Speakers

Ethan Novikoff is the Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance Director at HMS. He has a Master of Public Health from New Mexico State University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science from Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining HMS, Ethan had a career in the field of Environmental Health, working in both the private and public sectors in the disciplines of air quality management and hazardous waste management. After relocating to New Mexico, Ethan began working at a private practice, where he realized his passion for rural healthcare. Outside of work, Ethan is a musician, adobe builder, and a father of two young children. Ethan is proud to call Silver City his home and loves getting to make a difference in the community through his work at HMS.

Dr. Golden Ofoh: Was born and raised in Houston, TX. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. She received her DMD from LECOM School of Dental Medicine.

Dan Otero is the Chief Executive Officer at Hidalgo Medical Services and has been with the organization since February 2016. Dan brings 32 years of healthcare experience to his role at HMS. He started his career as a pre-hospital and hospital clinical provider, specifically working as a Paramedic. He has held the positions of Director of Education, Quality Management, and Patient-Centered Care.

Originally from Denver, Dr. Timothy Petty earned his Bachelor’s degree in music at University of Tulsa and a Master’s in music from University of Texas at Austin. He received his DMD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

Medical Director, Acqua Recovery Center

Dianne K. Pledgie is a Partner and Compliance Counsel with the firm’s Health Law practice group. Dianne advises health centers on implementing effective compliance programs and addressing top compliance risk areas. She develops and manages the array of compliance resources offered through the firm’s learning website, learning.ftlf.com. A former Compliance Officer at a health center, Dianne understands the challenges that health centers face in achieving and maintaining compliance.

GLS Grant Manager / Office of School and Adolescent Health, NMDOH

Dr. Rosa Rodriguez was born and raised in Northern Nevada. She received her Associates of Science in dental hygiene from the College of Southern Nevada. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also holds a Masters in Biomedical Science from Larkin University in Miami, Florida. She received her DMD from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Dr. Sorna Sarker was born in Bangladesh and raised in Connecticut. She attended University of Connecticut for a Bachelors of Science double degree in Molecular/Cell Biology and Philosophy. She spent one year before dental school to volunteer with AmeriCorps to help underserved communities, then obtained her DMD from University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Samyak Shah was born and raised in Sanford, Florida. He attended the University of Florida for a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering with a specialty in Biomechanics. He then received his DDS from NYU College of Dentistry.

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner: Family Medicine Dept. Rio Rancho, NM UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center

Doug has served as Executive Vice President for Presbyterian Medical Services in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 2000; he first joined the organization in 1995. In his current role, Mr. Smith provides operational oversight of the organization’s more than 100 programs statewide, including approximately 50 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Head Start/Early Head Start and other community-based collaborative projects.

Vernetta Walker, J.D., is president and CEO of Walker & Associates Consulting, Inc., specializing in customized solutions for nonprofit organizations to maximize impact through exceptional leadership and creating equitable organizations. Vernetta has deep experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked with hundreds of organizations over two decades, nationally and globally. Prior roles include serving as chief governance officer and senior advisor on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for BoardSource, the leading organization for nonprofit governance best practices; associate general counsel for the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations; foundation advocacy counsel for the Alliance for Justice; and director of the Administration of Justice Grants for the Florida Bar Foundation. Vernetta also practiced law as a litigator for several years, before pursuing her passions in the third sector.

Dr. Helena Wu was raised in El Paso, TX. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Texas: San Antonio in San Antonio, TX. She received her DDS from the University of Texas: San Antonio School of Dentistry.