Women to Know in Texas Hospitals, Health Care and Public Policy

The 89th Texas Legislature is underway and there are a number of women making waves. Check out the women to know in Texas hospitals, health care, and public policy during this legislative session.

Zelia Baugh

Zelia Baugh serves as the executive vice president and behavioral health administrator at JPS Health Network, where she leads the organization’s strategic efforts to expand and enhance mental health services across Tarrant County. With a strong background in health care administration and a deep commitment to behavioral health, Baugh brings decades of experience to her role. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, innovative program development, and advocacy for improved access to care. Under her guidance, JPS continues to prioritize community-based solutions and integrated care models that address the complex needs of individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders.

Billie Bell

Billie Bell is CEO of Medina Healthcare System. With over seven years as chief nursing officer at Medina Healthcare, Billie played a key role in advancing clinical initiatives, expanding service lines, and enhancing patient care. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving strategic growth and investing in health care technologies. Prior to Medina, she served as a senior manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. The Medina County Hospital District Board recognizes her as a seasoned leader dedicated to excellence in rural health care. Billie currently serves as the nurse representative on the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

Michaela Bennet

Michaela Bennet 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. Bennet 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.

Chris Bryan

Chris Bryan is the vice president of information technology and public policy at Clarity Child Guidance Center in San Antonio. With over 30 years of experience in technology and advocacy, she leads the center’s digital health initiatives and legislative outreach. Bryan has developed award-winning medical logistics systems and is recognized for driving innovation in behavioral health technology, with a focus on improving data sharing and access to care across Texas.

Cris Daskevich - Texas Hospital Association

Cris Daskevich, FACHE, MHA/MBA

Cris Daskevich is the chief executive officer of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio as well as the senior vice president of maternal services for CHRISTUS Health. Daskevich currently serves on several boards and executive committees for organizations including THA, the Children’s Hospital Association, Haven for Hope in San Antonio and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa. She is the incoming chair for the American Hospital Association’s Committee on Maternal and Child Health. Daskevich has served on THA’s HOSPAC board of directors for over 10 years, including two of those years as chair, and recently received THA’s 2022 HOSPAC Star Award. Additionally, Daskevich was a founding member of THA’s Leadership Development Council.

Keri Disney-Story

Keri Disney-Story is the senior vice president of finance at Parkland Health in Dallas. With over two decades of experience in health care finance, she has held key roles including director of charge & reimbursement integrity and interim SVP of clinical finance. A Texas A&M alumna, Disney-Story is instrumental in advancing Parkland’s financial operations and reimbursement strategies.

Imelda Garcia

Imelda Garcia is chief deputy commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Imela has dedicated her career to public health, having previously served as senior advisor to the commissioner and associate commissioner of laboratory and infectious disease services where she helped lead responses to Ebola, Zika, Mpox, and COVID-19. She has been responsible for overseeing prevention and control activities related to zoonotic and emerging and acute infectious diseases, health care safety including health care acquired infections and preventable adverse events, antibiotic stewardship, tuberculosis, HIV/STD, and child and adult immunization programs.

Sara González

Sara González serves as the vice president of advocacy, public policy and political strategy for the Texas Hospital Association. At THA, Sara primarily works on Medicaid, supplemental payments and behavioral health, in addition to overseeing THA’s political action committee, HOSPAC. Prior to working at THA, Sara worked for over 13 years in the Texas Senate on various aspects of public policy and government affairs. Originally from Rio Grande City, Sara graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Brandy Hart

Brandy Hart, LPC-S, is the regional vice president of behavioral health at HCA Healthcare, overseeing behavioral health services across Texas. With nearly two decades of experience in psychiatric care, she has led the expansion of inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth programs in both rural and urban communities. Hart is instrumental in developing new mental health facilities, including the Medical City Mental Health & Wellness-Alliance hospital in Fort Worth, addressing critical access gaps in the region. She also serves on the Texas Hospital Association’s Behavioral Health Committee.

Sylvia Hernandez Kauffman - Texas Hospital Association

Sylvia Hernández Kauffman

Sylvia Hernandez Kauffman is the chief information officer for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), bringing over 30 years of leadership in IT and state government. She has served in multiple leadership roles at HHSC, including inspector general, senior adviser for strategic infrastructure to the HHSC chief operating officer, and lead of HHSC Office of e-Health Coordination where she oversaw funding and policy development for the Health Information Exchange Network in Texas. Prior to joining HHSC, Kauffman served in the state of Massachusetts’ IT division where she led the procurement, design, development, and implementation of the Massachusetts’ award-winning state government portal, www.Mass.Gov.

