Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic Governance Council

The Odessa Brown Children's Clinic (OBCC) Governance Council works with the OBCC senior medical director to provide strategic leadership of the clinic to achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion priorities. The Governance Council will make recommendations to the OBCC senior medical director regarding policies, procedures, and decisions on using OBCC's discretionary budget. The council ensures that the needs and perspectives of the OBCC community inform decision-making. The council ensures that the OBCC administration implements these community-based decisions and monitors program outcomes. Additionally, the council collaborates with broader Seattle Children's leadership to promote trust with OBCC staff, patients, and the communities that OBCC serves. 

OBCC Mission

Odessa Brown Children's Clinic is an enduring community partner dedicated to promoting quality pediatric care, family advocacy, health collaboration, mentoring, and education in a culturally relevant context.

Governance Council Goals

• Meet quarterly and develop annual metrics of success to guide work, establish priorities and inform the data cycle
• Provide policy guidance and advise the senior medical director on clinic policies and decisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Monitor the progress of the Health Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan and provide recommendations to the senior medical directorto help achieve the plan's goals
• Make decisions regarding the expenditures and use of the discretionary clinic budget aligned with OBCC goals
• Identify systemic issues of inequity at OBCC and develop recommendations for solutions
• Monitor the use of analytical tools (e.g., equity impact tool) and strategies to promote best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Foster effective relationships and communication with key stakeholders
• Serve as a representative between the senior medical director and other OBCC stakeholders as needed 
• Provide perspective and representation aligned to the needs and experiences of the group he/she/they represent
• Guide candidate profiles and involvement in hiring decisions (e.g., ensuring a diverse workforce, interviewing candidates for leadership positions)

Governance Council Member Commitments

• Model equity, collaboration, and fairness in decision-making and the treatment of others.
• Attend all required meetings and training. Council members must attend all monthly meetings unless co-chairs approve an excused absence.
• Governance council members are expected to work as a team with a shared goal of highlighting the importance of collaborating with Seattle Children's with a spirit of partnership.
• Eliminate existing biases and disparities to ensure equitable outcomes for all.
• Demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity in all working relationships.
• Participate in self-development opportunities and engage in regular self-reflection and continuing education.
• Hold ourselves and others accountable for the decisions made by the group.

Governance Council Members

Tamara Bass

Tamara Bass, MBA (she/her) is a mother of two amazing young African girls growing up in our community today, where the family get to work closely with the sickle cell team as one of her girls gets the privilege to be treated by the group. Tamara currently holds a position on the ED Family Advisory Board with Seattle Childrens. She was born and raised in Seattle and has had the opportunity to see the growth of OBCC over the years.

Tamara received her MBA in Healthcare Management and is a Director of Clinical Operations with over 10 years of clinical experience as a Medical Assistant.  Her focus has been in primary care and equitable patience and business experience. She strives daily to put emphasis on aiding the underserved population for which she was once part of and to make a positive impact on my community.

In her spare time, she is committed to her church (outreach) and community choir, and spending time with family and friends. She is thrilled to continue to work with OBCC family in a different capacity as a council member and is looking forward to strong strategic collaboration from an EDI lense.

Nhautrey Brown 

Nhautrey Brown is an associate clinical social worker who works with children, adolescents, and families. She earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Seattle University and an undergraduate degree from George Mason University in Psychology and Neuroscience. Nhautrey specializes in building rapport and creating culturally appropriate treatment tools to address anxiety, trauma and life changes that children and families experience.

Outside of her day-to-day clinical work, Nhautrey is passionate about spreading awareness regarding mental health to marginalized populations, especially communities of color. Simultaneously, she enjoys engaging in community work to share input and give insight on how organizations can improve on culturally competent care and ultimately end the stigma of mental health!

Caroline Chen

Caroline Chen completed her undergraduate education at Seattle Pacific University and obtained her bachelor’s in nursing. A daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Caroline witnessed her parents face difficulties navigating a foreign’s country healthcare, social, and racial system. She currently works as a pediatric oncology nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the Cancer Care and Blood Disorders unit where she strives to promote racial and health equity into her practice. Her hope is to continue to voice and bring to light the systemic issues of inequity, listen to the needs and experiences of families, and partner with others in creating sustainable solutions that impact marginalized communities. In her free time, Caroline loves to spend time with her friends, cook, and go on walks with her dog.

Feven Gebrekistos

She has held a reoccurring leadership position within the community, serving on an Equity Action Team for a local Seattle school, helping facilitate

conversations about race and inequities in public education, led subcommittees and helped organize meetings and community events. She is passionate about young children and adolescents receiving quality education and patient care, and is very excited to be a part of the Governance Council.

With a heart filled with gratitude, I step into this journey, eager to contribute to our shared mission. My name is Feven, I am a proud sole parent to my delightful 3-year-old daughter Ayana, whose LIFE fuels my determination every day. I am Eritrean-American, I speak fluently in Tigrinya and English. I am currently attending Bellevue College full time after a 16-year sabbatical, my aspiration to pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management and leadership is more than personal; it's a beacon of possibility for Ayana and generations to come. Family and culture are not just facets of my life; they are the very foundations upon which I stand.

I am honored and privileged of meeting each of you very soon and many months to come after. Together, let's pave a path where compassion, excellence, and inclusivity reign supreme, transforming lives and communities one heartfelt interaction at a time.

Dr. Yolanda D. Geolingo

Yolanda has called Yelm, WA her home since 2007.  She is originally from Moss Point, MS and moved to Washington State by way of the military. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alcorn State University, Yolanda joined the United States Army in 1995 where she started her HR career. While in the military, she earned two master’s degrees from Troy University. Yolanda is currently a Human Resources Manager for King County Superior Court, and she has over 28 years of experience working in HR. Yolanda will be joining our team starting March 4th as the new Employee Relations and Operations Manager. Yolanda extended her reach in civil and community service work when she was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee as a Washington State Commissioner for the Commission on African American Affairs. This role allows Yolanda to eliminate racial inequalities and inequities within the black community. Additionally, she is very active in her community through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, where she currently works as a regional committee member. Yolanda enjoys spending time with her family and friends and watching her favorite NFL team, the New Orleans Saints. Yolanda also participates in her bowling league traveling, trying new things, attending church, and playing with her yorkies Yellis and Yuri.

Josh Griffin

Josh is the Assistant Director for the University of Washington's Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity (CCDE). Prior to working with the CCDE, Josh was a social justice consultant with The Carter Center’s Human Rights program. During his time with The Carter Center, he created and implemented a new initiative focused on social justice through the arts. He also served as a youth and development volunteer with the Peace Corps in Morocco. Josh has research experience in restorative justice issues, focusing on the establishment of Truth and Reconciliations Commissions in the United States, South Africa, and Germany. He holds a BA in Communication and Social Sciences from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) from Emory University with a certificate in Human Rights and concentrations in International Human Rights Law and Program Management. In his free time, Josh enjoys traveling, hiking, and writing poetry. 

Zakiya Tyson

Zakiya Tyson is a HR Business Partner for Seattle Public Schools and supports talent management efforts for schools in the Southeast region of Seattle. She was born in raised in Seattle, having predominately lived in the South Seattle community. Zakiya received her Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University and her Master's Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University. Professionally, her work fuses business with psychology, with children at the forefront.