Board of Directors
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Current Employment
Tricia Gray serves as the Associate Administrator with Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Ca. She provides leadership oversight for Pharmacy, Lab, Acute Rehab Unit, Cath Lab, Outpatient Wound Care, Environmental Services (EVS), Security, and Food and Nutritional Services.
Previous Experience
Tricia Gray served multiple roles at Corona Regional Medical Center. She was a Sr. Director and gave lead to the Quality Management, Patient Safety, and Infection Prevention Departments. In addition to the departments noted, she has also served as the interim Sr. Director for Medical Staff Services, Human Resources, Patient Experience, Wound Care, and Education. At the Corona Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, she served as the Administrator where she gave lead to a 40-licensed bed Subacute Unit, a 37-licensed bed Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, and a Partial Psych Unit. Prior to, Tricia was System Quality Director at Universal Health Services. In this role she provided support to five hospitals in the Southern California Market. She led the implementation of quality initiatives across the SoCal region while ensuring compliance with patient safety and regulatory guidelines. Before those roles, she served as the Quality Director in multiple healthcare systems.
Education
Tricia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development from the University of North Texas in 2012. She received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University in 2014. Tricia also earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from George Washington University. She is a Fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Additionally, she is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).
Community Service
Tricia is very active in the community. She is Governing Board President for Women in Health Administration (WHA) of SoCal. She is also a Governing Board Member-at-Large for the ACHE SoCal Chapter.
WHA Participation
Tricia is a 3rd year member of the Governing Board for Women in Health Care Administration of SoCal.
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Current Employment
Laura Carmona is currently the Vice President of Managed Care, Coordinated Regional Care for Prospect Medical Holdings/Alta Hospitals System responsible for leading the managed care contracting team in negotiations with health plans, hospitals, and ancillary providers. Laura has been with Prospect for 4 years developing strategies to increase growth for both FFS (all lines of business – Commercial, Worker’s Compensation, Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal) and capitated business within an integrated delivery system “IDS” focused on population health management for Medi-Cal patients which has grown from under 30,000 members to now include 140,000 members during the past 4 years. Laura is especially proud that shortly after joining Prospect, she spearheaded and, also obtained grant funding for Alta Hospital System’s participation and implementation of Health Information Exchange “HIE” programs to improve the quality of healthcare delivery for all of our patients. Laura is also currently President of the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association which provides support for the paramedic department, foster care group home and student exchange program for Hermosa Beach’s sister city, Loreto, located in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Previous Experience
Laura is a result driven healthcare executive and service organization leader with over 35 years of experience in various roles in both the for-profit and not-for- profit sectors, which includes developmental disability providers, health insurance companies, medical clinics, hospitals and community service organizations.
Education
Laura completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies in 1984 from Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges, internship and coursework within the Master’s in Public Administration program at San Diego State University during 1985 to 1986.
WHA Participation
Laura has been a WHA member since 2023 and is the new WHA Board Secretary beginning in 2024.
Treasurer
Maham Chaudry
Project Manager
Dept. of Health Services, Los Angeles County
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Current Employment
Maham Chaudhry is currently a staff analyst at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She serves as a project manager on enterprise projects focused on data capture and clinical documentation improvement along with other mission critical initiatives for the health system.
Previous Experience
Dr. Chaudhry has over 16 years of experience in public health, heath services, social and behavioral health services. Before joining Los Angeles County, she served as a research associate at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health, a senior consultant for the HealthCare Innovators and public health consultant for local community-based organizations. Between 2006 and 2011, she served as the Health Programs Manager and Quality Improvement Coordinator at a Community Health Center in Los Angeles before joining Partners in Care Foundation as the Grants Administrator and Quality Improvement lead.
Education
Dr. Chaudhry received a DrPH in Health Policy and Leadership from the Loma Linda University Health with induction in the Delta Omega Society, MPH with Honors from the California State University, Northridge and BS from the University of California, Los Angeles.
WHA Participation
Dr. Chaudhry has been a member of Women in Health Administration since 2013. She took some time away from WHA and recently re-joined in 2021.
Past President
Jennifer Helbock
Vice President Network Management, Southern California & Hawaii, United Healthcare Group
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Current Employment
Jennifer Helbock is currently the Vice President of Network Management-Southern California for UnitedHealthcare responsible for leading a team developing market strategy, network development and contracting associated with physician, hospital, ancillary and other health care providers. Jennifer has been with UnitedHealthcare for the past 10 years developing new products and strategy in the market for all lines of business (Commercial, Medicare Advantage and MediCal).
Previous Experience
Jennifer is a healthcare professional with 30 years’ experience in various roles representing physicians, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and health insurance companies. She has been at the forefront of healthcare in California and the West Region states for all her career. Jennifer enjoys being a part of the dynamic and evolving aspects of the health care industry and seeks to make a difference in improving healthcare for everyone.
Education
Jennifer completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration in 1993 and Master’s in health administration from USC in 1996.
