The people behind the work.
Every program, every pathway, every student served — made possible by a dedicated team of educators, clinicians, and community advocates.
CORE TEAM
Leadership & Program Members
The architects of access — building bridges between education, community, and career.
Christopher Martija-Flores
Founder & Executive Director
M.S. in Health Professions Education, Loma Linda University · Currently pursuing a PhD at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Teaches didactic, pre-clinical, and clinical dental hygiene at the university level.
Daniela M. Hernandez
Director of Strategic Educational Partnerships
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education · B.A. in Liberal Studies, Cal State San Bernardino. Co-developed bilingual LCAP-aligned family engagement curriculum delivered across California.
Diego Rioseco
Senior Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Currently pursuing a B.S. in Finance. Leads institutional outreach and partnership development, rooted in the Imperial Valley.
Blanca Rodriguez
Elementary Education Program Specialist
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Grand Canyon University (2021). Profile and bio coming soon.
Jessica Flores-Martija
LEARNING EXPERIENCE & CURRICULUM LEAD (GRADES 6–12)
M.A. in Teaching · B.A. in History, La Sierra University. Social Studies teacher at Redlands Unified School District, specializing in project-based and collaborative learning.
Francisco Rodriguez
Community & Institutional Engagement Coordinator
B.S., UCLA. Profile and bio coming soon.
Subject Matter Experts
Experience earned in the clinic, the community, and the field.
Marc Long
Critical Care Nursing
B.S. in Nursing, 2020. Involved as a teaching assistant during his undergraduate studies; now bridges ICU-level clinical expertise with health professions education.
Andrea Gargallo
Dental Assisting
Dental Assistant Certification, American Career College (2022). Grounds dental assisting instruction in real operatory experience.
Diego Rioseco
Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy Certificate, Pima Community College (2017). Brings first-hand experience navigating health career pathways in underserved communities to health professions education.
Christopher Martija-Flores
Dental Hygiene
B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Teaches dental hygiene at the didactic, pre-clinical, and clinical levels.
Dr. Cristina Ruelas
Occupational Therapy
OTD, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences · B.A. in Psychology, La Sierra University. Extends clinical practice into education through caregiver training and faculty consultation.
Marina Luna DDS
Dental Medicine
Profile and bio coming soon.
Martija Institute of Health Professions Education 