Texas Department of State Health Services, Healthy Texas Babies

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Below is a list of the members of the Expert Panel, their organizational representation and their professional affiliation.

Steering Committee Members
SME – Family Medicine, Rural Health	Adrian Billings MD, PhD	Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine	Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Texas Academy of Family Physicians
SME - Obstetrics & Women’s Health	Sean Blackwell MD	Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences	University of Texas Medical School at Houston
SME – Obstetrics & Women’s Health	Kimberly Carter MD	Assistant Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Austin Programs	Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Texas Department of State Health Services	Evelyn Delgado	Assistant Commissioner for Family and Community Health Services	Texas Department of State Health Services - Family and Community Health Services
SME – Neonatology	Charleta Guillory MD	Associate Professor of Pediatrics – Neonatology	Baylor College of Medicine
SME – OB & Women’s Health, Rural Health	Moss Hampton MD	Vice Chair, ACOG District XI	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Midland-Odessa
SME – School of Public Health / Community Infant Mortality Prevention	Richard Kurz PhD	Dean	University of North Texas School of Public Health
SME - Nursing	Laura Lerma MSN, RN	Continuing Nurse Education Program Manager	Texas Nurses Association
March of Dimes	Sharyn Malatok	State Director of Program Services	March of Dimes, Texas Chapter
SME – African American Health	Marva Overton MBA	Executive Director	Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas
SME – Obstetrics & Women’s Health	George Saade MD	Director Maternal-Fetal Medicine	University of Texas Medical Branch
SME – Neonatal transport	Rhonda Sageser BSN, RNC-NIC	Director of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Transport	St. David's Medical Center
Local Health Department	Ann Salyer-Caldwell RD/LD, MPH	Associate Director, Community Health Promotion	Tarrant County Public Health
SME – Neonatology	Michael Speer MD	Professor of Pediatrics and Ethics	Baylor College of Medicine

Providers – OB-GYN Physicians
SME – Women’s Health & Obstetrics, Telehealth / Early Access to Care	Gary Hankins MD	Professor & Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology	University of Texas Medical Branch
ACOG District XI	Lisa Hollier MD, MPH	Chair	District XI, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
SME - Maternal Fetal Medicine	Celeste Sheppard MD	Medical Doctor	Hill Country Maternal Fetal Medicine

Providers – Neonatologists & Pediatricians
SME – Pediatrics	Alice Gong MD	Professor of Pediatrics	UTHSC at San Antonio
SME –Child Fatality Review	Juan Parra MD, MPH	Past Chair – State Child Fatality Review Board	CentroMed

Providers – Midwives / Certified Nurse Midwives / Women’s Health & Primary Care Nurse Practitioners
SME – Midwife	Brielle Epstein LM, CPM	Midwife	Association of Texas Midwives
SME – Nurse Midwife	J. Paige Gilliam CNM	Secretary to the Board	Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse Midwives

Providers – Primary Care Physicians
SME – Primary care	Neil Levy DO	Private Practice Board Certified Pediatrician	Texas Osteopathic Medical Association

Providers – Women’s Health, Community, OB & Neonatal Nurses
Faith-based community health nursing	Paulette Golden RN, MS	Manager Community Health & Education and Faith Community Nursing	Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Health Ministries Association
Nursing	Clair Jordan MSN, RN	Executive Director	Texas Nurses Association
Texas Nurses Association	Laura Lerma MSN, RN	CNE Program Manager	Texas Nurses Association
Neonatal Nurses	Margie Lieck RN	AWHONN Texas Section Chair	Association of Women’s Health and Neonatal Nurses – Texas Chapter
Faith-based community health nursing	Sharon Skaggs RN	Community Health Wesley Nurse	Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas
Pediatric Case Management	Cheryl Timmins BSN, RN	Disease Management Coordinator	Seton Health Plan STAR
Neonatal Nursing	Gilda Villareal RN	Nursery and NICU Manager	Universal Health Services

