THA’s Newsmakers are hospital executives and leaders from THA-member hospitals and health systems that are making headlines in Texas healthcare. Please join us in congratulating our Newsmakers:
May 2026 Newsmakers
Melissa Winans, DNP, RN
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center has named Melissa Winans, DNP, RN, vice president of nursing and chief nursing officer. In her new role, Winans will oversee nursing operations and clinical strategy, supporting the hospital’s commitment to high-quality, compassionate patient care. She brings more than 30 years of nursing experience and more than a decade of leadership experience as a chief nursing officer in both community and academic healthcare settings. Known for her focus on nursing excellence and team development, Winans will help advance patient care initiatives and strengthen clinical operations at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center while supporting the organization’s continued growth and commitment to the community.
Kim Slusser, PhD, RN
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center has appointed Kim Slusser, PhD, RN, as its inaugural chief nurse executive. In her new role, Slusser will oversee nursing strategy and leadership initiatives supporting patient care and clinical excellence across the organization. She joined MD Anderson in 2023 as associate chief nursing officer and most recently served as interim chief nursing officer. Slusser also served as the inaugural co-lead of the fulfillment focus area within the Meyers Institute for Oncology Nursing. Her appointment reflects MD Anderson’s continued investment in advancing nursing leadership and strengthening oncology care through innovation, collaboration and professional development.
Gina Temple, PhD
Northwest Texas Healthcare System
Northwest Texas Healthcare System has appointed Gina Temple, PhD, chief executive officer. In her new role, Temple will oversee operations and strategic growth initiatives for the Amarillo-based health system, which serves the Texas Panhandle through its academic medical center, trauma, cardiovascular and children’s services. Temple joins Universal Health Services from CommonSpirit Health, where she most recently served as president of St. Francis Hospital and St. Francis Hospital-Interquest in Colorado Springs. She brings extensive healthcare leadership experience and a strong background in hospital operations, clinical excellence and community-focused care to Northwest Texas Healthcare System’s executive leadership team.
Tracy Payne Martinez
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance has named Tracy Payne Martinez president. Martinez brings more than 20 years of leadership experience with Texas Health Resources and most recently served as vice president of professional and support services at Texas Health Alliance. In her previous role, she oversaw clinical support, diagnostic and operational services while supporting strategic growth initiatives across the hospital. During her tenure, Martinez helped lead a 50-bed tower expansion, expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit and planning for future surgical services growth. She will now oversee operations and continued growth efforts at the Fort Worth-based hospital.
Spencer Estrella
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin
Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin has named Spencer Estrella assistant chief financial officer. In his new role, Estrella will support financial operations and strategic planning initiatives for the hospital, part of Ascension. He brings experience in healthcare strategy and analytics, most recently serving as division director of strategic planning and analytics for Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. Estrella also previously served as division manager of strategic planning for the organization, where he supported operational and growth initiatives across the health system. His appointment reflects Ascension Seton’s continued focus on financial stewardship and strategic growth in the Central Texas market.
Joshua Pozos, MD
Ascension Texas
Ascension Texas has appointed Joshua Pozos, MD, chief clinical officer for the market. In his new role, Dr. Pozos will oversee clinical strategy and medical operations across Ascension Texas, supporting systemwide efforts to advance quality, safety and care delivery. He most recently served as chief medical officer of Ascension Seton Hays in Austin, where he led clinical operations and quality initiatives. Prior to joining Ascension, Dr. Pozos worked as a hospitalist and educator at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and held clinical roles within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. His appointment reflects Ascension’s focus on strengthening clinical leadership across the region.
Denise Sutler, MD
The Women’s Hospital of Texas
The Women’s Hospital of Texas in Houston has named Denise Sutler, MD, chief medical officer. In her new role, Dr. Sutler will oversee clinical operations and medical staff leadership, supporting the hospital’s commitment to patient safety, quality and women-first care. An OB-GYN, she has been a member of the hospital’s medical staff since 2019 and has held multiple committee leadership roles focused on clinical excellence and patient safety initiatives. Her appointment reflects the hospital’s continued focus on strengthening physician leadership as it marks its 50th anniversary and advances care for women and families across the community as part of HCA Houston Healthcare.
Jayson Laban
University of Texas Medical Branch
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has named Jayson Laban vice president and chief information officer. In his new role, Laban will oversee technology strategy, digital innovation and enterprise information systems, supporting efforts to strengthen UTMB’s clinical and operational capabilities. He most recently served as interim vice president and CIO for the organization, a role he assumed on Jan. 1. In that capacity, he helped guide ongoing technology initiatives and advance digital transformation across the health system. His appointment reflects UTMB’s continued focus on strengthening its information technology infrastructure to support patient care, research and academic medicine.
