To contribute to the health and well-being of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and surrounding Native people by providing top-quality culturally sensitive care and services to every patient through best clinical practice.
Primary Care Services
RPHC provides general medical visits and annual well check visits for children, adults, and elders. This includes physicals, preventative care, blood tests, and immunizations to stop health problems before they occur.
Comprehensive care plans are developed to address larger health concerns/issues. Providers work in conjunction with all other services at RPHC.
RPHC offers same day appointments to seek treatment of acute illness. Please call 480-278-7742 to make an appointment.
RPHC providers also provide an array of other services based on patient needs, but the facility is not an urgent care or emergency room and refers patients to other facilities as necessary.
An illustrative list of services includes:
- Orthopedic Injections
- Biopsies
- EKG
- Incision and Drainage
- Cyst Removal
- Sexually transmitted Illness testing
- Sutures
- Toenail removal
- Trigger finger injection
- Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
At RPHC, we care for everything from common colds to vaccines for those seeking treatment of acute illnesses on the same day. Adults and children are welcome, please call 480-278-7742 to make an appointment ahead of time or just walk-in. Walk-in spots are limited and are offered between 8am to 3pm Monday through Friday.
List of Walk-In Services:
- Coughs/Colds/Flu/Sore Throat
- STI Screenings/Treatment
- UTI
- Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Sports Physicals
- COPD/Asthma
- Gout Flare Ups
- Rashes
- Seasonal Allergies
- Vaccines
- Eye Redness/Pink Eye
Primary Care Providers
Family Medicine
Dr. Mario Islas is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with over 25 years of experience. Originally from Southern Arizona, he earned both his Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona. He completed his residency at Maricopa Integrated Health System (now Valleywise Health) in Phoenix.
Dr. Islas provides preventive, chronic, and acute care for patients of all ages. He brings extensive experience in community medicine, college health, military medicine, and acute care. A U.S. Navy veteran, he completed three deployments. He has held several leadership roles and enjoys teaching students and residents. He is married and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Family Medicine
Dr. Megan Huynh is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with a special interest in reproductive health. A native Arizonan, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona. She later completed a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.
Dr. Huynh completed her residency training in Fort Collins, Colorado, and returned to Arizona in 2024 to serve the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones and exploring the outdoors.
Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
Dr. Caroline Kupfer is a board-certified physician specializing in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Born in South Korea and raised near Chicago, she earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Dr. Kupfer has been practicing since 1997 and has particular expertise in caring for adults with chronic childhood medical conditions, including congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and autism. She is passionate about providing comprehensive, compassionate care to patients of all ages and with a wide range of medical concerns.
Family Medicine
Dr. Unnati Patel is a board-certified Family Medicine physician originally from Iowa. She earned her medical degree from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and later completed a Master of Science in Global Health at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. After several years working in global public health, she returned to the Midwest to complete her Family Medicine residency at Norwegian American Hospital (now Humboldt Park Health) and PCC Wellness, a federally qualified health center in Chicago.
Dr. Patel continued her work in primary care at Oak Street Health in Chicago, where she also completed a Fellowship in Leadership in Value-Based Care and earned her MBA from Northwestern University. Before joining River People Health Center in 2024, she served as a Medical Director and Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Tempe, Arizona.
She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Dr. Patel is passionate about preventive care and values a team-based approach that empowers patients to take charge of their health. She lives in Arizona with her husband and young child, and enjoys traveling, hiking, board games, reading, and building furniture.
Family Medicine
Dr. Paige Schmidt is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who provides care to patients across all stages of life. She earned her medical degree from Kansas City University and completed her residency training at Texas A&M.
Dr. Schmidt is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and supporting their health through every life stage. Outside of work, she enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with her husband and friends.
Family Medicine
Dr. Kody Smith is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He enjoys providing care across all age groups, with a special interest in aerospace medicine, orthopedics, and diabetes management. Dr. Smith values building relationships with families and supporting long-term health.
Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, surfing, reading, working on cars, playing guitar, and following sports.
Family Medicine
Dr. Stacey Sullivan is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and a proud member of the Navajo Nation. She completed both her undergraduate studies and medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Newark.
After medical school, Dr. Sullivan returned to Arizona to be closer to her family and completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and is committed to providing high-quality, culturally grounded care to patients across the lifespan.
Family Medicine
Dr. Michael Truesdell is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. He provides care for patients ages 15 and older, with a focus on adult medicine. He has extensive experience managing acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and also performs limited in-office procedures.
Dr. Truesdell earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency training at Maricopa Medical Center. He has proudly served the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for over eight years, providing compassionate, culturally grounded care.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Michelle D. Adams is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in northeastern Montana. Born and raised in Montana, she began her nursing career in 1997 on the Northern Navajo Reservation and later joined Phoenix Indian Medical Center, where she worked in both inpatient pediatrics and the emergency department.
She earned her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Phoenix in 2011. Michelle has since practiced in a variety of clinical settings in South Florida, including urgent care, family medicine, infectious disease, and occupational health.
She is passionate about providing comprehensive and compassionate care to diverse populations. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and family, attending sporting events, exercising, and reading. She shares her home with a German Shepherd named Griffin and a cat named Sammy.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Gabrielle Benally is a certified nurse-midwife with a deep passion for serving Native communities. Originally from Jackson, Wyoming, she spent most of her life there before moving to the Navajo Nation in 2011. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Nurse-Midwifery degree from Frontier Nursing University in 2011, following 13 years of experience as a registered nurse.
