NACHC Leadership

Dr. Daniel Miller is a practicing Family Physician and Chief of Clinical Integration and Graduate Medical Education for Hudson River HealthCare, with 30 directly operated sites serving nearly 150,000 patients throughout an eleven-county region in New York’s Hudson Valley and Long Island. His clinical interests have long centered on the interplay between our physical health and our emotional, social, and spiritual lives. He has trained in body-centered approaches to psychotherapy and healing including Primary Emotional Energy Recovery (PEER) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Dr. Miller serves on the NACHC Board, is Chair of its Committee on Service Integration for Behavioral Health and HIV and Vice Chair of its Clinical Practice Committee, and is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at New York Medical College.

Dr. Valbuena has been affiliated with CHASS Center for 29 years, initially as a social worker and resident of the community we serve, then as a family physician, Chief Medical Officer, and now as CEO. His role as a health center leader and safety-net provider bring him great joy and satisfaction. Together with the CHASS Team, he provides comprehensive patient-centered primary health and wellness care to the Southwest Community of Detroit. He is a tireless advocate for community health centers at the local, state, and national levels. Dr. Valbuena is also contracted as academic faculty in the Department of Family Medicine at Henry Ford Hospital, and serves as clinician representative to the NACHC Board of Directors.

As a health center patient and long-time board member of Community Health Service Agency, Inc. dba Carevide in Greenville, Texas, Stan has spent the last 25 years advocating for the health center movement. Stan is a retired Senior Manager for Customer Relations at Oncor, the largest electric utility distribution company in Texas. Stan is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology. His career embodies serving others which mirrors the mission of health centers, and he continually works to engage board members from other health centers across the state and nation to ensure the strength and survival of health centers.

Deborah E. Woolford, LMSW, has served as the Board Chair for Park West Health Systems, Inc., in Baltimore, MD, since November 2021. Deborah, who joined the ranks of lifetime NACHC membership in 2021, has been a consumer board member since 2007 and in 2009 became an individual member. Deborah has been a member of the Consumer/Board Members Committe, Health Care for the Homeless, and the Committee on Service Integration for Behavioral Health & HIV. Deborah was elected to the position of the National Representative of Board Members in 2022. Deborah works as a therapist case manager for Health Care for the Homeless in Baltimore. She graduated from University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Social Work in 2019 and was named MACRO Student of the Year. Deborah served as the treasurer for the University Student Government Association (USGA) for the seven schools. Deborah is a national trainer for Mental Health First Aid for adults and youth.

Sue Joss has been CEO of Brockton Neighborhood Health Center since its inception in 1994.  BNHC serves 37,000 patients, providing 200,000 annual visits, with 730 staff. Sue led BNHC toward innovations, including a site attached to a Cape Verdean grocery store in a food desert, a substance use treatment program, integration of primary care and behavioral health, and development of a hepatitis program.  She served on a state task force to redesign primary care and behavioral health in the Medicaid program.

Sue is immediate past Board Chair of the Mass League, Secretary/Treasurer of Capital Link, on the Executive Board of C3, a health-center led Medicaid ACO; and on the Board of North Easton Savings Bank. She was Board Chair and remains on Executive Committee of the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the NACHC Board, the Legislative Committee, Health Center Financing Sub-committee, LGBTQ Task Force, and Veterans interest group.

Merrill Thomas is President and CEO of Providence Community Health Centers, Rhode Island’s largest community health center with more than 85,000 patients, 650 employees, and 14 clinical sites including three public schools.

Since Merrill was appointed CEO in 2001, the organization has opened four new health centers and launched numerous programs with a goal of creating a healthier community. In March 2022, the organization opened its newest health center — PCHC Atwood — in Olneyville, one of the most underserved neighborhoods in Providence.

Merrill received his MBA with a focus on health care administration from Providence College, and his bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Washington. Merrill serves as a board member of several organizations including The Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Health Center Association, Commonwealth Advisory Board, Health Choice Network, and the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Rina Ramirez, M.D, an internal medicine physician, joined Zufall Health in 2007. She received her AB from Harvard College, and her MD degree from Rutgers Medical School. As Chief Medical Officer, she has guided Zufall’s expansion and spearheaded its achievements in providing excellent care.

Under her direction, Zufall received PCMH recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance and more recently, The Joint Commission accreditation. The health center was designated a Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion by the CDC and has received numerous quality performance and program awards from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and other national and state organizations.