WHA Participation
Jennifer has been a WHA member since 2021 and is a new WHA Board member beginning in 2022.
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Current Employment
Karen George is an attorney at Buchalter and is a member of the firm’s Health Care Practice group. Karen specializes in managed care contracting and routinely represents health care providers in a wide range of disputes involving reimbursement of health care services. Karen regularly advises clients regarding the oversight and compliance requirements unique to contracting, reimbursement, overpayments, telehealth, and other various legal issues as they arise. She also advises management on how to successfully navigate a complex regulatory environment to take advantage of business opportunities while minimizing risk.
Previous Experience
Karen has extensive experience representing health care providers. Karen has represented providers in breach of contract actions for recovery of underpaid claims for health care services, addressing issues related to medical necessity, coding, authorization, delegation, among others. These matters have resulted in significant financial recoveries. She has also successfully defended health care providers in class action disputes, unfair competition allegations, fraud and abuse disputes, and government investigations.
Education
Karen received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and earned her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior, and Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine.
WHA Participation
Karen has been a member of WHA since 2019.
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Current Employment
As founder of NurseRX LLC, the consulting firm excels in collaborating closely with clients to identify opportunities, develop sustainable strategies, and boost revenue, thus ensuring the success and growth of healthcare facilities.
Previous Experience
In the realm of technological integration, Christine has spearheaded projects involving sophisticated chatbot systems and digital platform development, leading to a notable increase in return on investment. Her exemplary leadership in nurse advocacy initiatives has been instrumental in significantly enhancing nurse retention and recruitment, demonstrating her expertise in strategic marketing and complex problem-solving.
Education
Christine is a healthcare visionary rooted in a robust educational background, holding a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business. In addition to her academic achievements, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at Stanbridge University, where her expertise enriches the Nursing program. Her steadfast commitment to education and leadership propels her mission to transform and elevate the healthcare industry.
WHA Participation
Chriss has been a member of WHA since 2023. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
Membership Co-Chair
Michelle Rai
Chief Communications and Marketing, Inland Empire Health Plan
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Current Employment
Michelle Rai is the Chief Communication and Marketing Officer at Inland Empire Health Plan, a not-for-profit public entity serving more than 1.4 million members in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Previous Experience
Prior to joining IEHP, Michelle served as chair of the communication department at Pacific Union College in the Napa Valley, where she earned the prestigious Educator of the Year award for excellence in teaching. She also served in various roles during her career, including director of public relations and marketing, public information officer, and marketing consultant.
Education
Michelle holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, and bachelor’s degrees in both journalism and communication.
WHA Participation
Michelle is new WHA Board member beginning in 2024.
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Current Employment
Jill Martin is the executive vice president of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Network, a clinically integrated network of physicians managed through the operations of Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation and the multi-specialty medical groups contracted with Cedars-Sinai through professional service agreements. The Medical Network was founded by primary care physicians and now employs physicians that represent most medical and surgical specialties. The Medical
Network groups serve the communities of Los Angeles County.
Previous Experience
Jill joined Cedars-Sinai in 1997 as the Medical Network’s director of finance, having previously worked in financial roles at Ernst & Young and Inova Health System. She was promoted to vice president of finance in 1999. In addition to overseeing financial management of the Medical Network, she led numerous initiatives to increase the capabilities of the Medical Network’s information systems to enhance evidence-based clinical and financial decisions. She was also responsible for the Medical Network’s physician recruitment, physician practice acquisitions, managed care operations, human resources, risk management and compliance. In 2016, Jill was promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Medical Network, reflecting increased responsibilities as the Medical Network grew significantly. With her colleagues on the Medical Network leadership team, she led the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic and financial plan that has positioned the Medical Network to successfully meet the challenges of value-based care.
Education
Jill graduated from the University of Richmond in 1991 as a Certified Public Accountant.
WHA Participation
Jill is active in the Women in Healthcare Administration of Southern California and was awarded Woman of the Year in 2022. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
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Current Employment
Kennyle serves as the Health, Human and Veteran Services Chief of Staff of Wayne County Health Department in Detroit, Michigan where she deploys forward-thinking strategies, deep relationship building, as well as influence, systematic improvement, project management and resource allocation to streamline end-to-end ops and maximize positive community impact.
Previous Experience
Kennyle’s core body of professional specialties range from not-for-profit leadership, compliance, service initiatives management, to C-level operations and continuous improvements. She is widely regarded for her propensity in developing and implementing program solutions, and has paved a history of influence and impact, directly cultivating company growth throughout her career.
Education
Kennyle completed her undergraduate at the University of Michigan and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Public Policy. Kennyle holds a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University.
