faculty for the residency program at Pontiac General Hospital (PGH) in Pontiac, Michigan.
In addition to teaching and supervising residents, Dr. Austin enjoys meeting and treating patients from diverse backgrounds. Her hobbies include fitness and pin trading.
Marzena Luszcz-Klejno, MD, graduated from Poznan University of Medical Sciences Center for Medical Education in Poznan, Poland. She completed her residency at Pontiac General Hospital (PGH) in Pontiac, Michigan, before joining the Oakland Integrated Healthcare Network’s Family Medicine Residency Program faculty in 2023.
Dr. Klejno enjoys all aspects of Family Medicine, including seeing patients and teaching and supervising residents at the Family Medicine Center. Dr. Klejno believes that each person deserves complete medical attention and access to proper medical care and, thus, is very passionate about working at a Federally
Qualified Health Center (FQHC) like Honor Community Health. She is currently attending a faculty development course at the University of Michigan.
On her days off, Dr. Klejno loves traveling, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Oluwabusayo (Busayo) Alade states, “as a physician trained in Nigeria, I am deeply committed to providing exceptional and compassionate medical care, particularly to those from challenged communities. My passion for medicine began early in my life and was reinforced during my medical training and clinical rotations at some of Nigeria's top hospitals.”
Dr. Alade is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health and Sciences in Nigeria. He later earned a degree in epidemiology and a master’s degree in public health (MPH) from Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. He has most recently been working at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has particular interest and acumen in infectious disease control and quality improvement.
He states, “in addition to my passion for primary care and hospital medicine, I am deeply committed to serving my community and utilizing my skills to enhance the health and well-being of those around me.”
Dr. Eduardwil (Ed) Hernandez Vegas comes to Honor Community Health from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator at the University of Utah. He earned his medical degree at Universidad Centro-Occidental Lisandro Alvarado Decanato de Ciencias de la Salud in Venezuela.
He has significant independent experience, having worked as a general practitioner in rural communities in Venezuela and Ecuador. Since coming to the United States, he has been very active in clinical care and research in the areas of obstetrics and gynecology, as well as urology and men’s health.
Through his path, he states that he was able to work with people from varied backgrounds and socioeconomic levels, leading to a commitment to communities in need.
His “future goals as a physician are to work in medical education, develop health promotion and disease prevention programs that impact the health and wellness of urban communities, and continue on my path of research and medical innovation.”
Dr. Naga Preethi (Preethi) Kadiri earned her medical degree from Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute in India and arrives to Pontiac from Baltimore, Maryland, where she was quickly elevated to Chief Fellow in her area at Johns Hopkins University. She has done impressive work in clinical research and medical rotations in the intensive care unit (ICU). Dr. Kadiri has particular acumen in pulmonary medicine.
Dr. Kadiri stated that she personally witnessed struggles to receive quality medical care in her area of India. She also has great insight and passion for preventive medicine.
She states that she has a “desire to acquire knowledge from some of the best physicians in the country, enhance my ability to work well in challenging situations, and quickly adapt to the program. I look forward to serving where I am needed the most.”
Dr. Anmol Rattan S. Riar earned his medical degree from St. Martinus School of Medicine in Curacao. He is not a stranger to Pontiac or to Honor Community Health, having done rotations at the Family Medicine Center during medical school. He returns to Pontiac from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, where he has been doing clinical work with patients admitted to hospitals there.
Early personal experiences in India demonstrated the need for preventive care and sparked a passion for primary care. Notably, his experience at Honor Community Health was one that left an imprint:
“I started my family medicine clinical clerkship at Honor Community Health, Pontiac, MI a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Within a matter of days, I felt ‘at home’ with the outpatient rotation and discovered that my passions, values, and aptitudes converged whenever I listened to patient’s stories, understood their experiences, and found ways to help them. The satisfaction I gained from seeing patients receive appropriate treatment for acute and chronic conditions, as well as preventative care, was very fulfilling.”
