Kristen Kellogg
Clinic Director, Nurse Practitioner
kristenkellogg@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-3023
Kristen has been working as a family nurse practitioner in primary care settings for low-income immigrant and homeless populations since 2018. She graduated from PLNU with her BSN in 2013 and received her MSN through Azusa Pacific University in 2018. She has a passion for working in underserved communities and for helping teach students in these socially complex patient settings.
Amanda Thurman
Adjunct Professor
amandathurman@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2425
Amanda is a PLNU alum (BSN '93) and has been a family nurse practitioner since 2001. She earned her MSN from California State Dominguez Hills in 2001 and completed her DNP at Azusa Pacific University in 2022. She has worked at the Health Promotion Center since 2007 and is an adjunct professor in the School of Nursing.
Karen Banuelos, FNP
Adjunct Professor
kbanuelo@pointloma.edu
Karen is a family nurse practitioner with experience in primary care, obesity medicine, and urgent care. She currently practices at Kaiser Permanente, where she works in obesity medicine and urgent care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education and has also completed her graduate preparation as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), with board certification pending. She is currently completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Karen is fluent in both English and Spanish and brings a bicultural perspective to her clinical practice and teaching. She is passionate about providing culturally responsive, compassionate care to diverse patient populations and enjoys helping future nurses develop their clinical knowledge, confidence, and commitment to patient-centered care. Her professional interests include primary care, mental health, obesity medicine, health promotion, and nursing education.
Gwen Gleason-Rohrer
Consulting Physician
(619) 849-7890
Gwen has been a friend of the Health Promotion Center since her undergraduate days at PLNU. She completed a BA in Sociology in 2003, followed by medical school at Loma Linda University and Family Medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA. She returned to San Diego in 2012 where she still practices at a community clinic in City Heights. She is passionate about primary care in underserved settings and providing care to immigrant and refugee communities.
Rachel Martinez
Operations Manager
rmartine@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-2657
Rachel brings 13 years of experience in social services, with a background in low-income housing, food security, and higher education. She has worked with Feeding San Diego, where she supported community food access and partnerships, and most recently served in the Student Care Office at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is passionate about improving access to resources and creating dignified systems of support. Rachel earned her BA in Criminal Justice from PLNU and is currently completing her Master of Social Work. She is fluent in Spanish and is passionate about serving underserved communities through the Health Promotion Center.
Alex D. Lugay
Fresh Food Marketplace Operations Coordinator
alugay@pointloma.edu
(619) 849-3247
Alex is a PLNU alum who earned his B.S. in Dietetics in 2025. As the Fresh Food Marketplace Operations Coordinator, he is passionate about serving the community and advancing food access for low-income families through dignified, community-centered food assistance. As a Marine Corps veteran, his commitment to service continues through his work supporting the health and well-being of individuals and families. Alex is currently completing his M.S. in Integrative Wellness at PLNU.