Dr. Ramirez has been recognized as an Outstanding Executive Leader by HRSA, by the New Jersey Primary Care Association and for exemplary service by Morristown Medical Center. She is the recipient of NACHC’s Samuel U. Rodgers, MD, Achievement Award in recognition as a distinguished primary care clinician who exemplifies excellence in clinical practice and leadership at the local, state, or national level. Dr. Ramirez has led teams to participate in national learning collaboratives and innovation projects, fostering a patient-centered, trauma-informed primary care model that focuses on providing quality clinical services, integrated care, staff wellness, and patient satisfaction in identified areas of need.

As an active member of NACHC’s Clinical Practice Committee, past Vice-Chair of the Behavioral Health-HIV Integration Committee and current Chair of the Healthcare for Patients Experiencing Homelessness Committee, Dr. Ramirez continues to serve on expert panels and has presented at national, regional, and local medical meetings on clinical best-practices and quality improvement activities.

Mary Zelazny has been the CEO of Finger Lakes Community Health since 2006. As CEO, she has led a major expansion effort to provide access to healthcare services throughout the Finger Lakes region of New York, including the development of enhanced programs and services designed to reach out to the many culturally diverse communities it serves. Under Mary’s tenure, Finger Lakes Community Health has grown from a single health center site to 8 comprehensive health center sites across 6 counties. Mary serves on the NACHC Rural Health Committee and is the Chair of the Agricultural Worker committee. Mary sits on the board of the Community Health Center Association of NYS (CHCANYS) and is Vice Chair of the board for the National Center for Farmworker Health. She holds a BA from the State University of New York at Brockport and an MBA in Health Informatics from New England College.

Alisa Maria Jones, MPH, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Community Care since 2019. She has over 20 years of executive experience in FQHCs and Public Health. During her tenure at Union Community Care, Alisa oversaw the merger of two FQHCs that have contributed to transforming the landscape of community health in central Pennsylvania and currently serve over 50,000 patients across 18 sites. Alisa is on the Board of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers and is the immediate past Chair. Alisa holds a master’s in public health degree from San Diego State University. Alisa is originally from southern California and is proud to be bilingual and bicultural.

Dr Lingen is a 1989 graduate of The Chicago Medical School (now renamed The Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) which she attended as a U.S. Navy Health Profession Scholar. As a commissioned U.S. Navy Medical Corps officer, she trained at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California where she completed her internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1993. Her subsequent military assignments included being a staff physician at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan and at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. After working with the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser) in suburban Washington, DC and in a private practice occupational/urgent care medical group in Virginia Beach, VA, she ultimately relocated to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 2005. She provided women’s primary care services and served a Clinical Director for the Eastern Shore Rural Health System (ESRHS) for 16 years, prior to being promoted to Chief Medical Officer in August of 2021

Dr. Lingen’s clinical interests include the integration of telehealth services in the practice of clinical medicine, rural urgent care medicine, and military/veteran’s health issues.

She is a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN and a member of several professional organizations, including: the American Association of Physician Leadership, the American Medical Association, the Medical Society of Virginia, the Virginia Telehealth Network, the College of Urgent Care Medicine, and Virginia Post 100 of the American Legion. In June of 2022, she was elected to serve as the American Legion Service Officer for Virginia District 1 which covers the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Jamie Ulmer is president and chief executive officer of Healthcare Network, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) working to ensure primary healthcare is accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of job, income or insurance status. He was appointed to the role in July 2022 after a comprehensive nationwide search. Jamie brings a wealth of healthcare leadership experience to the role, including more than 24 years of service in the military where he began his medical career. During his years of service, he saw multiple deployments and job assignments with progressive leadership responsibilities. In 2013, Jamie honorably retired from active duty as Executive/Operations Officer in Fort Bragg, NC.

Upon his retirement from the military, Jamie worked for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control as the state’s public health administrator for emergency medical services for children; served as public health administrator for the United States Army, Fort Jackson, SC; and was recruited to be chief operating officer of Rural Health Services, an FQHC in Aiken, SC. Prior to joining Healthcare Network, he was CEO for Heart of Florida, a FQHC serving Marion County, FL. In addition to his work at Healthcare Network, Jamie is an active member of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC) serving on executive and chair committees. Jamie earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from South Carolina State University, and a master’s degree in human resources development and health services management from Webster University in St. Louis.

