North Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives

AHLC Pop-Up Boba Networking Event
2025-07-08 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | 9 Rabbits Bakery, 2546 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX, 75229
Come join your colleagues and peers with the Asian Healthcare Leaders Community at Nine Rabbits Bakery in Dallas for a pop-up boba social. We’re working on bringing in a local healthcare leader to enhance the networking experience and to share valuable leadership insights.
There is no cost to register, but attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own food/beverages.

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Breakfast with the CEO - Christina Mathis, MHA
2025-08-14 07:30 - 09:00 | Medical City Dallas – City Hall Auditorium, 7777 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX, 75230, United States
Christina Mathis, MHA, has served as CEO of Medical City Las Colinas since March 2025. She has spent the majority of her healthcare career in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, serving in progressive leadership roles within Medical City Healthcare at Medical City Plano and most recently, as CEO of Medical City Frisco. In her current role, she is responsible for the hospital’s service line growth, culture, quality and governance.
Christina earned a Master of Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin. She’s also an active board member of the American College of Healthcare Executives North Texas chapter.

Please note the new location for this event:
Medical City Dallas
7777 Forest Lane
Dallas, Tx 75230
As special thanks to Christina and Medical City Dallas for hosting us for this event!

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Constellation Club Happy Hour
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:30 | The Constellation Club, 5215 North O'Connor Boulevard, Suite 2600, 26th Floor, Irving, TX, 75039
Join ACHE of North Texas for an evening of high-impact networking at the Constellation Club — one of Dallas’s most iconic venues.
This is more than just a happy hour — it’s a chance to connect with healthcare leaders, build new relationships across the DFW ecosystem, and engage with fellow ACHE members in a relaxed, upscale setting. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, explore new opportunities, or simply enjoy great conversation with peers who “get it,” this event delivers.
Each ticket includes one complimentary drink, light bites, and access to an incredible space overlooking the Dallas skyline.
Space is limited — don’t miss it!
Please note, parking at the club costs $12 per car.

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Sustainable Strategies to Support Wellbeing for Healthcare Professionals
2025-08-28 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.

In the wake of the pandemic, pre-existing challenges with healthcare professional burnout have only accelerated. This has resulted in challenges for these individuals and their loved ones, as well as workforce shortages that are putting a strain on the healthcare system. In addition, adverse patient events have been attributed to healthcare staff who have had trouble sleeping, reduced job satisfaction, impaired behavior, and anxiety. These attributes contribute to more serious consequences such as burnout, depression, post-traumatic disorder, and suicidal ideation. Healthcare leaders often struggle with finding long-term solutions to address an important but personal issue for their staff and organization. During this panel, participants will learn sustainable strategies and approaches that will address wellbeing and resiliency for healthcare professionals in today’s healthcare environment. Even when leaders recognize this as a problem, they are often presented with confusing information or get-better-quick solutions that bring no lasting change and can sometimes increase cynicism among employees. During this panel, participants will learn the importance of supporting and sustaining well-being for healthcare professionals in today’s health care environment.

Moderator:
Nick Kagal, FACHE, FHIMSS
HX Client Success Manager
Press Ganey
Panelists:
Dr. Debbie Hillard
Licensed Psychologist
Texas Health Employee Assistance Program Director
Jasmine Mitchell
Director of Patient Experience
Medical City Arlington
Kimberly Williams
Clinical Excellence Program Manager
Texas Health Resources
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Speakers Bios:

Dr. Debbie Hillard earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) in 2002 and soon after she served as an Administrator and Clinician for the Johns Hopkins University/Johns Hopkins Hospital Employee Assistance Program, a role she held until 2011. Building on her experience at Johns Hopkins, she has served as Director of the Texas Health Employee Assistance Program since 2016—providing strategic leadership and compassionate support for workplace mental health and wellness initiatives. She draws on extensive expertise in counseling, organizational support, and program development. Her approach centers on designing responsive, confidential services that empower employees through life’s challenges and transitions. As a trusted partner to HR teams and executive leadership, Dr. Hillard delivers data-informed insights and proactive outreach solutions that strengthen performance, resilience, and retention.
Her work bridges the gap between individual care and organizational culture—creating environments where employees feel seen, supported, and equipped to thrive.

Nick Kagal has three decades of experience in the healthcare industry and has held leadership roles with several major DFW provider organizations including Parkland Health & Hospital System, HealthSouth & Medical Center of Plano. Nick is a Customer Success Executive at Press Ganey, and was previously the Vice President of Marketing, Business Development, and Customer Success at SpinSci Technologies, a leading patient engagement solutions provider. Prior to this Nick served as the Senior Director of Customer Success with Premier Inc for the Western United States.

Nick received his BA in Biology & Psychology from Austin College and an MBA from the Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS) and serves on the boards of both ACHE of North Texas and DFW HIMSS. Nick has also been a national reviewer, moderator, and presenter for the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, served on the HIMSS National Professional Development Committee, and currently serves on the Governance and Operations Chapter Task Force. Nick lives in McKinney, Texas, and is an avid sports fan, a weekend warrior athlete, a long-distance cyclist and plays guitar & bass in the local cover band Sonic Dissonance.

Jasmine Mitchell has over 16 years of combined customer service and healthcare experience. Throughout her career, she has championed service and operational excellence initiatives to help organizations enhance service quality, quality of care, employee engagement, and patient satisfaction. ​
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Prior to her current role as Director of Patient Experience at Medical City Arlington, Jasmine has worked in retail leadership and several departments of healthcare, including Billing, Emergency Services, Clinical Research, Quality Management, Volunteer Services, Patient Experience, and Nursing Professional Development.​
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Jasmine’s academic journey reflects her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Health Studies, and completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science at Texas Woman’s University.​
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Jasmine could not be where she is today without her friends, family, and high school sweetheart turned husband; their love and continuous support enables her to do the work she loves. To meaningfully impact the lives of those she serves, Jasmine operates with the core values of authenticity, relationality, and transcendence as she seeks to help others find their passion, fulfill their purpose, and find peace.

Kimberly Williams serves as Clinical Excellence Program Manager at Texas Health Resources, bringing over 27 years of nursing experience to her role. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing, is certified in maternal-newborn nursing, and holds advanced certification as a nurse executive.

Her clinical expertise spans trauma, orthopedics, and mother-baby care. Kimberly’s innovative leadership has been instrumental in advancing mentorship and staff development across the organization. In 2024, she became a Faith Community Health Promoter, an honor granted by her organization that reflects her commitment to holistic wellness and healthcare survivorship. She has also completed resiliency facilitator training through the Center of Resiliency and is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Resiliency Facilitator.

Driven by her passion for community service, Kimberly founded The Chrysalis Movement in 2018, a program dedicated to empowerment and transformation. She also shares her love of movement as a certified Zumba instructor at a local community center. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she uncovered a new creative outlet—jewelry design—and launched her own business, K ‘Marie Lynn Jewels.

Above all, Kimberly cherishes her role as wife to Jarvis, her husband of 25 years, and as a proud mother to her two sons, Jayden (24) and Jonathan (17)—her greatest sources of joy.

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Creating a Sustainable Clinically Integrated Network
2025-08-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.
Date: Thursday, August 28
Time: 5:30-7pm

Healthcare organizations increasingly face the demands of value-based reimbursement as physicians and healthcare executives are held accountable for higher-quality care delivered at a lower cost. As leaders plan and prepare for value-based care, they also must remain focused on improving health outcomes while reducing cost and waste within their organizations. To maintain focus on current operations while positioning themselves for the opportunities in this value-based reimbursement market, many hospitals and physicians have turned to a clinically integrated network as a viable option. This program will highlight key components of a successful CIN and provide strategies and tactics to create sustainability. This will provide participants with the key components to developing sustainable CINs and operationalizing best practices.
Moderator:
Rhett Stover, MHA FACHE
President
Proactive MD
Panelists:
Dr. Patrick Aguilar
Managing Dir of Health
Washington University
Patrick Hammond
Chief Executive Officer
Emory Health Network
David Thompson
SVP, Chief Growth Officer
Mercy

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Speakers Bios:

Dr. Patrick Aguilar is Managing Director of Health at Washington University’s Olin Business School. Patrick is a pulmonologist with a diverse leadership portfolio spanning academic medicine, integrated health systems, and corporate healthcare. He has served as Director of Medical Critical Care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Endeavor Health (formerly NorthShore University HealthSystem), and Chief Medical Officer at QuikTrip Corporation, where he led the launch of a retail health initiative and provided clinical oversight for a large, self-administered employee health plan. Patrick currently develops and leads the health-focused portfolio at WashU Olin Business School, where he also teaches and writes on health innovation. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and continues to practice pulmonary medicine.

Rhett Stover, MHA, FACHE, is an accomplished healthcare executive recognized for leadership in guiding healthcare operations, market strategy, and financial performance across various organizations.
Most recently, Mr. Stover served as President of Proactive MD, overseeing a system of 100+ primary care centers across a geographic region of 23 states focusing on innovative Advanced Primary Care, commercial value-based care, and cost-effective healthcare delivery solutions.
Mr. Stover’s leadership experience also includes serving as CEO of Oklahoma State University (OSU) Medicine & OSU Medical Center (OSUMC) where he led system operations, enterprise growth, and directly oversaw operational and financial performance for the OSU Medicine network, comprised of 54 care sites including OSU Physicians, a multi-specialty academic practice plan.
Additionally, Mr. Stover has previously served as Regional President at Healthcare Highways, developing innovative healthcare products and solutions tailored towards the self-insured employer and ERISA plan sponsors, Vice President, Strategic Growth Initiatives for GlobalHealth, Inc., an Oklahoma-based health maintenance organization, and National Director, Strategic Markets, for City of Hope, a national network of advanced oncology focused treatment and research hospitals.
Mr. Stover holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). His contributions to the healthcare field have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including being named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Rising Stars: 50 Healthcare Leaders under 40”, the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business “40 Alumni Under 40”, and Oklahoma Magazine’s “40 Under 40”. Mr. Stover is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Patrick Hammond has had the privilege that his entire 34-year professional career to date has been with Emory Healthcare. Mr. Hammond graduated from Emory University in 1989 where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1991, he received a Master of Health Administration from Duke University. He joined Emory Healthcare in 1991 as an Administrative Resident and has taken on increasing areas of responsibility throughout his career at Emory. These include starting the first managed care office for the system in 1992 and forming the Emory Healthcare Network in 2011.
In his current roles, he has executive leadership responsibility for the following areas: the Emory Healthcare Network; the Emory Healthcare Population Health Collaborative that includes Emory’s aligned primary care physician network of over 550 primary care physicians, including over 50 Emory owned primary care offices throughout Metro Atlanta. As Chief Market Services officer he has accountability for the system’s managed care payer contracting, including medical economics, and reporting. The contracts negotiated by this department account for over 80% of the system’s net revenue. He also has accountability in this role for medical staff services that encompasses credentialing, payer enrollment, medical staff support and physician outreach strategies.

