Marsha Thigpen, M.D.
CEO/Executive Director
Dr. Marsha Thigpen, CEO/Executive Director is a native of New Haven, CT. She received a BS in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and a MD degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Thigpen did a three year residency in Internal Medicine at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, CT. Dr. Thigpen has 37 years of medical experience, all dedicated to Southeast Texas and to underserved populations. Dr. Thigpen has a love for Medical Missionary work and has provided medical services in the country of Haiti for approximately 20 years. Traveling with family and friends is a favorite pastime.
Tasneem Lokhandwala, CPA, MBA
CFO
Tasneem Lokhandwala, CPA, MBA, serves as the CFO. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and MBA in Business Administration from the University of Houston. She received her Certified Public Accountant (CPA), state of Texas certification in 2013. Ms Lockhandwala brings 15 years of experience to her work in the finance department for community health centers. She has worked with FQHC and Look-alike in Houston, Texas as well as in the state of California. In addition to overseeing financial management, her experience combines leadership and strategic thinking in cross-cultural settings. Ms Lockhandwala loves to travel, spend time with her family and listen to good music to clear her head.
Leopold Villegas, III, D.O.
Medical Director
Leopold Villegas, III, D.O. is Gulf Coast Health Center’s Medical Director. Dr. Villegas graduated from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1982. He did his internships at Eisenhower Osteopathic Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Doctor’s Hospital in Groves, Texas. Dr. Villegas has over 40 years of medical experience in a variety of family practice facilities in southeast Texas. He came to Gulf Coast Health Center in August 2001 to serve as Medical Director.
John Hederman, D.D.S.
Dental Director
Dr. John Hederman, D.D.S. is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He received a B.A. degree in Biology from Holy Cross College in Worchester, Massachusetts. He graduated from New York College of Dentistry in 1982. As a Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service, he was stationed at the City of Port Arthur Health Department. He became Dental Director in 1984. Dr. Hederman entered private practice in 1995. Then in 2002, he returned to public health and became the Dental Director at Gulf Coast Health Center. He has been with Gulf Coast for 21 years. Dr. Hederman enjoys traveling with family and attending concerts. He loves 80’s bands like the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.
Nkem A. Nwaobi PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Director of Behavioral Health
Nkem A. Nwaobi, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC is the Director of Behavioral Health for Gulf Coast Health Center. She is double board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She has over 18 years in healthcare and loves caring for patients across their life span. She graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from McNeese State University, a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Walden University, did Post Masters Studies at Liberty University, and received her BS in Nursing from Lamar University. Mrs. Nwaobi began her nursing career as a staff nurse in the Emergency Department at Christus Hospital – St. Elizabeth in Beaumont where she worked for 13 years. She started her career with Gulf Coast as a Family Nurse Practitioner and then obtained her Psych NP prior to her leadership role in Behavioral Health. Mrs. Nwaobi’s interests include working with young people, spending time with her family, cooking, dancing, community speaking engagements, and provides several volunteer services in her community.
Phillip I. Ugochukwu, R.Ph
Director of Pharmacy
Philip I. Ugochukwu, R.Ph has 17 years of experience serving as the Director of Pharmacy at Gulf Coast Health Center. Dr. Ugochukwu was previously employed by Christus Southeast Texas for 18 years as a Clinical Pharmacist. He is a graduate of Texas Southern University – Houston, Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Dr. Ugochukwu did his post graduate internship at Methodist and Ben Taub Hospitals in Houston. He received his Texas State Pharmacist License in August 1994.
Maia Antoine, RN
Interim Director of Operations & Compliance Director
Maia Antoine, MSN-RN serves as the Interim Director of Operations and Compliance Director. She previously held the position of Nursing Director at GCHC. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Ms. Antoine graduated from Lamar State College Port Arthur. She received her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Walden University – Minneapolis, MN. Her nursing experience includes geriatric care, healthcare compliance, risk management and serving the underserved population in a community health center setting. Ms. Antoine is a Southeast Texas native and is very passionate about serving her community. Ms. Antoine’s favorite pastime includes spending time with family and friends. And, she loves sports and other outdoor activities.
Bonetta Frank
HR Representative
Ms. Bonetta Frank has been employed with Gulf Coast HC for 8 years. She began her employment at Gulf Coast as a payroll clerk in October, 2015. She was promoted to Human Resources Manager in 2017.
