MCHC Health Centers adds new physician
MCHC Health Centers recently welcomed Dr. Christina Lasich to their healthcare team, stating “Dr. Lasich brings the knowledge and experience from specialized training in treating pain and addiction to our communities in Lake and Mendocino counties.”
Lasich is a graduate of the University of California at Davis School of Medicine and received specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She then returned to serve her hometown of Grass Valley, Calif., for the next 15 years, where she held a private practice in both pain and addiction medicine.
Additionally, for six of those years, she worked as the medical director for Community Recovery Resources (now Granite Wellness). There she was able to work alongside a team of recovery experts who helped to guide individuals through the processes of recovery from detoxification to sobriety aftercare; from residential care to transitional, sober-living environments.
In 2016, she joined a community health center that serves Nevada, Placer and Sierra counties, Western Sierra Medical Clinic. There she developed a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program that integrated into the primary care services already in place. In 2018, she became the chief medical officer of Western Sierra, where she created several programs that improved quality of care, maintained a high level of access to care, and created workforce development partnerships throughout the region. All the while, she continued to practice medicine and help individuals improve their quality of life.
In 2021, Lasich decided to make a move and reached out to MCHC Health Centers to see how she could contribute to and build upon the care provided to patients. “She presented an opportunity for expanded support for our community, and we welcomed her onto our team,” MCHC stated in a news release.
Lasich said, “I look forward to joining MCHC Health Centers and serving the region of Mendocino and Lake counties. My life’s work has been focused on improving the health of communities, one life at a time because each life matters.”
“Dr. Lasich, as the Director of Specialty Services at MCHC, will oversee the MAT program that works to help people in recovery. She will serve as a resource for our team, providing consultations, direct patient care, and work as an internal expert in treating chronic pain and substance use disorders,” MCHC stated.
“As community members seek support and we partner with local agencies, we will now have more resources to make a greater impact on our community. Our goals range from decreasing recidivism rates for inmates, decreasing ER visits and deaths due to overdose, reducing the number of babies impacted by substance abuse, and reducing domestic violence incidents. Focus on these goals will lead to stronger, happier families.”
MCHC Chief Medical Officer Jerry Douglas MD stated “Dr. Lasich will serve as a bridge to other agencies in our communities and work towards the common goal of community wellness. She will lead in the expansion of substance use treatment as she applies her expertise in helping those suffering from pain and addiction. She will work to help each individual find a healthy path forward.”
In her leisure time, Lasich enjoys the company of dogs, family and friends. She also finds joy in the sports of fly fishing and skeet shooting. In order to relax, she said she will take long drives in the countryside exploring all the simple pleasures found on the road less traveled.
Lasich will begin seeing patients in August, at MCHC’S Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport and Little Lake Health Center in Willits.
MCHC Health Centers includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport. Learn more at www.mchcinc.org.