Dave Thompson serves as Mercy’s senior vice president, chief growth officer and president of population health. He joined Mercy in 2020 and has helped design many of Mercy’s current value-based contracts, with their crucial combination of quality, safety and reduced cost for payers and most importantly, Mercy patients. Dave’s focus is transformative growth and population health, helping to simultaneously transform the care model and payment model to meet consumer needs. Prior to Mercy, he worked for more than 20 years in various senior level financial and operational roles within the health care industry, including primary care, population health, health system and health plan payer sectors.
Thompson holds a bachelor’s in accounting with an emphasis in management and accounting information systems from Oklahoma State University.

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ACHENTX Virtual New Member Orientation
2025-09-10 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
All new (and new-ish) members of ACHE of North Texas are encouraged to attend this session to hear about how the chapter works, how we’re organized, opportunities for you to be involved and ways you can maximize your ACHE membership.

All are welcome!

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Executive Exchange
2025-09-11 07:30 - 09:30 | International Plaza II, 1st Floor Conference Room, 14221 Dallas Pkwy Suite 400, Dallas, TX, 75254
A Strategic Exchange for Senior Leaders Shaping Tomorrow.

Join a select group of senior leaders from across the metroplex for an exclusive morning of peer connection, strategic dialogue, and shared insights. This intimate gathering is designed to foster meaningful conversations around system growth — what’s driving it today and what’s on the horizon.
Hear from fellow executives in the DFW market during a dynamic session, where each speaker will share key initiatives and forward-looking strategies in a quick, impactful format.
Whether you’re navigating expansion, transformation, or innovation, this is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and gain fresh perspectives from your peers.
This event is exclusively for those who are at the Vice President level or above.

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2025 Pride Parade on Cedar Springs “United in Love, Bound by Pride”
2025-09-21 13:30 - 16:00 | Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX, 75219
Join us as we celebrate love and pride while marching together in the 2025 Pride Parade!

Be part of the excitement at the 2025 Pride Parade on Cedar Springs, “United in Love, Bound by Pride”! Volunteers will walk alongside the Resource Center Sexy Mobil Unit, enjoy snacks and water, and help make this vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community unforgettable. Arrive by 1:30 PM on Sunday, September 21, and march from 2–4 PM in a fun, inclusive, and spirited event.

1:30 PM: Walkers in parade groups: Walkers do not need to be in the allotted space until this time, but they must arrive by 1:30 PM. Volunteers will walk alongside Resource Center Sexy Mobil Unit, water and snacks will be provided.
2:00 PM: Parade Starts. Please do not stop on the parade route unless instructed. Follow any instructions given by the Parade Technical Crew guiding you along the parade route.
4:00 PM: Parade Ends. After completing the parade route, we will exit onto Oak Lawn Avenue toward I35 and head to our next destination. Walkers are free to leave after this or stay to watch the rest of the parade.

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ACHE of North Texas Board of Governors Exam Preparation Course
2025-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 | Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB), 1600 Hospital Parkway, Bedford, TX, 76022
Become a recognized leader among executives in healthcare management by becoming a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives®.

Guided by North Texas Healthcare Leaders, Designed for Your Success!
Join the ACHE NTX Advancement Committee for our annual Board of Governors Prep Course
We’ve brought together a diverse group of seasoned leaders and hospital executives from across North Texas to guide you through our Board of Governors Exam Preparation Course. These accomplished professionals will share their firsthand knowledge, expertise, and insights to help prepare the next generation of Fellows.

During the course, we will:
· Review the Board of Governors Exam content and structure
· Share exam preparation tips and resources to set you up for success
This is more than just an exam review — it’s a chance to learn directly from industry executives who have navigated the journey themselves and are committed to helping you achieve your professional goals.

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Knowledge Area 2025 Subject Matter Experts

Healthcare
Lee Ann Benson, FACHE
Senior Vice President
Children’s Health & UT Southwestern Joint Pediatric Enterprise (JPE)

Management and Leadership/Business
Matt Richardson, DrPH, MPH, FACHE
Director of Public Health
Denton County Public Health

Human Resources
Phaedra Johnson, RACR, CCMP, SHRM
Human Resources Officer
Texas Health Fort Worth Hospital

Finance
Heather Jones
Vice President & CFO
Baylor Scott & White Frisco

Quality and Performance Management
Brandon Goertz, PhD, FACHE
President
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford

Professionalism and Ethics
Javier Montemayor
Division Ethics and Compliance Officer
HCA Healthcare

Laws and Regulations
Toya White, JD, MBA, APRN, FNP-C, FACHE
President & Chief Nursing Officer
Texas Health Kaufman

Governance and Organizational Structure
Marva Gordan, PharmD, MBA, DPLA, FACHE
Director of Pharmacy
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth

Healthcare Technology and Information Management Knowledge
Eric Stephens
Vice President, Data and Analytics
Catalyst Health Group

A big thanks to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hurst-Euless-Bedford for hosting this event for us!!

2025 ACHE of North Texas Better Together Event
2025-09-30 17:30 - 20:00 | CHRISTUS Health Corporate Office, 5101 N O'Connor Blvd Irving, Irving, TX, 75039
Please join us for this special event, as we truly are “Better When We Are Together!”

Join us for an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing community, culture and inclusion within the healthcare industry. Hosted by the North Texas chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHENTX), CHRISTUS Health, and the North Texas Association for Healthcare Quality (NTAHQ), this networking event brings together professionals, advocates, and allies who share a commitment to building a more equitable healthcare landscape.
Connect with peers who are passionate about driving positive transformation in healthcare. In recognition of the power of collaboration, ACHE of North Texas has organized this event alongside local chapters of leading healthcare organizations under a shared banner — “Better Together.” The National Association for Latino Healthcare Executives (NALHE), the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), North Texas Association for Healthcare Quality (NTAHQ), and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Healthcare Data & Analytics Association DFW Chapter (HDAA-DFW), in partnership with ACHENTX and its Asian Healthcare Leaders Community of North Texas (AHLC), PRIDE Community and Women’s Healthcare Executives’ Network (WHEN), will co-host a special reception open to members and all interested in learning more about the impactful work of these groups.

All are welcome!

Keynote Presentation by:
Patrick Hart
Founder
PDPMEDIA
Kris Sanders, FACHE
Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth & Development
Children’s Health Plano

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Speakers Bios:
With nearly three decades of experience, Patrick Hart stands out as a transformational force in the healthcare and digital media landscapes. He currently leads HealthHustle Chronicles and PDPMedia, two ventures focused on storytelling, career elevation and brand visibility within the healthcare sector. Through these platforms, he produces content that amplifies unique voices, addresses professional growth barriers and uplifts the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Before launching his own companies, Mr. Hart held multiple executive leadership roles, including vice president of enterprise development, vice president of sales and vice president of customer success. In each role, he was responsible for strategic growth, market expansion, sales leadership and enhancing client experience. Across his career, he has consistently driven innovation, operational excellence and inclusive leadership, helping organizations scale while keeping people at the center of the mission.
Mr. Hart’s foundation in leadership was forged during his service in the U.S. Army, where he worked as an aviation maintenance supervisor and operations leader. This military background laid the groundwork for the discipline, agility and resilience that define his professional ethos today.
An advocate for lifelong learning, Mr. Hart holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. His academic achievements complement his hands-on experience and entrepreneurial drive.
Outside of business, Mr. Hart remains deeply committed to community service. He has been a dedicated blood donor with Carter BloodCare for over 17 years and is the author of “Hustle to the Top: A Modern Guide for Scaling Your Career,” a motivational guide that reflects his passion for mentoring and empowering others.
Born in Austin, Texas, Mr. Hart is a proud family man, married for over 23 years with four sons. Looking forward, he aims to expand his global reach by sharing impactful stories, building international networks and continuing to shine a light on the unsung heroes of healthcare and beyond.

Kris Sanders, FACHE currently serves as Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth and Development at Children’s Health Plano. She is board certified in Healthcare Administration. She has a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration as well as her Master of Business Administration. Kris currently oversees the leadership and implementation of all Northern Market activity in DFW for Children’s Health. She previously worked at Envision Physician Services, which she worked as Vice President of Operations. Other previous roles include opportunities at Methodist Health System and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Kris is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). She also serves as a board member and President Elect for ACHE North Texas. She is a proud member of National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) where she currently serves as the President Elect for the DFW chapter. Kris also serves on the board of directors for Live Oak Surgery Center and Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. She is a proud Leadership Plano Class 39 graduate and was recently awarded Diversity Leaders “Rising Star” by Modern Healthcare magazine in 2024. In addition to the professional work, Kris is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Chi Zeta Omega chapter in Plano, TX.

Participating Organizations/Networks/Communities:
AHLCNTX:
The Asian Healthcare Leaders Community of NTX aims to increase representation of Asian-Americans in healthcare leadership in various healthcare settings and at all career stages. The AHLCNTX community addresses this mission through targeted education, networking, casual conversations, publications, social media spotlights and community visibility initiatives designed to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
HDAA:
The Healthcare Data and Analytics Association (HDAA) is a volunteer-led organization founded in 2001 to foster collaboration among healthcare professionals focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing costs through data and analytics. It offers a vendor-free environment for sharing best practices, hosts an annual conference, and supports special interest groups and online forums for over 6,500 members across nearly 1,400 healthcare providers, insurers, public health agencies, and academic institutions.
HFMA:
HFMA is the nation’s leading membership organization for healthcare financial management executives and leaders. More than 34,000 members, ranging from CFOs to controllers to accountants consider HFMA a respected thought leader on top trends and issues facing the healthcare industry. HFMA members can be found in all areas of the healthcare system including hospitals, managed care organizations, physician practices, accounting firms and insurance companies.
HIMSS:
Healthcare Information Management Systems Society is a professional organization for healthcare and IT professionals providing leadership, professional development, education, and networking opportunities. The Mission of HIMSS is to reform the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology.
NALHE:
The National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives is a national organization led by Latino/Latina executive leaders of U.S. hospitals and healthcare organizations and experts in the fields of health care policy and practice. NALHE was founded in 2005 to increase senior-level Latino/Latina representation in hospitals and health systems in the United States. Our goal is to create a future workforce of highly talented Latino/Latina healthcare executives who can meet the challenge of delivering and improving healthcare in our diverse communities.
NAHSE:
The National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) is a non-profit association of Black health care executives founded in 1968 for the purpose of promoting the advancement and development of Black health care leaders and elevating the quality of health care services rendered to minority and underserved communities. NAHSE’s purpose is to ensure greater participation of minority groups in the health field. Its basic objective is to develop and maintain a strong viable national body to effectively have input in the national health care delivery system.
NTAHQ:
The North Texas Association for Healthcare Quality (NTAHQ) is committed to excellence in healthcare through developing and promoting professional expertise in the art and science of healthcare quality. Additionally, NTAHQ provides opportunity for collaboration with area colleagues.
PRIDE:
The ACHENTX PRIDE community is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ leaders and allies in healthcare by fostering representation and inclusion across all settings and career stages. The PRIDE community supports this mission through networking, advocacy, and visibility initiatives that provide opportunities for personal and professional growth while promoting a more equitable healthcare environment.
WHEN:
Our ACHE of North Texas Women’s Healthcare Executives’ Network (WHEN) started in 2018 – offering educational and networking opportunities specifically geared toward women working in and around the healthcare industry. These programs include our popular annual Women’s Conferences and annual Women’s Breakfasts – and other periodic gatherings spread throughout the year as well.