Steven Miracle is the CEO of Georgia Mountains Health Services, Inc., with offices in the Appalachian Mountains Region of rural north Georgia. As CEO, Steven has guided the growth of the organization through acquisitions and new access points and the launch an ER Diversion Demonstration Project with a hospital partner. Steven previously served in executive positions with a regional PPO and a multi-state medical practice. As an entrepreneur, he founded or co-founded several health care companies including a physician practice management company which was acquired by a publicly traded medical practice billing company. Early in his health care career, Steven served as Chief Financial Officer of a rural hospital. Steven has been recognized as the Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award (NACHC), CEO of the Year (GPCA), Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year (Fannin County), Governors Leadership and the Henry C. Heinz Award (Kiwanis). He also earned the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America.

David is a seasoned leader in the world of business planning. With a career spanning decades, he has assisted countless entrepreneurs creating a well-structured business plan. His expertise has not only saved entrepreneurs precious time but also financial resources.

Before venturing into the realm of business consultancy, speaking engagements, and training, David served as a Insurance Agent for 25-years. His commitment to sharing his wealth of experience as an insurance agency owner and entrepreneur. Additionally, he has devoted over 35 years to the Family Medical Center of MI board of directors and serving as the Board Chair for over 24 years endowing him with a treasure trove of knowledge to impart to those fortunate enough to collaborate with him.

David’s literary accomplishments have further solidified his position as a respected authority. He is a bestselling author with numerous books to his name, including The Secrets to Managing a High Performing Health Center, based on the success principles of Napoleon Hill. His influence extends beyond the printed page, as he has been featured on numerous podcast radio shows.

In addition to the business world, David is active in his local community. He currently serves as the Chair of the Monroe County Emergency Medical Authority. His leadership extends into the healthcare sector, where he is a highly sought-after speaker and consultant, collaborating with numerous health center boards.

David has earned recognition from both the NACHC and MPCA, reflecting his dedication to the betterment of healthcare services. His role as the first board member to be elected as Chair of the Michigan Primary Care Association underscores the trust and respect he commands in the industry.

David stands as an unwavering advocate for effective business planning, a luminary in the healthcare community, and a beacon of leadership in his community and beyond.

Terry J. Warren, a seasoned healthcare administrator with 19 years of experience, serves as the President and CEO of Valley Professionals Community Health Center (VPCHC). His journey with VPCHC began in 2008 when he joined as the Chief Financial Officer. His dedication and strategic vision led to his selection as CEO in 2014.

Under Mr. Warren’s leadership, VPCHC has experienced remarkable growth and expansion. Initially operating from four locations, the organization now boasts nine locations, including a mobile unit, catering to a broader population. He has successfully integrated medical, dental, psychiatry, behavioral health, endocrinology, and chiropractic services, creating a holistic approach to patient care.

Before joining VPCHC, Mr. Warren served as Chief Accountant at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, solidifying his commitment to healthcare within the service area. His passion for rural healthcare and experience working with the population served set him apart as a leader.

Mr. Warren’s dedication extends beyond VPCHC. He serves as the Treasurer of the Rural Health Invocative Collaborative, a testament to his commitment to improving rural healthcare. He also sits on the board of the Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and previously held the position of Chair for IPHCA’s Board of Directors.

Mr. Warren’s academic qualifications align with his career aspirations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management, demonstrating his commitment to his profession and his desire to stay at the forefront of healthcare administration.

William Brent, III, CEO of SWLA Center for Health Services headquartered in Lake Charles, LA, has over 25 years of executive healthcare management experience. Before joining SWLA, he served as CFO at Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center and spent 20 years as the CFO for Teche Action Board, Inc. He is currently serving as Regional Representative for Region VI of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a member of NACHCs’ Subcommittee on Health Center Finance, NACHC’s Finance Committee, and the Rural Health Care Committee. He has served as Board President and Finance Committee Chairman of the Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) and chair of the Louisiana Rural Health Association. William is currently a Board Member of the LPCA Accountable Care Organization and Louisiana Healthcare Connections. In addition to his involvement at the state level, he is actively engaged in strategic leadership at the national level. William holds an Accounting Degree from Southern University A&M College.

Terri Sabella, RN, JD, PhD is currently the Chief Executive Officer of HealthPoint, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing high-quality primary care, including medical, behavioral health, and dental services, to over 48,500 unique individuals at 24 clinic sites in the Brazos Valley region of Texas and beyond (02/2021-Present).

