Health Clinic Providers
britt lane, msn, aprn, agacnp-bc, aahivs
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: She/Her
Britt is a Board-Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center. She has worked in the medical field for two decades. Most of her career was spent as a registered nurse in emergency departments and perioperative services. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.
As part of the LGBTQ+ community, Britt is passionate about connecting and relating to her patient’s healthcare needs and desires. In her free time, Britt enjoys reading, going on adventures with her partners and dogs, attending reggae concerts, and playing board games with friends and family. Britt is also a fifth-generation native Arizonan!
heather taylor, msn, Aprn, fnp-c
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: She/Her
Heather is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Southwest Center. She has over 18 years of experience working as a registered nurse. Her background includes neuroscience, orthopedics, and medical/surgical nursing. Heather received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Mesa Community College in 2005 followed by a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.
Heather is passionate about providing affirming and inclusive primary care services to Southwest Center’s diverse community. Her professional specialties include gender-affirming care, HIV care and management, PrEP, PEP, and sexual and reproductive health services.
Heather is a member of the American Associate of Nurse Practitioners, the American Academy of HIV Medicine, and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, paddleboarding, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Heather is also an active volunteer with Phoenix Pride.
KATHLEEN S., RN-NP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: She/Her
Kathleen is the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center, diagnosing and treating mental health issues and disorders through medications. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers University in New Jersey and has worked in the mental health field for many years in inpatient and outpatient settings. She had a private practice in central Phoenix for over 20 years that she closed in May 2021. Kathleen appreciates a holistic approach to health and wellness, focusing on solution-focused treatment results from problem-solving. She enjoys living in a diverse world and plans to support that diversity in all its forms.
Kathleen is delighted to be at the Southwest Center. She profoundly enjoys traveling, and animals hold her heartstrings. Kathleen has traveled around the world and finds how each culture treats its animals of extreme importance. She also loves classic rock, science fiction books and movies, her family, and her two rescue dogs.
leanne muniz, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, aahivs
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: She/Her
Leanne is a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center. She joined Southwest Center in January 2023 and brings extensive knowledge through her experience working as an EMT, Paramedic and in hospital-based programs, including emergency department, critical care transport (CCT), acute detox, and transfer center.
Leanne holds multiple education degrees, including an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Yavapai Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, received in 2016, and a Master of Science (FNP) received in 2018, from Chamberlain College of Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing.
Leanne enjoys boxing, kickboxing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Nick E., PMHNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: He/Him
Nick is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center. His professional experience as a Registered Nurse includes case management, community mental health and primary care, and inpatient hospital care. He is passionate about working with the LGBTQIA2S+ community and those in underserved populations.
Nick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Molloy College in 2012, a BSN from Molloy College – Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing in 2017, a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management in 2020 from Western Governors University, and a Post-Master Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from Wilkes University in 2023.
He grew up on Long Island, NY, and moved to Phoenix four years ago with his husband. Together, they have three dogs and two red-eared slider turtles. Nick enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and exploring new areas outside of work.
Nick is committed to serving clients in a supportive and affirming environment to help clients achieve their full potential.
raven brown, msn, Aprn, fnp-c, aahivs
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: She/Her
Raven is a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Southwest Center. She has 23 years of experience in the medical field, six of which are as a Registered Nurse in the Banner University Medical Center operating room.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 and Master of Science in Nursing from Brookline College. In 2020, Raven started her journey at Grand Canyon University in the Post Master Family Nurse Practitioner program and graduated in 2022.
Raven’s passion for nursing and making a difference in people’s lives led her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a family nurse practitioner. Raven is experienced in gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ healthcare, women’s health, PrEP, PEP, HIV, and primary care.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, meeting new people, watching movies, and spending time with her wonderful friends and family.
TAYLOR PIONTEK, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, aahivs
Director of Clinical Services, Family Nurse Practitioner
Pronouns: He/Him
As Director of Clinical Services, Taylor oversees the medical clinic, including primary care, psychiatric medicine, and HIV/STI testing, as well as being a Family Nurse Practitioner.
As a registered nurse, Taylor has worked in various settings including critical care, behavioral health, and perioperative services. Taylor graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cox College of Nursing in Springfield, MO in 2012. He received his Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner from Maryville University located in St. Louis, MO in 2019.
Taylor’s experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner started in wound care and eventually led him to primary care. Taylor is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and has worked for Southwest Center since November 2020. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community, he has a passion for providing culturally competent care and creating a safe space for each of his patients to thrive. In his free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, trying new restaurants, hiking, biking, going to the gym, and doing anything close to the water.
Mental Health and Social Wellness Providers
bianca mcconnell-hoff, LAC
Lead Behavioral Health Clinician
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
¡Yo hablo español!