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Women's Breakfast - Policy, Power, and Purpose: Women Executives Influencing Healthcare Legislation
2025-10-03 07:30 - 09:30 | AMN Healthcare, 2999 Olympus Blvd, Suite 500, Coppell, TX, 75019
Date: Friday, October 3
Time: 7:30-9:30am
Location: AMN Healthcare
2999 Olympus Boulevard
Coppell, TX 75019

Policy, Power, and Purpose: Women Executives Influencing Healthcare Legislation is a dynamic Women’s Breakfast event bringing together influential female leaders in healthcare policy. Attendees will gain insights into how women executives are shaping legislative priorities, advancing equitable healthcare reforms, and leveraging their leadership to drive systemic change. This empowering gathering offers valuable networking, thought-provoking discussions, and inspiration for women at all stages of their professional journey.

Moderator:
Whitney M. Laughlin
Corporate Secretary & Chief Legal Officer
AMN Healthcare
Panelists:
Michaela Bennett
Vice President of Government Relations
Children’s Health
Sara González
Vice President of Advocacy, Public Policy, & Political Strategy
Texas Hospital Association
Shona Sowell
Director of Community Relations
Texas Health Frisco & City of Frisco Mayoral Candidate

A special thanks to AMN Healthcare and Encompass Health for hosting this event for us!

Register Here

Speakers’ Bios:

Michaela Bennett serves as vice president of government relations at Children’s Health in Dallas. In her role, she leads advocacy efforts to shape public policy that enhances pediatric health care access and outcomes across Texas. Bennett collaborates with lawmakers and stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to advance initiatives supporting children’s health. Her work includes engaging with legislative processes, such as registering support for health care-related bills in the Texas Legislature. Through her leadership, Children’s Health continues to be a prominent voice in promoting the well-being of children statewide.

Sara González serves as Vice President of Advocacy, Public Policy, and Political Strategy for the Texas Hospital Association (THA). Joining THA in 2016, Sara works to advocate for Texas hospitals by educating members of the Texas Legislature on an array of policy issues including Hospital Finance, Medicaid, Managed Care, Quality, and Behavioral Health policy.

Prior to working at THA, Sara worked for over 13 years in the Texas Senate on various aspects of public policy and government affairs and in numerous roles including Chief of Staff to a state Senator. Originally from Rio Grande City, Sara graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Whitney M. Laughlin serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for AMN Healthcare, overseeing the legal, corporate governance, privacy and compliance, equity compensation strategy, government and community affairs functions of the company.

Ms. Laughlin joined AMN Healthcare in 2006 and was named Deputy General Counsel in 2011. She holds leadership responsibilities within the legal department’s corporate, employment, litigation and contract divisional legal support functions and provides strategic and operational oversight for the Ethics and Compliance programs.

Prior to joining AMN Healthcare, Ms. Laughlin was a partner at Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard and Smith where she had an employment litigation practice, primarily serving healthcare and staffing industry clients. She received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, both from Southern Methodist University.
Ms. Laughlin is a licensed attorney in California and Texas. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of SafeHaven of Tarrant County and on the Board of International Esperanza Project.

Shona Sowell’s extensive involvement in the community of Frisco includes being elected to two terms on the Frisco City Council from 2016-2022. In her role on council, she chaired the Legislative Committee leading the efforts in working for legislation that would positively impact Frisco residents by providing testimony, input, and expertise with state legislators. Her work at the state level led to the residents of Frisco receiving much needed funds (over $28 million) from the state to help with the cleanup of a closed battery plant. She has a passion for collaboration with legislators at all levels and works to connect and build relationships.

Shona also served on the Budget & Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Ad Hoc Performing Arts Center Committee, the North Central Texas Emergency Preparedness Committee, Regional Transportation Council, and Mayor’s Youth Council. Each of these committees allowed her to take deep dives into the resources and relationships of the City of Frisco to better represent the needs of our residents. Recently, Shona announced her candidacy for Mayor of Frisco with the election coming in May of 2026.

Professionally, Shona serves as the Director of Community Relations for Texas Health Hospital Frisco, where she works to build relationships among community groups and the hospital to provide more services in the community.

Shona holds bachelor’s degrees from Southwest Baptist University (4 Majors—Political Science, History, Social Science Education, & Speech), as well as two master’s degrees in Communications and Political Science/Public Policy. Previously, Shona has served in government relations roles at the Frisco Chamber of Commerce advocating legislatively for the business community, and as a nationally recognized high school teacher of US Government, US & World History, and Communications. She coached Speech & Debate on the national circuit working with high school students to find and improve their voice. She has a passion for articulate AND considerate discussion of tough issues that impact society. Over the years, she has worked with the Frisco ISD Independent Study and Mentorship program as a mentor to young men and women looking to make their own marks in the field of public policy.

Shona and her husband Will are empty nesters with four children between them and one very spoiled dog named Honey Bear. They are members of Genesis Metro Church in Frisco and both active in various community roles. When they are not working or serving in their community, Will and Shona can be found traveling or cheering on Formula 1 racing.

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The Life Fellows Experience
2025-10-13 18:00 - 20:00 | UTA Fort Worth – Santa Fe Center, 1401 Jones Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76102
Where Legacy Meets Community

The ACHE Life Fellows Experience is a dynamic gathering that celebrates fellowship, service, and shared purpose. Designed to inspire connection and community, the Experience brings together distinguished ACHE fellows for meaningful conversations, engaging activities, and opportunities to reflect on their collective impact in healthcare. More than just an event, it’s a space to honor legacies, strengthen bonds, and create new pathways for collaboration and growth in the healthcare industry.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks (coffee, tea, water, soda) will be included. Parking is free.
This event is being hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington Health Care Administration Department.

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Fall Networking Blitz
2025-10-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Children’s Health Medical Specialty Center Plano, Speese Conference Center - 7609 Preston Road, Plano, TX, 75204
A tremendous networking opportunity for new and more seasoned members alike! This event’s theme: Connect Learn Serve.

This event is for all ACHE of North Texas members who want to become more involved and/or become more connected/networked with their fellow ACHENTX members.
The ACHE North Texas Membership Committee cordially invites you to the ACHE of North Texas chapter’s next Networking Blitz. This fun event will allow members to get to know one another in meaningful ways. There will be special fun activities, where personal connections will be made. The intent of this program is to bring members together to get a real in depth view of ACHENTX, to enable you to meet some of the chapter’s leadership and other fellow ACHE members, and to help you map out how to best take advantage of the plethora of local and national benefits and opportunities available to you through ACHE. It’s a way to “let us get to know you” as well and become a part of your professional network.
Our special guest presenter for this event will be:

Kris Sanders, FACHE currently serves as Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth and Development at Children’s Health Plano. She is board certified in Healthcare Administration. She has a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration as well as her Master of Business Administration. Kris currently oversees the leadership and implementation of all Northern Market activity in DFW for Children’s Health. She previously worked at Envision Physician Services, which she worked as Vice President of Operations. Other previous roles include opportunities at Methodist Health System and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Kris is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). She also serves as a board member and President Elect for ACHE North Texas. She is a proud member of National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) where she currently serves as the President Elect for the DFW chapter. Kris also serves on the board of directors for Live Oak Surgery Center and Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. She is a proud Leadership Plano Class 39 graduate and was awarded Diversity Leaders “Rising Star” by Modern Healthcare magazine in 2024. In addition to the professional work, Kris is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Chi Zeta Omega chapter in Plano, TX.

A pizza dinner will be included.

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AHLC Pop-Up Lunch at Thai Orchid in Addison
2025-10-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Thai Orchid, 4930 Belt Line Rd., Suite 190, Dallas, TX, 75254
Join our ACHE of North Texas Asian Healthcare Leaders Community (AHLC) for this pop-up lunch event. There is no registration fee, but please note attendees will pick up their own lunch tabs.

Space is limited.

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Fourth Quarter Education Event
2025-10-23 15:00 - 19:00 | Cook Children’s Medical Center, 801 7th Avenue, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
These two panels have been approved for 1.5 ACHE In Person Education Credits each (3.0 credits if you attend both).

Agenda
3-3:30pm – Check-in & Networking
3:30-5pm – Panel 1: The Role of Data and Advanced Analytics in Transforming Healthcare
5-5:30pm – Break (food & beverages will be provided)
5:30-7pm – Panel 2: The Healthcare Organization’s Role in Public Policy

Panel 1 Details:

The Role of Data and Advanced Analytics in Transforming Healthcare
Routine doctor’s visits are beginning to be replaced by regularly monitoring one’s health status and remote consultations. The inpatient setting is being improved by more sophisticated quality metrics drawn from an ecosystem of interconnected digital health tools. The care patients receive can be decided in consultation with decision support software that is informed not only by expert judgments but also by algorithms that draw on information from patients around the world, some of whom will differ from the “typical” patient. However, recent developments in data analytics also suggest barriers to change that might be more substantial in the health care field than in other parts of the economy. Despite the immense promise of health analytics, the industry lags other major sectors in taking advantage of cutting-edge tools. Most health care organizations, for example, have yet to devise a clear approach for integrating data analytics into their regular operations. This program will focus on the role that data and advanced analytics play today and the potential role they will play in the future to impact operations, patient care, quality, safety, engagement & wellness, and healthcare costs. Attendees will learn the type of data and analytics that are in use today at health systems, lessons healthcare can learn from other industries, the challenges health systems face in integrating vast amounts of disparate data in real time and how to make the insights useful to the right people at the right time. The panel will also discuss how to optimize existing data and analytics initiatives at their organization.

Moderator: Nick Kagal, MBA, FACHE
HX CSM
Press Ganey
Panelists:
Grace Baldauf
Director of Clinical Informatics
Medical City Plano
Michael Parris
Chief Data and Analytics Officer
Sound Physicians
Eric Stephens, MBA, PMP, FACHE
VP Data Analytics
Catalyst Health

Panel 2 Details:
The Healthcare Organization’s Role in Public Policy
As the movement continues from volume to value in healthcare, healthcare leaders must be knowledgeable about Medicare and Medicaid changes, and Federal, state and local healthcare legislation issues. Healthcare leaders also must consider critical issues that confront healthcare organizations daily, from access to care, patient safety, and population disparities. In addition, healthcare leaders must also be in tune with payer demands for cost containment and the regulations around transparency as well as innovative models to deliver healthcare in their community. How can your organization advocate and stay on top of the various public policy issues that clearly affect your community and healthcare providers? How important is it for healthcare leaders to become involved in policy issues at the local, state and national levels? Can your participation really impact how regulatory and fiscal decisions get made? What are the advantages or disadvantages to your organization in joining this kind of an advocacy effort?