Dr. Lizmar Rivera Nuñez hails from Puerto Rico, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She later earned her medical degree from Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara, in Mexico. Dr. Rivera Nuñez arrives to Pontiac from Las Vegas, Nevada, where she had extensive direct patient clinical care, as well as impressive research experience; most recently she was a Lead Clinical Research Coordinator.
Dr. Nuñez notes that her experiences interacting with, educating and treating patients with diabetes inspired her interest in and commitment to pursuing family medicine.
She has a keen interest in continuity of care and a sense of community, stating “being able to develop an ongoing relationship with patients and helping people of all ages are among the aspects that make me want to become a family doctor. As a family doctor, I can become an essential part of the community and help patients to feel better and prevent health issues later on.”
Dr. Faris Shlash is a familiar face at Honor Community Health, having served in the last year as Honor’s Clinical Quality Manager. He earned his medical degree with high honors and recognition from Al-Nahrain University School of Medicine in Iraq. A remarkable journey led him to the United States and eventually to Honor Community Health.
As Clinical Quality Manager, Dr. Shlash has been instrumental in several initiatives affecting diabetic care, immunizations, cancer screening rates and more. His insight and expertise have led to meaningful improvements across several processes in these areas.
Dr. Shlash states that, “Growing up, my great uncle, Hameed Shlash, was a tremendous source of inspiration for me. He was a highly accomplished surgeon who made a positive impact on the community where he lived. Witnessing his achievements inspired me to pursue a career in medicine.” He shares that drive to promote health in a community-based setting and is excited to continue serving Pontiac as a family medicine resident.
Dr. Swetha Aloori earned her medical degree from MNR Medical College in India and arrives here from Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a post-doctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University. There she was prolific in publications related to critical care.
Dr. Aloori has held many positions from volunteer to a medical officer in India. Committed to improving the quality and compassion of healthcare, she emphasizes that she was “born and raised in a family that emphasizes virtues such as generosity, kindness, and community engagement,” leading her to “develop a keen sense of social responsibility.” This showed with her service to challenged populations for several years in her home county.
Honor Community Health welcomes Dr. Aloori and looks forward to preparing her for her stated long-term goals. She plans “to use the expertise acquired to provide quality healthcare, conduct research, and become an academic mentor.”
Dr. Jason Caluducan states, “I gravitate to the thought of being in the front line of diagnosis and planning, nurturing long-term relationships with patients and being exposed to the full spectrum of problems and issues in medicine.”
Dr. Caluducan is from Markham, Ontario and is a graduate of the University of the East/Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center College of Medicine in the Philippines. He has contributed to research in the field of infertility and reproductive immunology and has conducted surveys among non-English speaking patients to identify challenges to care.
He has excelled in family and community medicine and found value during rotations in which he “experienced first-hand the hardships and limited resources of healthcare services of communities in need.” Dr. Caluducan brings an unmatched enthusiasm to bring quality healthcare to communities like those that Honor Community Health serves.
Dr. Perusina arrives at Honor Community Health via St. Augustine, Florida, where he was a House Physician Trainee for a medical physicians group, managing many aspects of patient care under physician supervision, while also training medical students and first-year physician assistant students. He earned his medical degree from Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador Facultad de Medicina in El Salvador.
He has independent medical experience, having worked as a general physician for three years in El Salvador. He has also been active in clinical research, studying risk factors that affect pre- and post-operative patients.
Dr. Perusina sees community-based healthcare in his future, stating: “I see myself taking on greater clinical and teaching responsibilities as a board-certified physician, building my reputation among local and international communities. I would love to engage in work that helps people—both locally and abroad—and ultimately change the mentality of, ‘I don’t need to go to the doctor if I’m not sick.' "
Dr. Atif Rashid comes to Honor Community Health from Milton, Ontario. He gained extensive clinical experience as a medical assistant and scribe and earned his medical degree from the Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine. With experience as a clinical supervisor, he has helped devise creative ways to improve clinical operations and patient care quality.
He has also been active in research, contributing to studies on topics such as statin therapy and its relationship to cognitive function, as well as the quality of evidence supporting nutrition and diet recommendations.