Prior to joining HealthPoint, Dr. Sabella was the CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, providing training, technical assistance, and advocacy to health centers as the membership organization for FQHCs across the state of Tennessee (05/2018-02/2021). She first joined the FQHC/health center movement in 2011 with CommUnityCare in Austin, Texas, holding numerous leadership roles in her tenure including General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Sabella is a registered nurse with specialized training through the Critical Care Trauma Nurse Internship at Parkland Health & Hospital System (PHHS) in Dallas, Texas. She practiced from 1996-2011 in the trauma department, emergency department, and surgical intensive care unit at PHHS. In addition, she has been a Health Care Attorney since 2005 and practiced in a variety of settings including the Rogaliner Law Firm (12/2005-04/2011), CommUnityCare (04/2011-08/2017), and the Sabella Law Firm, PLLC (09/2017-05/2018).

She holds a BSN from the University of Texas at Austin School of nursing, a JD from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and a PhD in healthcare management and health policy from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. Her expertise in quality improvement is recognized by the National Association for Healthcare Quality with certification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).

Jeron Ravin is the president and CEO of Swope Health. He previously served as COO for the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi, working to strengthen the Mississippi community health centers. During this role, he was responsible for overseeing policies, marketing and branding, workforce development, clinical quality improvement, outreach and enrollment, as well as health information technology. He is a former political staffer with experience in policy-making and consensus building. Jeron is also a Fellow of the Latino Center for Leadership Development. He was selected for Ingram’s Magazine 40 under 40 because of his strong commitment to civic philanthropic activities and his huge COVID-19 testing and vaccine efforts in Kansas City. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University and a law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Jeron is completing an executive master’s degree in healthcare administration at Brown University.

Aaron Todd has served as the CEO of the Iowa Primary Care Association, INConcertCare, and IowaHealth+ since 2019. Aaron leads a staff of 48 who are working to support the evolution of a statewide, community-health-focused system of care that envisions health equity for all, including the 252,000+ Iowans who receive care at Iowa’s community health centers annually. Previously, Aaron worked for the Iowa Legislature, leading research and negotiations on health and human services policy and budget decisions on behalf of the Senate Majority. Prior to his work in healthcare policy, Aaron’s career focused on economic and community development, a passion of his that he now pursues through service with nonprofit organizations and government commissions. Aaron earned a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College, Master in Public Policy from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University.

Mr. Erickson began his FQHC career after being hired in October 2000 to lead the Finance Department as the CFO for Horizon Health Care, Inc. In serving in the role of CFO, Mr. Erickson participated in multiple successful New Access Point and Service Expansions grant applications as well as three Successor in Interest mergers. He was instrumental in growing the organization from a small program with seven locations and a budget of 2.5 million to a current program consisting of 31 locations with an annual budget of over 32 million. As the organization continued to grow, he played a critical role in Operations and Human Resources which eventually led to the development of the Human Resources Department and the hiring of a Human Resources Director as well as the hiring of Horizon’s first Chief Operations Officer. Upon the retirement of the long time CEO, Mr. Erickson was hired as the new CEO for the organization on 4/1/2021. He is well respected by peers and colleagues in the Community Health Center world and is often relied upon to provide advice and mentorship to new health center leaders. He is responsible for overall management and leadership of the organization including implementation of policies established by the Board of Directors, planning and implementing the systematic and coordinated delivery of primary health care services across Horizon’s 28,000 square mile service area in rural and frontier South Dakota.

Dr. Loomis has worked as a family physician at Denver Health and Denver Community Health Services (DCHS) for nearly 40 years, including 25 years as director of Family Medicine, during which time she tripled the size of the department. She was founding director of the Denver Health Track of the University of Colorado Family Medicine residency, which has successfully placed graduates in Community Health Centers and other underserved settings for over 20 years. Since 2019, Lucy has been the Region VIII representative to the NACHC board and has served on many NACHC committees and task forces. She has been active with CCHN (Colorado Community Health Network) for 20 years. A graduate of Yale University and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, she completed her residency at the University of Connecticut and earned a MSPH from the University of Colorado. She currently has a faculty appointment as a Professor of Clinical Practice of Family Medicine at CU School of Medicine and continues a part-time practice and residency teaching.

Nancy Bowen has served in her role as the Chief Executive Officer at NVPCA for the past nearly six years and as Deputy Director for over five years prior beginning her employment at NVPCA in May 2012.  She has over 30 years’ experience in the nonprofit administration, strategic plan implementation, grants management, operations, and program management. Her key strengths are strategic leadership, maximizing funding, and creating strong organization culture and structure for staff to thrive in.