Professional Organization Representatives
Texas Pediatric Society	Laura Blanke MPH	Practice Education Manager	Texas Pediatric Society
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists	Jill Johnson	Executive Director	American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District XI (Texas)
Texas Medical Association	Margaret Mendez MPA	Director, Public Health	Texas Medical Association
Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists	Eugene Toy MD	Past -President	Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Insurance Company Representatives
Insurance Plan	Harvey Balthaser MD	Medical Director for Central Texas	United Healthcare
Insurance Plan	Ernest Buck MD	Medical Director	Driscoll Children's Health Plan
Insurance Plan – Quality Assurance	Thomas Erlinger MD, MPH	Vice President, Chief Analytics and Quality Officer	Firstcare
Insurance Plan - Medicaid	William Glomb MD	Associate Medical Director	Health and Human Services Commission - Medicaid
Insurance Plan	Michael M. Hawkins MD, FACOG	Sr. National Medical Director	United Healthcare - Healthy First Steps
Insurance Plan	Ashleigh Kent	Physician Liaison	Cook Children’s Health Care System
Insurance Plan	Barry Lachman MD	Medical Director	Parkland Community Health Plan
Insurance Plan	Barbara Maxwell	Deputy Director	Texas Association of Health Plans
Insurance Plan	Angie Miller RN	Senior Director Quality Improvement	Firstcare
Insurance Plan	Sheila Owens-Collins MD	Medical Director	Community First Health Plan
Insurance Plan	Greg Preston MD	Medical Director	Aetna Better Health
Insurance Plan	Anita Rajan MD	Medical Director	Unicare Health Plan of Texas
Insurance Plan	Scott Simpson MD	Vice President, Medical Director	Scott & White Health Plan
Insurance Plan	Eduardo Sanchez MD, MPH	Chief Medical Officer	Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Insurance Plan	Melvin Watson MD, FAAP	National Lead Medical Director, Neonatal Case Management	CIGNA Pointe
Insurance Plan	Gerald Woolam MD	Medical Director	Firstcare

Partner Organization Representatives
SME –Family Violence	Krista Del Gallo	Policy Manager	Texas Council on Family Violence
SME - Breastfeeding	Annette Frantz MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, IBCLC	Chair	Texas Breastfeeding Coalition
March of Dimes	Bunny Forgione PhD	Volunteer, State Program Services Committee	March of Dimes; TAMUCC
SME – Healthy Start	Cindi Garcia	President Texas Healthy Start Alliance	BCFS Health & Human Services
SME - Breastfeeding	Susan Glaeser RNC, BSN, IBCLC	Nurse	International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants
March of Dimes	Marilyn Herrick MA	Director of Program Services Region 3	March of Dimes, Texas Chapter
SME – Family Violence	Surabhi Kukke MPH	Director of Prevention Programs	Texas Council on Family Violence
SME – Nutrition/Breastfeeding	Susan Landers MD	Past Chair	Texas Breastfeeding Coalition
Healthy Start	Linda Mata	Program Supervisor	BCFS Healthy Start Laredo
March of Dimes	Kim Petrilli MSPH, MSW	Director of Program Services Region 7	March of Dimes, Texas Chapter
SME – Community Involvement	Jerry Roberson DrPH, MA	Senior Associate	United Associates Consulting Firm, Tarrant County Infant Mortality Network, Texas Healthy Start Alliance, University of Texas School of Public Health
Texas Hospital Association	Elizabeth Sjoberg RN, JD	Associate General Counsel	Texas Hospital Association
Texas Parent to Parent	Laura Warren	Executive Director	Texas Parent to Parent
March of Dimes	Wanda Ford Wesson MS	Director of Prematurity Initiatives, Director of Program Services Region 5	March of Dimes, Texas Chapter

Health Department Representatives
Local/County Resource – Harris County Hospital District	Margo Hilliard Alford MD, MPH	Senior Vice President, Community Health and Wellness	Harris Health System
Local Health Department (Small)	Ingrid Holmes	Director	Beaumont Public Health Department
Local Health Department (Large)	Dr. Waldo Lopez PhD, MPH, RS	Associate Director and Chief Epidemiologist	City of Laredo Health Department
Local Health Department (Rural, Medium)	Sherry Ulmer	Interim Director	Beaumont Public Health Department