April 2026 Newsmakers
Megan Drake
Ascension Seton Hays
Ascension Seton Hays has named Megan Drake president of the Kyle, Texas-based hospital, which also includes Ascension Seton Bastrop. In her new role, Drake will oversee operations and strategic growth initiatives while advancing high-quality, patient-centered care across the region. She brings extensive health care leadership experience, most recently serving as chief operating officer at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. Drake previously held COO and senior strategy roles across multiple health systems, where she led capital expansion projects and service line growth. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds a master’s degree in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Sandi Gill, RN
Medical City Plano
Medical City Plano has named Sandi Gill, RN, chief nursing officer, while also serving as senior vice president and CNO for Medical City Frisco and Medical City Sachse. In her role, Gill will oversee nursing operations and clinical strategy, supporting patient-centered care and nursing excellence across the campuses. She brings more than a decade of nursing executive leadership experience, most recently serving as chief nursing officer at Medical City Frisco, where she helped open the hospital and enhance patient experience. Gill previously held leadership roles at Medical City Plano and is a nurse executive advanced board-certified leader and past HCA Healthcare Innovator Award recipient.
Winjie Miao
Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources has named Winjie Miao president and incoming chief executive officer as part of a planned leadership transition. Miao, currently senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume the CEO role in September upon the retirement of Barclay Berdan. In her role, Miao oversees enterprise-wide operations across hospital, provider and ambulatory settings. She previously served as chief experience officer, advancing a more consumer-focused approach to care delivery. Miao joined Texas Health in 2000 and has held multiple senior leadership positions. She brings more than two decades of experience and a deep understanding of the organization’s operations and strategic priorities.
Neyaz Mohammadi
Medical City Alliance
Medical City Alliance has named Neyaz Mohammadi chief operating officer. In her new role, Mohammadi will oversee daily operations, providing strategic and administrative leadership to support service growth, enhance colleague experience and optimize operational and financial performance. She will play a key role in advancing the hospital’s commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care and operational excellence. Mohammadi brings strong health care leadership experience, most recently serving as vice president of operations at Medical City Frisco, where she led service lines, capital expansion and major projects. She previously served as assistant administrator at Medical City Dallas and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Brad Nitschke, JD
Parkland Health
Parkland Health has named Brad Nitschke, JD, executive vice president and chief legal officer. In his role, Nitschke will oversee all legal affairs, including legal services, risk management and records and information management, while serving on the executive leadership team. He will help guide the organization through a complex health care and regulatory environment in support of its mission. Nitschke brings significant legal and health care experience, most recently serving as chief legal officer and general counsel at Parkland. He previously was associate general counsel for operations and regulatory matters and a partner at a Texas-based law firm advising health care and nonprofit organizations.
Aron Sandquist
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Westover Hills
Aron Sandquist has been appointed chief executive officer of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Westover Hills in San Antonio. In his new role, Sandquist will lead the development and opening of the 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, overseeing strategic planning, facility launch, talent acquisition and operational execution. He brings health care leadership experience in rehabilitation services, most recently serving as administrative director of rehabilitation services at Methodist Healthcare System. Sandquist’s appointment marks his return to Encompass Health, where he previously held leadership roles. The freestanding hospital is expected to open in 2026, expanding access to inpatient rehabilitation services in the region.
Candice Smith, MSN
Deaf Smith County Hospital District/Hereford Regional Medical Center
The Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council, created by House Bill 3800 (Rep. Angelia Orr), has appointed Candice Smith, MSN, to serve on the governor’s council. Smith is the chief executive officer of Deaf Smith County Hospital District/Hereford Regional Medical Center and brings extensive clinical and operational leadership experience. She currently serves on the GETAC Disaster Preparedness and Response Committee and the Emergency Medical Task Force, supporting statewide emergency readiness efforts. In her new role, Smith will contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening Texas’ health care workforce and addressing critical staffing needs across the state.
Maria Zampini
University Medical Center of El Paso
University Medical Center of El Paso has named Maria Zampini chief executive officer. Zampini, who most recently served as chief operating officer, brings more than 30 years of experience with the organization, including over a decade in executive leadership. In her new role, she will lead the hospital’s strategic and operational priorities as part of a broader restructuring aligning system entities under dedicated CEOs. Zampini will report to El Paso County Hospital District President and CEO Jacob Cintron. Her deep institutional knowledge and leadership experience position her to guide UMC through its next phase of growth and continued commitment to patient care.
