Regent and past president
Stephen Stoddard, MHA, FACHE
Stephen Stoddard is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Rural Hospital Network which is a collaborative organization consisting of 10 rural hospitals with the mission to support and sustain quality healthcare. He currently serves as the Board Past President of the National Cooperative of Health Networks. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has served as the President of the Idaho Healthcare Executive Forum. He joined ACHE as a student associate 20 years ago and has maintained his activity and membership throughout his career. Some of his past ACHE volunteer experience includes serving as a Board Member and Membership Chair of the Idaho Healthcare Executive Forum (IHEF) and a member of the ACHE National Career Services Taskforce.
Stephen has worked as the Executive Director of the Southwest Idaho Community Health Network, the Assistant Administrator / Corporate Compliance Officer of Smithville Regional Hospital in Texas, and the Administrative Fellow at Chesapeake General Hospital in Virginia. He earned his master’s degree in healthcare administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University, Provo. Stephen enjoys water skiing, camping, traveling and spending time with his wife and three children.
PRESIDENT
Jeff Guest
Bio and photo coming soon.
Secretary
Tim Tokarski
Bio and photo coming soon.
treasurer
Claire Hilleary, CPA, MBA
Claire joined ACHE in 2012 and has been active in the Programs and Communication Committees for NMHE. In January 2014 Claire became the Board Secretary. She works at REDW, LLC, a public accounting firm based out of Albuquerque, NM, specializing in the healthcare industry. She provides internal and financial audit expertise as well as consulting for various physician groups and practices. She is especially passionate about the challenges found in non-profit healthcare operations and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's). In the past, Claire worked as a facilitator and home care provider for companies such as ReMed and Special Care located in Pennsylvania. Claire received her bachelor's degree in political science and Russian language from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She received her MBA from the University of New Mexico.
In 2015 Claire was awarded the ACHE Regents Award for young leaders.
When not at work, Claire enjoys traveling, mountain biking, skiing, scuba and skydiving and the great outdoors.
FORMER president 2021
Stetson Berg
Stetson Berg is the Interim Director at the Center for Telehealth for the UNM Health System. He has pursued Telehealth as a way he can give back while combing his unique combination of talents of working with others, love of technology, and creativity to lead innovations that meet healthcare’s challenges.
Stetson earned his Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of New Mexico. Prior to his MHA, he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in counseling psychology with a focus on addiction treatment and a minor in Human Development and Family Relations. He has a diverse background of professional and volunteer experiences. His Information Technology (IT) skills have led him to maintain servers, pharmacy robots, EHR software, and end user systems for large companies such as Apple, Best Buy, and UNMH. Using soft skills, Stetson has been a Cognitive Enhancement and substance abuse therapist severing NM’s most vulnerable individuals at inpatient and outpatient settings. Starting in his undergrad and continuing for the last 11 years, Stetson has trained new volunteers to handle suicide crisis calls for Agora Crisis Center.
BOARD MEMBER
Ron Aldrich, MBA, LFACHE
Ron Aldrich, MBA, LFACHE, has fifty-four years leadership and governance experience in national and regional healthcare organizations including twenty years as CEO of three multi-hospital systems and five years as a hospital CEO. Ron helped lead the merger twenty-four years ago of three large Catholic healthcare systems totaling 126 organizations in 21 states and the design of the governance and management structure for the newly integrated system (Catholic Health Initiatives).
In March, 2019, Ron began a part-time role as Practice Administrator of Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico, a 16 Physician/ Nurse Practitioner Medical Group Practice in Los Alamos, New Mexico, adjacent to Los Alamos Medical Center. Ron led and mentored six Team Leaders including Materials Management, Medical Records & IT, Billing & Accounting, Human Resources, Reception & Customer Service, and Clinical Services. He completed his service as Practice Administrator in March, 2020.
Ron is a Life Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, Life Member of the American Hospital Association and former Chairperson of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. He was elected to the AHA Region Eight Regional Policy Board effective January, 2013, for a two year term, and appointed to the Western Regional Trustees Symposium Planning Committee representing New Mexico Trustees for a three year term. Ron served for six years in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center as a member of the Board of Directors and as Chair of the Community Health & Wellness Committee. He was also elected Vice Chair, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair of the Board. He completed his term of office in 2014. He currently serves as Chair, Board of Directors of Villa Therese Catholic Clinic in Santa Fe, a Free Clinic serving the medical and dental needs of economically underserved children and adults in the State Capital for 83 years. The Clinic was started eighty three ago by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, also the founders of St. Vincent Hospital more than one hundred fifty years ago. He is an Adjunct Professor, Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program, School of Public Administration, and also for the BSPH Program in the College of Population Health, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Ron also serves as a Mentor in the NMHE/ACHE Mentorship Program to two early careerists in New Mexico.