Moderator: W. Scott Hurst, MBA, FACHE
President & Chief Executive Officer
Patient Physician Network
Panelists:
Marcus Mitias
Program Director, Government Affairs & Advocacy
Texas Health Resources
Steve Wohleb
SVP, General Counsel
Texas Hospital Association

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Speakers Bios:

Dr. Grace Baldauf has been a nurse for 17 years this summer, with 11 of those years in clinical and nursing informatics. She began her nursing career in the operating room and spent part of her early nursing career in cardiac, surgical and medical ICUs. She has worked in all sizes of hospitals, from small start-ups to a Level 1 Trauma Center. She has been with Medical City Healthcare for five and half years. Currently serving as the Director of Clinical Informatics at Medical City Plano and Medical City Sachse, Dr. Baldauf is passionate about leveraging data to improve clinical workflows and decision-making. Her work centers on translating complex data into meaningful information for the bedside nurse to empower clinicians, enhance patient safety, and streamline care delivery. Her background includes supporting EHR implementation and optimization across diverse healthcare settings—from small hospitals to Level 1 Trauma Centers. A pivotal experience involving EHR spoofing and ransomware deepened her commitment to data integrity, system resilience, and proactive downtime planning to ensure the data is where it needs to be in a crisis to support safe, efficient patient care regardless of system status.

William Scott Hurst, MBA, FACHE is currently the President & CEO of Patient Physician Network (PPN), one of the largest Independent Physician Association’s (IPA) in North Texas with over 650 members encompassing multi-specialty physicians and advanced practice providers. In this role, he works with teams of dedicated physicians, staff, and caregivers to advance independent medicine and to prepare the market for changes that have to take place to ensure the future of independence.
Scott is known as an accomplished leader with over 24 years of experience in Physician Alignment, Payor Contracting, Quality Improvement, Operations, Provider Recruitment, Patient Experience and Value-Based Care Operations. At the end of 2024, Scott was honored to be nominated by D CEO and D Healthcare as one of five “Innovators of the Year” for his work around Libertatem.
Before being recruited to PPN in April 2020, Scott served as an Executive Director overseeing operations in Texas and Louisiana for naviHealth, an industry leader in value-based care operations for health systems and health plans servicing Medicare patients.
Over his career, Scott has been blessed to serve as a Project Leader at Methodist Health System; the Senior Director of Physician Networks at Children’s Health in Dallas; a Director of Physician Alignment at CHRISTUS Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, TX and as a consultant for over 10 years to hospitals in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Alaska. In addition, Scott had the honor of serving as the President of the North Texas chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives in 2020.
Scott completed his Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Drury University (1995 / 1997) in Springfield, MO while working in the Athletic Department in Sports Information & Event Management. When he is not at work, Scott can be found hanging out with his wife Erica who is a research nurse at Texas Oncology and her daughters, getting updates from his soon to be graduating 21-year-old daughter who is finishing her degree in painting at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), assuming the role of “Grand Dude” for his new grandson, listening to live music around the Metroplex or refereeing high school basketball for the North Texas Basketball Officials Association.

Nick Kagal, FACHE, FHIMSS has three decades of experience in the healthcare industry and has held leadership roles with several major DFW provider organizations including Parkland Health & Hospital System, HealthSouth & Medical Center of Plano. Nick is a Customer Success Executive at Press Ganey, and was previously the Vice President of Marketing, Business Development, and Customer Success at SpinSci Technologies, a leading patient engagement solutions provider. Prior to this Nick served as the Senior Director of Customer Success with Premier Inc for the Western United States.
Nick received his BA in Biology & Psychology from Austin College and an MBA from the Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS) and serves on the boards of both ACHE of North Texas and DFW HIMSS. Nick has also been a national reviewer, moderator, and presenter for the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, served on the HIMSS National Professional Development Committee, and currently serves on the Governance and Operations Chapter Task Force. Nick lives in McKinney, Texas, and is an avid sports fan, a weekend warrior athlete, a long-distance cyclist and plays guitar & bass in the local cover band Sonic Dissonance.

Marcus Mitias is a seasoned public policy and health advocacy leader with two decades of experience driving strategic initiatives across government and nonprofit sectors. As Program Director in government affairs and advocacy at Texas Health Resources, he champions bipartisan, innovative approaches to policy development, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
Marcus works on public policy issues at the federal, state, and local levels of government to enhance health care delivery and strengthen the capacity of Texas Health Resources to improve the health of the people in the communities we serve. He serves as the bridge between the organization and legislative and regulatory entities across all levels of government. By monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, engaging with policymakers, and building coalitions across the health industry, Marcus helps to ensure the organization’s priorities are reflected in the public policy process. He also educates internal and external stakeholders on the impact of proposed laws and regulations and promotes evidence-based solutions that improve healthcare access, safety, and quality.
As a graduate of Leadership North Texas, Leadership Fort Worth, LeadingEdge and Leadership Arlington, Marcus is committed to personal development, community engagement, and supporting innovations that improve our community. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Clayton Youth Enrichment Services, which provides quality programs during out-of-school time that meet the diverse needs of communities’ children, youth and families, and has volunteered on the PTA Board at his children’s local elementary school.
Marcus holds a Master of Public Health in Health Management & Policy from the College of Public Health at UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, a Master of Business Administration from the Else School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and History from Millsaps College. Over the course of his academic pursuits, Marcus worked with various nonprofit organizations on numerous issues related to policy, coalition building, research, and advocacy. He served ten months in an AmeriCorps State and National Program in Atlanta, Georgia at the Atlanta Metro Taskforce for the Homeless. He worked as a research analyst for UNT’s School of Public Health in Fort Worth and also served as a public policy intern for the Texas Health Institute in Austin. Marcus remains committed to facilitating the enactment of sound public policy and fostering collaborative solutions that strengthen the health and well-being of communities.

Michael Parris is an industry leader in data, analytics and AI with a diverse background in process improvement across multiple industries. A trusted business partner to C-suite executives, Michael sets a strategic vision and leads high-performing teams to support growth, operations and customer experience for business functions that include finance, clinical, HR and supply chain. He creates organizational structure and connects foundational tools to be customer-focused while consistently showing ROI.

Eric Stephens, MBA, PMP, FACHE is an experienced healthcare analytics leader and executive who is passionate about the strategic application of analytics to drive results. He currently serves as Vice President of Data and Analytics at Catalyst Health Group, an ecosystem of primary care physicians, practices, professionals, and partners. Prior to Catalyst, he led analytics teams at GI Alliance, Nashville General Hospital, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and spent several years as an analyst in the music industry before entering healthcare. He also serves as Chair of the DFW Chapter of the Healthcare Data and Analytics Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the practice of healthcare analytics. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Tennessee Tech University and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics from the University of Tennessee. Eric is also recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), a Certified Analytics Professional-Expert (CAP-X®), and a Project Management Professional (PMP).

Stephen G. (Steve) Wohleb currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the Texas Hospital Association. Prior to joining the THA in 2018, Mr. Wohleb spent his entire 25-year legal career primarily representing hospitals and other health care providers in a wide range of legal, regulatory, and transactional issues. Areas of practice included: health care transactions, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and contracts; general and professional liability litigation; medical staff, credentialing and peer review issues; Medicare reimbursement and other federal healthcare program issues; HIPAA; hospital licensing, regulatory, and enforcement issues; behavioral health licensing, regulatory, and enforcement issues; bioethical issues; and many other aspects of the healthcare legal and regulatory framework. Since 2018, Mr. Wohleb has served as General Counsel for THA, advising the organization on a wide range of operational and governance issues, supporting THA’s advocacy efforts in several policy areas, and serving as a resource to members on a wide range of issues.

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Breakfast with the President - R. Brandon Goertz, PhD, FACHE
2025-10-28 07:30 - 09:00 | Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB), 1600 Hospital Parkway, Bedford, TX, 76022
Please join us for our fall Breakfast with the CEO event!

Date: Tuesday, October 28
Time: 7:30-9am
Location: Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB)
1600 Hospital Parkway
Bedford, TX 76022

Brandon Goertz, PhD, FACHE, serves as president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford, assuming the role in October 2024.

Brandon has played an integral role in Texas Health HEB’s success since he joined the hospital in 2019 as Vice President of Professional and Support Services. He is an engaging leader who has worked collaboratively across the facility and within the system to improve operations, quality and experience for our consumers.

He joined Texas Health after serving in several leadership positions at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System in East Texas. Before working in healthcare, Brandon was a lab instructor and researcher in the fields of biology and neuroscience at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was also published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Addiction Biology and Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

He received his Ph.D. in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Trinity University. Brandon is board-certified in healthcare management through the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). He is also a certified project management professional and a Lean/Six Sigma black belt.

When not at work, Brandon enjoys playing tennis and golf, scuba diving, sailing and spending time with his wife, Julie, and their children, Jackson and Margaret.

As special thanks to Brandon and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital – HEB for hosting us for this event!

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Networking Event & Membership Drive at Community Beer Company
2025-10-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Community Beer Co. Taproom & Restaurant, 3110 Commonwealth Drive, Dallas, TX, 75247
ACHE Members bringing a prospective member can attend for half price. Prospective members attend for free.

Join us for this special event, network with your fellow ACHENTX members and bring colleagues who are considering becoming ACHE members.
It will be a great opporutnity for those who have been looking for a way to engage with the chapter, meet other healthcare leadership from throughout the metroplex and see the ACHENTX network in action.
Your ticket includes access to a “Grazing Table” (which will include charcuterie, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, dips, light desserts, and a few other chef inspired items) and one complimentary beer/wine/soda ticket. All parking at the venue is free.

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ACHENTX Foundation's 2025 Annual Summit
2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Toyota Stadium – Hall of Fame Club, 9200 World Cup Way, Frisco, TX, 75033
Combatting change fatigue as healthcare leaders: Is there such a thing as leadership burnout?

Is there a such thing as leadership burnout? Join us for our Annual ACHENTX Foundation’s Summit where we will discuss “Combatting change fatigue as healthcare leaders.”
As the healthcare landscape continues its rapid pace of transformation, leaders are increasingly being asked to guide their organizations through ongoing waves of change. At this year’s ACHE of North Texas Foundation’s Summit, our expert panel will share proven strategies to combat change fatigue—reinforcing leadership resilience and organizational adaptability for sustainable success.

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Speakers:
Lance Lunsford, MBA, FACHE
Senior Partner
Groundswell Health, LLC
Mihir Patel MD MBA FACP FACHE
CEO Hospital Medicine
HOSPITAL MEDICINE
Jared Shelton, FACHE
President
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
Summit tickets include complimentary parking, dinner, soft drinks, beer and wine. Premium spirits will be available for purchase.
Summit Tables are available for purchase (which includes 10 registrant tickets). Additional Summit Sponsorship opportunities are also available. If interested in sponsoring this event, please let us know at info@achentx.org.
One additional exciting detail just for our Summit – Soccer 90 will be open during the event and selling FC Dallas / MLS merchandise as we all prepare for soccer’s largest event in a few short months.