March 2026 Newsmakers
Joseph E. Marino
Odessa Regional Medical Center
Odessa Regional Medical Center has named Joseph E. Marino as chief financial officer. In his new role, Marino will oversee financial operations and strategy, supporting the organization’s continued growth and stability. Marino brings nearly 30 years of health care financial leadership experience. He most recently served as CFO and vice president of finance at St. Mary’s Health System, part of Covenant Health, where he led financial operations across acute, behavioral and post-acute services and drove performance improvements.
Justin Doss
Community Hospital Corporation
Community Hospital Corporation has named Justin Doss as chief operating officer, effective July 5, 2026. In his new role, Doss will oversee hospital relationships and operations across CHC’s national network, supporting performance, patient outcomes and long-term sustainability. Doss currently serves as CEO of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, where he has led strategic growth and operational initiatives since 2021. He previously held executive leadership roles, including CEO of a multi-campus health system and COO positions with HCA Healthcare.
Cameron Duncan
Ascension Texas
Ascension Texas has named Cameron Duncan as chief advocacy officer. In his new role, Duncan will lead advocacy efforts supporting the organization’s mission and advancing policies that benefit patients and communities, particularly the poor and vulnerable. Duncan brings 14 years of experience in government affairs and health policy. He most recently served as head of state government relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and previously held roles with the Texas Hospital Association and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Traci Nordberg, J.D.
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
The University of Texas at Austin has named Traci Nordberg, J.D., as chief human resources officer for its academic health system and Dell Medical School. Nordberg will lead HR strategy, vision and operations, overseeing talent acquisition, development, performance management, employee engagement and total rewards while building the systems and culture to support rapid growth. Nordberg brings extensive experience leading enterprise HR strategy across complex organizations, aligning talent, culture and systems during periods of growth and transformation. In her new role, she will help scale a high-performing workforce and advance a best-in-class employee experience.
Ijeoma Carol Nwelue, MD
Methodist Hospital Texsan
Methodist Hospital Texsan has named Ijeoma Carol Nwelue, MD, as chief medical officer. In her new role, she will oversee clinical quality and strengthen physician engagement across the organization. Dr. Nwelue most recently served as chief of hospital medicine at Baylor Scott & White Health’s Fort Worth campus and previously was medical director of hospital medicine. She brings more than a decade of experience advancing hospital medicine programs and is recognized for improving patient throughput, operations and patient experience.
Nilay Shah, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
The University of Texas at Austin has named Nilay Shah, Ph.D., as chief strategy officer for its academic health system and Dell Medical School. He will lead enterprise strategy, growth and long-term planning, with a focus on digital health, AI-enabled capabilities and partnerships, while aligning clinical, research and education efforts. Shah most recently worked at Delta Air Lines and previously held leadership roles at Mayo Clinic. In his new role, he will help drive sustainable growth and advance patient-centered care and academic excellence.
February 2026 Newsmakers
DeVry Anderson, MD
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center has named DeVry Anderson, MD, its new chief medical officer. Anderson most recently served as CMO of HCA Healthcare San Antonio Division, where he oversaw clinical operations across 13 hospitals and more than 4,000 physicians. He previously served as CMO of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. In his new role, Anderson will oversee clinical operations for St. David’s North Austin Medical Center and its surgical hospital, advancing quality, patient care and medical staff services.
Sharleen Betancourt
Methodist Hospital Texsan
Methodist Hospital Texsan has named Sharleen Betancourt its new chief nursing officer. Betancourt brings more than two decades of leadership experience within HCA Healthcare and most recently served as assistant chief nursing officer at Las Palmas Medical Center, where she led large nursing teams across multiple clinical areas. In her new role, Betancourt will oversee nursing operations and help advance Methodist Hospital Texsan’s culture of compassion, excellence and service.
Tiffany Harrison
Austin Regional Clinic
Austin Regional Clinic has named Tiffany Harrison, CPA, its new chief financial officer. Harrison brings more than 20 years of experience as a senior financial leader in health care. She most recently served as health care principal at CliftonLarsonAllen and previously was CFO and compliance officer for Life Flight Network. In her new role, Harrison will collaborate with leadership to support high-quality care and strengthen the organization’s financial health.
