Alex Wanee

Alex is the CEO of Cedar Crest Hospital and Residential Treatment Center in Belton, Texas. He joined Cedar Crest in November 2024, after serving as CEO at Red River Hospital in Wichita Falls, Texas. Alex began his career in healthcare in 2022, when he was selected for Acadia Healthcare’s CEO-in-training program. He holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Healthcare Management and brings over a decade of experience in leadership and organizational growth across various industries. Before transitioning to healthcare, Alex was an entrepreneur, founding and managing two health and fitness companies specializing in sports performance. He spent years working closely with professional athletes, particularly in motorsports, coaching and traveling with drivers in IndyCar, NASCAR, and culminating his career in the field with Red Bull Racing in Formula One. Raised by two doctors, Alex’s passion for healthcare was fostered early on, and he ultimately found his true calling in behavioral health. He is dedicated to leading teams, driving company growth, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

Heather Johnston

Heather Johnston is the Vice President of Human Resources at Medina Healthcare System in Hondo, Texas, where she is dedicated to improving patient care and fostering a supportive environment for healthcare professionals. She focuses on enhancing recruiting efforts, boosting employee engagement, improving retention, and developing employees to build a strong, dedicated workforce. Heather is an alumna of Texas A&M University and holds an MBA from Western Governors University (WGU). Before her role at Medina Healthcare, Heather served six years at the Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, Texas, where she significantly contributed to employee engagement, retention, and leadership development. Following her tenure at HCA/Methodist, Heather made a brief but impactful transition to the non-profit sector, contributing to the H.E. Butt Foundation as a Talent Acquisition Partner. Heather Johnston joined the Medina Healthcare System in May 2023, marking her return to the healthcare sector after discovering her true passion for improving healthcare. Her dedication to enhancing patient care and fostering a supportive environment for healthcare professionals is at the core of her work. Having spent considerable time as both a patient and a hospital leader, Heather profoundly understands the importance of delivering high-quality care while prioritizing a supportive, well-equipped environment for healthcare workers. Her leadership exemplifies her belief in investing in the workforce to provide exceptional healthcare to the communities she serves. Heather is dedicated to fostering a culture that emphasizes high-quality care and the well-being of healthcare professionals.

Ashley Dowler

Ashley M. Dowler, Associate Administrator, has been committed to healthcare excellence for over 15 years as a clinician and leader across multiple markets including 9 years proudly serving Texas communities. Ms. Dowler stepped into her first leadership role as Director of Rehabilitation Services at Doctors Hospital of Laredo in 2015 and returned to Doctors Hospital of Laredo from Florida in 2023 for her first executive role as Associate Administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from University of Central Missouri as well as a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. Ms. Dowler maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds a current Texas State License as a Speech-Language Pathologist, is certified in Prosci Change Management Process, and is a current member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Ms. Dowler’s current responsibilities include strategic planning, budget and expense management, employee engagement, leadership development, and provider relations. Her organization includes oversight and leadership of Radiology services, Laboratory services, Rehabilitation services, Food and Nutrition services, Outpatient Clinics, and Anesthesia services. She is passionate about quality outcomes, patient experience, and financial stewardship. Ms. Dowler enjoys engaging in the communities she serves and is actively serving as a Board Member for multiple organizations in the city of Laredo including the United Way, the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA), and the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. She also enjoys spending time with friends and her dogs. Ms. Dowler believes in focusing on personal wellbeing and is working towards Yoga certification.

Nathan Cintron

Nathan Cintron is a dynamic healthcare administrator with extensive experience in operational leadership, healthcare finance, and driving innovation within hospital settings. Currently serving as an Associate Administrator at El Paso Children’s Hospital, Nathan excels in aligning departmental operations with strategic goals, fostering revenue optimization, and spearheading process improvement initiatives to enhance patient-centered care. With advanced degrees in Healthcare Administration (MBA, 2020) and Accounting (MSc, 2025), as well as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, Nathan is equipped to lead cross-functional teams and implement innovative solutions that optimize efficiency and quality in healthcare. His prior roles include performance excellence and financial analysis, where he demonstrated expertise in budget optimization, continuous improvement, and stakeholder collaboration. Nathan is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and Beta Gamma Sigma, further underscoring his commitment to professional excellence and leadership in the healthcare industry.