Holly Holcomb

Holly Holcomb, RN, BSN, serves as CEO of Childress Regional Medical Center in Texas, where she has led since 1996. With a background in ICU nursing and executive leadership, she has overseen major initiatives, including a $12 million infusion center project enhancing rural oncology care. Holcomb also serves on the Texas Hospital Association Board and the Coalition of Health Services Board, advocating for rural health care access statewide.

Carrie Kroll

Carrie Kroll leads the Texas Hospital Association’s lobby team as the senior vice president of advocacy and public policy. Prior to joining THA in 2013, she served for 10 years as the director of advocacy and health policy for the Texas Pediatric Society, the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Carrie led THA’s COVID-19 response, a task that included members of THA’s advocacy, legal and communications team and the creation of a THA COVID-19 Taskforce. THA’s response required navigating hospital capacity and staffing issues as well as the vaccine rollout, plus a regular legislative session and three special sessions. Carrie also served nine years on the Dripping Springs ISD Board, including five as president.

Angelica Marin Hill

Angelica Marin Hill has served as vice president for government affairs and policy at UT Southwestern since 2014, leading legislative strategy and securing key state and federal appropriations. Previously, she was assistant VP for legislative budget and policy at UT Southwestern where for seven years she was involved in government relations, strategic planning, and legislative analysis. Prior to that, Angelica served as a senior analyst for the Texas Senate Finance Committee, overseeing appropriations for higher education and health and human services agencies, among others, accounting for more than 70 percent of a $117 billion state budget. She has also worked in private industry, focusing on state and federal policy in health insurance reform.

Tiffany Miller - Texas Hospital Association

Tiffany Miller, DBA, MHA

Tiffany Miller is the CEO of Yoakum Community Hospital with nearly a decade of executive health care leadership. She previously served as CEO of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Humble where she led operational, financial, and clinical improvements. A Texas native, Tiffany is passionate about rural health care and community well-being. She is a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and active in professional organizations including ACHE and the American Heart Association.

Emma Montes-Ewing - Texas Hospital Association

Emma Montes-Ewing, MBA

Emma Montes-Ewing has been CEO of Doctors Hospital of Laredo since August 2020. With over 20 years of health care leadership, she began her career as a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and rose to hospital CEO. Emma values hard work, education, and community service, and is known for her vision-driven leadership. In 2017, she received the Russ McEwen Hero Award for making a difference in her community. Emma has served on multiple boards, including the Howard Junior College Board and the Big Spring Chamber of Commerce, President of the Midwest ACHE chapter, and Board president of the Alliance for Women and Children. She is also a former THA Leadership Fellow.

Mary Dale Peterson - Texas Hospital Association

Mary Dale Peterson, MD, MSHCA

Mary Dale Peterson is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Driscoll Health System. She joined Driscoll in 1984 as an anesthesiologist and later led care in the Pediatric ICU. Since 2006, Mary Dale has served as CEO of Driscoll Health Plan, driving growth and improving population health. In her current role, she oversees clinical operations, hospital support systems, clinics, physician groups, and the health plan across the Driscoll Health System.

Melanie Richburg - Texas Hospital Association

Melanie Richburg, DNP, FNP, RHCEOC

Dr. Melanie Richburg is CEO of Lynn County Healthcare System in Tahoka. Raised on a cotton farm, Dr. Richburg is deeply committed to rural health. With over 20 years in rural health care, she served as a family nurse practitioner for 16 years before becoming CEO in 2018. A West Texas native, she champions access to care in underserved communities. In 2020, Melanie co-authored two telemedicine grants, securing funding from both the FCC and USDA, helping to equip schools, nursing homes, and jails with telemedicine technology. Under her guidance, Lynn County Healthcare System has expanded its reach, opening new primary care clinics in Post, Borden County, and New Home further realizing the system’s vision of “Healthcare Closer to Home.”

Anna Stelter

Anna Stelter is the vice president of policy at the Texas Hospital Association, where she leads efforts to shape state and federal health care policy. With expertise in Medicaid financing, supplemental payment programs, and charity care, she advocates for policies that enhance access and sustainability for Texas hospitals. Stelter holds dual master’s degrees in public health and social work from the University of Texas and is a former Teach For America corps member.

