About

OU College of Medicine Access and Community Engagement Staff

Robert C. Salinas, MD

Assistant Dean

Roberto C. Salinas, MD is an Associate Professor at the University Of Oklahoma College Of Medicine and holds an appointment in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Being the son of parents who were migrant farmworkers and the first in his family to graduate from college, continuous self-development and service to others help define Dr. Salinas’ approach to academic life. Dr. Salinas is board certified in family medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications in geriatric medicine as well as hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Salinas is a graduate of the University of California Irvine and the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Dr. Salinas completed his residency training in family medicine at the University of Oklahoma where he served as chief resident before completing a fellowship in geriatric medicine. Dr. Salinas is also a graduate of the Stanford University School of Medicine Faculty Development program and the Harvard Medical School Faculty Scholars Program in Palliative Care Education and Practice. Dr. Salinas has also taken graduate-level coursework at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and earned a certificate in Patient Safety from the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. He serves as Director of Community Medicine for the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine where he teaches a curriculum that introduces medical learners to community-based health services. This program is aimed at improving health status and reducing health care disparities. Dr. Salinas is also the founding Medical Director of the OU Medicine program in Palliative Care that now includes both an adult and pediatric hospital-based consultative service. He also serves as Assistant Dean for Access and Community Engagement. Dr. Salinas has been recognized for his contributions to medical education and has received numerous teaching awards.

Maria F. Mendez, Ph.D.

K-20 STEM Outreach Coordinator

Maria F. Mendez, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Research and the Director of the Community Outreach Program at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She earned her doctorate degree in Biochemistry from OUHSC, where her research focused on the metabolic link between diabetes and heart disease. During her graduate career, Dr. Mendez was named a National Science Foundation Fellow, and she began the first science policy nonprofit organization in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Policy Engagement Network. Dr. Mendez is passionate for community outreach and science communication, and has received multiple civic engagement grants to fund a variety of community outreach events in OKC.

Shelby Hill

Administrative Coordinator

Shelby Hill earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Religious History and African+African American Studies and a minor in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma. These academic programs allowed a young woman from a rural, low-socioeconomic background to see the importance of global culture and develop a passion for social justice causes.

She began her higher education career at the OU College of Education and later moved to OU School of Meteorology, where she served as the Coordinator of Undergraduate programs, working to ensure that all students felt wanted, welcomed, and prepared for, given their intersectional identities involving race, gender, sexuality, religion, age, and disability.

In the College of Medicine Office of Access and Community Engagement, Shelby serves as the Administrative Coordinator, organizing events and coordinating programs.

Outside of the office, Shelby enjoys volunteering through her religious organization and running a food blog.

Breanna Mitchell

Community Outreach Specialist

Breanna Mitchell is the Community Outreach Specialist for the OU College of Medicine’s Office of Access and Community Engagement. She is passionate about serving Oklahomans and helping students find their healthcare career path. Breanna graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Journalism and a B.F.A in Ballet Performance. While at the University, she served on the OU Food Pantry’s outreach team and performed with Oklahoma Festival Ballet. After graduating, she worked as a communications specialist for the Oklahoma Society of CPAs. Prior to joining the Access and Community Engagement team, Breanna served as a fourth-grade teacher for Oklahoma City Public Schools. In her free time, Breanna enjoys reading, dancing, and trying new recipes.

Email our team at comace@ou.edu