Presidents Message
Welcome to the Stockton (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. We are honored to have a group of phenomenal women who make time in their schedules and their hearts to give. The Stockton (CA) Chapter is proud of our commitment to serving others, maintaining our Link’s integrity during unprecedented times and utilizing our collective momentum to provide exemplary service to our community, friendship engagement, membership intake, chapter diversity and expanding our demographic impact within our chapter boundaries.
The president, vice president of membership, vice president of program have committed to a two-year plan for all avenues and areas of services. This commitment will maintain continuity and bring clarity to new and established members of where we came from and where we are going.
As we move forward, it is important to recognize the commitment of those who came before us, those who are currently serving and those who will come after us to continue to light the way once our term ends.
– Karen Rea Williams, President 2022-2026
Karen Rea
President
Karen Rea-Williams, PHN, MSN, FNP, has over 30 years of nursing, education, administrative and entrepreneurial experience. Ms. Rea-Williams is currently the CEO of Correctional Improvement and Sustainability Consultants LLC supplying correctional healthcare expertise to prisons and jails across the United States. She is a Federal Court-appointed healthcare expert for the Coleman lawsuit evaluating mental health care provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of State Hospitals. Ms. Rea-William’s ability and advocacy extends to public and private health care and mental health consultation. Ms. Rea-Williams is a graduate and alumni member of the two-year UCSF Leadership Fellowship Academy and an annual speaker to the UCSF physicians and healthcare cohorts. Her nursing and leadership career includes Neonatal intensive Care, ICU, Public Health and Epidemiology, development of the first Quality Management system for the Child Welfare system in Fresno County. Hospice, Mental Health, Regional Nurse Consultant and the Statewide Chief Nurse Executive over 4600 nursing staff for CDCR. Ove the past five years, she was a plaintiff/defendant expert witness for healthcare court cases in four different states.
Ms. Rea-William’s community service includes international and local giving. She is the President of the Stockton (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and has served in multiple leadership role in her nine year tenure as a Link. She previously served as the Vice President of Membership for four years, was the Chair for the Services to Youth Facet for two year, Chair for Strategic Planning Committee for three years, and was as the Financial Secretary for two years. Past President and Vice President of the North Stockton Rotary Club, current board member for United Cerebral Palsy of San Joaquin, Calaveras and Amador County and current board member of the Women’s Center Youth and Family Services and an active member of six national and international committees on correctional healthcare and psychiatric and family nurse practitioner through the American Nursing Association. Ms. Rea-Williams is a recipient of the NAACP Freedom Fighter Award and the Susan B, Anthony Award for the introduction and implementation of Curbside CPR to multiple organizations and to date over 3000 individuals were trained over the last five years. Ms. Rea-Williams is married to Mr. Don Williams and between them they are proud parents to four children and five grandchildren.
Leslie Baranco Martin
Vice President of Membership
Leslie Baranco Martin serves as a Deputy District Attorney for San Joaquin County. She specializes in juvenile cases and understands our youth need to see that members from their community care about their future. Leslie received her law degee from Hastings College of Law and a bachelor's degree in engineering from UC Berkeley. Leslie was the first African American female elected to lead the City of Stockton. For ten years, she was honored to serve as a city council member and/or Vice Mayor. Leslie continues to be active in San Joaquin County through her leadership roles in BWOPA (Black Women Organized for Political Action), PFPMA (Professional Football Players Mothers Association) and the Stockton (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Following after her mother, she is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is the mother of two adult children, Gabrielle and Doug and for relaxation, Leslie enjoys traveling, snorkeling, hiking, and dancing exercises.
Mel Parker, MD
Vice President of Programs
Mel Parker grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in biomechanical engineering. She attended the Medical College of Georgia, and completed a Urology residency at Albert Einstein/Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Dr. Parker joined The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) in the Central Valley in 1993, and continues to practice Urology, treating conditions including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney stones.
Since 2016, she has served as the TPMG Regional Medical Director of Risk and Patient Safety, developing strategies to improve Patient Safety for Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California. She is a member of the Progressive Community Church and is passionate about mentoring and providing educational opportunities for youth. She also serves on the Board of Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a nonprofit organization focused on economic equity and climate resilience. Dr. Parker has been married for over 30 years and is the mother of two adult children. Her hobbies include running, traveling, and spending time with family.