WHA Participation
Kennyle has been a member of WHA since 2023. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
Communications Co-Chair
Valentine McCollister
Vice President of Business Development for Aramark Healthcare+
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Current Employment
Valentine is the Vice President of Business Development for the West Region with Aramark Healthcare+. Valentine’s responsibilities include steering all aspects of new and horizontal business and strategy development, focusing on small single hospital locations to large health systems. She cultivates and nurtures relationships with clients ranging from supply chain to the C-suite, establishing a strong network and bringing awareness to the Aramark brand and their seven lines of business. Daily, she administers end-to-end activities involved in planning and executing strategy, researching potential partnerships, identifying critical business issues, and developing customized proposals for clients.
Previous Experience
Valentine has over 20 years of business development success and has spent the last 13 years in healthcare support services. She has been fortunate enough to work for the industry’s two largest providers in this space.
Education
Valentine received her BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
WHA Participation
2024 is Valentine’s inaugural year with WHA and she is thrilled to be a part of the sisterhood!
Communications Co-Chair
Brynda Collins
Chief, Surgical and Procedural Operations, Keck Medical Center at USC
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Current Employment
Brynda Collins, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, is the epitome of a nurse executive who combines the heart of nursing with the mind of a business leader. As the Chief of Surgical and Procedural Operations, she is at the forefront of operational excellence and strategic development in healthcare.
Previous Experience
Her 45-year journey in the medical field is marked by 29 years of compassionate, hands-on patient care, including specialized roles in NICU and OR, blended seamlessly with 16 years of impactful leadership. Brynda’s expertise shines in her ability to navigate the complexities of academic healthcare environments, collaborating closely with C-Suite executives, physician leaders, and nursing teams.
Her professional path has been diverse and enriching, with significant roles at Stanford Health Care, Kaiser Permanente in the Bay Area, Scripps Green and Rady Children’s in San Diego, and over five years of dedicated service at Keck Medicine of USC.
Education
Brynda’s deep understanding of the healthcare landscape is further enhanced by her academic achievements, holding a Master’s degree in Business with a focus on healthcare and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
WHA Participation
Brynda has been a member of WHA since 2023. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
Sponsorship Co-Chair
Nat’e Guyton
Center Chief Operating Officer, California Hospital Medical Center
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Current Employment
Dr. Nat’e Guyton is a dynamic, innovative, and creative leader with over 25 years of healthcare experience. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at CommonSpirit Health-California Hospital Medical Center, Dr. Guyton is a values-based, outcomes-driven transformative disruptor. In her role, she is keenly focused on operational excellence, workforce and leadership development, community engagement, and innovation.
Previous Experience
She served as the Chief Nurse Officer at Spok, Inc., where she aligned her nursing, operations, and technology background to enhance clinical communication at the bedside, contributing to better patient outcomes. Additionally, Dr. Guyton served as the Chief Clinical Informatics Officer at Trinity Health-Mercy Health System in Pennsylvania, leading a world-class informatics team, and implementing computer physician order entry (CPOE) for hospitals and physician practices. Dr. Guyton’s previous roles include Chief Nurse Officer at Trinity Health-Mercy Suburban Hospital, Senior Director of Nursing Operations at Trinity Health-St. Francis Hospital in Delaware, and Nurse Manager of cardiac transplant and telemetry at Temple University Hospital in Pennsylvania.
Education
Dr. Guyton holds a Doctorate in Management with a concentration in organization
development from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Widener University. She also earned a Post Master’s certificate in Healthcare Administration from Villanova University and a Post Master’s certificate in Healthcare Informatics from Drexel University. Certified as a Nurse Executive by the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), Dr. Guyton is also a Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management System from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).
WHA Participation
Dr. Guyton has been a member of WHA since 2023. She joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
Member-at-Large Co-Chair
Krisianna Bock
Principal/Senior Vice President, HKS
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Current Employment
Krisianna Bock, MPH, FACHE, EDAC is a Principal and Senior Vice President with HKS Architects, a global architecture firm. With 25+ years of healthcare experience, Krisianna has led master planning efforts for medical centers and healthcare systems in Southern California and across the country. She is committed to furthering an organization’s vision to enhance the communities it serves through outstanding facilities. Combining a background in public health and a passion for healthcare design, she believes that healthcare buildings can integrate exceptional functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics.
Previous Experience
She has worked at a variety of hospitals and healthcare systems in SoCal such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente Panorama City, Antelope Valley, and Los Angeles Medical Center Areas.
Education
Krisianna was an undergraduate of Mount St. Mary’s University and graduate of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and recipient of the ACHE Senior-Level Regents Awards.
Community Service
Krisianna serves on multiple Boards and Committees including the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Health Policy and Management Association, Cal Poly Pomona, College of Environmental Design, Mount St. Mary’s University Alumni Association, and national Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo. She has previously served on the Boards of ACHE of SoCal, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Alumni Association, and Women in Healthcare, Greater LA Chapter.
WHA Participation
Krisianna has been involved with WHA since 1998 and served in a variety of roles including Membership Chair, Secretary, President (2005), and Past Presidents’ Advisory Council.