HIMSS DFW Board of Directors - 2024 - 2025
Brittany Royal-Killam - President
As the DFW HIMSS Board President, Brittany is committed to and passionate about making a difference in healthcare by harnessing and magnifying the power of the HIMSS organization. As a leader of the Chapter Task Force, Texas Regional Conference & DFW HIMSS Chapter, Brittany believes that she has a responsibility to help educate a captive audience about cutting-edge innovations, develop our next generation of visionaries and accelerate health equity by leveraging relationships with leading changemakers. Brittany is honored to represent our healthcare leaders.
Greg Bertrand, SHIMSS - President - Elect
Greg, a dedicated healthcare IT professional with three decades of experience in medium to large healthcare systems, is committed to enhancing patient outcomes through technology-driven solutions. He is currently engaged in optimizing test management and automation processes for improved resource utilization.
Greg has extensive experience with healthcare IT with a large variety of electronic health record knowledge in multiple applications and workflows with skills ranging from security to revenue cycle. His current experience is with test management and automation including responsibilities like managing testing by coordinating with SMEs from the applications teams to create the needed scripts and reports in ServiceNow to running the test scenarios, and utilizing Eggplant automation application to create patients and perform various tests in a greater amount than currently via manual testing. Greg has a BA from Steven F. Austin State University and is ITIL certified.
John Pecina - Past President
John serves as Program Manager of Ambulatory Client Services at CHRISTUS Health, an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system comprising of 350 services and facilities, including more than 60 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers. CHRISTUS Health extends from the U.S. to Chile, Mexico, and Columbia, with headquarters in Irving, TX.
John is a seasoned IT strategist with more than 13 years of leadership experience, 8 years dedicated to IT Health Care. Born in Texas, he grew up in Texas and New Mexico before enlisting in the US Navy. He served on board a designated destroyer based in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Following the Navy, John went on to earn his Master’s in Business Administration. John and his wife Karen, make their home in Fort Worth, TX. John and Karen are a blended family of six, celebrating their first year as empty nesters. The Pecina family enjoy playing board games and weekend BBQ’s.
Sarah Corkern - Pro Tem
Sarah is a trusted executive advisor and communications expert with 15 years of Chief of Staff experience at Parkland Community Health Plan and Baylor Scott & White Health, supporting healthcare IT, operations, and executive functions. She is passionate about enhancing the end-user experience and uses a variety of communication methods to drive change and continuous improvement.
Sarah has been a HIMSS member since 2012 and has held board positions with the DFW HIMSS Chapter as President and VP of Marketing and Communications. She is also active on the Texas Regional HIMSS Committee.
Sarah earned her B.A. in English from Louisiana State University. When she isn’t cheering on her alma mater (Geaux Tigers!), you can find her seeking new travel adventures or playing ball with her fur babies, Roux (Corgi) and Storm (Aussie).
Joseph Painter, SHIMSS - Pro Tem
Joseph received his Bachelor of Science in HR and Technology from the University of Texas at Tyler and resides in North Dallas with his wife Hillary and three kids, JT, Ethan, and McKenzie. He has over 10 years of healthcare experience and is currently working as Vice President of Provider Solutions for emids Technologies where he helps bridge the critical gaps in accessible, affordable, high-quality healthcare by providing advisory consulting services, application management and support, and data solutions. Joseph is a healthcare innovator, disruptor and a change enabler. He is a big believer in building relationships, and credits most of his success to developing long lasting relationships, as well as strengthening existing ones. HIMSS is an important to Joseph because it provides an opportunity that allows him to transfer his knowledge to healthcare professionals’ so they can advance in their overall development and career.
Erin Dickerman MBA, RN, NI-BC - VP of Marketing and Communications
Erin is an accomplished healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in nursing and healthcare informatics. She has a proven track record in diverse roles, including managerial positions, adjunct faculty, and clinical informaticist. Her expertise lies in implementing and managing large-scale EHR products, focusing on development, implementation, training, and ongoing support of healthcare information systems.
Currently, Erin serves as Corporate Director of Clinical Informatics at Community Hospital Corporation, where she mentors and supports facility informatics resources. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Texas Woman's University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Health Informatics.
Erin holds a BSN from UT Austin, an MBA from Texas Woman's University, and is a board-certified Nurse Informaticist. She is eager to contribute her expertise to the DFW HIMSS chapter and the broader HIMSS community.
Melinda Schmidt MBA, BSN, RN, SSGBC - VP of Advocacy
Melinda is a registered nurse (RN) and accomplished healthcare strategist with over two decades of experience in health advocacy, informatics nursing, digital transformation, and technology leadership. She is dedicated to developing and implementing innovative healthcare delivery models that enhance the experiences of both clinicians and patients. As the Vice President of Advocacy for DFW HIMSS, she actively educates policymakers on critical healthcare issues, focusing on social determinants of health (SDOH), rural healthcare, maternal care, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and the advancement of the nursing profession.
Nayan Patel, CHCIO, FHIMSS, ITIL, PMP - VP of Finance
Nayan is the Managing Director at Avis Advisors with expertise in IT strategy, governance, M&A, and service management. He has held executive leadership roles at Baptist Health, Tenet Health, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, and Baylor Scott & White Health, with the implementation of Epic, Cerner Remote Hosting, infrastructure, ITIL processes, and disaster recovery strategic planning. He has more than 25 years of experience in the IT industry leading successful large-scale projects, change management and IT Operations through COVID. Nayan is a pragmatic thinker with a passion for improving the end user experience while delivering high quality service to clinical, business, and research operations.