State Agency Employees
SME – Maternal Child Health	Joan Aalbers RN, PNP-BC	Maternal Child Health Nurse Consultant	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Children’s Protective Services	Paula Clark	Medical Services Lead, Children's Protective Services	Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
SME – Home Visiting	John Chacon	Healthy Child Care Texas Program Coordinator	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Maternal Child Health	Sam Cooper LMSW-IPR	Director of the Office of Title V & Family Health	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Developmental Disabilities Prevention	Leah Davies LMSW	Associate Director, Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Maternal Mortality and Quality Assurance in Medicaid	Larissa Estes DrPH	Health Policy and Clinical Services	Texas Health and Human Services Commission – Medicaid
SME – Medicaid and Quality Assurance	Matthew Ferrara	Director, Quality Unit Health Policy and Clinical Services	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Community Health Workers & Promotores	Anna Garcia	Community Health Worker Training & Certification Program Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services – Community Health Worker Training and Certification
SME – Provider Education	John Gemar	Training Specialist V, Health Screening and Case Management Unit	Texas Department of State Health Services – Texas Health Steps Clinician Education
SME - Medicaid	Dr. William Glomb M.D., FCCP, FAAP	Medical Director, Texas Medicaid and CHIP Programs	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Maternal Child Health	Catherine Gorham MPA	Maternal Child Health Program Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Smoking Cessation	Penny Harmonson LCDC, CPS	Manager, Tobacco Prevention and Control	Texas Department of State Health Services – Tobacco Prevention and Control
SME – Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children	Matt Harrington	Nutrition Education Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services – WIC
SME - Breastfeeding	Veronica Hendrix LVN, IBCLC, RLC	Texas Ten Step Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services – WIC
SME – Legislative Affairs	Patricia Hicks	Legislative Liaison, Government Affairs	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Health Disparities Prevention Research and Practice	Joyce James LMSW-AP	Associate Deputy Executive Commissioner – Center for the Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Home visiting and Early Childhood Development	Kathy Kramer PhD	Coordinator, Office of Early Childhood Coordination	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs – Medical Home	Ian Kubacak	Program Coordinator for CSHCN	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – National Prematurity Prevention	Dr. David L. Lakey MD	Commissioner of Health, Texas Department of State Health Services	Texas Department of State Health Services Past President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
SME - Obstetrics	Dr. Janet Lawson MD	Medical Consultant, Community Health Services Section	Texas Department of State Health Services, Family and Community Health Services Section
SME – Community Health Workers and Regional and Local Health Services	Beverly MacCarty MA	Maternal Child Health Program Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Maternal Child Health Epidemiology	Dr. Dorothy Mandell PhD	Epidemiologist	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Legislation and Policy	Alison McCool MPAff	Legislative and Policy Coordinator, Family & Community Health Services	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Perinatal HIV/STD Prevention	Jenny McFarlane	Perinatal Prevention Coordinator, HIV/STD Prevention & Intervention Services Group	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Regional and Local Health Services	Dr.Paul McGaha DO, MPH	Acting Assistant Commissioner, Division of Regional and Local Health Services	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Infant Mortality Prevention	Aisling McGuckin BSN, MSN, MPH	Maternal and Child Health Nurse Consultant – Healthy Texas Babies Initiative	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Case Management	Marlene McLeod RN, MPH	Case Management Program Consultant	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Perinatal HIV/STD	Dr. Sharon Melville MD, MPH	TB/HIV/STD Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch Manager	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Regional and Local Health Services	Mike Messinger MPH	System Improvement Specialist	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Birth Defects Surveillance	Karen Moffitt MPH	Research Specialist, Birth Defect Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Communications	Luis Morales	Communications Director, Center for Consumer and External Affairs	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Assistive and Rehabilitative Services	Jean Origer	Program Specialist, Policy and Support	Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
SME – Perinatal Substance Abuse	Lisa Ramirez MA, LCDC	Women's Substance Abuse Services Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Child Fatality Review	Susan Rodriguez	Texas Child Fatality Review Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME - WIC	Ponna Sambasivan	WIC Quality Group Manager	Texas Department of State Health Services - WIC
SME – Project Management	John Scott MPAff	Project Management Specialist	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Prevention of Developmental Disabilities	Janet Sharkis	Executive Director, Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Community Health Workers & Promotores	Beatrice Smith	Community Health Worker Program Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services – Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program
SME – Nursing Quality Assurance	Mary Smith RN	Nurse Consultant	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Title V Block Grant	Mike Spencer	Title V Block Grant Administrator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Breastfeeding, Women’s and Perinatal Health	Julie Stagg MSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC	Nurse Consultant / State Breastfeeding Coordinator, Women’s and Perinatal Health Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Fatherhood Engagement	Kenneth D. Thompson	Child Protective Services, Fatherhood Program Specialist	Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
SME – Community Health Services	Tricia Vowels	Community Health Services Manager, Health Service Region 1	Texas Department of State Health Services
SME – Medicaid and CHIP	David Williams	Quality Unit, Health Policy and Clinical Services – Medicaid/CHIP	Texas Health and Human Services Commission
SME – Child Health	Kim Wilson MS	State Child Health Coordinator	Texas Department of State Health Services