Dr. Rashid has a keen sense of community, having had impactful experiences with local communities in Chicago, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. Through those, he states that he has “gained empathy, and collaborative abilities to excel in a Family Medicine residency.” He aims to “become someone in the community who people can trust with their health and accompany them through life's ups and downs as an educator and advocate.”
Dr. Fatima Wajahath is well known to us at Honor Community Health, having served in the last year as a medical assistant at our Baldwin site and others. She has been serving the Pontiac patient population since 2021. She earned her medical degree from Deccan College of Medical Sciences in India. Determination and perseverance eventually led her to the Honor Community Health Family Medicine Residency.
As a medical assistant, she impressed with her knowledge and skill, especially at visits related to prenatal care for birthing patients, as well as women’s health maintenance.
“Early volunteer work in programs such as the free health camps for the poor, urban AIDS awareness campaigns, pulse polio immunization drives, and remote well baby clinics that catered to the health care needs of challenged communities and remote villages gave me the thrill of applying scientific knowledge in practice, nurtured my core constructs and equipped me for a life-long commitment to Family Medicine.”
Dr. Apote Zekpa hails from Togo, where early family experiences strongly influenced his decision to study medicine. Subsequent exposure to primary care physicians and health maintenance visits sparked an interest to pursue primary care. He earned his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.
Dr. Zekpa arrives to Pontiac from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he has had extensive direct patient clinical care for which he earned high praise and recommendations from his physician supervisors. He was key in an impressive community initiative called Happy Period to get menstrual hygiene products to those in Miami experiencing homelessness. “This opened my eyes to areas of life that we take for granted on a daily basis and gave me a different outlook on how I can help others.” Honor Community Health’s patient population will be next to benefit from Dr. Zekpa’s clinical acumen and dedication to community.
Dr. Zoha Aleem is a familiar face at Honor Community Health, having excelled in the last year as a medical assistant at our Family Medicine Centers. She earned her medical degree from Batterjee Medical College in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where she demonstrated strong leadership skills and academic acumen.
As a General Practitioner, Dr. Aleem has provided compassionate care in both Saudi Arabia and India, gaining invaluable experience in varied settings. Her commitment to improving healthcare drives her vision of delivering high-quality medical services to those who need them most.
A prolific researcher, she has had several publications on wide-ranging topics from vitiligo to improving quality of HIV care and cardiometabolic syndrome.
Dr. Aleem states that working at Honor Community Health as a medical assistant helped her “gain valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of patient care. It allowed me to develop holistic approaches that consider medical aspects as well as the emotional and psychological well-being of the patient.” Honor Community Health is happy to have Dr. Aleem continue her journey here in Pontiac.
Dr. Sandrine Kakieu Djossi hails from Cameroon and comes to Honor Community Health via Canada. She earned her medical degree from the College of Medical Science at the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria. She began her career as a general physician, gaining valuable independent clinical experience.
Deeply committed to advancing healthcare, Dr. Djossi remains actively involved in clinical research, medical writing, and community service initiatives. Her contributions span multiple medical publications and newsletters, reflecting her dedication to sharing knowledge and fostering innovation.
Dr. Djossi is passionate about preventive care, and empowering communities to take charge of their well-being.
She has started initiatives to gain insight into patient financial struggles and recalls patient shock from unexpectedly large medical bills. She “turned it into pressing questions: how do uninsured populations, or those experiencing homelessness, manage overwhelming costs?” This concern and interest fostered “a deep desire to make healthcare available to anyone who needs it" and resonates with the mission at the Honor Community Health Family Medicine Residency Program.
Dr. Srija Reddy Kesireddy earned her medical degree from SVS Medical College in Mahbubnagar, India. Her volunteer work in both India and the United States exposed her to varied communities and highlighted the many dimensions that shape health outcomes. These experiences deepened her understanding of holistic well-being and the importance of addressing challenges beyond traditional medicine.
Driven by a vision to transform healthcare, Dr. Kesireddy aspires to contribute to medical education, design programs that promote health and disease prevention, and harness technology to improve patient care. Her ultimate goal is to make healthcare more impactful, particularly for populations facing unique challenges.