Teresa Tonthat
Cook Children’s
Cook Children’s has named Teresa Tonthat its new chief digital and information officer. Tonthat brings more than 25 years of experience leading enterprise technology strategy and solving complex business and clinical challenges through digital innovation. She has led large-scale transformations across global infrastructure and health care systems. In her new role, Tonthat will oversee digital strategy, advanced analytics and research informatics to support Cook Children’s mission of exceptional patient care.
Victor Waters, MD, JD
University Medical Center of El Paso
University Medical Center of El Paso has named Victor Waters, MD, JD, its new chief medical officer. Dr. Waters brings more than 35 years of experience in internal and emergency medicine and is board certified in internal medicine and legal medicine. He most recently served as chief medical officer for Dignity Health Arizona’s West Valley and West Gate markets. In his new role, Dr. Waters will help advance clinical quality, patient safety and physician leadership initiatives.
January 2026 Newsmakers
Tyler Bodiford
HCA Medical City Decatur
HCA Medical City Decatur has named Tyler Bodiford its new chief financial officer. Bodiford most recently served as CFO of HCA HealthTrust North Texas Supply Chain, where he oversaw strategic and financial operations across two HCA Healthcare divisions. He previously served as assistant CFO and controller at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, also part of HCA. In his new role, Bodiford will oversee all financial departments and support strategic initiatives to advance Medical City Decatur’s operational and financial performance.
Antonio “Tony” Chavira Jr.
Tyler County Hospital
Antonio “Tony” Chavira Jr. has been named chief financial officer of Tyler County Hospital in Woodville, Texas, according to the Tyler County Hospital District. Chavira brings extensive financial leadership experience to the role, where he will oversee budgeting, financial planning and operational performance to support the hospital’s mission of delivering high-quality care to the community. In his new position, he will help drive strategic initiatives, optimize resources and ensure sustainable growth, strengthening both the hospital’s financial health and its ability to serve patients and families across Tyler County.
Geetha Gangu, MD
Methodist Hospital – Northeast in Live Oak
Methodist Hospital Northeast in Live Oak has appointed Geetha Gangu, MD, as its new chief medical officer. Dr. Gangu brings more than two decades of experience as an academic hospitalist and five years of hospital leadership. Most recently, she served as chief of the hospitalist division at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield, Ore., where she led the state’s largest hospitalist group. Methodist Hospital Northeast is part of San Antonio-based Methodist Healthcare, co-owned by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas and HCA Healthcare.
Fallon Phillips
Navarro Regional Hospital
Fallon Phillips has been named assistant chief executive officer of Navarro Regional Hospital in Corsicana, Texas. Phillips brings extensive health care leadership experience from Community Health Systems, where she served as an assistant administrator and administrative specialist, overseeing operational support and administrative initiatives across the system. In her new role, she will support hospital operations and strategic initiatives, helping to advance patient care and community health at Navarro Regional Hospital.
Katie Scott, MSN, RN
Ascension Providence
Ascension Providence has appointed Katie Scott, MSN, RN, as chief operating officer. Scott has served as interim COO since August and previously was interim COO and chief nursing officer of Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas in Austin. In her permanent role, Scott will help lead efforts to improve operations and physician and associate engagement. Ascension Providence, part of St. Louis–based Ascension, includes a hospital, two express care locations and an emergency room.
Mandy Shaiffer, MSN, RN
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights and its affiliated medical group, Wellstone Health Partners, both based in Harker Heights, Texas, have named Mandy Shaiffer, MSN, RN, as chief executive officer. Shaiffer brings more than 18 years of health care leadership experience and has served as chief nursing officer of the 83-bed hospital since 2021, adding COO responsibilities in August. She previously served as CNO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Colo., and will continue serving as CNO in her new role. Seton Medical Center Harker Heights is a joint venture between Seton Healthcare Family and Ardent Health.
Mo Sheldon, FACHE
McCamey County Hospital District
McCamey County Hospital District has appointed Mo Sheldon as its new chief executive officer. Sheldon brings more than 25 years of rural health care leadership experience across Texas, Washington and Arizona. Most recently, she served as CEO of Northern Cochise Community Hospital and Clinics in Willcox, Ariz., where she led pandemic response efforts and secured federal funding for facility upgrades. She previously served as superintendent and CEO of Odessa (Wash.) Memorial Healthcare Center and held senior leadership roles at Glen Rose Medical Center and Matagorda County Hospital District.
Check out the full list of THA’s 2025 Newsmakers
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