Speakers’ Bios:

Lance Lunsford serves as senior partner at Groundswell Health, a company he co-founded in Austin, Texas, focusing on strategic communication and marketing programs for health care organizations. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the board of the Central Texas chapter. Previously, he served as SVP of marketing and communications for the Texas Hospital Association, overseeing all strategic messaging related to legislative and regulatory affairs, including issues relating to health care delivery and finance.
Prior to joining THA, Lunsford worked as director of marketing for UMC Health System, a 400-bed hospital located in Lubbock, Texas, where he built patient volume strategies for a variety of service lines.
Lunsford started his career in journalism as a reporter before becoming city editor of a major West Texas daily newspaper at 24. Lunsford was the first to produce and implement digital content features at multiple newspapers between 2003 and 2007. In June 2024, Texas Tech University Press will release his new book Inside the Well: The Midland, Texas Rescue of Baby Jessica McClure. The book chronicles the international media spotlight in the West Texas oil town and the tragedies that followed. The book brings to life the aftermath rescuers faced as they navigated movie deals, international media, and scrutiny to become one of first high-profile cases of PTSD among first responders.

As CEO for hospital medicine, Mihir Patel leads a team of more than 2,200 hospital-based physicians and advanced practice providers working across 190 unique programs in 45 states. Spearheading initiatives to drive better patient outcomes and physician engagement, he is accountable for managing the clinical and financial operations of Sound’s hospital medicine practices. He earned his medical degree from NHL Medical College/Gujarat University in India and completed his internal medicine training at Saint Mary’s Hospital, a teaching hospital of the Yale School of Medicine, in Connecticut. Additionally, he earned his MBA in healthcare management from the University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management. Currently, he is a fellow with the American College of Physicians, a senior fellow with the Society of Hospital Medicine, and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Jared Shelton, FACHE, serves as president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, assuming the role in September 2024 after a two-year stint as president at Texas Health HEB.
Shelton’s previous roles included six years as president of Texas Health Allen, and a term as vice president of Professional & Support Services for Texas Health Dallas.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business and a minor in religion. He also earned a Master of Science in health care administration from Trinity University. Shelton was named the 2024 Trinity University Health Care Administration Alumni Association “Momentum Award” winner, which recognizes early careerists age 40 and under for outstanding achievements in the field of health care management.
Shelton currently serves as a trustee on the Board of Directors for the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. He is also serving a three-year term as Regent for the American College of Healthcare Executives in District 4, Texas-Northern. He is a past president for the North Texas chapter of ACHE. He has served two terms on the Texas Hospital Association’s “Council on Policy Development” and is also a member of the Wake Forest Athletic Advisory Council.
Outside of work, Shelton and his wife, Kathryn, enjoy parenthood with their young children — daughters, Mackenzie and Caroline, and son, Jack.

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2025 New Horizons Event
2025-11-07 09:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Empowering healthcare administration students and early careerists with career, resume, and networking insights to launch their future.

The ACHENTX New Horizons Event is a special two-for-one opportunity. By registering for this event, you will have the opportunity to 1) attend the virtual New Horizons Event on November 7th and then after that, 2) meet one-on-one with a local Healthcare Human Resources Representative for a mock interview/resume review.
November 7 Virtual Event Agenda
9:00 – 9:10 Introductions
Presentations:
9:10 – 9:40 Resume Building – Ebony Alexander, Talent Acquisition Manager, UT Southwestern Medical Center
9:40 – 10:10 Career Building – Angela Vincent Michael, FACHE, performance improvement leader and ACHENTX Board member
10:10 – 10:20 Break
10:20 – 10:50 Networking/LinkedIn Best Practices – Dr. Jennifer “Dr. J” Alexander, DHA, FACHE, Operations Manager/Imaging Systems & Services, UT Southwestern
10:50 – 11:30 Q&A

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Speakers:
Ebony Alexander is a dynamic Human Resources leader with over 25 years of experience driving talent strategies and optimizing the entire employee lifecycle across diverse industries. She holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) by HRCI.
Ebony’s expertise spans talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and professional development and training.
Currently, Ebony is a Talent Acquisition Manager at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, where she uses her expertise in developing effective talent pipelines, leading recruitment initiatives, and fostering strong professional relationships.
Ebony is also actively involved in her community through her church, her sorority, and other local organizations, reflecting her strong commitment to leadership and service both professionally and personally.

Dr. Jennifer J. Alexander (“Dr. J.”) has served the healthcare community for more than 30 years. With roots in medical imaging, she bridges the clinical and operational aspects of care, translating frontline insights into practical improvements. A long-time community volunteer and a previous member of the Board of Directors for ACHENTX, Dr. J champions relationship-centered leadership: purposeful networking, consistent follow-up, and building community across disciplines. She is passionate about helping the next generation grow by “learning through doing,” pairing education with hands-on experiences that develop durable skills and confidence. Dr. J’s focus is simple and enduring. Equip emerging leaders to advance patient care, strengthen teams, and expand opportunity through authentic connections.

Angela Vincent Michael is a visionary healthcare executive with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience spanning enterprise strategy, quality and operations, and transformation. She has proven success advising C-suite leaders, steering multi-stakeholder initiatives, and aligning clinical, operational, and commercial priorities.
Angela is recognized for driving system-wide impact through data-informed decisions, cultural inclusivity, and human-centered leadership. She is adept at enabling execution across complex organizations—delivering measurable results while fostering trust and high performance.
Angela holds a Master’s in Health Finance and Management from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB) certified and Change Acceleration Process (CAP)/Work-Out certified. An influential leader within the healthcare community, she actively engages with peers through her involvement with the Asian Healthcare Leaders Community, the ACHENTX Board, and the DFWHC Performance Improvement Committee. Angela’s leadership has earned her multiple accolades, including the 2022 ACHE of NTX Emerging Leader Award, the 2023 DFW Hospital Council’s System Employee of the Year Award, and the 2024 ACHE Service Award.

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Q4 After Hours Networking Event - at Rodeo Goat Fort Worth
2025-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Rodeo Goat Fort Worth, 2836 Bledsoe Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76107
You’re not going to want to miss out on this fun evening of connecting and networking with your ACHE colleagues.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are included and a cash bar will be available.

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Proactively Managing Your Professional Development as a Healthcare Leader
2025-12-04 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Education Credits.

Ready to take charge of your leadership journey?
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, professional development isn’t optional—it’s strategic. Whether you’re stepping into leadership or sharpening your executive edge, this dynamic panel will equip you with the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Join moderator Beth Guyton, MAIOP, ACC, and distinguished panelists Charisse Jimenez, CPTD, along with Christi Nguyen, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN, and Viji George, DNP, MA, RN, RNC-NIC, NEA-BC, for a candid conversation on how healthcare leaders can proactively shape their careers, build influence, and stay ahead of industry transformation.
What You’ll Learn:
• How to build a personalized professional development roadmap
• Ways to identify and maximize growth opportunities within your organization
• Proven strategies for mentorship, networking, and career advancement
• Tips for balancing leadership responsibilities with lifelong learning
Ideal for emerging leaders, seasoned executives, and anyone committed to intentional growth in healthcare leadership.
🔗 Reserve your spot today and invest in your leadership future.
#ACHENTX #HealthcareLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #ACHE #CareerGrowth #MentorshipMatters #LeadershipJourney

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Moderator: Beth Guyton, MAIOP, ACC
Healthcare Executive, Consultant, Speaker, Executive Coach, Masters Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Panelists:
Viji George, DNP, MA, RN, RNC-NIC, NEA-BC
Magnet Program Director
Jackson Health System
Charisse Jimenez, CPTD
Director, Learning & Development – Design & Deployment
Texas Health Resources
Christi Nguyen, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FACHE, FAAN
Chief Nursing Officer
Ascension Providence
Speakers’ Bios:
Dr. Viji George has work experience including multinational healthcare clinical & leadership experience as military nursing officer, staff development administrator, program director of clinical & nursing excellence, global leader mentor and leadership consultant. Her achievements include a doctorate in nursing practice on nurse executive leadership, an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Fellow, a Health Science Research Fellow, an AMN Chief Nursing Officer Academy alumna, certified EBP faculty and a certified resiliency training facilitator. Her professional passions have led to international ventures such as becoming Sigma’s Global Leadership Mentoring Community mentor and coordinator, and active in various committees. She co-founded Indo-American Evidence-based practice fellowship academy through collaboration with Johns Hopkins Nursing EBP.
She educates, engages and empowers others for professional development through active participation in various organizations at a local and national level. She has been an active member of ACHENTX where she has volunteered and served in various roles including secretary of DEI, Education Committee and an Ambassador, and helped with various events. In the community she is a proud board member of Hendricks Scholarship Foundation and serves in the roles of student coach/mentor and student coordinator for health science students. She empowers students and early career professionals to design a path for their career, professional and personal development.
She has done professional publications and presented as keynote speaker in national and international forums sharing best practices in healthcare, professional development, and wellness. She was nationally highlighted by Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation, received awards such as DFW Great 100 Nurse, D Magazine Nurse Excellence in Leadership, & Visionary Leader award. She currently works in a large healthcare system, driving the Magnet and Clinical Excellence journey.
Beth Guyton is an accomplished healthcare leader and consultant with expertise in executive coaching, change management, performance management and patient experience. She is the principle of The Momentum Leader where she coaches leaders on reaching their maximum potential in order to thrive personally and professionally.
Prior to her current role, Beth served as the VP of Patient Experience for the Mercy Springfield Communities and before joining Mercy, Beth led a healthcare consulting firm dedicated to helping hospital drive results through exceptional leadership, culture, and processes.
Beth holds a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University and a BA in Advertising from the Manship School of Journalism at Louisiana State University. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Six Sigma Green Belt, and has a Certification for Mediation and Negotiation from North Lake College in Irving Texas.
Charisse Jimenez joined Texas Health Resources in 2015 as the program manager for the organization’s first system-wide physician leadership development initiative. She was soon promoted to a leadership role within Texas Health Resources University, where she currently serves as Director of Operational Design and Deployment. In this role, Charisse leads strategic learning efforts that transform individuals and teams—designing and deploying leadership pipeline and capability programs for key roles such as physician executives and nurse managers. She also spearheads enterprise growth initiatives, including Leadership 360s and core competency development in areas like leading change and cultivating innovation.
Her experience in leadership development includes well over a decade at the American College of Physician Executives where she directed the graduate program in medical management and served as the senior manager of membership and community, supporting 11,000 physicians from 42 countries. This unique work connected Charisse not only to influential physicians worldwide but also to faculty from top tier academic institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and University of Southern California who partnered with the organization to provide management training.
Charisse holds a bachelor’s degree in applied behavioral science from National Louis University and earned the Certified Professional in Training and Development® credential in 2016.
When not working, Charisse enjoys learning how to be a twenty-first century pioneer in her hobby farm, primitive camping and hiking with her husband and three sons.
Dr. Christi Nguyen is an experienced nurse leader with over 31 years in the profession, including 21 years as a nurse executive. Her diverse career spans oncology, home health, case management, wound, ostomy and continence care, risk management, and leadership. She currently serves as Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension Providence in Waco, Texas, and as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UTA MSN Nursing Administration Online Program and UTA DNP Program.
Dr. Nguyen earned dual master’s degrees in Nursing and Healthcare Administration from UT Arlington in 2004 and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Texas Christian University in 2016. She is certified as a Nurse Executive Advanced, Certified in Executive Nursing Practice, and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
She is an active member of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (TONL), North Central Organization for Nursing Leadership, and ACHE. Dr. Nguyen serves as the AONL Region 7 Board Director, President of the DFW Great 100 Board, and TONL District 7 Director.
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Nguyen is married and the proud mother of a 22-year-old daughter who is a senior at Texas A&M University. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling.