Academic Institution Representatives
Obstetrics and Gynecology	Dr. Ralph Anderson MD	Chairman & Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology	University of North Texas Health Science Center
School of Nursing	Jeanette Crenshaw DNP, RN, LCCE, IBCLC, NEA-BC	Doctor of Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership in Nursing Specialization	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Obstetrics and Gynecology	Dr. Donald Dudley MD	Vice Chair for Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology	University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio
Pediatrics	Dr. Jose Garcia MS, SM	Professor of Pediatrics	University of Texas Medical School at Houston
School of Nursing	Peggy Humm MSN, RN, CNS-MCH	Clinical Instructor, Nursing Faculty	University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio - Family Nursing
General Pediatrics	Sylvia Leal-Castanon MD	Attending Physician	General Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
Obstetrics and Gynecology	Dr. Luis Pacheco MD	Assistant Professor, OB-GYN	University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston

Hospitals & Hospital Organization Representatives
SME – Children’s Hospital	Dr. Michael Belfort	Chair Dept. of OB/Gyn Baylor College of Medicine, Obstetrician-Gynecologist-in-Chief Texas Children’s Hospital	Baylor/Texas Children's Hospital
SME – Children’s Hospital	Kathy Eckstein	Director of Public Policy	Children’s Hospital Association of Texas
SME – Pediatric Hospital	Bryan Sperry MS	President	Children's Hospital Association of Texas

