Audrey Simons, CEO
Audrey Simons, MSHA, has served as CEO of San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) since 2013. She has spearheaded the organization's transition from a community hospital to a state-of-the-art Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides a full complement of medical, dental, behavioral health and education services for the entire community, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and chronically underserved.
Under Simons’ leadership, SFCHC has experienced unprecedented growth – with a 284 percent growth factor from 2016-2019 – as it continues to remain true to its nearly century-long legacy as a treasured health resource by enhancing community access to high-quality primary care services. Major projects completed in the last several years include building out the SFCHC Primary Care Center, expanding the Dental Clinic and opening a satellite clinic in Mission Hills.
Prior to joining SFCHC, Simons served as Administrator of Community Benefits/Grants for the San Fernando Campus of Mission Community Hospital for 10 years. In that position, she was responsible for all community benefits programs and oversight of capital projects, plus wrote and administered grants.
Simons is actively involved in several community/civic organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Valley Cares Community Consortium. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene from Loma Linda University and a Master of Science degree in health administration from California State University, Northridge. Simons practiced as a registered dental hygienist in the San Fernando Valley for nearly 30 years.
Jeff Chawenson, CFO/COO
Jeff Chawenson has an extensive background in overseeing organizational accounting and finance with emphasis on timely and accurate results, taking on new challenges, and working closely with both employees and those outside his organization to develop strong, trusting relationships.
A unique facet of Chawenson’s experience is his service to nonprofit organizations that do not have sufficient means to employ full-time financial personnel. His past clients include the Palm Springs Community Concert Association, California Indian Nations College in Palm Desert, Urban Community Action Project/Health to Hope Community Health Center in Riverside and Morongo Basin Healthcare in Yucca Valley, among others.
Chawenson’s background has encompassed virtually all aspects of financial and accounting duties to include experience with budgets, payroll, policies and procedures, billing and accounts receivable, grants, regulatory reporting, tax reporting and more. He also has personnel management experience in the areas of risk management and human resources.
Chawenson holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Pennsylvania State University.
Heidi Lennartz, Director, Special Projects
San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC) Director Heidi Lennartz – a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with more than 35 years of management experience in both medical and psychiatric healthcare settings – joined the center in August 2018. She approaches her work with a focus on the biopsychosocial perspective, whether managing operations or clinical issues.
Lennartz plays a key role in implementing initiatives that support SFCHC’s growth as a trusted, patient-centered healthcare home for equitable whole person care. One key initiative, a diabetes remote patient monitoring pilot program launched in February 2021, addresses the optimization of telehealth capabilities to equalize healthcare access and delivery for those with chronic conditions and most at risk.
Prior to joining SFCHC, Lennartz served as Associate Administrator at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. Her previous experience also includes serving as CEO and as Director of Behavioral Health at Mission Community Hospital, and as Director of Case Management at USC University Hospital/Keck Medical Center. In addition, she performed work with Midway Hospital’s Immune Suppression Unit (AIDS).
Lennartz earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Social Work degree (public administration) from the University of Southern California, and received her Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives®(FACHE) certification in 2015. She has served on several community and healthcare organization boards of directors, and currently sits on the board of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley (NCADD-SFV).
Tatyana Barrios, Controller
Offering over a decade of experience in administration, accounting and financial services, Tatyana Barrios is Controller at San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC). She started as an intern with SFCHC in October 2016 before officially joining the team in January 2017 and promoting to her current position in July 2020. She is responsible for running the daily activities of the finance department, preparation and coordination of annual audits and budgets, grant reporting, payroll recording and other duties.
Barrios previously served as a senior accountant, staff accountant and accounting clerk/administrative assistant at SFCHC, during which she also performed various administrative duties. In addition to her accounting responsibilities, Barrios arranged special events, coordinated equipment maintenance and prepared records, files and reports for the Human Resources Department.
Prior to her tenure at SFCHC, Barrios gained work experience in the banking industry and was also a department lead for a major retail department store.
Barrios holds a Bachelor of Science in health administration from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