Ms. Bowen dedicates her time to serve on several committees that support the work of primary care association. She has functioned as a State of Nevada Primary Care Advisory Committee members since 2018 which provides recommendations for J-1 Visa waiver applications to the Director of Health and Human Services. Ms. Bowen co-chaired the Primary Care sub-committee for the Nevada Health Care Workforce Pipeline Development Workgroup for two years, 2022-2023. She serves on the NACHC’s Health Policy Committee, Credentials Committee and Training and Health Center Excellence Committee for the past five years and was the Region IX representative for the NACHC PCA Leadership Committee from June 2020- August 2023. Ms. Bowen is a member of the Nevada Office of Minority Health Equity Committee and participated in the Coalition to Expand Contraceptive Access.

Prior to joining NVPCA Nancy held the position of Director of Operations for the Arizona Family Health Partnership (AFHP), a federally funded Title X grantee.  Ms. Bowen has extensive experience with compliance regulations and reporting associated with federal funding.  During her 18-year tenure at AFHP, she developed strong fiscal management skills, improved programmatic and administrative policies, while leading and motivating staff to consistently exceed goals. Nancy’s career path at this agency took her from Administrative Assistant to Director of Operations.

She is a graduate of the UCLA Health Care Executive Program, July 2017. Ms. Bowen received a Master of Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MAOIP) degree with a focus on healthcare leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Psychology degree is received from Arizona State University (ASU).

Pedro Toledo assumed the leadership role of Chief Administrative Officer in 2014.  In February 2024, he assumed the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer.  Under his leadership, Petaluma Health Center has opened 7 additional health care delivery sites and has become one of the largest non-profit organizations in Sonoma County. With nearly 500 total employees across 9 health clinic sites, PHC’s talented team of health care professionals now provides over 220,000 health care visits annually to approximately 42,000 people.

With over 17 years of executive healthcare experience in the federally-qualified health center sector, Mr. Toledo is responsible for the overall administrative management and oversight of the organization as Chief Administrative Officer. He leads the core administrative functions, including but not limited to: strategic planning, organizational and business development, compliance, risk management, legal affairs, fund development, quality assurance, human resources, and information technology.

As a community and business leader, Pedro advocates for legislation and policies that advance health equity, promote community engagement, and widen the circle of opportunity for underserved populations. He has served on the board of various organizations, including the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board, and La Clínica de La Raza.

Mr. Toledo is one of the 14 Californians selected to serve on the 2020 California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission, which is charged with the critically important task of re-drawing the political lines for the U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, State Assembly, and Board of Equalization.

He has received dozens of accolades, including MillerCoors Líder of the Year Award, the Hero in the Fight Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the North Bay Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 Award.

Pedro earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and master’s degree in Sociology from Stanford University, a law degree from Cornell University Law School in Ithaca, NY, and a Master’s in Healthcare Services Administration from Georgetown University.

Heidi Hart is the CEO of Terry Reilly Health Services (TRHS), a health center headquartered in Nampa, Idaho. Heidi began her career with TRHS in 1993 as a therapist providing specialized outpatient counseling and treatment services to sexual abuse victims and treatment for adult sexual offenders. In 2001, Heidi transitioned into leadership as the Behavioral Health Director and advanced into her current position as CEO in 2012. Heidi is a member of the NACHC Rural Health Committee and Co-Chair for the NACHC Behavioral Health and HIV Committees. Heidi is the Board Chair for the Idaho Primary Care Association and member of the Board of Directors for the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, Your Health Idaho, and the Treasure Valley YMCA. She holds a BA in Psychology from Whitman College, a Master’s in Counseling from the College of Idaho, and an MBA from OHSU.

Dr. Jennifer Kreidler-Moss has served as the CEO for Peninsula Community Health Services (PCHS) since 2015. Jennifer began her career at PCHS as a pharmacist in 2003, later serving as Pharmacy Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO). As PCHS’s first Clinical Pharmacist, Jennifer oversaw huge growth in the pharmacy program and was named the 2012 Innovative Pharmacist of the Year by the Washington State Pharmacy Association. She has also received two Summit Awards from the Northwest Regional Primary Care Association for Leadership. Jennifer serves on NACHC’s Subcommittee on Pharmacy Policy and Operations, Clinical Practice Committee, Committee on Service Integration for Behavioral Health and HIV. She is Board President of the Washington Association for Community Health Centers. Jennifer received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Seattle, WA, and MBA from Washington State University, Pullman.