Dr. Stephanie Zepeda serves in the primary leadership role for UTMB and Correctional Managed Care Pharmacy Services. As associate vice president, she oversees and directs all pharmacy-related services provided by the Health System and is responsible for strategic planning, client services, and overseeing operations and finances.

Vivian Kardow joined the UTMB family in October 2017 as vice president of Human Resources and Employee Services. In this role, she is responsible for partnering with executive leadership to provide overall strategic planning and management of UTMB’s human resource services and programs.

Dr. Vicki Freeman currently serves as interim dean for the School of Health Professions, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. She first joined UTMB in 1996 as chair of the school’s clinical laboratory sciences department and is responsible for leading the program into becoming one of the largest and most dynamic in the country.

Christine Wade joined UTMB in 2012 and has spent the majority of her career managing high-volume trauma centers. In addition to support services, she oversees two emergency departments (Galveston and League City campuses), including a level 1 trauma center, level 1 burn center, two medical-surgical units, nursing house supervisors and the designated emerging infectious disease biocontainment unit and program—which she spearheaded.

Bill Garwood joined the UTMB family in 2014, when he helped integrate the Angleton Danbury Campus with UTMB. For more than 30 years, he served as the senior financial officer of the Angleton Danbury Medical Center. In his current role as associate vice president of finance for community hospitals, his responsibilities recently expanded to include the financial management of UTMB’s League City Campus, as well.

Gary Eubank joined UTMB Correctional Managed Care’s management team in 2005. In his role as chief nursing officer, he oversees the nursing services provided to approximately 120,000 offenders at 83 prisons in the UTMB sector.

Rev. José Cedillo joined UTMB in May 2016 as director of Pastoral Care. An ordained bishop with the Church of God, Cedillo provides support for the spiritual, religious, emotional and value concerns of patients, families and staff.

Annette Macias-Hoag joined UTMB in 2011 and currently serves as associate vice president for Health System Operations, as well as associate chief nursing officer for UTMB’s Angleton Danbury Campus.

On June 22, Sollenberger was officially appointed board chair of America’s Essential Hospitals. We had the opportunity to sit down with Sollenberger to talk about her new role leading the board of the national organization, her experiences at UTMB, and a few lessons she’s learned along the way.

Mari Robinson, JD, joined UTMB in October 2016 as director of telehealth. In her role, Robin­son guides UTMB regarding policy and regulatory issues surrounding telehealth and assists in developing partnerships across Texas to expand health care to those in rural and remote areas of the state.

Dustin Thomas joined UTMB in 2016 as the financial executive over forecasting, budgeting and operational analytics. He oversees compilation of UTMB’s annual budget, financial business planning, and the institution-wide strategy for the UTMB Discover data warehouse and suite of analytics applications.

Tony Williams joined UTMB’s Correctional Managed Care family more than 20 years ago, as assistant director of health information management. He also served as executive director of clinical programs prior to his current role as associate vice president of Inpatient Services.

David Marshall, JD, DNP, RN, first joined the UTMB family in 1983 as a staff nurse, advancing to the positions of assistant head nurse, nurse manager, nursing supervisor, nurse administrator and director of nursing. In 2001, he assumed the role of chief nursing officer.

Craig Kovacevich serves as UTMB’s associate vice president of Waiver Operations and Community Health Plans. He is also the executive director for UTMB HealthCare Systems, a Texas 501(c)3 corporation. In his roles, Kovacevich directs the daily operations of UTMB HealthCare Systems’ corporate office and provides executive leadership within the department of Waiver Operations.

Ann O’Connell joined UTMB in 2013 as vice president for Ambulatory Operations. Her responsibilities include operational oversight and management of 90 UTMB practice locations both on Galveston Island and the mainland.

Tobin (Toby) Boenig is responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining an effective compliance program at UTMB. He monitors and reports results of compliance efforts across the institution and provides guidance to executive management regarding compliance issues and requirements, as well as regulatory law advice.

Emily Blomberg currently serves as vice president for Professional and Support Services. Her responsibilities include management of Radiology, Clinical Pathology, Pharmacy, Clinical Equipment Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Rehab Services, Laundry and Transportation. She joined the UTMB family in August 2010 as the director of Health System Operations.

As Vice President for Strategic Management, Rebecca Saavedra, EdD, provides support to fellow members of the executive leadership team to develop, manage and execute UTMB’s strategic plan. In addition, she leads efforts to enhance accountability, assessment and performance improvement initiatives. She has served as co-chair of the Professionalism Committee since 2000.

Carolee “Carrie” King has been at UTMB since 2008 and serves as senior vice president and general counsel for the university. Her expertise includes health care and regulatory law, hospital compliance, fraud and abuse, technology and commercialization, medical liability and legal issues regarding physician practice and clinical research.

Dr. Rex McCallum joined UTMB in 2010 as vice president, chief physician executive and professor of Internal Medicine. In 2014, he became associate dean for clinical affairs. He is a recognized leader and physician executive with expertise in strategic and operational development within a complex health care organization.