Gabrielle served for a decade on the Navajo Nation in Kayenta, Fort Defiance, and Tuba City, where she held the role of Chief of Midwifery. Before joining River People Health Center, she worked at Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Her lifelong fascination with pregnancy and birth led her to become a midwife focused on empowering women through safe, culturally appropriate care. She has a particular interest in working with underserved populations and mentoring future midwives.
In 2020, she was honored as Preceptor of the Quarter by Frontier Nursing University for her commitment to student learning. Gabrielle is married and has three sons—Matthew, Jasper, and Ace—and a dog named Noel. In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events, practicing Pilates, writing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Gem Bartsch is a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner with over 37 years of experience across a range of clinical settings, including medical-surgical units, emergency care, and labor and delivery. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pacific Union College and her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from Arizona State University.
Gem has been a dedicated provider with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for more than 20 years, with a primary focus on adult family practice and chronic disease management, particularly diabetes care and wellness promotion. She has also served in leadership roles in staff development, quality improvement, and organizational training.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Gem was honored with the Phoenix Indian Medical Center’s 2013 Provider of the Year Award for the Salt River Clinic. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and exploring the natural beauty of Arizona.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Candice Ben is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of Montana. She is also half Navajo. She earned her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Salish Kootenai College and began her nursing career at her tribal health clinic before transitioning to hospital-based care in Montana and at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Candice has experience in medical-surgical, telemetry, and progressive care units, and served as a resource pool nurse. She completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a focus on Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Arizona in 2020. Since then, she has practiced as an FNP in tribal and community health settings, including service with her home tribe, Gila River Healthcare in Sacaton, and most recently, a community health center in Clifton, Arizona.
She is passionate about providing culturally responsive care to Native communities. Outside of work, Candice enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, being outdoors, and watching movies. Her family also includes two dogs and a cat.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Gem was honored with the Phoenix Indian Medical Center’s 2013 Provider of the Year Award for the Salt River Clinic. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and exploring the natural beauty of Arizona.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Tadrah Hatton is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who began serving the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in 2024. She started her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2010, working in home health, family practice, and corrections before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015.
Tadrah relocated from South Dakota to Phoenix and gained experience as a registered nurse at HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center in Med-Surg, Telemetry, Progressive Care, and Emergency/Trauma. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from Grand Canyon University in 2024, completing her clinical hours at the River People Health Center Walk-In Clinic.
She is passionate about providing accessible, patient-centered care. Outside of work, Tadrah enjoys traveling, reading, trying new foods, and spending time with her husband and their greyhound, Clyde.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Christina Interpreter is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a proud member of the Hopi and Navajo Tribes. Raised in Kykotsmovi and Kayenta, Arizona, she brings a deep understanding of Native values to her care. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Health Promotion/Education and Nursing from Northern Arizona University, and earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California San Francisco, completing a fellowship focused on diabetes medical management.
Christina has over a decade of nursing experience in general surgery, emergency care, and public health. She has worked in both private and Indian Health Service settings, including Mayo Clinic Hospital, Winslow Indian Health Care Center, and Tuba City Regional Health Care.
She joined River People Health Center in 2017 and provides care to patients ages 5 and older. Her focus includes chronic disease management—particularly diabetes—as well as podiatric wound care in partnership with the podiatry team.
Christina is also involved with the University of Arizona’s Native American Wellness Youth Camp for Diabetes Prevention. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, movies, and spending time with her fiancé, daughters, and grandchildren.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Stephanie Taijeron is a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner originally from the island of Guam. She is a U.S. Army combat veteran and currently serves as a Major in the Army Reserves with Reynolds Army Health Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Stephanie has been a Nurse Practitioner since 2017 and began her healthcare career as a registered nurse in 2006. She brings extensive clinical experience and a strong commitment to service. She is of Chamorro and Native American heritage—her father is from Guam and her mother is of the Lumbee Tribe in North Carolina.
Stephanie is passionate about providing compassionate, culturally grounded care to her patients and brings a unique perspective shaped by her military and multicultural background.
Nurse Practitioner
Aaron Seaman is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine and urgent care. Throughout his career, he has worked in various areas of healthcare, including administration, but his true passion lies in direct patient care.
A native of North Mesa, Aaron is a proud graduate of Westwood High School. He is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of his patients through compassionate and attentive care.
Outside of work, Aaron enjoys spending time outdoors and being with his family.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Raul Rubio is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a rich and diverse background in military and public health service. He began his healthcare career as a Combat Medic in the U.S. Army and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southwestern Adventist University in 1994. He later served as a Commissioned Officer with both the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Air Force.
As a registered nurse, Raul worked in a wide range of roles including Air Force Flight Nurse, Medical-Surgical Nurse Manager, Emergency Department and ICU nurse, Operating Room Nurse, Clinical Educator, and Outpatient Program Director. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Phoenix in 2015.
Since becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Raul has worked across multiple specialties, including primary care, urgent care, dermatology, orthopedics, rheumatology, cardiology, diabetes care, and endocrinology. He has served Native communities since 2007 through roles at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and Gila River Health Care.
In his free time, Raul enjoys traveling, cooking, biking, and playing golf—though he humbly admits he’s not that great at it.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment call 480-278-7742
Resources & Quick Links
- CDC : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)
- Diseases and Conditions: Diseases and Conditions – Mayo Clinic