Local Coalition Representatives (alphabetically by coalition)
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Preconception and Inter-conception Health Project	Ann Cornelius RN, COHN-S	Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist	Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Preconception and Inter-conception Health Project	Susie Garcia	Administrative Assistant	Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Preconception and Inter-conception Health Project	Margot Nier RN	Corpus-Nueces Pre- and Inter-conception Health Program Coordinator	Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health Department
Corpus Christi-Nueces County Preconception and Inter-conception Health Project	Annette Rodriguez	Director	Corpus Christi - Nueces County Public Health District
Dallas County Healthy Babies Coalition	Eulalia Gillum-Roberson LMSW	WISH Community Programs Manager	Dallas Healthy Start
Dallas County Healthy Babies Coalition	Bunnoi McDaniel MA, LPC	FIMR Maternal Interviewer/Records Abstractor	Dallas County Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)
Dallas County Healthy Babies Coalition	Rebecca Shoemaker	Assistant Program Coordinator	Dallas County Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)
El Paso Healthy Babies Coalition	Lisa Aguilar LBSW	Director of Social Services	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso
El Paso Healthy Babies Coalition	Michael Cardwell M.D., J.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.	Associate Professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	Texas Tech El Paso Health Babies Coalition
El Paso Healthy Babies Coalition	Veronica Mallett MD, MMM	Professor and Founding Chair	Texas Tech El Paso Health Babies Coalition
El Paso Healthy Babies Coalition	Susanne Van Weelden MS	Senior Director, Research Division	Texas Tech El Paso Health Babies Coalition
Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition	Dana Beckham DVM	Director of Community Health Services	Galveston County Health District
Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition	Krystle Griffin	WIC Health Educator	Galveston County / City Health District
Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition	Chantea Palmer	Mother Friendly Worksite Coordinator, Community Health Services	Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition
Galveston County Healthy Babies Coalition	Michelle Roque RN	Community Health Nurse	Galveston County / City Health District
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Shebia Dunn	Healthy Start Program Manager	Neighborhood Centers Inc.
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Jamie Freeny MPH	Health Educator	Harris County Hospital District, Women with IMPACT
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	June Hanke RN, MSN, MPH	Strategic Analyst / Planner, Community Health and Wellness	Harris County Hospital District, Women With IMPACT
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Yvette Hill LBSW-IPR	Case Management Coordinator	SUNNY FUTURES Healthy Start
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Daisy Morales	Vice President - Marketing and Outreach	Community Health Choice
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Jessica Saavedra MHA	Operations Manager - Strategic Programs, Ambulatory Care Services Administration	Harris County Hospital District, Women With IMPACT
Harris County IMPACT Collaborative	Hallee Winnee MPA	Director of Program Services, Public Health Region 6	March of Dimes
Tejanitos Saludables – Laredo Healthy Babies Coalition	Tatiana Friar MPA	Program Coordinator	City of Laredo Health Department
Tejanitos Saludables – Laredo Healthy Babies Coalition	Rocio Lona BSN, RN	Nurse-Family Partnership Program Supervisor	City of Laredo Health Department
Lubbock Perinatal Coalition	Belinda Gallegos RN, MSN	Program Coordinator	Lubbock Perinatal Coalition
Lubbock Perinatal Coalition	Amy Johnson-Rubio MPA	Director of Program Services, Texas Chapter - Lubbock Division	March of Dimes
Lubbock Perinatal Coalition	Dawn Kineman RN, MSN	Academic Instructor	Lubbock Perinatal Coalition
Lubbock Perinatal Coalition	Dr. Blan Laymon	Manager, Department of Obstetrics / Gynecology	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Healthy Families Network of Greater San Antonio	Kelly Bellinger	Health Program Manager	San Antonio Healthy Start/San Antonio Metro Health Department
Healthy Families Network of Greater San Antonio	Ray Howard	Volunteer	San Antonio Healthy Start
Healthy Families Network of Greater San Antonio	Sonya Lynch	Senior Management Analyst/Social Services Supervisor, San Antonio Healthy Start HOPES Project	San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
Healthy Families Network of Greater San Antonio	Higinia Paszkowski	Healthy Families Network Coordinator	San Antonio Healthy Start
Healthy Families Network of Greater San Antonio	Cynthia Torres	Health Program Specialist, Healthy Start Program	San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
Tarrant County Infant Mortality Network	Micky Moerbe MPH	Biostatistician	Tarrant County Public Health
Tarrant County Infant Mortality Network	Amy Raines-Milenkov DrPH	Assistant Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology	University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth
Waco McLennan County Healthy Babies Coalition	Alicia Hernandez RN, BSN, HACP	Program Administrator- Nursing Division	Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
Waco McLennan County Healthy Babies Coalition	Tiffani Johnson	Health Services Coordinator / Health Educator	Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
Waco McLennan County Healthy Babies Coalition	Ashley Weaver	Director of the SmartBabies Initiative	Waco Foundation
Waco McLennan County Healthy Babies Coalition	Sherry Williams RNC, WHNP	Director	Waco-McLennan County Public Health District

External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Expert Panel Members