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Best Approaches in Executive On-Boarding
2025-12-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Education Credits.

Ready to elevate your executive impact from day one?
In today’s complex healthcare environment, onboarding isn’t just orientation—it’s a strategic imperative. Whether you’re stepping into a new leadership role or guiding others through transition, this dynamic panel will equip you with the tools to onboard with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Join moderator Jose Alejandro White, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, and distinguished panelists Beth Guyton, MAIOP, ACC, Ryan Dugan, MHA, and Steven Edgar, FACHE, PT, for a candid conversation on how healthcare leaders can accelerate integration, build influence, and drive results from the start.
What You’ll Learn:
• Proven frameworks for executive onboarding that align with organizational strategy
• How to foster trust, credibility, and culture-fit in the first 90 days
• Strategies for navigating complex systems and stakeholder expectations
• Tips for sustaining momentum and embedding long-term leadership success
Ideal for newly appointed executives, succession planners, HR and compliance leaders, and anyone committed to intentional leadership transitions in healthcare.
🔗 Reserve your spot today and invest in your onboarding strategy.
#ACHENTX #HealthcareLeadership #ExecutiveOnboarding #ACHE #LeadershipSuccess #StrategicTransitions #MentorshipMatters #LeadershipJourney

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Moderator: Jose Alejandro-White, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, MBA, CNE, CCM, FACHE, FAAN
Nurse Scientist
Magnet Program & Nursing Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Panelists:
Steven Edgar, FACHE, PT
Chief Executive Officer
Medical City Denton

Beth Guyton, MAIOP, ACC
Healthcare Executive, Consultant, Speaker, Executive Coach, Masters Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Ryan Dugan, MHA
Vice President Human Resources
Medical City Plano
Speakers’ Bios:

Dr. Alejandro-White joined UT Southwestern Medical Center as a Nurse Scientist in August 2023. Jose currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserves. He most recently served as the Chief Nurse Executive for the Edward J Hines, Jr. Veterans Administration Health System in Chicago.
Dr. Alejandro-White is a national Past President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and Case Management Society of America (2018-2020). He serves as Treasurer for the American Association of Men in Nursing and previously served as Treasurer for Sigma. Dr. Alejandro-White is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Ryan Dugan joined Medical City Plano as the Vice President of Human Resources in August 2022.
Ryan begun his career with Medical City Plano in 2011 as a recruiter. He was later promoted to HR generalist in 2013 and HR Manager in 2014. In the following years, Ryan served as senior HR Business Partner at Medical City Dallas and Medical City Children’s Hospital and was promoted in 2018 to Vice President of Human Resources at Medical City North Hills before transitioning to Medical City Fort Worth in 2019. Ryan also served as Vice President of Human Resources at Medical City Arlington from July 2021 to August of 2022 when he was promoted to his current role at Medical City Plano.
He earned his Masters in Healthcare Administration from UNT Health Science Center and his Bachelor of Science in Bioenvironmental Science from Texas A&M University.
Steven Edgar joined Medical City Denton as Chief Executive Officer in 2016. Since that time the hospital has seen consistent progression in patient experience for services provided in the Emergency Department, inpatient services, and for outpatient tests and treatments. In December, 2023, Medical City Denton added the Medical City Argyle Surgical Hospital as a second campus of Medical City Denton. Additionally, Medical City Denton has seen industry-leading performance with infection prevention, antibiotic stewardship and key accreditations in Chest Pain, Stroke, Bariatric Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and General Surgery. Edgar has overseen the reaccreditation of the Magnet Program and the designation as Level II Trauma Center at Medical City Denton.
Prior to his arrival at Medical City Denton, Edgar held executive leadership positions with Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. Edgar is a physical therapist and worked for years in the Kansas City, Missouri metroplex prior to starting his administrative responsibilities.
Edgar holds a bachelor’s degree in health science-physical therapy from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He earned a Master of Public Administration – health administration, from University of Missouri, Kansas City. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Beth Guytonis an accomplished healthcare leader and consultant with expertise in executive coaching, change management, performance management and patient experience. She is the principle of The Momentum Leader where she coaches leaders on reaching their maximum potential in order to thrive personally and professionally.
Prior to her current role, Beth served as the VP of Patient Experience for the Mercy Springfield Communities and before joining Mercy, Beth led a healthcare consulting firm dedicated to helping hospital drive results through exceptional leadership, culture, and processes.
Beth holds a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University and a BA in Advertising from the Manship School of Journalism at Louisiana State University. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Six Sigma Green Belt, and has a Certification for Mediation and Negotiation from North Lake College in Irving Texas.

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DFW Wreaths Across America - Community Event
2025-12-13 11:00 - 14:00 | Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX, 75211
Join us at DFW National Cemetery as we Remember, Honor, and Teach by placing wreaths on the graves of our nation’s heroes.

On Saturday, December 13th, volunteers from across North Texas will gather at DFW National Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. This moving event honors the sacrifice of our veterans by placing live balsam wreaths on their headstones, ensuring that every hero is remembered during the holiday season. Participation is free and open to all ages; volunteers may also choose to sponsor a wreath for $17 to help support this mission.
If you would like to donate to help support this mission, please do so directly at: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/20315/Overview/

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Breakfast with the President - Tim Bowen, FACHE
2026-02-03 07:30 - 09:00 | Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney, 5252 W University Dr., McKinney, TX, 75071, United States
Another Breakfast with the President event you’re not going to want to miss!

Tim Bowen, FACHE
President
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney

Tim Bowen, FACHE, serves as president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney, a role he assumed in September 2022. He joined the McKinney team from Baptist Health Medical Center – Conway, part of Arkansas’s largest not-for-profit health system, where he served as facility president. During his tenure there, Bowen strengthened the medical staff, improved financial performance, and enhanced quality and safety outcomes. His leadership earned him recognition as one of Arkansas Business magazine’s “40 Under 40” honorees in 2020.
Prior to that, Bowen served as president of Integris Grove Hospital in Grove, Oklahoma, and as chief executive officer of Mena Regional Health System in Mena, Arkansas. His career is marked by operational excellence, program growth, and a strong focus on team engagement.
Bowen holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Business Administration from John Brown University in Arkansas. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves on the North Texas ACHE Board of Directors as president-elect.
Outside of work, Bowen enjoys spending time outdoors and on the golf course. He and his wife, Natalie, have two children, Brody (14) and Bella (7).

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2026 DFW Healthcare Student Summit – ACHE of North Texas
2026-02-21 08:30 - 14:30 | UNT Health Science Center – Medical Education & Training Building, 1000 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, United States
Join healthcare leaders and early careerists for an inside look at executive strategies and the growing impact of AI on the future of health

The DFW Healthcare Student Summit is designed for early career professionals and healthcare administration students seeking to learn from and connect with experienced industry leaders. Through two engaging panel discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into executive decision making, operational leadership, and the growing role of AI in healthcare.
Agenda:

8:30am – 8:50am Coffee, Check-in, and Registration
8:50am – 9:00am Welcome and Introductions
9:00am – 10:00am Keynote Presentation
10:00am – 10:10am Break
10:10am – 11:30am Panel Discussion 1 – Executive Strategies for Driving Value & Better Outcomes
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch and Networking (lunch provided)
12:30pm – 1:50pm Panel Discussion 2 – The Growth of AI in Healthcare
1:50pm – 2:30pm Optional Networking After/Event Ends

Your ticket includes attendance at the Student Summit, a light breakfast with coffee and water, and lunch will be provided at the event as well.
Speakers At A Glance:
Aaron Bujnowski, DSc, FACHE
Managing Director
Alvarez & Marsal
Chad Collins, FACHE
Vice President Operations
Texas Health Resources
Felixia Colón, FACHE
Senior Vice President in Business Development
SCP Health
Richard J. Dixon
Founder & Managing Director
Future Way Health Strategies

Emily Flahaven
Director of Nursing Informatics
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dr. Richard G. Greenhill
Principal and Founder
SmartSigma AI
Lisa Kilgore
Director of Enterprise Connected Medical Device Systems
Baylor Scott & White Health
Christina Mathis
Chief Executive Officer
Medical City Las Colinas

Kris Sanders, FACHE
Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth & Development
Children’s Health Plano
Timothy Wilson
Head of Program Integrity
Parkland Health
Bert Witherspoon, FACHE
Founder & Managing Partner
Triaxiom Advisors, LLC

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Speakers’ Bios:
Aaron Bujnowski, DSc, FACHE, is a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, a leading global professional services firm specializing in advisory, consulting, and turnaround management. With two decades of dedicated experience in the healthcare industry, Dr. Bujnowski has built a reputation as a transformative healthcare strategist, empowering health systems and their leaders to attain sustainable competitive advantage.
Dr. Bujnowski served as the former System Chief Strategy Officer of Texas Health Resources, a ~$5 billion integrated health system in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he dedicated nearly nine years to developing and executing enterprise-wide strategies.
Dr. Bujnowski holds a Doctor of Science degree in Healthcare Leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration with the highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in chemical engineering with a biomedical emphasis from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Dr. Bujnowski was honored as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) in 2015. He is a Past President of its North Texas Chapter, where he leads a diverse community of nearly 2,000 healthcare executives and managers.

Felixia Colón, FACHE, serves as Senior Vice President in Business Development at SCP Health, where she leads strategic market development at the executive and health system level. With more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, she brings deep expertise in clinical operations, physician practice management, and enterprise growth strategy.
Ms. Colón previously led SCP Health’s Telemedicine and Virtual Care service lines, overseeing expansion across Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine. Under her leadership, the platform grew from three hospital medicine programs in 2016 to more than 100 sites by 2025, supporting hospitals nationwide with sustainable, high-quality clinical solutions.
Her professional background includes senior leadership roles across multi-specialty, multi-site physician practices, including emergency medicine, academic and private hospital medicine, transitional care medicine, tele-nocturnist and eHealth programs, and post-acute care environments (SNFs and LTACs). She has also led physician outreach initiatives in collaboration with a national health insurance carrier. Prior to joining SCP Health, Ms. Colón served as Senior Vice President for one of the largest independent physician practices in Texas, where she held enterprise-wide responsibility for operations, contracting, business development, marketing, recruiting, and healthcare payment reform initiatives, including participation in CMS’s Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) program.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Ms. Colón holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Health Administration from the University of North Florida. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and an active leader within the organization, having served as Regent-at-Large for District IV and former President of the ACHE North Texas Chapter. She has also held multiple elected board and committee leadership roles and serves as faculty for SCP Health’s Medical Leadership Intensive, focused on developing physician and advanced practice leaders.

