In honor of
Ka`imi Sinclair
Ka`imi Sinclair, PhD, MPH was an Associate Professor at Washington State University and the lead of the HHAPI program. She had the opportunity to live in, learn from, and work with many communities in the U.S., including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, African American, and Latinx communities. She had a PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of New Mexico. She enjoyed outrigger paddling, spending time with family, and traveling.
Our Team
Denise Dillard
Denise Dillard, PhD, is an Inupiaq Eskimo and was born in Fairbanks and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. She is a Professor in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences and Co-Director of the Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health at Washington State University. Dr. Dillard is a licensed psychologist and has conducted postdoctoral quantitative and qualitative research since 1998. She previously served as the Director of Research for Southcentral Foundation, a large Tribal health organization in Anchorage, Alaska. Her research portfolio is diverse, addressing the wide-ranging health needs of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. At a national level, Dr. Dillard has served on the National Institutes of Health Tribal Advisory Committee since its inception.
Nicole lee Kamakahiolani Ellison (Fujioka-Krzyska)
Nicole lee Kamakahiolani Ellison (Fujioka-Krzyska), MPH, is the Research Project Manager for the Healthy Hearts among Pacific Islanders (HHAPI) program. Originally from Wai’anae, O’ahu and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. After 15 years of being away from the islands, she was able to return home and received her Master’s in Public Health with a specialization in Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Health from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. However, after being priced out of paradise, Nicole landed in Washington State where she connected with the local civic club and found her current jam! She is beyond grateful to be able to serve her community and talk about food all day! When she’s not working she spends her time meal planning, baking goodies, and hanging with family and friends. Her passions are Native Hawaiian health and our access to indigenous food, or lack of access. Her favorite place to be is at the beach!
Sukhneet Toor
Sukhneet Toor (she/her) is a Research Study Assistant at IREACH. She is currently working on two studies: SUNDANCE (Suicide in Urban Natives: Detection And Networks to Combat Events) and the HHAPI program (Healthy Hearts Among Pacific Islanders). She graduated from UC Davis in the spring of 2021, with a B.S. in Human Development and a minor in Psychology.
Some of Sukhneet's favorite things: almost anything with cinnamon, SNL, sushi, and coffee!
Some of Sukhneet's favorite things: almost anything with cinnamon, SNL, sushi, and coffee!
Marla Alohilani Tam-Hoy Barhoum
Marla Alohilani Tam-Hoy Barhoum, MEd, is the Peer Educator for the Healthy Hearts among Pacific Islanders (HHAPI) program. She is bi-racial and proud to be Native Hawaiian. She received her Master’s in Special Education and High-Risk Youth from UW and holds an endorsement in Health/Fitness through the State of WA. She’s worked with culturally diverse student populations while a public school teacher and social worker in both education and youth employment programs. Most recently, she taught Health/PE in Mukilteo School District and is a curriculum designer for The Seattle Times Education Department (NIE). She is grateful this position weaves her passions into one; teaching and creating positive health & fitness outcomes for her people.
She recently became a certified yoga instructor through Native Strength Revolution, a program for indigenous people to learn and share yoga with their communities. Marla provides free online zoom classes each week.
She enjoys spending time with her family and is a Mom of two busy teen girls. She enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, watching her daughter’s play sports, beach walks, cuddles and long walks with her dog, working out, hula, hip hop dance classes, yoga, reading & photography.
She recently became a certified yoga instructor through Native Strength Revolution, a program for indigenous people to learn and share yoga with their communities. Marla provides free online zoom classes each week.
She enjoys spending time with her family and is a Mom of two busy teen girls. She enjoys traveling, hiking, camping, watching her daughter’s play sports, beach walks, cuddles and long walks with her dog, working out, hula, hip hop dance classes, yoga, reading & photography.
Maddy Rantala
Maddy Rantala, MS, (she/her) is a Research Study Assistant at IREACH. She works on two studies focused on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health, including HHAPI and MASC-UP (Moana Alternate Surveillance for COVID-19 in a Unique Population). She received a MS in Primate Behavior from Central Washington University, where her research projects focused on occupational health risks in animal care workers and the use of social media in qualitative and experimental research. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science geared towards social and human services. Maddy loves reading, drinking coffee, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.
Alumni!
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Lexie JacksonLexie Jackson, PhD, RDN, CDCES is now an Assistant Professor in the Public Health department at Pacific University. Lexie has a PhD in Prevention Science from Washington State University and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She was born and raised in Hawaii and is interested in promoting positive relationships with food and the body while encouraging diet quality. Lexie is excited to work with and continue to learn from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dogs, gardening, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and baking cookies.
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