Care Built on Connection: Meet Dr. Stoker

Dr. Stoker has built his career across community health centers, family medicine, and urgent care, working with patients from many different backgrounds. He provides care in both English and Spanish, so he can communicate with patients in the language they’re most comfortable using.

Dr. Stoker brings a distinct personality to his work. He’s known for his colorful shirts and playful bow ties — a signature style patients may come to recognize when they see him in the clinic.

His approach to healthcare is informed by an uncommon combination of disciplines. In addition to his clinical and leadership experience, Dr. Stoker holds graduate degrees in biomedical engineering and business. He’ll bring that depth to his role as Medical Director, leading the medical team while continuing to care for patients directly.

Growing Alongside Families: Meet Dr. Gundogdu

Dr. Gundogdu brings more than two decades of experience in pediatrics to Lumira, with a career that has taken her across the United States and Türkiye. Her work has included caring for children and families, leading a medical genetics division, conducting research, educating physicians, and collaborating with medical professionals internationally. She speaks English, Turkish, and Spanish, helping her serve families across different languages and backgrounds.

A key motivation throughout Dr. Gundogdu’s career has been the opportunity to build lasting relationships with families and watch her patients grow from childhood into adulthood.

That same sense of community stood out when Dr. Gundogdu first met the Lumira team. She was struck by the warmth and welcoming spirit she found here.

Left: Dr. Stoker; Right: Dr. Gundogdu

More providers. More opportunities to develop lasting care.

Welcoming Dr. Stoker and Dr. Gundogdu reflects Lumira’s continued investment in bringing experienced, compassionate providers to the Central Valley and expanding access to care close to home. With every new provider, more patients and families have the opportunity to build a lasting relationship with someone who knows them, understands their health, and can support them over time.

Find a provider near you or schedule an appointment by calling 209-850-3500.

The post Growing Our Team to Care For The Central Valley appeared first on Lumira HealthCare.

For Lumira Healthcare, National Health Center Week was an opportunity to highlight the people and connections that strengthen community health across Stanislaus and Merced counties. Throughout the week, Lumira honored patients and staff, shared preventative health information and resources, spotlighted the diverse populations it serves, and thanked community partners for their role in connecting people with care and support.

The week also provided an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone in one of those communities: the grand reopening of Lumira Healthcare’s newly renovated clinic in Hilmar.

A Special Celebration in Hilmar

Hilmar holds an important place in Lumira’s history. After more than four decades serving the community from its Livingston campus, Lumira expanded to Hilmar in 2012, opening its second health clinic and taking a step toward bringing care closer to more communities across the Central Valley.

Since then, the Hilmar location has grown alongside the community it serves. What began as a 2,500-square-foot space with just three exam rooms has expanded to better support the health and wellness needs of Hilmar and the surrounding area.

Community members, Lumira staff, and local leaders gathered during National Health Center Week to celebrate the newly renovated space and the role accessible, local healthcare continues to play in the region. 

During the event, Lumira Healthcare CEO Leslie Abasta reflected on the intention behind that work: “It is our commitment to this community to be present, and to be here.”

This is particularly important in smaller and rural communities where accessing care can require traveling farther and navigating additional barriers.

Congressman Adam Gray and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar underscored the importance of access during the celebration, speaking to a reality many Central Valley communities know: having health coverage is only part of the equation. People also need healthcare providers and services that are available where they live.

The event also brought together local and regional partners, including representatives from Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil’s and Assemblymember Juan Alanis’ offices, the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hilmar Chamber of Commerce and Hilmar Unified School District Superintendent Tony Lomeli — reflecting the broad community support behind expanding access to care in Hilmar.

National Health Center Week is a reminder of what community healthcare requires every day: an understanding of what our patients need, building lasting relationships, and reducing barriers to care.

Hilmar is one example of that commitment in action. Today, Lumira Healthcare serves communities across the Central Valley through 10 locations, each helping bring care closer to the people who need it. Investments in updated facilities, equipment, and services — like those made at the Hilmar Clinic — reflect Lumira’s ongoing effort to evolve alongside the communities it serves and respond to changing needs with care that remains accessible, relevant and close to home.

Learn more about Lumira Healthcare locations and services.

The post National Health Center Week 2026 appeared first on Lumira HealthCare.

Right now, many California families are also navigating their annual Medi-Cal renewals. For some, keeping health coverage can feel just as complicated as accessing care itself.

That’s why Lumira Healthcare has a dedicated Patient Navigation team. Patient Navigators are here to help remove barriers to care, answer questions, and connect patients with the support they need so they can focus on what matters most: their health.

1. Navigators help coordinate care.

Managing appointments with multiple providers can be challenging. Patient Navigators can help schedule appointments, coordinate referrals, and connect patients with the right services at the right time, regardless of whether they have health insurance or not.

2. They help patients understand their options.

Healthcare can come with a lot of questions. Patient Navigators help community members better understand their insurance, benefits, care plans, and available health programs so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

For navigating Medi-Cal renewals, they offer resources and guidance for the steps to take and where to turn for support. Keeping contact information up to date, watching for renewal notices, and responding to requests on time can help patients keep the coverage their families depend on.

