Porter Long

Porter Long serves as the Director of Performance Improvement at University Medical Center, located in Lubbock, Texas. Porter has a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt from the Management and Strategy Institute. As Director of Performance Improvement, he has leveraged Lean tools to reduce Mortality, improve patient outcomes, maintain accreditation compliance, progressively decrease patient harm and improve efficiencies throughout the hospital and health system. His work includes the creation of a Mortality Steering Committee to pursue mortality reduction, and the implementation of Kaizen events, Gemba Walks and Collaborative Risk Reviews as means of quickly and effectively solving process issues. Porter holds an MBA in Health Organization Management from Texas Tech University. Previous roles included the management of the hospital’s 340B drug discount program, including the design of a Specialty Pharmacy program at University Medical Center. He most recently served as a member of the 2024 Texas Healthcare Work Force Task Force Advisory Board. Outside of work, Porter enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, and children Nancy, Hank and Bess. In his off time, he enjoys serving in church responsibilities, walking and working on watercolor paintings.

Karen Orozco

Karen Orozco has been an employee with Midland Memorial since 1991. She earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology and her Bachelor of Applied Technology in Business Organizational Management from Midland College. Karen also has her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Karen has been a long-standing member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT).

Candice Smith

Candice Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Smith County Hospital District in Hereford, Texas. With over 23 years of experience in healthcare, she has dedicated the last 12 years to leadership roles in the industry. Candice’s career in healthcare leadership is built on a foundation of diverse nursing experience, which spans pediatrics, intensive care, trauma services, and clinical nursing instruction. Prior to assuming her current role, Candice served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Deaf Smith County Hospital District, where she had a significant impact on patient care and operational leadership. Before joining Hereford Regional Medical Center in 2016, Candice spent 13 years at Northwest Texas Hospital, where she held several leadership roles. She also served as Chief Nursing Officer at Plum Creek Long Term Acute Care Facility for three years. Candice holds a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix (2013) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Texas A&M University (2004). In 2023, she earned certification as a Rural Health Chief Nursing Officer from the National Rural Hospital Association. Her expertise also includes certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (2008) and a notable 2017 nomination as one of the Panhandle's Top 25 Nurses. In addition to her leadership roles, Candice is deeply committed to her community. She serves as a board member for Deaf Smith County's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for kids and is active on the Panhandle Regional Advisory Council. Candice is also a representative for Deaf Smith County on the Amarillo College Council and serves on the Hereford Day Care board. She is a Council Member of the Texas Disaster Preparedness Committee and contributes to the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, supporting statewide disaster readiness. Outside of work, Candice enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband Justin and their two sons, Brayden and Brock. Whether skiing, camping, hunting, or exploring the great outdoors, she cherishes family time and making lasting memories.

Kelly Wright

Prior to moving to Texas, Kelly was the Director of Radiology at Rangely District Hospital for 9 years and served as a PRN Sonographer at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Kelly moved from Colorado to Midland in 1996 and stepped into the Assistant Director of Radiology at Midland Memorial Hospital. In 2004, she became the Director of Radiology where she has enjoyed advancing the department’s technology, employee satisfaction and engagement, and services offered to the community. To help improve recruitment of technologists, Kelly petitioned and spearheaded the re-opening of the Midland College Radiology program in 2023 and continues to participate in the student education as a clinical instructor. She sits on the Odessa College Advisory Committee, Midland College Sonography Advisory Committee, Midland College Radiology Advisory Committee, Midland College Bachelor Applied Science Advisory Committee, Pink the Basin Board, and a previous Board Member and President of Midland Humane Coalition. Kelly owns and operates two companies in her free time. She earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Radiography from Colorado Mesa University and her Bachelors of Applied Technology in Organizational Management from Midland College. Kelly also has her Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare from Western Governors University. She enjoys spending time playing volleyball, golfing and is obsessed with pickleball. Her favorite pass time is spending time with her two grown children, Travis and Bailey and her eleven dogs and two cats.

Nikoma Wolf

In 2005 Nikoma Wolf started her career with Baylor Scott & White Health Care System as a leader in Medical Staff Services. Through various opportunities she has assumed the roles of Medical Staff Services Director, Service Line & Business Development Director/VP and currently serves as Chief Operation Officer. Ms. Wolf has been instrumental in working with the Medical Staff at several system hospitals to grow and develop service lines such as Orthopedics, Neuroscience, Oncology, Pain Management, and various sub-specialty Surgical programs. In her current role, Ms. Wolf has oversight of the day-to-day operations for a 293-bed acute care facility. In addition, her facility oversight includes tenant leasing and facility maintenance for 3 medical office buildings. She is actively engaged in business development through strategic planning and is an active participate in board governance. She plans, designs, and manages facility construction projects and oversees capital budget process for all facility investments. To date Ms. Wolf has had operational oversight for over 250 million dollars of campus improvements. During her tenure, Ms. Wolf Achieved several national accreditation program certifications to include; Breast Centers (NAPBC), American College of Surgeons’ Cancer Program (ACoS), Primary Stroke Center from The Joint Commission, and led a successful site Hospital survey in 2010 from The Joint Commission. She was responsible for assisting with the business development and strategic planning for new 148-bed facility built in 2012. With this new facility she built the Medical Staff Services department and onboarded 500 physicians. Under her leadership she had grown several service lines adding program enhancements that improved quality, patient satisfaction, and profitability. She currently finished a facility innovation and renovation project to support a new patient bed tower to include staff mobile communication devices, development of patient infotainment integration, and identify product solution for RTLS. Ms. Wolf earned her undergraduate degree in healthcare administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her master's degree in business from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). Ms. Wolf remains active in the community and is a graduate of Leadership Irving-Las Colinas.