Richard Dixon is a healthcare executive, advisor, and author focused on system redesign, digital strategy, and sustainable care delivery. He works with health systems, payers, and public sector leaders to translate emerging technologies, including AI, into practical operating models that improve access, outcomes, and workforce experience.
His work emphasizes responsible adoption, data integrity, and governance, ensuring that technology strengthens care delivery rather than adding complexity or risk. Richard is the author of Care Anywhere and the founder of Future Way Health Strategies, where he advises leadership teams on building durable, human-centered healthcare systems.

Dr. Richard G. Greenhill has spent over 30 years solving the problems that keep healthcare executives awake at night such as declining quality metrics, patient safety challenges and the persistent gap between healthcare’s promise and its operational reality. As principal and founder of SmartSigma AI, he brings rigorous quality science and pragmatic AI implementation expertise to healthcare organizations navigating the intersection of regulatory pressure and technological disruption, turning strategy into sustainable results rather than failed pilots. Elected by his international peers to the prestigious International Academy for Quality and Safety (IAQS), one of the highest lifetime honors in global healthcare quality, Dr. Greenhill serves as editor-in-chief of the International Journal for Quality in Healthcare, Communications (Oxford University Press) and as national faculty for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). As a sought-after international speaker on AI in healthcare delivery and a subject matter expert for the World Health Organization and International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), his voice shapes global healthcare policy while his focus remains on what works in real healthcare organizations. He is a honorably retired U.S. Navy veteran with extensive publications in peer reviewed journals and textbooks. Dr. Greenhill brings academic rigor and operational excellence to every engagement, delivering the strategic clarity and practical implementation support that transforms healthcare organizations.

Lisa Kilgore serves as Director of Enterprise Connected Medical Device Systems at Baylor Scott & White Health, where she provides executive oversight for the strategy, governance, and operational integration of clinical device ecosystems across the enterprise., she leads initiatives that advance interoperability, cybersecurity resilience, data integrity, and clinical technology standardization in support of high-reliability care delivery.
With nearly 30 years of hands-on experience in hospitals coast to coast, a career rooted in enterprise medical device integration and digital health transformation, Lisa operates at the convergence of biomedical engineering, health IT, and executive operations. She partners with clinical, technology, and executive leadership to ensure connected medical technologies not only function reliably at scale but also generate actionable clinical data that strengthens outcomes, operational performance, and regulatory compliance.
As a panelist on The Growth of AI in Healthcare, Lisa brings a systems-level perspective on how connected devices, real-time data streams, and intelligent automation are reshaping care models. Her focus is on building secure, scalable infrastructures that responsibly enable AI-driven innovation while safeguarding patient safety and enterprise stability.

Christina Mathis has served as CEO at Medical City Las Colinas since March 2025. She provides leadership, strategic direction and direct administrative responsibility for all aspects of financial operations, clinical quality outcomes and patient experience for the 99-bed acute care hospital with more than 500 employees. The hospital offers comprehensive services, including Level III trauma services, cardiovascular, orthopedic and spine surgery, robotic surgery, women’s services and a neonatal ICU (NICU). She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for ACHE North Texas, Irving Schools Foundation, Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce and Trinity University Healthcare Administration Alumni Board.

Kris Sanders, FACHE, currently serves as Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth and Development at Children’s Health Plano. She is board certified in Healthcare Administration. She has a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration as well as her Master of Business Administration. Kris currently oversees the leadership and implementation of all Northern Market activity in DFW for Children’s Health. She previously worked at Envision Physician Services, which she worked as Vice President of Operations. Other previous roles include opportunities at Methodist Health System and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Kris is a board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). She also serves as a board member and President for ACHE North Texas. She is a proud member of National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) where she also serves as the President for the DFW chapter. Other board of director affiliations include Live Oak Surgery Center and Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. She is a proud Leadership Plano Class 39 graduate and was awarded Diversity Leaders “Rising Star” by Modern Healthcare magazine in 2024. In addition to the professional work, Kris is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Chi Zeta Omega chapter in Plano, TX.

Timothy Wilson is the Head of Program Integrity for Parkland Health’s Medicaid managed care organization, Parkland Community Health Plan. In this role, he provides enterprise leadership over payment integrity and program oversight, strengthening financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational discipline within a highly regulated managed care environment. His work ensures that healthcare dollars are spent appropriately while supporting high quality care and improved patient outcomes.

Timothy brings deep experience across population health operations, managed care, and enterprise risk management. He has led complex, large scale portfolios spanning claims operations, audit and recovery, appeals, system configuration, delegated vendor oversight, and profit and loss accountability. Prior to joining Parkland, he served as Senior Vice President of Population Health Management at P3 Health Partners and held an executive leadership role at Children’s Health, where he helped launch the organization’s health plan. He is known for translating operational complexity into clear executive strategy and for building disciplined operating models that strengthen governance, improve accuracy, and drive sustainable performance.

Beyond his operating roles, Timothy is a recognized healthcare leader and mentor. He serves on the Editorial Board of Healthcare Executive magazine and is President-Elect of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter. He also serves on the boards of NAHSE DFW and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) of North Texas, advancing executive development, governance excellence, and equity across the healthcare industry. He is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Timothy holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Image Management and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Media Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified and is a frequent speaker on healthcare operations, program integrity, and executive leadership.

Bert Witherspoon, FACHE, is a board-certified healthcare executive and the Founder & Managing Partner of Triaxiom Advisors, LLC, a boutique, bespoke advisory firm built on one conviction: healthcare works best when it stays deeply personal. Through Triaxiom Advisors, he helps provider-owned practices, surgical groups, and healthcare ventures reclaim control of their future—turning business problems into business solutions grounded in clarity, operational discipline, and human-centered leadership.
His path into healthcare leadership is uniquely shaped by frontline service. A retired firefighter-paramedic and former president and COO of a private EMS organization, Bert learned early that the systems behind care matter just as much as the care itself. That frontline-to-boardroom trajectory gives his work a rare blend of operational realism, empathy, and strategic rigor.
He holds dual graduate degrees (MS and MBA) from The University of Texas at Dallas. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Graduate Healthcare Finance at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, a Vocational EMS Instructor at Dallas College, and an active mentor for the American College of Healthcare Executives at both the local chapter and national levels, supporting the development of rising healthcare leaders across the country.
Bert’s leadership philosophy is simple but transformative: the future of healthcare depends on building more Clock Builders, not just more Time Tellers. He believes leaders have a responsibility to grow other leaders—through education, mentorship, and a life-long learner’s mindset—so that innovation isn’t a moment but a mindset. In a field as dynamic as healthcare, he champions the kind of leadership that creates systems, cultures, and people capable of sustaining real, lasting impact.

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Partnerships for Success: Public Health and Health System Collaboration
2026-02-26 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.

The top three functions of public health are to assess and monitor populations, form public policies to address problems and priorities, and finally to make sure access to services is provided. Public health challenges that were once found only in certain countries are no longer limited to within those borders. Globalization has increased these challenges. Through globalization, the public health arena has a significant impact on health administration challenges in the US and on the path that healthcare will take in the foreseeable future.
Moderator: George Roberts, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Texas Public Health District
Panelists:
W. Stephen Love
President & CEO
Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council
Lisako McKyer, PhD, MPH, FAAHB
Professor & Chair, Dept. of Population and Community Health
UNT Health
Matt Richardson, DrPH, FACHE
Director
Denton County Public Health

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Speakers’ Bios:
Mr. Stephen Love is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council which promotes collaboration, cooperation, and advocacy on behalf of its 90 member hospitals. The Hospital Council also has approximately 100 Associate Members (business and industry), including prominent accounting, legal and consulting firms. The primary mission is to drive evidence-based improvement in patient care and health equity in North Texas. He was the United Nations Association Award Winner in 2018 for Global Goals. He served as 2015 Chair for the Conference of Metropolitan and Regional Hospitals Association in the United States. He received the 2020 D CEO’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Dallas Medical Society’s Millard J. and Robert L. Health Award for a non-physician providing outstanding leadership to the community. He previously served on the Children at Risk Board for North Texas, Southwest Region Board for the American Heart Association, and the Chair for the March of Dimes Walk for Babies Campaign, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Dallas, and Cure Glaucoma Foundation Advisory Board. He serves on the Southwest Transplant Alliance for organ transplants; North Texas Eye Research Institute; the Metropolitan YMCA Board of Directors and received the 2024 Theodore P. Beasley Distinguished Leadership Award in 2024; the Board of Directors of Prism Health North Texas and the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He was the Chair for the Irving-Las Colinas Chamber for 2024-2025. Mr. Love has worked in healthcare management for over 50 years. He has demonstrated leadership in tax exempt, investor-owned, specialty and private hospitals in operations, finance, and corporate governance. Prior to joining the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, Mr. Love was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 healthcare company that owned over 50 hospitals and managed approximately 200 facilities in the United States.

Dr. Lisako McKyer was a non-traditional student, earning a BA in Psychology from California State University Northridge, where she was awarded a NIGMS-funded undergraduate research training grant under Dr. Maria Elena Zavala and Dr. Carrie Saetermoe. Next, she pursued doctoral training in two programs at Indiana University; Clinical Science (Psychology 1995-1999 [incomplete]), and Health Behavior (completed in 2005), where she also earned an MPH degree along the way.
She started her faculty career at Indiana University, where she directed the annual statewide school-based ATOD survey at the Indiana Prevention Research Center. She moved to Texas A&M University in 2006, where she held appointments in the College of Public Health, the School of Medicine and the School of Education and Human Development. During her 16 years at Texas A&M, she rose through the ranks to tenured full professor and served in various leadership positions. Prior to joining UNT Health in 2024, she served as the Inaugural Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Inclusive Excellence at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

Dr. Matt Richardson was appointed as the Director of Public Health for Denton County in the summer of 2014. He previously served as Director with the City of Amarillo and Potter/Randall Counties for 9 years. He has authored peer-reviewed publications, testified to the Texas Legislature regarding public health issues, and continues to advocate for public health practice and resources for Denton County and the state of Texas. Matt is currently the past president of the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials and was recently appointed as a board member of the National Board of Public Health Examiners. He has been a Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) accreditation site reviewer since 2013, as both a public health practitioner and site review chair. He is an expert in accreditation efforts across many academic and practice environments—from national public health university programs to individual credentials and certifications.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Abilene Christian University and both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Public Health from the University of North Texas. He is currently board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

George T. Roberts, Jr., has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) since November 2006. Services provided by NET Health include Community Outreach, Disease Surveillance, Environmental Health, Immunization, Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Regional Laboratory, Vital Statistics, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program. NET Health primarily serves Tyler and Smith County but also provides some services in 21 counties in East Texas. The WIC Program serves a 20-county area and Public Health Preparedness serves a 7-county region.
Mr. Roberts has over 45 years of health care experience, the majority of which was spent in hospital administration, having previously served at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, and Henderson Memorial Hospital in Henderson, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from SMU in Dallas and a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) and served as the East Texas ACHE Chapter President in 2023. He is a member of the Board of the Texas Health Institute, Carter BloodCare, the Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council, Mosaic Counseling, the Tyler Family Circle of Care and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. He recently completed his service to the American Board of Preventive Medicine where he served as the First Public Member of the Board. He is Past President of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO), and the Past Chairman of the Texas Health Institute. Mr. Roberts is active in a number of church, community, and statewide efforts. Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife Leslie for 38 years, and they have 2 children – Claire (32) and Travis (28).