Honor Community Health in Pontiac is the next stop on Dr. Kesireddy’s journey. It is one that has taught her much already. She insightfully states, “I have witnessed physicians care for those in difficult circumstances with unwavering compassion and dedication. It reminded me that medicine can build understanding and foster connection.”
Dr. Ikechukwu Mgbudem comes to Honor Community Health from Nigeria via College Station, Texas, where he earned his Master’s degree in Public Health at Texas A&M University. He earned his medical degree from Igbinedion University in Okada, Nigeria. His passion for healthcare was evident from a young age, leading the First Aid Department during high school and fostering a lifelong dedication to providing exceptional care to those in need.
His extensive clinical experience spans various settings, including inpatient and outpatient care. In Nigeria, he practiced as a general practitioner for four years, and in the United States, he contributed his skills at clinics in Texas and skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in New York.
Among his most impactful experiences, Dr. Mgbudem cherishes his time providing healthcare in Nigeria—an experience that strengthened his commitment to community health and improving healthcare delivery.
He states that his “professional goal is to become a reputable, world-class physician with impeccable clinical skills and knowledge who prioritizes the safety of patients to ensure the best management outcome. I aim to contribute immensely and selflessly to society and the world’s good health.” Honor Community Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program is excited to welcome Dr. Mgbudem and shepherd the realization of his goals.
Dr. Nga Nguyen earned her medical degree from Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine in Vietnam. Since relocating to the United States, she has been deeply engaged in clinical research, community outreach, and volunteer work, with a focus on improving health outcomes for all patients.
Dr. Nguyen has gained extensive hands-on experience through multiple clinical externships in family medicine-focused settings. Additionally, she serves as a virtual translator, assisting Vietnamese physicians with medical documentation and publications.
An impressively active researcher, she has contributed to many publications on various topics, especially cardiology and cardiovascular health.
Her volunteer efforts at homeless shelters and involvement in community health initiatives has strengthened her commitment to providing high quality, patient-centered care. Her father was a physician and role model, and she cites his “dedication to caring for patients in under-resourced areas, addressing both their physical and emotional needs” as inspiration and foundation for her own journey into medicine. Dr. Nguyen brings that passion for community health here to Pontiac.
Dr. Carlos Manuel Godinez Rodriguez earned his medical degree from Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana in Cuba, where he gained extensive experience in both clinical and research settings. Witnessing the challenges faced by communities in Havana profoundly shaped his dedication to improving access to quality medical services.
Dr. Godinez Rodriguez is deeply committed to enhancing patient outcomes and ensuring care for all. He has been recognized with multiple academic and service awards for his contributions to the field and has conducted impactful medical research in mental health and cardiovascular health.
He has been working for the last few years at a community health center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and states, “Working at a community health center... allows me to directly impact patients’ lives, offer support and education, and contribute to improving healthcare in a challenging environment.” Dr. Godinez Rodriguez is excited to bring this same passion to Pontiac community.
Dr. Amna Harrie MD, is a board-certified Family Medicine physician at Honor Community Health in Pontiac, Michigan, where she currently serves as a faculty at the Family Medicine Residency Program. She joined Honor after completing her Family Medicine Residency at Pontiac General Hospital, bringing with her over 20 years of diverse clinical experience across the U.S. and Pakistan.
Throughout her career, Dr. Harrie has been deeply committed to women’s health, with a particular focus on preventive care, reproductive health, maternal health, and patient education. Her clinical philosophy centers on empowering women through accessible, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care. She is especially passionate about addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring that medically underserved women receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
Dr. Harrie’s dedication to serving medically underserved populations has been a defining aspect of her professional journey. In Pakistan, she worked with the World Health Organization’s Rural Support Program, where she led initiatives to deliver preventive and diagnostic services to women and children in remote communities. In the U.S., she has continued that mission through her work in community health clinics, focusing on populations with limited access to consistent medical care.
She earned her M.B.B.S. from Nishtar Medical University in Multan, Pakistan. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, ECFMG, and is licensed with the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council. She is fluent in English, Urdu, and Punjabi.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Dr. Harrie enjoys cooking, table tennis, cricket, and reading.
