Our Team

Leadership Team

Dayna Long, MD

Founder and Director of BLOOM

Loves supporting parents and caregivers and her patients fill her with inspiration and awe.

Javay Ross, MD

Founder and Medical Director of BLOOM

Committed to serving her community through breaking the womb-to-prison pipeline and increasing health equity.

Baylee DeCastro, MPP

Director of Communication and Strategy at the Center for Child and Community Health

Chosen auntie of six advocating for solutions led by Black women and birthing people. 

 

Clinical Team

Justin Williams, M.D.

Attending Physican at BLOOM

Champion for the healing power of empathy and advocacy. ​

Fran Merriweather, LCSW

Mental Health Provider at BLOOM

Committed to treating every family with respect, sensitivity and compassion.  

Cherri Harris, LVN

Clinical Coordinator at BLOOM

Fulfilled by engaging directly with families and providing resources families need.​

Brandi Gates Burgess, IBCLC

BLOOM Lactation and Nutrition Educator

Amplifying the power of community and increasing knowledge and support for lactation and nutrition. Founder of Breast Friends Lactation Support Services

Nina Feldman

BLOOM Health Equity Intern

Raised in Oakland and passionate about health equity, they believe everyone deserves affirming care and community. ​

Lisette Mazon

BLOOM FINDconnect Navigator

Dedicated to ensuring families have the tools and resources they need, she believes in building communities that work for everyone. ​

Research Team

Nicki Bush, PhD

Principal Investigator BLOOM Evaluation

Leading research to better understand, prevent and address the impacts of adversity on health and well-being.  ​

Kayla Karvonen, MD

Co-Principal Investigator BLOOM Evaluation 

Investigating racial inequities in delivery of neonatal care and outcomes to improve the experiences of patients and families. 

Amanda Noroña-Zhou, PhD

Co-Investigator BLOOM Evaluation

Translating scientific findings into better programs and policies that improve the lives of families in our communities. 

Akua Agyekum, BA

Clinical Research Coordinator BLOOM Study and the Mirror Study

Born and raised in Oakland, she is passionate to connect social justice with healthcare and medicine​.

April Zaat, MD

Principal Investigator Mirror Study

Driven to build trusting relationships with patients and providers and create community.​

Ifeyinwa Asiodu, RN, PhD, FAAN​

Co-Investigator BLOOM Evaluation, Lactation Education Consultant

Dedicated to serving her community by creating access to and information about lactation that is equitiable and true. 

 

Workforce Development

Mankaah Acho, MD

BLOOM Resident

Brittany Demmings, MD, MPH

BLOOM Resident

Chris DaSilva, MD

BLOOM Resident

Jasmine Solola, MD

BLOOM Resident

Corinne Foley, MD, PhD​

BLOOM Resident

Clara Woods, MD​

BLOOM Resident

Community Consultants

Ramona "Mona" Laughing Brook Webb

Poet in Residence at BLOOM

Wellness Consultant UCSF Black Wellness Center

Hope Williams-Burt

Family Partnership Consultant

Alex Briscoe

Policy Consultant 

Principal, CA Children's Trust

Judy Young, MPH

Senior Advisor at BLOOM

Executive Director at the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health​ UCSF School of Medicine

Toby Eastman, LCSW

Provider Wellness Consultant

Social Worker at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and in her private practice.