Krista Baty

Krista Baty is a dedicated healthcare leader with a robust background in nursing and healthcare administration. Krista is currently serving as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Hendrick Medical Center in Brownwood, where she has been for four years. Prior to moving into the CAO role, Krista functioned as the Chief Nursing Officer at three previous facilities; Cedar Park Regional Medical Center (8 years), Scott & White Round Rock (2 years), and Texas Health Resources Kaufman (10 years). In her early career, Krista served in outpatient services as the Director of Key-Whitman Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas. Krista also consulting with surgery centers in multiple states for 5 years. Krista attended the University of Mary Harden Baylor in Belton Texas, and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1992 and attended The University of Texas at Arlington for her Masters in Healthcare Administration. Currently, Krista serves as a member of the Brownwood Chamber Of Commerce Board of Trustees and on the board of Dignity Health. Krista’s experience spans over direct patient care, team leadership, and organizational planning, making her a versatile and effective healthcare professional. She is able to combine clinical expertise with strategic management skills to drive patient-centered care and operational excellence. Krista is passionate about empowering healthcare teams, advocating for patient needs, and contributing to the advancement of the healthcare system. Krista is married to David and they have three adult children, two bonus children and two grandchildren. Krista and David live on Lake Brownwood, where she enjoys boating, golfing, and going RV’ing. The Mission for Hendrick Health closely aligns with Krista’s personal mission to deliver high quality healthcare consistent with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

Shonda Roberts

Shonda Roberts is a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional, currently serving as the Director-Infection Preventionist and is an integral part of Nursing Administration at Eastland Memorial Hospital District. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Shonda is committed to enhancing the nursing profession and improving the health and wellness of her community through education and development initiatives. Throughout her career, Shonda has worked to create opportunities for others, both within the education system and the healthcare field. She has played a key role in developing and implementing programs that support professional growth, mentorship, and career advancement. Through collaboration and guidance, she has supported numerous individuals in their pursuit of nursing careers and has helped cultivate a strong, supportive network within her organization. Shonda’s career is distinguished by a broad range of experiences across multiple clinical settings. She has contributed to several impactful projects, including the development of a Career and Technical Education Program aimed at high school students aspiring to work in healthcare. Additionally, Shonda was involved in the development, implementation, and application of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems. She also helped establish a Quality team within a large healthcare organization, working collaboratively with various departments—from registration to providers, including coding and billing teams—to enhance overall care. Shonda's hands-on experience in patient care spans several specialty units, including the Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery, and the Operating Room (OR). In every role, she has remained focused on improving patient care through a patient-centered approach and a commitment to continuous performance improvement. She is dedicated to addressing the physical, emotional, and educational needs of patients and strives to inspire others to provide the best possible care. Shonda looks forward to furthering her professional development through the Texas Hospital Association Fellowship. She is excited to expand her knowledge and skills, particularly in improving the quality of care for patients. Through this fellowship, she aims to contribute to enhancing the accurate recognition of exceptional care and to share this knowledge in a way that can influence policies, legislation, and care standards, ultimately driving meaningful change and improving healthcare outcomes for all. In addition to her clinical and leadership roles, Shonda is passionate about mentoring new nurses and fostering a culture of excellence within her organization. Her knowledge and commitment to advancing patient care and nursing practices are central to her work and contribute to the ongoing success of Eastland Memorial Hospital District.

Barbara Obert

Barbara Obert is an accomplished health care executive with over 20 years of experience in strategy and operations in pediatrics. She currently serves as the Vice President of The Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health (Gill Center). In this role, Barbara oversees and leads clinical operations, service line planning, and strategic execution for quality, experience, and the program’s growth across the system. With a focus on providing the highest level of care to patients and conducting ground-breaking research, The Gill Center is the largest childhood cancer and blood disorder center in North Texas, diagnosing and treating more than 350 new childhood cancer patients and approximately 1,500 new hematology patients each year. Since 2008, Children’s Medical Center Dallas has been ranked as one of the Best Children’s Hospitals for Cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Barbara is a nimble leader with expertise in developing and launching new programs, building teams, optimizing productivity, and understanding and responding to market trends. Throughout her career, Barbara has spearheaded innovation initiatives including CAR-T and ex-vivo gene therapy. She is passionate about fostering advances in pediatric health care, improving patient outcomes, and creating a collaborative environment where her team can thrive. A Dallas and Texas native, Barbara graduated from The Hockaday School and The University of Texas at Austin where she majored in government. She is a proud mother to Joseph and Fendley. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, engaging with her community via charitable work and the Dallas Woman’s Club, and supporting her children’s activities.