Anthony Williams

Anthony Williams serves as the VP/ Deputy Compliance Officer at Harris Health System in Houston, Texas. Anthony oversees all Compliance functions to include the Hotline and Investigations, Auditing and Monitoring, Policy and Procedures and the HIPAA/ Privacy program, and has over 30 years of healthcare and compliance oversight experience. A native of Monroe, Louisiana, a small town in north Louisiana, Anthony attended LSU in Baton Rouge and graduated in 1993 with an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and later obtained an MBA from LSU-S. His relevant work experience includes stints with the Attorney General’s Office in Louisiana and in Texas in law enforcement where and served as an investigator of white-collar criminal cases and healthcare fraud cases for the medias Fraud Control Unit as well as the Federal Task Force that included the FBI, HHS-OIG and other local and State agencies. On a personal note, Anthony is a former member of the LSU Fighting Tigers football team and he and his wife Andrea are the proud parents of 4 daughters.

Ann Varghese

Ann Varghese boasts over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, where she has made a significant impact through her diverse roles and leadership. She began her career as an Occupational Therapist, but her drive and expertise quickly propelled her into various leadership positions. In 2004, Ann joined Angleton Danbury Medical Center, where she played a pivotal role in transitioning the facility under the UTMB umbrella. Her leadership journey continued to evolve as she took on significant responsibilities across both inpatient and ambulatory operations. In 2019, Ann was appointed Administrator of the UTMB Health Clear Lake Campus. Under her stewardship, the campus has excelled in achieving high standards in surveys and securing various certifications. Her leadership ability was further recognized in 2023 when she assumed oversight of the UTMB League City Campus. Ann holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Liberty University, a Master of Business Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman's University. Outside of her professional achievements, Ann is deeply engaged in her community. She is an active member of her church, where she enjoys teaching high school students in Sunday School. Ann and her husband, Brandon, have been married for 22 years and are proud parents of three boys.

Lee Prater

Lee K. Prater is the Senior Director of Clinical Operations at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, located in Frisco, Texas. She has her master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and has 13 years of experience in health care leadership, with a focus on operations, service line development and growth. She was instrumental in the build-planning, move and opening of Scottish Rite’s first-ever satellite campus in Frisco, which opened in October of 2018. Outside of work, Lee is very active in her community. She joined the Board of Directors for Bryan’s House, a not-for-profit providing medically-managed, classroom education for special needs children 0-5 years old. She volunteers for the DFW Labrador Rescue, an organization committed to finding homes for abandoned or surrendered Labrador retrievers and also volunteers for a special needs tennis group which provides over 35 special-needs children with the opportunity to learn and play tennis! Lastly, she serves as the President for the Women’s Racquet Club at Canyon Creek Country Club, which helps to better the racquet sports social and member experience for over 200 women.

Ellie Adamson

Dr. Ellie Adamson is an experienced healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical operations, nursing informatics, healthcare administration, and patient experience. Currently serving as the Director of Clinical Operations, Dr. Adamson oversees outpatient clinics and leads strategic initiatives focused on enhancing growth and quality of patient care. Throughout her career, Dr. Adamson has held key roles, including Vice President of Patient Experience, Chief Nursing Informatics Officer, and Assistant Director of Perioperative Services. Her background spans perioperative services, clinical informatics, healthcare IT, and leadership of clinical service lines. She also draws on years of direct patient care experience as a nurse across diverse healthcare settings. As a dedicated educator, Dr. Adamson is a professor at a university, teaching in the Doctoral School of Nursing and Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Professions. Dr. Adamson is actively involved in her community through Leadership McAllen, volunteers at Palm Valley Church in various service roles, and participates in nursing professional councils, contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession. She is passionate about sponsoring community events and giving back, often alongside her family. Dr. Adamson is especially interested in supporting nurses in the Rio Grande Valley as they pursue advanced practice roles and leadership positions in healthcare. She is committed to advancing healthcare across the state, improving access to care for underserved populations, and advocating for the continued development of the nursing profession to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Wilson Dingmore

Mr. Wilson T. Dingmore joined Baylor Scott & White Health in October 2017 and currently serves as the Director of Clinic Operations. In this role, Wilson oversees clinic operations within the family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatric clinics affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Hillcrest in the Waco Market. Wilson received his Masters in Health Care Administration from Trinity University and his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Leadership Waco alumnus, and an alumnus of the Texas Hospital Association’s Leadership Development Council. He is going on his 10th year as a resident of Waco where he met his beautiful wife, Jin. In his personal time, Wilson enjoys spending quality time with his wife and energetic toddler, playing sports of any kind, and serving where needed at his local church.