3. Navigators connect with resources beyond the clinic.

Good health is about more than medical care. Whether it’s transportation assistance, language support, or connections to community resources, Patient Navigators work to identify solutions that make it easier to access care and stay healthy.

4. They advocate for patients every step of the way.

Every patient’s journey is different. Patient Navigators work alongside care teams to help ensure patients feel heard, supported, and connected throughout their healthcare experience, especially those facing the greatest barriers to care.

5. Navigators make healthcare feel more personal.

At Lumira Healthcare, whole-person care means meeting patients where they are. Our Patient Navigation team reflects the communities we serve and provides compassionate support in both English and Spanish, helping patients feel welcomed, understood, and empowered to take the next step in their care.

Lumira Healthcare is always here to help.

No one should have to navigate healthcare alone. Whether it’s a question about appointments, referrals, community resources, or Medi-Cal renewal, our Patient Navigation team is here to help the most vulnerable communities in the Central Valley find their way forward. Because access to care isn’t just about opening doors. It’s about helping people through them.

The post Navigating Care With Confidence: 5 Ways Our Patient Navigators Can Help appeared first on Lumira HealthCare.

Why Back-To-School Immunizations Can’t Wait

California schools are required to check immunization records at school entry — especially for kids starting preschool, TK, kindergarten or entering 7th grade, where specific immunizations are required. Children who aren’t up to date may be turned away or face delays getting settled into the school year.

Every summer, families wait until the final weeks before school — and by then, clinics are overwhelmed and appointments are hard to get. Scheduling now means you’re ahead of the rush, and your child is set before the stress of back-to-school season hits.

Guiding You Through The Process

Navigating healthcare checkpoints can feel overwhelming, especially for families with multiple children. You may not know which immunizations your child needs, or whether you have the right paperwork. That’s okay. Our care team is here to help walk you through it.

If you have your child’s yellow immunization card, bring it. If you don’t have it or aren’t sure where it is, come anyway — we can help you figure out where things stand and what’s needed. And if your family doesn’t currently have insurance coverage, don’t let that stop you from getting your children the care they need. We work with patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Have more than one child? Book their appointments together so you only need to make one trip.

Lumira Healthcare Serves Every Family

We have 10 clinic locations across the Central Valley and a team that speaks your language and understands your needs.

Don’t wait until August. Call or text us at 209-850-3500 to schedule your child’s appointment today. Slots fill up fast — the sooner you book, the better. If you know a family who needs this information, please share it.

The post Get School-Ready With Required Immunizations appeared first on Lumira HealthCare.

Many families in the Central Valley are navigating uncertainty as California continues Medi-Cal redetermination and eligibility renewals. Changes in coverage status, renewal requirements, and paperwork can be confusing, causing some families to delay care while trying to understand what services and options are still available to them. For many, that uncertainty can lead to postponed appointments, unanswered questions, and difficult decisions about when to seek treatment.

In response to growing healthcare needs, Lumira Healthcare expanded services at its Modesto Orangeburg Ave Center with the introduction of dental care. To mark the expansion, Lumira recently hosted a community open house that brought together local leaders, providers, and community members for an important conversation about protecting and improving access to care in Stanislaus County.

Preventative Care Matters

As families navigate changes in healthcare coverage, preventative care becomes even more important. Dental issues are often delayed until pain or emergencies arise, but oral health plays a critical role in overall well-being, impacting everything from chronic disease prevention in adults to a child’s ability to learn and thrive in school.

Preventative care helps families address issues early before they become more serious and costly to treat. Simple treatments like fluoride can make a meaningful difference, especially for children, by helping prevent cavities and educating on healthy habits. Small proactive steps today can help families avoid much larger health challenges later on. 

Expanding Access, Regardless of Coverage

Lumira Healthcare’s dental program at the Modesto Orangeburg Ave Center was designed to expand access to affordable care for all patients, whether they have Medi-Cal, private insurance, or no insurance at all. Through Lumira’s sliding-fee program, families can still receive care based on household size and income. As Lumira Healthcare CEO Leslie Abasta shared during the event:

“This program is about meeting patients where they are, ensuring they have access to affordable, high-quality care, and supporting our community through this period of transition so no one falls through the cracks.”

The goal is not only to provide treatment when issues arise, but to help families establish consistent, preventative care that supports long-term health.

Addressing Barriers to Care

Preventative care is only one piece of a much broader conversation around healthcare access. For many families in the Central Valley, barriers like transportation, cost, language, awareness, and proximity to care can all impact whether someone is able to receive treatment. That’s why access to care is the foundation of Lumira’s mission, where services are designed to be approachable, affordable, comprehensive, and rooted in the real needs of the community. 

Left Image: Mayor Sue Zwahlen and Leslie Abasta, Lumira Healthcare CEO. Right Image: (Left to Right) Leslie Abasta, CEO; Dr. Pannu, DDS; Ilia Rolon, Health Plan of San Joaquin; Dr. Elise Chavez, DDS: University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

What This Means for Families

For local individuals and families, don’t wait for pain to take action. Preventative care is available, accessible, and designed to support families at every stage. Small steps today, like scheduling a routine checkup, can prevent much bigger future challenges. 

Learn more about Lumira Healthcare’s dental services and encourage members in your community to call or text 209-850-3500 to schedule an appointment. 

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