Ron earned his MBA in Health & Hospital Administration from the University of Florida and holds a BA in Economics from the University of South Florida.
BOARD MEMBER
Mary Jacintha, MSc, MS, FACHE
Mary A. Jacintha, FACHE, is the Executive Administrator of the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health System. Mary started her career in healthcare administration as the Administrator for the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the UNM. Prior to roles in healthcare administration, Mary was active in brain imaging projects. A Chemistry graduate with a business background and a passion for healthcare centered on patients and the providers, Mary believes in open dialogue between stakeholders to move our healthcare delivery forward. Mary's current mission is to focus on patient care, their experiences and outcomes by providing the best platform for the clinicians to provide the care.
In addition to healthcare, Mary enjoys horseback riding, tennis, traveling, scuba diving, cooking, sailing, and above all meeting people and making friends.
Mary serves as the American College of Healthcare Executives Regent for New Mexico and Southwest Texas since 2016 year.
BOARD MEMBER
Barbara Perez Deppman, RDMS, MSM, FACHE
Barbara Perez Deppman, FACHE, has over 40 years of progressive leadership experience in imaging services since she launched her career as a registered technologist both in radiology and ultrasonography. She has worked with various consulting firms. As a solo practitioner she is currently engaged with Duke University Health formulating and implementing their ambulatory strategies and with the University of Mississippi Medical Center “Ole Miss” in restructuring and expanding their interventional program and radiology division.
She was previously the Executive Director of Radiology Associates of South Florida (RASF), a multi-specialty group comprised of Diagnostic and Miami Cardiac Vascular Institute Interventionalists and Neuro-Interventionalists, and Miami Vascular Surgeons. RASF is the 16th largest radiology group in the nation as of 2018. She led the company through a very high-profile merger and acquisition with Mednax and subsequently assisted with practice integration efforts. Prior to her leadership with RASF, Ms. Perez Deppman was engaged as a sub-contractor with various consulting firms specializing in operational, quality, and cost saving assessments. She lead implementations of department specific projects, such as enhancing workflows and throughput, and lead enterprise-wide initiatives.
Prior to RASF and consulting engagements, Ms. Perez Deppman headed the Radiology and Radiation Oncology departments at Jackson Health System, one of the 10 largest radiology divisions in the nation. She had 400 employees and lead a complete digital transformation for the health system.
Overall her projects have ranged from building and expanding multiple outpatient centers to leading complex system-wide implementations and mergers and acquisitions. She has managed multi-million dollar budgets, improved revenue cycle management, lead large teams in compliance with oversight agencies, developed and implemented complex business growth strategies, successfully planned and executed long range capital equipment replacement plans, and proven adept at business development and system-wide technology implementations.
Ms. Perez Deppman has vast experience in community involvement and industry development. She has served as a presenter in professional forums such as the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), Women’s Healthcare Executive Network (WHEN) and as a mentor and adjunct professor in the undergraduate healthcare management program at Florida International University (FIU); served as a President of the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum, the South Florida affiliation of the American College of Healthcare Executive (ACHE), of which she is a Fellow; chaired the Student Case Competition, regarded as a best practice for ACHE, a national competition of various universities; served as President of Women's Healthcare Executive Network; acted as a Florida Governor’s Sterling Award Examiner. She has published numerous articles for the Radiology Business Journal; they have been reprinted in AHRA’s Radiology Management Journal.
education and advancement committee chair
Arthur Culpepper, PhD, FACHE, CCP
Arthur L. Culpepper is an innovative and highly accomplished health care executive leader with skills and expertise in operations, enterprise risk management, corporate compliance, and skills in providing strategic vision of future goals and objectives by technical adeptness in the areas of profit and loss responsibility, billing and revenue cycle, physician alignment and relations, compliance and business integrity, and a demonstrated track record of achievement in population health management and academic medical centers.