Bianca is a Lead Behavioral Health Clinical who works with all populations, with a focus centered on Trauma, LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities, depression and anxiety, neurodivergence, children/adolescents, and couples counseling. She attended Arizona State University for her undergrad and worked as a case manager for children in foster care for four years, with a majority of her caseload being LGBTQIA2S+ youth who had little access to mental health resources or LGBTQIA2+ knowledge. She decided to continue her education receiving a Master of Counseling with an Emphasis on Trauma, Abuse and Deprivation from Ottawa University
Chel’sea ryan-watford, msw, lcsw, CS
Director of Mental and Social Wellness
Pronouns: She/Her
As the Director of Mental and Social Wellness, Chel’sea supervises the Gender Affirming Program, Medical Case Management Program, Safe Space, and Behavioral Health Department. Chel’sea is also a practicing clinician, providing trauma-informed care to her many LGBTQIA2S+, BIPOC, and allied clients. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from James Madison University and a Master of Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
She is passionate about providing care to communities of color who are often not given a voice and helping them find and lift theirs. Chel’sea has worked as a licensed Clinical Social Worker for over a decade. Her professional experiences include Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) certification, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Trauma Informed Care. Outside of work, Chel’sea loves all things outside, including camping, hiking, swimming, exploring as well as traveling, and spending time with her husband, kiddos, and pups!
dillon Mathew-gilmore, lmsw
Therapist II
Pronouns: They/Them
Dillon is an experienced therapist who has been working in gender-affirming care at Southwest Center for more than three years. They are passionate about working with the transgender and gender-expansive community, the lesbian community, women, and people of all ages, including youth. Dillon is committed to providing the best possible care to their patients.
Dillon has experience in counseling and has worked with various issues such as anxiety disorders, identity issues, stressful life changes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) therapy, trauma-informed methods, psychoanalytic, experiential therapy, and acceptance and community therapy. In the past, they have worked as a shelter supervisor for a women’s and children’s homeless shelter, an SMI case manager, and a gender-affirming case manager and navigator.
Dillon’s therapy approach is to create a safe space to learn about their client’s perspective, truth, and ideal healing journey. Dillon encourages clients to practice setting boundaries and vocalizing their needs and expectations during therapy.
They hail from Hawai’i and are passionate about working with people of Polynesian descent. They received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Hollins University, and later earned a master’s degree in Social Work with a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
They are a dancer who enjoys theater jazz and Latin dance. Dillon also enjoys traveling with their wife, playing pickleball, and spending time with their stepchildren and furry friends. Dillon is an avid reader, writer, and an active community organizer in the LGBTQ+ healthcare community.
Malik Ashe, BA
Addictions Counselor
Pronouns: He/Him, They/Them
Malik is an Addictions Counselor. They see individuals dealing with addiction, substance abuse-related and behavioral addictions, and mental health issues such as anxiety and adjustment disorders.
Malik received their Bachelor of Science in Addictions Counseling from Ottawa University and is completing their Master of Public from Simmons University. Malik’s research addresses the determinants of substance abuse risk factors within the LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities. With over two years of experience in counseling, Malik has worked in various mental health settings. Malik enjoys working with members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, BIPOC individuals, and veterans, to name a few.
Malik is from Connecticut but has lived in Phoenix, Arizona, for about eight years. He enjoys baking, documentaries, films, anime, weightlifting, and board games in his free time. Malik has two adorable cats named Robert and Tony and a grey pit bull named Jameson.
mallory waldrop, msw
Therapist II
Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
Mallory has been working as a behavioral health and substance use counselor since 2021. She has a passion for providing high-quality counseling services to individuals from marginalized communities who are often overlooked, including members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, BIPOC individuals, and those who come from low-income backgrounds. Through her previous work experience, Mallory has had the privilege to serve these diverse communities and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Mallory is an alum of Northern Arizona University. Go Lumberjacks! Where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. Outside of work, Mallory enjoys playing video games, going to concerts, listening to music, and spending time with her dog.
PEDRO MARQUEZ, MC
Behavioral Health Clinician
Pronouns: He/Him
¡Yo hablo español!
Pedro is a Behavioral Health Clinician who provides mental health services to work with his clients to overcome their current life stressors. He graduated from Nova Southern University with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. Before working at the Southwest Center, Pedro worked as a Clinician at Valley Hospital in Phoenix providing mental health services to individuals and groups with substance use problems.
renee small, LAC
Behavioral Health Clinician
Pronouns: She/Her
Renee is a Licensed Clinical Therapist at the Southwest Center. She received a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Before working at the Southwest Center, she held public and private practice therapy positions. She has had the privilege of working with diverse populations. Outside work, Renee enjoys traveling, attending comedy shows, and spending time with family and friends.
whitney haruf, ma, lac
Licensed Clinical Therapist
Pronouns: She/Her
Whitney is a licensed clinical therapist providing individual, couples, and family psychotherapy at Southwest Center. She graduated with her B.A. from Long Island University in New York and an M.A. in Somatic Counseling Psychology from Naropa University in Colorado.
She specializes in Queer orientations and identities (as she is part of the community herself) including self-esteem/self-worth, existential issues/search for meaning, grief and loss, anxiety/fear, isolation/loneliness, trauma and violence recovery, and adjustment to life in the U.S. as an immigrant.
She is trained in several somatic/body-based and mindfulness approaches, such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (which utilizes EMDR-like practices), Narrative Therapy, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing. She is proficient in language interpretation and approaches her work with a client-centered, trauma-informed lens.
Whitney has worked for many years as a counselor, mental health trainer and consultant, victim advocate, and yoga and meditation teacher in Asia, Africa, and the U.S. in many different settings, including refugee camps and resettlement programs, medical clinics, alternative residential psychiatric facilities, domestic violence shelters, torture treatment programs, jails, and public schools. She strives to be anti-racist and an ally to POC and nonbinary/trans-identifying folks.
In her free time, she enjoys international travel with her partner, hiking and visiting hot springs in her native Colorado, LGBTQ+ and other social justice activism, yoga and meditation retreats, time with her animal companions and in the natural world, and expressions of color, beauty, and creativity.