A firm believer in giving back to the community, he is a board member of the Southern Methodist (SMU) IT Operations Management (ITOM) Advisory Board, Medtronic Hospital IT Advisory Board, the University of Texas-Dallas Healthcare Management Advisory Council, and Dallas Fort Worth HIMSS (VP of Finance/Past President). Nayan received an MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and a BSEE and MSEE from the University of Tennessee.
Melissa Evans, MBA, CPHIMS - VP of Programs
Melissa has 20+ years of experience with business processes with various departments health care systems ranging from clinical, revenue cycle, business departments, hospital, ambulatory, and health plan. She has supported applications and assisted customers and IS staff in knowledge of workflows and integration between multiple systems, including the ancillaries and/or host systems. In coordination with staff and project management responsibilities, she defines clear scope and objectives, communicates these to customers and insures understanding and agreement. Her other responsibilities include contract negotiation, maintenance contract renegotiation, and staff development. Melissa is currently an Account Executive with iMethods, a Healthcare IT Consulting and Staffing firm dedicated to guiding hospitals through the challenges associated with implementing and leveraging their healthcare technology.
Wesley Jayroe - VP of Membership dfw.info@himsschapter.org
Wesley (Wes) is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade of experience in IT management. As the Director of Enterprise Applications at Children's Health, a prominent pediatric healthcare system, he is responsible for the performance, maintenance, and optimization of mission-critical software applications, including Epic, Salesforce, ServiceNow, UIPath, and testing automation platforms.
Leading a team of 16 and managing a $10 million annual budget, Wesley oversees vendor selection, relationship management, and contract negotiations. He also spearheads enterprise automation initiatives across the health system, leveraging his expertise in IT management, healthcare data analytics, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Wesley is committed to delivering cutting-edge and efficient IT solutions that improve the quality and accessibility of care for children and families.
Sarah Rahm - VP of Sponsorship dfw.sponsorship@himsschapter.org
Sarah Rahm is an experienced Strategic Analyst at CHRISTUS Health with a strong track record of designing and implementing enterprise solutions for healthcare organizations. Sarah’s expertise includes innovation, enterprise communication, digital patient experience, and virtual care initiatives.
With a passion for both sports and academia, Sarah excelled as a Rower and Rugby player for the University of Texas. Now she enjoys playing competitive tennis, but admittedly is not holding out hopes for making Wimbledon anytime soon. Sarah has a B.S. in Data Analytics from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently working on her MBA with a concentration in IT Leadership.
Prior to joining healthcare IT, Sarah worked in both Veterinary Medicine and Education. She loves talking to other animal lovers and will happily show you pictures of her funny farm of 4 dogs and 2 cats.
Nick Kagal, FHIMSS, FACHE - VP of Professional Development dfw.profdev@himsschapter.org
Nick is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at SpinSci Technologies, a leading patient engagement solutions provider. He previously served as the Senior Director of Customer Success with Premier Inc for the Western United States. Nick has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry, and has held leadership roles with several major DFW provider organizations including Parkland Health & Hospital System, HealthSouth & Medical Center of Plano.
In addition to his provider-based experience, Nick has served as Vice President of Business Development for an electronic medical record vendor and a healthcare-focused enterprise resource planning organization. Nick received his BA in Biology & Psychology from Austin College and an MBA from the Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow in both HIMSS and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Nick has also been a national reviewer, moderator, and presenter for the Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, served on the HIMSS National Professional Development Committee, and currently serves on the Governance and Operations Chapter Task Force. Nick lives in Plano, Texas, and is an avid sports fan, a weekend warrior athlete, a long-distance cyclist and plays guitar & bass in the local cover band Sonic Dissonance.
A. Lee Lavergne, CPHIMS, FHIMSS - Member At Large
Lee has over 35 years of healthcare experience and has held positions ranging from roles as Hospital Director Information Technology, Corporate Director, Manager, Consulting and Project Manager for revenue cycle and clinical systems. During his career, Lee has worked for Tenet, HCA, IBM and BSWH. Lee is a certified trainer for PROSCI Change Management, CPHIMS and CAHIMS. In May 2021, Lee rewired to focus on Texas Advocacy and remains a key Leader of the Texas HIMSS Advocacy Committee and Co-Vice National Chapter Advocacy Task Force. Lee has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including 2023 Changemaker of Health Award and HIMSS Chapter Advocate of the Year.
Tammy Phillips, CHCIO, CDH-E, FHIMSS - Member At Large
Tammy is currently with AdventHealth as the Regional CIO for the Southwest Region. She is a diplomatic leader with over 30 years of IT leadership in the healthcare industry. Tammy is an accomplished executive IT professional with proven success and expertise in innovation, strategy and operational oversight. Her former experience includes eight years with Texas Health Resources as a Regional IT Director and at HCA Healthcare for seventeen years as a IT Director. Tammy is CHCIO and CDH-E by CHIME. She has also been distinguished as a Fellow of the HIMSS organization. She has been a certified CPHIMS instructor for the last 9 years and has taught CPHIMS and CAHIMS at the National HIMSS Conference on multiple occasions. Tammy is member of HIMSS National since 2001 and has been on the DFW HIMSS Board for 10 years.