Dr. Culpepper joined the UNM Health Sciences Center as Chief HSC Compliance Officer on June 18, 2018. Dr. Culpepper is responsible for the UNM Health Sciences Center – Institutional Compliance Program, which incorporates the compliance function for all academic, clinical, research, medical faculty practice plan components of the HSC, and other special compliance areas. Dr. Culpepper is also the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Dr. Culpepper was previously with the University of Texas Systems as the Executive Director/Deputy Compliance Officer where he provided leadership, direction, and oversight for effective and comprehensive System wide Compliance programs for the University of Texas System and provided relevant direction and resources to the 14 institutions.
Dr. Culpepper also served as the Chief Compliance Officer with the Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). VAGLAHS is one of the largest health care facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is one component of the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN22) offering services to Veterans residing in Southern California and Southern Nevada. VAGLAHS consists of two (2) ambulatory care centers, a tertiary care facility and eight (8) community based outpatient clinics. VAGLAHS serves Veterans residing throughout five counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. There are approximately 1.4 million Veterans in the VAGLAHS service area. VAGLAHS is affiliated with both UCLA School of Medicine and USC School of Medicine, as well as more than 45 colleges, universities and vocational schools in 17 different medical, nursing, paramedical and administrative programs.
Dr. Culpepper received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Abilene Christian University, his masters of health services administration from Webster University in St. Louis and his doctorate from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Culpepper is a board certified fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Compliance Professional. Also, he is a certified compliance professional with Health Ethics Trust.
Dr. Culpepper is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and received an honorable discharged in 1993.
FORMER PRESIDENT 2022
Angelica Bruhnke, MS
Angelica Bruhnke is the Chief Executive Officer at Versatile MED Analytics, a fast-growing healthcare analytics company, created with the mission to improve visibility, trust, collaboration, and patient care — through the sharing of information and ideas.
Angelica brings a passion to put actionable analytics into the hands of healthcare leaders to drive clinical and financial improvements. Drawing on her education and experience in finance and advanced analytic tools, principles and methodologies, Angelica provides analytic strategy to enable clients to become data-driven organizations. Over the last 14 years, Angelica has brought a diverse perspective to various Senior positions held with large healthcare organizations such as Molina Healthcare, Health Care Services Corporation, Presbyterian Healthcare Services and 20+ hospitals across New Mexico. Her support across these organizations has ranged from providing data-driven opportunity identification, recommendations for implementing data-driven clinical and operational initiatives, implementing benchmarking used in gauging organizational performance, developing self-service programmatic solutions to manual processes and training users on utilizing enterprise-wide technical solutions.
Angelica holds a Master of Science in Analytics with a concentration in Healthcare from Dakota State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of New Mexico.
When she isn’t working, Angelica is a horror aficionado, Chicago Bears fanatic and enjoys reading, writing, spending time with her human/canine family and test-driving new recipes in her kitchen.
diversity, inclusion, and Equity committee co-chair, Nominating Committee Chair, and Former President
Andrea Botero, MHA
Andrea encompasses extensive experience in organizational development, healthcare equity, community organizing, community-led research, and grant writing and management around healthcare topics. Her work is deeply informed through her advocacy in health equity of marginalized and vulnerable constituencies, one that interweaves a social justice lens to the development of programs. She currently works in Performance Improvement, Value-Based Programs at Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and heads community-led programs through Salud Morena. Her outside interests include hot yoga, the intersection of traditional and conventional medicine as an administrative topic, ethnobotany, reading, the arts, and outdoor activities with her family and many dogs.
communications committee chair
Joseph Marler
Joseph is currently a student at the University of New Mexico enrolled in the College of Population Health, double majoring in Population Health and Political Science. Joseph is interested in health care law and administration and plans to pursue both fields academically and professionally. As the Communications Committee Chair for NMHE, Joseph has built and currently maintains the chapter’s site while also assisting with other communication needs. Joseph’s experience in communications began in 2016 when he worked with the Bill of Rights Institute in Washington D.C. to develop online resources for those seeking information about the naturalization process with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. There he collaborated with his peers from across the country to formulate a multi-media campaign to communicate resources for those interested in naturalization. Joseph once again returned to Washington for a Legislative Internship in Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragan’s office in 2017, further developing skills from daily constituent communication. After his internship, he was awarded with a Congressional Recognition for contributions to the Congresswoman’s Office. Returning to Albuquerque, NM later in 2017, Joseph worked for the Law Office of Andrea I. Gunderson before beginning school at the University of New Mexico. While not studying, Joseph enjoys hiking, hockey, running, reading, and drinking coffee.