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Innovation and the Changing Face of Healthcare Delivery
2026-02-26 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
This panel has been approved for 1.50 ACHE Virtual Interactive Education Credits.

Given the extensive changes in healthcare delivery and the technological landscape overall, there is a necessity to take stock of where the healthcare community stands on change and innovation, specifically regarding the use of technology. The demand for higher quality healthcare at a lower cost creates an imminent need for change and innovation in healthcare delivery. Healthcare has already seen innovations in the tools used to deliver care, including pharmacy products, medical devices, information technology, and biotechnology products. This innovation has changed and continues to change the way healthcare is delivered. This panel will discuss how health systems are using innovation in technology to improve the value of the healthcare they deliver. Examples may include using technology to improve connectivity, patient flow, provider efficiency, and/or quality measurement.
Moderator: Quyet V. Tran, RPh, MBA, FACHE
Regional DOP
Prime Healthcare
Panelists:
Dr. Xiaoxu Kang
Founder & CEO
KangarooHealth
David Larsen, DO, MBA, FACHE
Institute Chair of Primary Care for CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic
Director of Physician Practice Operations & Medical Director of Clinical Informatics
Steve Miff, PhD
President and CEO
Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation

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Speakers’ Bios:
Dr. Xiaoxu Kang is the Founder and CEO of KangarooHealth, a company transforming healthcare access and quality through innovative technology. After earning her PhD at Johns Hopkins Medicine, she spent over 15 years at the forefront of healthcare innovation and commercialization, combining scientific rigor with entrepreneurial drive.
As a two-time startup founder, Dr. Kang has navigated the challenges of translating research into real-world impact, earning 20+ industry awards, publishing 16 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and securing four patents along the way. Her vision is clear: to leverage technology to make healthcare more connected, accessible, and effective for all.
At KangarooHealth, she is building a world-class team dedicated to powering the healthcare of tomorrow—one innovation, one patient, and one partnership at a time.

Dr. David Larsen serves as the Institute Chair of Primary Care for CHRISTUS Trinity clinic, Director of Physician Practice Operations, and as a Medical Director of Clinical Informatics. He joined CHRISTUS in 2019 as a family medicine physician and has since held a range of clinical and leadership roles, including Medical Director of Clinical Informatics, Lead Physician, and Medical Director of Bluebonnet Point Wellness. His work has been recognized with the CHRISTUS Health Patient’s Choice Award and the CHRISTUS Health Rising Star Award.
Dr. Larsen earned his Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University. He holds an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management from The University of Texas at Tyler and a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves on the board of the East Texas Chapter.

Dr. Steve Miff is the President and CEO of Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), a leading, non-profit, artificial intelligence and cognitive computing organization affiliated with Parkland Health, one of the country’s largest and most progressive safety-net hospitals. Spurred by his passion to use next-generation analytics and technology to help serve the most vulnerable and underserved residents, Steve and his team focus on leveraging technology, data science, and clinical expertise to obtain unique social-determinants-of-health data and incorporate those holistic, personal insights into point-of-care interventions. Steve was the recipient of the 2020 Dallas Business Journal Most Inspiring Leader award and the winner of the 2021 DCEO and Dallas Innovates healthcare awards. Since 2020, Steve was been named for five consecutive years to the Dallas 500 Most Influential Leaders Awards and in 2023, Steve was named the Tech Titans emerging company CEO of the year. In 2025, Steve received the prestigious Dallas County Medical Society Champion of Science and Medicine award. Under his leadership, PCCI was named one of the 2019 Dallas Best Tech Startups by the Tech Tribune, the award recipient for the 2022 Corporate Citizenship Award, and the recipient of the national Augmented Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare Initiative award by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
Steve earned his PhD and MS degrees in biomedical engineering and a BA in economics from Northwestern University. He has been an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering for more than five years and has authored more than 100 thought leadership, white papers, and peer-reviewed publications. He is also the co-author of the 2020 Building Connected Communities of Care book released by HIMSS publishing and Amazon. Steve and PCCI’s work have been featured in Time Magazine, NEJM, IHI, HealthLeaders, NPR, CBS, NBC, Stat News, and many other leading news and scientific venues. Steve is the lead inventor on the PCCI’s most recent United States Patent for AI driven proximity index system and methods (US 12,087,449 B2).
Before joining the nonprofit world, Steve served as the General Manager of Sg2, a national advanced analytics and consulting business serving over 1,200 leading healthcare systems, and as the Senior Vice President of clinical analytics, population health, and performance management at VHA (Vizient Inc.). He has also performed in various roles at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and St. Agnes Hospital System.
Steve has served on the Senior Board of Examiners for the Baldrige National Quality Program, on the Executive Quest for Quality Prize Board Committee for the American Hospital Association, and as an editor and reviewer for the NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery. He currently participates on multiple other associations and boards, including Health Evolution, Healthcare Executive Forum CEO, and the Northwestern University Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board. Steve serves on the National Academy of Medicine AI Adoption and Code of Conduct committee and on the advisory board for the Health AI Partnership.
Steve is a first generation American born in Romanian. He is a data and technology geek, an avid sports enthusiast, world traveler, and a self-taught sous-chef and mixologist.

Quyet Tran, RPh, MBA, FACHE is a Regional Director of Pharmacy for Prime Healthcare. Since that time the hospital system has seen consistent decrease in pharmaceutical spend. Additionally, Tran lead the transition to a new pharmaceutical wholesale distributor for over 100 outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgery centers. He is passionate about finding new and innovative strategies to reduce cost and increase revenues.
Prior to his arrival at Prime Healthcare Services, Tran held pharmacy leadership positions within several hospital systems. Tran also worked for many years with Cardinal Health in various roles including operations, sales, and business development.
Tran holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Louisiana, Monroe. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

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ACHE 2026 Congress on Healthcare Leadership: Purpose in Motion
2026-03-02 08:00 - 2026-03-04 17:00 | Houston, Texas
Once again this year the ACHE national 2026 Congress on Healthcare Leadership will be in Houston, Texas. Be sure to register for this event an join thousands of our healthcare leadership colleagues from around Texas and the rest of the world.

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Introduction to ACHE Fellowship Virtual Event
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Are you a healthcare professional working on your graduate degree? Perhaps you have the years of experience under your belt, are active in your profession and community and are looking for a way to differentiate yourself from your peers? Earning your board certification in healthcare management from ACHE is an excellent way to do that. The ACHENTX Advancement Committee wants to support you on your journey. Join this informative session as we discuss the pathway and requirements to earning your certification, share some details about the Board of Governors exam process, provide some tidbits about the separate Board of Governors Exam Review course (which will be offered later this year by the Advancement Committee and led by local industry professionals).
Speakers:
Lee Ann Benson, FACHE
Senior Vice President
Maternal-Child Program Development
Children’s Health
Eric Stephens, MBA, FACHE, CAP-X, PMP
Vice President, Data and Analytics
Catalyst Health Group
Katie O’Neal
Strategic Account Executive
GE HealthCare

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Flavor & Fabric: AHLC Cultural Exchange
2026-03-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Medical City Las Colinas, 6800 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX, 75039
This ACHE of North Texas Asian Healthcare Leaders Community (AHLC) Cultural Networking & Professional Development Event will bring together Asian healthcare leaders for an inspiring evening of culture, connection, and growth. The program includes two dynamic 15–20 minute workshops:
5:45pm – Check-In/Networking
5:50pm – Workshop 1: Dr. Usha Peri (Healing Breaths) will lead an energizing, wellness-focused session featuring breathing and mindfulness techniques designed to reduce stress, enhance energy, boost resilience, and help prevent burnout among healthcare professionals.
6:15pm – Food / Networking (45 min)
7:00 – 7:30pm – Workshop 2: Career Management Partners (Bianca Chow) will deliver a high‑impact professional development session centered on personal branding, career visibility, and navigating advancement in the healthcare industry.
7:30 – 8pm Networking
In celebration of cultural heritage, the event will feature a multicultural potluck, where participants are invited to sign up to bring foods representing the flavors of their culture, and attendees are encouraged to wear attire that reflects their cultural identity, creating a vibrant, community‑building atmosphere.
Big thanks to our event hosts:
Medical City Las Colinas, SpinSci Technologies, CMP, and Healing Breaths
Speakers:
Bianca Chow
VP Client Solutions
CMP
Dr Usha Peri
Nephrologist Instructor
Healing Breaths
Speakers’ Bios:
Bianca Chow is a passionate coach, facilitator, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in brand management, marketing, global operations, change management, communications, and employee
engagement. Bianca pivoted into the consulting space in 2016 after leading teams and strategic global initiatives in Corporate America, which included time in the fashion, retail and tech industries. At CMP, Bianca leads strategic client initiatives and coaches individuals as they navigate career pivots of all sizes.
Bianca enjoys sharing her career journey and her personal story as a daughter of Chinese immigrants as a means of empowering others, specifically teen girls and women to reach their full potential. Building bridges of trust is important to Bianca as an AAPI woman, and she is a proud member of the Orchid Giving Circle. Bianca’s passion for philanthropy and raising awareness about the needs of the underserved within the Asian community is part of the long-lasting legacy she hopes to leave in the North Texas area and beyond.
Today she serves on the My Possibilities Foundation Board of Directors, a nonprofit focused on supporting individuals with disabilities in the North Texas community. Amplifying the voices of the unheard – be it through collaborative efforts with nonprofits, accelerators, global organizations or start-ups – is what makes Bianca tick.
Bianca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from The McCombs School of Business
at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Usha Peri is double board certified in internal medicine and nephrology from Baylor College of Houston and UT Southwestern. She has had a successful private practice in the greater Dallas area for the past 20 years.
Dr. Peri has been married for 30 years with two grown children. She loves to read, travel, and cook international vegetarian cuisine, besides mentoring students and adults interested in personal growth.
She discovered yoga and meditation (SKY Breath Meditation) and uses these tools for her personal practice and resilience. Dr. Peri actively teaches SKY Breath Meditation to hundreds of healthcare professionals, students, and adults in a pay-forward way.

Register Here
