
Michelle is the parent of three children in the Self-Determination Program and a pediatric physical therapist. She has served as an Independent Facilitator since 2017, learning the policies and processes to support her children and extending that knowledge to help others successfully enter the program. In 2024, Michelle and a colleague were awarded a SAE grant to develop training and support for parents and self-advocates in the Central Valley, with a focus on reaching underserved communities.
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD
Director, UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Parent
As a clinical professor of internal medicine and founding director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD) at UC Davis Health, Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola has spent nearly three decades promoting equitable and culturally competent health care for underserved populations. He has led initiatives to collect and analyze racial, ethnic, and language data from patients and integrate them into electronic health records, improving both the quality and accessibility of care.
Dr. Aguilar-Gaxiola also directs the Community Engagement Program at the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC), where he fosters partnerships between academic and community stakeholders to address local and regional health needs. He has held leadership roles in the NIH’s Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program and is a member of the National Advisory Councils for NCATS and SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services.
A leading expert in mental health and population health outcomes, Dr. Aguilar-Gaxiola has authored over 200 publications, earned numerous awards, and is actively involved in the World Health Organization’s World Mental Health Surveys Consortium.


Now more than ever, DVU’s advocacy and resources are critical for our community. Please consider helping amplify our voices with a tax-deductible donation today.
Now more than ever, DVU’s advocacy and resources are critical for our community. Please consider helping amplify our voices with a tax-deductible donation today.