Government Relations committee Chair
David Medrano
David is a life-long New Mexican who grew up in the Southeastern town of Dexter. He moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico for his undergraduate degree where he majored in Psychology. David then attended UNM School of Medicine where he worked towards his medical doctor degree before deciding to change career paths and earning his Masters of Health Administration degree from the University of New Mexico. His interest in healthcare include quality improvement, efficient operations, provider relations, and the patient experience. David is currently the Operations Manager for Presbyterian Cardiology Group. Outside of clinic, David’s interest include reading, movies, Lobo basketball, spending time at local breweries with friends, and taking his dog for hikes.
Board member
Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE
Jamie Silva-Steele has over 35 years of progressive experience in an academic healthcare environment. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Mexico, she began her career as a Pediatric Nurse and worked in the General and Sub-Acute Nursing Units at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH). As her career progressed, she obtained her Master’s in Business from the University of Phoenix, and moved into leadership roles within the organization, taking on director positions and serving as an Administrator for Ambulatory Services at UNMH. In 2013, Ms. Silva- Steele joined UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC) as its interim Chief Operating Officer, as has been serving as its President and CEO since 2014.
Ms. Silva-Steele was a National Association of Public Hospitals (NAPH) Fellow from 2011-2012 (now known as Americas Essential Hospitals). She participated in the Disparities Leadership Program through the Disparities Solution Center of Massachusetts General Hospital and was a recipient of The Disparities Leadership Program Award for “Recognition of Excellence in Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care” as she has demonstrated her commitment to creating accessible healthcare for people from all walks of life. In addition, in 2014 she received the Governor’s New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award for her work in addressing disparities in health care while serving at UNM Hospital. Ms. Silva-Steele obtained her Fellowship (FACHE) in the American College of Health Executives (ACHE) in 2016.
Ms. Silva-Steele serves on the Hospital Services Corporation (HSC) Board of Directors (since 2014), the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) (since 2015), and the NMHE Board of Directors (since 2016).
Board Member
Nick Edwardson
Dr. Edwardson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico. His research focus is innovation implementation in healthcare—including statistical quality methods, cost-effectiveness, and psychometrics/survey design. Prior to joining the faculty at UNM, Nick was the Assistant Director at the Center for Health Organization Transformation (CHOT)—a National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center based out of Texas A&M University, Georgia Tech, Northeastern University, Penn State, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Edwardson received a Ph.D. in Health Services Research from Texas A&M University and an MS in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Nicaragua from 2006-2008.
Board Member
Steven D. Berkshire, EdD, MHA, FACHE, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Dr. Steven Berkshire currently serves as Professor and Director of the Doctor of Health Administration program in The Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions School of Health Sciences at Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Dr. Berkshire resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, so works remotely for the University. He previously also served as the director of the Health Administration Division. Prior to Central Michigan he served as Dean for Graduate Programs in the School for Professional Studies (SPS) at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Prior to Regis University, Dr. Berkshire was the Associate Dean for Adult Programs at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage, Alaska. Steve has taught at the University of LaVerne Alaska Center, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and Emmanuel College in Boston.
Prior to coming to academia, Dr. Berkshire was a healthcare executive for more than twenty-five years including assignments in hospital administration, government affairs and lobbying, advocacy organizations, medical school administration, and managing hospital associations. He is the principle in his own management and human resources consulting firm, Steve Berkshire Associates, which provides leadership and management consulting, training, and human resource expertise to both investor owned and nonprofit entities.
Steve earned his doctoral degree from Boston University in Human Resource Education and Organizational Behavior, his Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Indiana University School of Medicine, and his BA degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado. He attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks prior to transferring to Colorado and participated in the MPA program at Boise State University in Idaho. Dr. Berkshire holds certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the HRCI, SHRM-SCP, and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Steve is active in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Academy of Management, Academy Health, International Leadership Association, and other professional and civic organizations, including serving on the City of Mount Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals and as a founder and the Board chair for Isabella Citizens for Health (ICH) which is the regional FQHC. He served as the ACHE Regent for the State of Alaska and was selected as the Member of the Year for the Anchorage chapter of SHRM. He was recognized with the Michigan ACHE Regent’s Award for Faculty in Health Administration and earned a service star from ACHE. Currently Dr. Berkshire serves on the Compliance Committee for La Familia Medical Center (FQHC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico and on the Board for the Northern New Mexico HR Association, and as Treasurer for the Church of the Holy Faith in Santa Fe.
