Who We Are – Health Center
South Valley Health Center (SVHC) serves patients in the Antelope Valley region of north Los Angeles County, including the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and the surrounding communities. SVHC is part of High Desert Health Center Group, a group of five clinics in the Antelope Valley area under the Health Services’ Ambulatory Care Network.
Director
Lee Dunham is the High Desert Health Center Group Director. He is responsible for operations at the five Los Angeles County clinics in the Antelope Valley: High Desert Regional Health Center, Antelope Valley Health Center, Lake Los Angeles Community Clinic, Littlerock Community Clinic and South Valley Health Center. Mr. Dunham has been the Director since 2021.
Mr. Dunham received a Master of Science Degree in Medical Informatics from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Jacksonville University. He is honored to have served in both the United States Airforce and United States Army for over 13 years.
Medical Director
Jennifer Chen is the Medical Director for High Desert Health Center Group. Dr. Chen completed her medical school education at Tufts University School of Medicine, and her residency at UCLA/Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine.
Her leadership experience spans the Veterans Administration and LA County healthcare systems, where she remains committed to delivering high-quality care in safety-net settings.
Nursing Director
Cristian Puiu is the High Desert Health Center Group Clinical Nursing Director since January 2022. He is responsible for the Nursing Department at all five County clinics in the Antelope Valley.
Mr. Puiu has received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University. He is Board Certified with ANCC in Ambulatory Care Nursing.