Dr. Marie Keiko Yamamotoya has been named chief medical officer at American Indian Health and Services (AIHS) in Santa Barbara. Dr. Yamamotoya is a board-certified family physician.
“Her appointment reflects AIHS’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care and advancing health equity within the Santa Barbara region,” AIHS said.
Dr. Yamamotoya brings a blend of clinical expertise and visionary leadership to her new role.
She earned her bachelor of science in microbiology at the University of Washington, Seattle, where she also completed her medical degree.
Dr. Yamamotoya completed her internship and residency in Family Medicine at the University of California, Davis, where she served as chief resident. She continued her professional development with advanced training in academic family medicine through a prestigious joint program with UC San Francisco and UC Davis.
“As we welcome Dr. Yamamotoya to our leadership team, we are confident that her dedication to clinical excellence and her deep commitment to health equity will elevate our impact as we establish our new permanent home in the heart of Santa Barbara,” said Scott Black, CEO of American Indian Health and Services.
With years of experience in large nonprofit healthcare organizations, Dr. Yamamotoya has distinguished herself as a clinician, medical director, chief of medicine, and quality and safety officer, AIHS said.
Her approach is rooted in the use of evidence-based guidelines and data-driven strategies to promote population health and improve health outcomes.
Committed to addressing health disparities, Dr. Yamamotoya champions preventive care and chronic disease management, ensuring every patient receives comprehensive, compassionate care.
Born and raised on the rural island of Kauai, Hawaii, Dr. Yamamotoya brings a personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities, AIHS said.
“I am honored to join the AIHS team and look forward to building meaningful connections with patients, families, and colleagues. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of this vibrant community,” Dr. Yamamotoya said.
For more about AIHS and its services, as well as updates on the development of its new campus at the corner of State Street and Las Positas Road, visit www.aihscorp.org.