About Us

"To advance the Far West Texas / Southern New Mexico trauma and emergency healthcare system through prevention, education, preparedness, and response."

In 1992 the Texas Board of Health divided the state into 22 regions called “trauma service areas.” A regional advisory council (“RAC”) was formed in each region to develop and implement an inclusive emergency health system. In the southwest region, the “Border” RAC is based out of El Paso, Texas. BorderRAC encompasses the Texas counties of El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson plus the New Mexico counties of Catron, Dona Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra and Otero. Within the region are urban, rural and frontier areas representing over 40,000 square miles with a population over two million.

BorderRAC is relied upon to unite regional medical providers and serve as a strategic partner for the Texas legislature, state and local agencies, and most importantly for the health and welfare of our region. BorderRAC is integral to helping hospitals and other healthcare organizations in emergency preparedness to respond to a wide-scale natural disaster or terrorism attack.

BorderRAC is a healthcare coalition with a comprehensive interprofessional membership of hospitals, EMS, and other healthcare agencies and has expanded its role. BorderRAC committees work to reduce injury, illness and preventable deaths in the areas of trauma, stroke, heart disease, pediatrics, and neonates.

BorderRAC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping residents of our region in the education and prevention of injury and disease and healthcare emergencies and disaster preparedness.


Executive Board (Revised October 2023)

Julia Perez, MSN, RN - Chair
MSN,RN
Del Sol Medical Center

Alexa Timbrook -Secretary
MSN, RN

University Medical Center of El Paso

Carla Escobar - Treasurer
BSN, RN
University Medical Center of El Paso

Chris Celaya - Chair Elect
LP
The Hospitals of Providence

Sandra Gonzalez - Ex-Officio
MSN, RN, TCRN

Leadership

Wanda Helgesen - Executive Director
MSN, RN
BorderRAC


Committees (Revised October 2023)

Acute Care Services Committee Chair

Lydia Camacho
RN
University Medical Center El Paso

Subcommittees:

  • Cardiac - Chair
    • Virginia Armendariz MSN, RN CHFN - The Hospitals of Providence  Sierra Campus
  • Hospital Trauma & Regional Registry - Chair
    • Lydia Camacho, RN - University Medical Center El Paso
  • Pediatric - Chair
    • Naomi Bastardo - El Paso Children's Hospital
  • Stroke - Chair
    • Manny Munoz, RN, BSN, SCRN - The Hospitals of Providence - East Campus

EMS Committee Chair

Eddie Sanchez
LP
Life Ambulance

Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee Chair

Antonio Muro Jr. 
The Hospitals of Providence - Transmountain Campus

Perinatal Committee

Michellee Gonzalez - Chair
BN, BSN
The Hospitals of Providence - Memorial Campus

Prevention Committee Chair

Ana Acosta
MA
UMC of El Paso

Regional System PI Committee

Alan Tyroch
MD, FACS, FCCM
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Subcommittees

  • Professional Education - Chair
    • Bruce Applebaum, MD, FACS

At-Large Representatives (Revised October 2023)

Community At-Large Representatives

David Palafox
MD, DABFP, FAAFP
El Paso First Healthplans, Inc.

Jimmy Moody, PT, NCS, CBIST
CEO
PAM Rehabilitation Hospital

Craig R. Roberts, J.D.
Community At-Large

Teresa Souza
APR

New Mexico Rural-At-Large Representative

Kenneth Lujan
LP
AMR Medical Transportation
Las Cruces

Physician At-Large Representative
VACANT

Texas Rural At-Large Representative
VACANT