Cindy Stout - Texas Hospital Association

Cindy Stout RN, DNP, NEA, BC

Dr. Cindy Stout is president and CEO of El Paso Children’s Hospital and currently serves as chairman of the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas board of Directors. A dedicated leader in pediatric health care, she brings decades of clinical and operational experience to her role. A long-time El Pasoan, Dr. Stout has also served in executive nursing roles across other major local hospitals. She previously served as chief nursing officer at both University Medical Center and Del Sol Medical Center, and as chief nursing executive for Las Palmas/Del Sol Healthcare. Dr. Stout is involved in various civic and healthcare activities. She currently serves as a member of the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of Emergence Health Network Board of Trustees.

Pam Stoyanoff

Pamela Stoyanoff is president and COO of Methodist Health System in Dallas, leading strategic planning and operations across 10 hospitals, joint ventures, and a medical group. Passionate about reducing health disparities, she champions the Quadruple Aim. A former CFO of St. Vincent Health System in Arkansas, she began her career at Arthur Andersen. She serves on several boards and has been nationally recognized by Becker’s and the Dallas Business Journal for her leadership, innovation, and contributions to healthcare and the business community.

Debra Sukin - Texas Hospital Association

Debra F. Sukin, MHA, PhD, FACHE – President and CEO, Texas Children’s

Debra F. Sukin, MHA, PhD, FACHE, is the president and CEO of Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest pediatric and women’s health system in the U.S. Appointed in 2024, she oversees more than 120 locations and 17,000 employees across Houston, Austin, and Central Texas. Previously, Sukin served as executive vice president at Houston Methodist, leading four hospitals and system-wide neuroscience and heart programs. A Houston native, she is widely recognized for her strategic leadership and commitment to advancing innovative, patient-centered care across large health systems.

Susan Turley

Susan Turley, CPA, serves as President of DHR Health in Edinburg, where she leads one of the largest physician-owned health systems in the United States. Under her leadership, DHR Health has expanded to include over 60 clinics, a Level 1 Trauma Center, a dedicated women’s hospital, and the only transplant program in the Rio Grande Valley. Turley is a strong advocate for addressing chronic illness through legislative reform and has overseen more than two dozen major construction projects to enhance regional health care infrastructure. She also serves on the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees.

Winjie Tang Miao

Winjie Tang Miao serves as senior executive vice president and chief operating officer at Texas Health Resources, one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the U.S. Since joining Texas Health in 2000 as an administrative resident, she has held various leadership roles, including president of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance and chief experience officer. In her current role, Miao oversees the system’s hospital operations, physician group, and ambulatory and virtual care services, focusing on delivering consumer-centered, high-quality care. Under her leadership, Texas Health has advanced initiatives like Reliable Care Blueprinting™ and expanded access through digital health innovations.

Chelsea Van Barclum - Texas Hospital Association

Chelsea Van Blarcum, MHA

Chelsea Van Blarcum is divisional AVP of finance operations for Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. She began her career in revenue cycle management at HCA in Houston and later served as director of denial prevention for HCA’s San Antonio division. She’s supported 26 hospitals across Texas, improving reimbursement processes and reducing denial write-offs. Passionate about helping uninsured patients, she also founded and chairs the MHS Employee Advisory Group, promoting a positive workplace culture while driving financial performance and patient access improvements. Chelsea is also a former THA Leadership Fellow.

Mandy Westerman - Texas Hospital Association

Mandy Westerman, LCSW

Mandy Westerman, LCSW, is the divisional vice president of behavioral health at Universal Health Services (UHS), overseeing behavioral health programs across Texas, Mississippi, and Missouri. With over 12 years at UHS, she has held leadership roles including CEO and Group Director at various facilities. Westerman has developed specialty programs for diverse populations and mentors emerging leaders through UHS’s COO training program. She chairs the Texas Hospital Association’s Behavioral Health Council and actively engages in community service initiatives.

womeninhealthcare_webbanner - Texas Hospital Association

23 Women to Know in Texas Hospitals, Health Care and Public Policy

THA is celebrating Women’s History Month by honoring 23 notable women in Texas hospitals, health care and public policy in 2023.