He has worked extensively with rural Alaska tribal organizations and community groups, as well as nonprofit organizations in several locations. Primary areas of interest include leadership styles and models, organizational change and development, group problem solving, health care policy and trends, and organizational management and behaviors. Dr. Berkshire has developed collaborative academic programs with international partners including the National University of Ireland Galway, University of Ulster in Northern Ireland (UK), University of South Wales, and ITESO in Guadalajara, Mexico. He continues to work with partners in Mexico and Wales developing professional workshops and teaching.
diversity, inclusion, and Equity committee co-chair
Kate Cartwright
Kate Cartwright, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico. Her research delves into the barriers to health equity in the US healthcare system with priority focus on chronic health inequities experienced by Latino and immigrant populations. She teaches in the Master of Health Administration program and the Combined BA/MD program. Her primary teaching areas are health administration, management, and policy, prioritizing culturally responsive care, pursuing health equity, and program and policy evaluation. She currently serves as a co-chair of the NMHE Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity Committee and as a member of the ACHE Programs, Products and Services Committee.
Dr. Cartwright earned her PhD in Sociology with a focus on Social Inequality and Medical Sociology from Emory University and an MPH in Health Management, Administration, and Policy from New Mexico State University.
board member
Patrick Fossuo
Pat Fossuo is the Operations Improvement Advisor for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences. He joined the organization in May 2019, Prior to this role, he was the founder and managing partner at The Yom Group. LLC. He has more than a decade of experience transforming under-performing companies through operational turnaround and financial restructuring. He specialized in identifying operational and organizational issues, working with financial investors, managing liquidity generation, and serving in interim management roles. Prior to founding the Yom Group. LLC. He was a senior manager for various health systems in the Midwest and Mid Atlantic regions. Pat started his scientific career in the pharmaceutical industry. He earned his master's degree in general management at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at Kean University in NJ. He is the Public Affairs Officer for the Civil Air Patrol Kirtland AFB.
board member
Ryan Stevens, MS, FACHE
Ryan O. Stevens, MS, FACHE, is Senior Director for Patient Support Services at University of New Mexico Hospitals. Prior to his current role, Ryan spent 8 years working for Christus St. Vincent in Santa Fe. After completing a Master's in Healthcare Administration at Trinity University, Ryan spent 2 years in Mobile, AL with Infirmary Health System as resident/fellow. Ryan's breadth of experience encompasses hospital and medical group operations, quality and performance improvement, and strategic planning. Ryan is passionate about improving systems and creating teams that allow providers to optimize their care delivery.
Outside of work, Ryan enjoys time with his family, swimming, piano, and lifelong learning.
board member
Erica Lopez
Erica Lopez started her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at age 18, while going to college to further her education. She greatly enjoyed caring for her patients and ensured to provide her patients with high quality care. Her passion in caring for patients developed into an overall care of the big picture. She recognized that health administration is the key for advocating for the patients and ensuring delivery of high quality care. This guided her educational path. Erica attended the University of Cincinnati (UC) and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree focused in Health Information Management Administration in 2018. Shortly after graduating with her bachelor degree she obtained her certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator. In 2019, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Master of Health Administration degree from UC. At UC she was a member of the Latin Honor Society & Golden Key International Honor Society.
Erica has served as a Board of Director for the non-profit organization the New Mexico Health Information Management Association (NMHIMA) since 2016. Her most recent position is a 3 year elected role as NMHIMA President, from 2017 – 2020. She created and implemented the NMHIMA Policy & Procedure Manual and has provided NMHIMA with new stakeholder relationships by developing communication and outreach within the community. She also writes and distributes the quarterly newsletters. To give back to the students, Erica implemented the NMHIMA annual scholarship for students seeking a health information profession. Erica is currently an Applications Analyst within the EPIC system. She is EPIC certified in Identity, Release of Information, Coding, and Deficiency Tracking. This experience has provided her with a vast knowledge of the EPIC system and EHR applications. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.