Health Center
Our Staff
Nancy Safinick, PA-C, Health Center Director
As director, my goal is to promote a healthy college campus and to provide low cost and accessible medical care for our students. As a practitioner, I have 25 years of experience and value your health problems and concerns. Your information is highly confidential and you can feel confident that the Student Health Center is a safe and respectful place to seek care and information. So, check us out!
Gary Green, MD, Board Certified Internist & Sports Medicine Specialist
My name is Gary Green and I am one of the Student Health Service Physicians. In addition to working at the Student Health Service and helping to keep everyone healthy, I also serve as a Team Physician for the Pepperdine Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition to my work at Pepperdine, I see patients in private practice at the nearby Pacific Palisades Medical Group. While my specialty is Sports Medicine, I also enjoy seeing a wide range of the medical problems that confront college students. I also do research at the UCLA Olympic Lab on drugs and athletes. So whether you see me in the Pepperdine Student Health Center, or the sidelines in Firestone Fieldhouse, I am here at Pepperdine to improve the overall health of the students.
Lucy Larson, MD, MPH, Board Certified Pediatrician
My name is Lucy Larson and I am a physician at the Student Health Center. My medical degree is from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and my residency training was done at Oakland Children’s Hospital. Following group practice in Mt. Vernon, Washington and practice at a Community Health Center in Athens, Georgia, I have returned to California to work at Pepperdine. My passion is preventative medicine and health education, although I enjoy seeing students with a wide variety of medical problems. I can see you for your health concerns, acute illnesses, or monitoring and treatment of chronic medical problems. I look forward to meeting you and working with you to maximize your health and education during your time at Pepperdine.
Leslie Kaplan, M.D., Board Certified Pediatrician & Adolescent Medicine Specialist 
My name is Leslie Kaplan and I am a physician at the Student Health Center. After receiving my medical degree from University of California, Los Angeles, I did my residency training at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and my fellowship at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. I specialize in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and love working with the population here at Pepperdine. While I enjoy treating the variety of health issues that present themselves at the Student Health Center, I have a particular interest in treating patients with eating disorders, and have been doing so for almost 10 years. I look forward to meeting you and hope you take advantage of the excellent health services offered at Pepperdine.
Arleen Fernandez, RN, MSN, Registered Nurse
As your college health nurse, I have a strong background in health education, urgent care and advanced first aid for over 20 years. I received my BSN from San Francisco State University and MSN from UCSF. I'm here to assist you to make healthy lifestyle choices that contribute to academic success and personal wellness. My job is to be your health advocate and to help guide you through the healthcare maize and link you to our campus and community resources. I will provide you with compassionate and confidential care that is geared towards your individual needs.
Joanne Wills, Front Office Assistant
Hi! My name is Joanne Wills. I am the first person to greet you at the Health Center check-in window. I am here to help start the process of your care and /or scheduling your appointments. I also serve as the Student Insurance Coordinator and can help you learn how to utilize the University plan to reap maximum benefits. I enjoy working with college students and I hope to make your visits at the Health Center pleasant.
Marvelia Montes, Certified Medical Assistant
My name is Marvelia Montes, "Marvy" and I am a Certified Medical Assistant at the Student Health Center. I have been providing patient care for about 7 years and have recently joined the Pepperdine Student Health team. The Medical Assistant is the person you see before and after you have been seen by the practitioner. I enjoy educating others regarding their health care and am here to assist you with medical questions and medical referrals. I hope to make your visit to the Health Center a pleasant one and look forward to meeting and working with you.
Jennifer Whitlock, PA-C, Physician Assistant
My name is Jennifer Whitlock and I am a Physician Assistant in the Student Health Center. I obtained my Bachelor's of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from Union College and a Master's in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Nebraska. I have been providing patient care for approximately three years and have recently joined the Pepperdine Student Health team. I am very excited to be working with students to give them the best care possible as well as be a source of comfort and support.
Katherine McCune, MA, RD, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Educator
As a Registered Dietitian and nutrition educator at the Student Health Center, I am dedicated to helping students become better nourished. Often students have difficulty knowing how to plan meals and snacks, shop for food, or eat out. Emotional eating, yo-yo dieting, and skipping meals may result. I can assist with your nutritional concerns whether they are for proper diet, appropriate eating skills, weight management, medical nutrition therapy (high cholesterol, diabetes, allergies, hypertension, etc.) and sports nutrition, or disordered eating patterns. I look forward to speaking to student groups or on a one to one basis.
Rebecca Roldan, Office Manager
My name is Rebecca Roldan. I will probably be one of the first people to greet you when you come to the Health Center and the last person to see you as you check out. I come from a diverse background of working for a Medical Device company as well as working as a Paralegal. I have a passion for working with young adults and watching as they achieve their goals. I hope to be of assistance to all students with any questions they may have and to make your visit to the Health Center a pleasant one.
