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ACV STAFF

Sasha Acuna, B.S., MPA

Community and Social Service Coordinator

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Sasha Acuna, B.S., MPA

Community and Social Service Coordinator

With over 20 years of dedicated service to Riverside County, Sasha has cultivated a wealth of experience that spans various public service sectors. For 11 years, she worked with Public Health, focusing on community wellness and disease prevention. This foundation allowed her to transition seamlessly into her role in Adult Protective Services, where she spent the last ten years as a social worker. Throughout her career, she developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of seniors, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, enriching her commitment to advocating for and supporting these vulnerable populations.

Her extensive experience has equipped her with the skills and compassion necessary to impact their lives positively. At ACV, she actively engages with the Eastern Valley community, sharing information about the various services available to them. She also works at ACV’s screening center, where she supports individuals who are worried about their memory and helps them begin the process of understanding what might be affecting it.

Working at ACV has truly enriched her life and the connections she has made with the members bring her genuine joy and a sense of fulfillment. She has formed strong relationships with many of them and is always there to address any concerns that come up during their journey with memory impairment.

Naomy Alvarado

Client Care Community Communication Specialist

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Naomy Alvarado

Client Care Community Communication Specialist

Naomy started at Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley in December 2023. With a strong background in customer service and office administration, she continues to grow and take on new responsibilities at ACV. Naomy warmly greets everyone who walks through the door, offering a welcoming smile and genuine care to members, families, and visitors.

Naomy multitasks across several areas: answering questions, providing information about ACV’s services by phone, email, and in person, managing administrative tasks, and supporting the organization’s social media platforms. Her favorite part of working at ACV is seeing the smiles of members and families and helping create a space where everyone feels safe, supported, and treated like family.

Priscilla Kubas

Programs Director

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Priscilla Kubas

Programs Director

Priscilla started at ACV as its first employee back in the Fall of 2019. Building on her experience as an Elementary School Computer Teacher and Administrative Support, she took over management of ACV’s day-to-day operations, which had previously been 100% volunteer-driven. You can usually find her on the phone or at her computer, but what she really loves is spending time with our members, giving hugs, and singing karaoke!

Kathleen Lubanski

MN, RN, FNP, AGPCNP-BC (Retired)

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Kathleen Lubanski

MN, RN, FNP, AGPCNP-BC (Retired)

Kathleen Lubanski, MN, RN, FNP, AGPCNP-BC, is a master’s prepared nurse practitioner with thirty-five years of experience. Over twenty years have been devoted to geriatrics.

In 1990, she joined Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles to initiate the role of a geriatric nurse practitioner in long-term care facilities. In addition, she participated in the comprehensive outpatient geriatric clinic with Dr. Robert Shaw. In 2002, she joined Desert Medical Group to initiate the ‘Frail Elderly program’. The program included visits to the home, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and memory care. As Desert Medical Group expanded into Desert Oasis, she participated in the outpatient geriatric clinic under the direction of Dr. Michael Griffis.

In her retirement, she is a hospice volunteer, end-of-life doula, and an educator of stress reduction strategies that include breath work, meditation, and guided imagery. In 2021, she received a call from Pat Kaplan about interest in being the geriatric nurse practitioner for the ACV Screening Clinic and, without hesitation, said, ’yes’.

Laura Mood, RN

Nurse Educator | COD Nursing Program

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Laura Mood, RN

Nurse Educator | COD Nursing Program

Laura was born and raised in Maryland, and now lives in Palm Springs.

She has been a nurse for 30 years. Her favorite experiences, aside from her time so far at ACV, have been working abroad in global health, providing clinic-based nursing care to South Sudanese refugees in the West Nile region of Uganda.

Laura serves as one of ACV’s Nurse Educators for the COD Nursing Program. What she appreciates most about ACV beyond the amazing resource it is for the community, is its strengths-based approach to programming. Rather than application of the traditional medical model that is concerned with individual deficits, the focus is on what people can do and supporting them in their efforts. It's a person-first organization.

Paula Simonds

Executive Director

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Paula Simonds

Executive Director

As Executive Director, Paula Simonds leads ACV’s mission to provide support, education, and resources to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related conditions throughout the Coachella Valley.

Simonds brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, including her recent tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the Family YMCA of the Desert, where she focused on strengthening and growing programs and expanding community partnerships.

Cindy Tatsumi, RN

Nurse Educator | COD Nursing Program

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Cindy Tatsumi, RN

Nurse Educator | COD Nursing Program

Where are you from? What city do you live in now?
I am from a rural area near Canton, Ohio. I have lived in Indio, for the last 19 years.

How many years have you been in healthcare? Favorite experience?
I have been a registered nurse for 49 years. It is hard to pinpoint my favorite experience. My time as a Coordinator for a Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program, ThinkFirst, in Eagle County, CO dramatically shifted my perspective toward safety, responsibility and courage. I am forever grateful. However, my favorite experience, may have been when I graduated from the Caritas Coach Education Program, through the Jean Watson Caring Science Institute, Boulder Colorado, about eleven years ago. This education taught me a holistic (body, mind and spirit) approach regarding caring for Self and Other; it changed my life.

What do you like to do in your downtime? Hobbies?
In my downtime, I am walking and going to the dog park with my five- year old Golden Retriever, Lucky. She loves people! I like to ‘catch up’ on phone calls or emails with family and friends and enjoy baking bread and pies. I love to write and have published a few articles.

What has resonated with you about ACV so far?
I have been inspired by the founders, staff, volunteers, members and everyone involved at ACV from day one. They are all champions! I think this foundation is such a gift to the community. Everyone feels like family! They are caring and look out for each other and walk alongside with one another. Everyone is working toward making each member’s life feel and be so much better, yet for one more moment! I am grateful to be a small part!

Thank you, Cindy Tatsumi

Elva Valtierra

Screening Center Programs Specialist

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Elva Valtierra

Screening Center Programs Specialist

Elva Valtierra joined ACV in March, 2026, and serves as the Screening Center Programs Specialist.

She grew up in sunny San Diego and currently lives in Riverside. Elva says, "I really value being part of my local community and staying connected to home. My family is a big part of my life. I'm very close to my sister, she's my best friend. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially going to the beach and hiking. I also have a 2-year-old dog named Nomi who keeps me active and entertained.

I have a strong appreciation for the arts in my community, and I'm especially passionate about music. Making music with my band is something I truly enjoy. I was introduced to ACV through my aunt Patty, and when the opportunity came up to join the team, I was really excited. Being able to step into this role and continue meaningful work made it feel like the right fit for me.

I'm really looking forward to learning and growing here, but also to creating great memories, sharing smiles, and being part of all the activities that make this work so special. Thank you, and I'm happy to be here!"

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Alzheimers Coachella Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization providing support and services for Coachella Valley residents living with cognitive impairment, their families, and care partners.

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(760) 776-3100
75105 Merle Dr., Suite 800, Palm Desert, CA 92211