Nori Zapata

Nori A. Zapata serves as the Senior Vice President of Education and Career Development at DHR Health in Edinburg, Texas, a physician-owned healthcare system with 6,000 employees and over 70 specialties and subspecialties. DHR Health is committed to meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the Rio Grande Valley while advancing education and innovation to serve the community better. In her role, Nori is dedicated to expanding access to healthcare education and creating opportunities that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through her leadership, DHR Health has developed innovative, evidence-based programs that contribute to workforce development and drive advancements in medicine that transform lives. With a strong background in nursing education, Nori has been instrumental in implementing engaging and forward-thinking approaches to healthcare training across the health system. Her vision and dedication led to the successful launch of the Nurse Residency and Nurse Technician programs, which provide students with hands-on experience, the ability to earn while they learn, and a bridge to successful careers in healthcare. These initiatives address critical workforce gaps while fostering community growth and resilience. Nori’s extensive nursing experience includes roles as an Operating Room Circulator, High School Nurse, Heart Failure Coordinator, and Charge Nurse at a nursing home. She brings this practical expertise into her strategic work, ensuring that programs reflect real-world challenges and prepare participants for meaningful contributions in the healthcare field. Nori holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Nursing Education and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, both from American Sentinel University. Her dedication to innovation, education, and community service reflects the mission of DHR Health to enhance the well-being of the community through a steadfast commitment to excellence.

Hannah Gelbs-Gadd

Board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Hannah Gelbs-Gadd serves as the Chief Operating Officer at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Hannah is proud to lead the team at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas which has proudly been named as the top place to have a baby by The Houston Chronicle two years running. Beginning her career with Hospital Corporation of America in 2012, Hannah has more than 10 years of healthcare leadership experience all within the Houston area. Prior to accepting her current role, Hannah held the title of Vice President of Operations at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake and Chief Operating Officer at HCA-affiliated Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center. She is a dedicated community leader as well, actively participating as a member of the Junior League of Houston and a frequent volunteer with the Houston Food Bank and March of Dimes. Hannah’s commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is represented by her leadership service as Chair of the HCA Young Professionals Colleague Network where she provides Executive-level leadership promoting professional growth and advancement. Hannah earned a master’s degree in hospital administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and an undergraduate business degree in Finance from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Hannah and her husband, Scott, live in Friendswood, Texas with their two sons: Landon (3 years old) and Declan (9 months old). In her leisure time, Hannah and her family enjoy weekends at the ranch riding horses, fishing, and caring for their small herd of cattle.

Parker Beasley

Parker Beasley serves as the Director of Operations at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital McKinney (THH McKinney). In this role, he is responsible for the overall management, coordination, implementation, and design of professional services at the THH McKinney facility. Furthermore, he supports THH Enterprise Senior Leadership as a hospital facility site leader for facility goals, policies and procedures. Finally, he manages fiscal resources by managing operational and capital budgets, manages development goals with direct reports, and is responsible for all mandatory annual in-services to comply and abide by rules and regulations. Parker joined Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital (BSW THH) as an Administrative Fellow in 2019. After completing his administrative fellowship, Parker continued with the organization in project management roles before eventually serving as Interim Director of Hospital Operations for THH Plano and Director of Business Development for the BSW THH Enterprise. In all these rolls, he has focused on enterprise-wide strategic development projects and service line management for Structural Heart, Surgical Services, PERT and Heart Failure as well as providing administrative Management support to the GME Fellowship Program, THH CVI School and THH AV Media Services department Parker graduated from Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance). He also earned both a Master of Science in Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.