Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed fourteen individuals to the Texas Health Services Authority Board of Directors. Their terms will expire on June 15, 2027. The Texas Health Services Authority is tasked with coordinating the implementation of health information exchange in the state.
The appointees include Victoria Bryant, Pharm.D., of Houston, who is the founder of Ambassadors Caregivers and president of the Faith, Hope and Joy Foundation. She is also a fellow for the American Leadership Forum and Leadership Houston Class 31. Bryant holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Houston.
Shannon Calhoun of Goliad serves as chief revenue officer for IV Ensure. Her previous roles include regional vice president of growth for Aledade and vice president of network development for the National Rural Accountable Care Consortium and Caravan Health. She has served as CEO of Southeast Texas Health System for over twenty years and has been involved in various community organizations. Calhoun received a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Texas A&M University.
Salil Deshpande, M.D., of Houston is chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas. He is affiliated with several professional organizations including the American Medical Association and Texas Medical Association. He serves on multiple boards and holds degrees from the University of Southern California, Baylor College of Medicine, and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lacey Fails of Hollywood Park has over twenty years’ experience in healthcare administration. She is involved with several professional associations and has served on community boards. Fails earned her Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University Commerce and a Master’s degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Calvin Green of Austin is deputy executive commissioner at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. He holds degrees from Texas A&M University Commerce and the University of North Texas.
Jeffrey Hoogheem of San Marcos directs the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He has more than eighteen years in public health preparedness and response, including service as state director since 2017. Hoogheem is a retired US Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot with undergraduate degrees in aeronautics.
Kenneth James of Volente is Chief Operating Officer at Superior HealthPlan and serves on several internal committees as well as volunteering locally. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University.
Kourtney Kouns of Seymour works as regulatory and quality coordinator at United Regional Health Care System with over twenty years’ nursing experience. She holds numerous certifications related to healthcare informatics and nursing. Kouns received her Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and her Master’s from University of Colorado Denver College of Nursing.
Jerome Lisk, M.D., of Lantana is a board-certified neurologist specializing in movement disorders at MD Neurology – Denton. He participates in clinical trials related to Parkinson’s Disease and serves as advisor to several organizations. Lisk studied at Hampton University, Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine, and is pursuing further graduate studies at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Leticia Rodriguez of Monahans is CEO for Ward Memorial Hospital and serves on various local boards including economic development initiatives. Rodriguez received her Bachelor’s degree from Lubbock Christian University.
Jonathan Sandstrom Hill of Austin is general counsel for Capital Commercial Investments, Inc., member of the State Bar of Texas, and board member at Recycle NOW. He holds degrees from Boston College and Georgetown University Law Center.
Cynthia Stinson, Ph.D., of Lumberton works as a nurse consultant for Health Education Resources, collaborating with colleges to educate nursing students as well as providing cancer prevention education through local organizations. Stinson completed her academic training at Lamar University, UT Medical Branch – Galveston, and Texas Woman’s University – Houston.
Wes Tidwell of Melissa serves as president at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Centennial, holding leadership roles within professional healthcare associations. Tidwell earned his Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University along with Master’s degrees from the University of Houston.
Carlos J. Vital, M.D., of Friendswood is President/CEO at Vital Allergy & Asthma Center as well as assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine. He sits on several boards within his field including those focused on allergy, asthma, immunology, blood donation, and medical societies. Vital studied at Xavier University (Louisiana), Louisiana State University (MD), completing his fellowship at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.
“Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Victoria Bryant, Pharm.D., Shannon Calhoun, Salil Deshpande, M.D., Lacey Fails, Calvin Green, Jeff Hoogheem, Kenneth James, Kourtney Kouns, Jerome Lisk, M.D., Leticia Rodriguez, Jonathan Sandstrom Hill, Cynthia Stinson, Ph.D., Wes Tidwell, and Carlos Vital, M.D. to the Texas Health Services Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire on June 15, 2027.” (Office of Governor Greg Abbott)
The appointments reflect ongoing efforts by state leadership to guide health information exchange policy across Texas.