Ms. Frank has over 15 years in the healthcare industry. She was previously employed as a Scheduler and Insurance Verifier with a local dermatologist and as a Scheduler for Southern Home Health. A major focus of Ms. Frank’s work has been developing and maintaining employee relations and ensuring a healthy work environment. She is currently studying for her Society of Human Resources certification.
Ms. Frank is a Southeast Texas native, a graduate of Lincoln High School and is very passionate about giving back to her community. In her spare time, Ms. Frank enjoys her sons’ sporting events, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Mona Foots, RN
Interim Director of Nursing
Mona Foots, RN is a graduate of Lamar State College in Orange, TX with over 30 years of experience in Nursing with specializations in Emergency Nursing, Industrial/Occupational/Employee Health and Risk Management. She most recently supervised the Case Management, Social Services and Referral Departments and has now accepted responsibility for supervising the nursing staff at Gulf Coast. A native of Port Arthur, Mrs. Foots is driven by compassion with a desire to help patients and to make a difference in the lives of others. Mrs. Foots is very active in her church and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Keren D. Arledge
Executive Administrative Assistant
Keren D. Arledge is the Executive Administrative Assistant and joined Gulf Coast Health Center in 2017. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Lamar University. Mrs. Arledge previously worked for Tropical Roofing Products for 15 years where she served as Office Manager then as the General Manager and was also an executive secretary at US Intec for 10 years. Mrs. Arledge enjoys sports and other outdoor activities. She also loves doing arts and craft work and spending her free time with extended family and friends.
Claudette Phillips
Billing Manager
Claudette Phillips is the Billing Manager at Gulf Coast Health Center, Inc. Ms. Phillips began her employment with Gulf Coast as a Billing Clerk in 2015. She was quickly promoted to a Lead Billing Clerk and became Manager of the Billing Department in 2017.
Ms. Phillips was previously an Accounts Receivable Specialist for McKesson Corporation and has also been a Billing and Referral Clerk and an office Manager in a private practice. She attended Lamar University where she studied business. Ms. Phillips’ team is responsible for verifying patient insurances, filing claims and posting patient payments.
Ms. Phillips grew up in Port Arthur, Texas and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1983. She enjoys watching football, basketball and home improvement shows. Ms. Phillips also loves going to sports games and being with family and friends.
Natasha Fobish
Outreach and Eligibility Supervisor/Vaccine Coordinator
Natasha Fobish is currently the Outreach and Eligibility Supervisor/Vaccine Coordinator at Gulf Coast Health Center, Inc. Ms. Fobish started her career at Gulf Coast as a charge nurse and served as the Health Service Office Manager, the Interim Director of Nursing/Clinical Coordinator and Lead Pediatric Charge Nurse before assignment in her current role.
Prior to joining Gulf Coast Health Center, Ms. Fobish worked at the Texas Youth Commission and Christus St. Mary’s Hospital. She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and received her certification in Vocational Nursing from Lamar State College in Port Arthur.
At work, Ms. Fobish enjoys helping and serving people in the community. Ms. Fobish especially loves to see patients smile and say “thank you so much” after clinic services have been rendered to them. Ms. Fobish’s personal hobbies include shopping and traveling.
Caleb Charles
Information Technology Manager
Caleb Charles is the Information Technology Manager at Gulf Coast Health Center, Inc. He leads efforts to improve a variety of business applications and business technology processes through rigorous data collection and analysis. Mr Charles holds an Associate degree in General Studies and a Bachelors Degree in Management Information Systems. He was recruited after graduation from Lamar University and began his employment with Gulf Coast in 2014. Mr. Charles is leading his department in modernizing the IT infrastructure and IT systems to ensure long-term company growth. He directs the implementation of software, installation and configuration of equipment and implements updates to information systems.
During his tenure with Gulf Coast, Mr. Charles has gained skills and experience in project management, computer and software troubleshooting, quality and process improvement, reporting and data analysis and a host of other administrative management processes.
Mr. Charles enjoys gardening, gaming and music. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas and is the father of two sons. In his spare time, Mr. Charles also enjoys freelance consulting, self improvement and “moving the needle” when working with others.
