Our VISION: "We will be a premier trauma and emergency healthcare system."
Our MISSION: "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 March 2025)
Chris Celaya, LP - Chair
The Hospitals of Providence -Tenet
Alexa Timbrook, MSN, RN - Secretary
University Medical Center of El Paso
Don Janes, RN- Treasurer
University Medical Center of El Paso
Alex Ramos, MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC - Chair Elect
The Hospitals of Providence - Tenet
Todd Haugen, LP - Ex-Officio
Memorial Medical Center
Leadership
Wanda Helgesen, MSN, RN - Executive Director
BorderRAC
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
- Elen F. Gutierrez, RN, BSN - The Hospitals of Providence - Transmountain Campus
- Stroke - Chair
- Manny Munoz, RN, BSN, SCRN - The Hospitals of Providence - East Campus
EMS Committee Chair
Joe Ortiz, BSFA, EMT-P
El Paso Fire Department
Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee Chair
Antonio Muro Jr.
The Hospitals of Providence - Transmountain Campus
Perinatal Committee Chair
Michellee Gonzalez, BSN, RN
The Hospitals of Providence - Memorial Campus
Prevention Committee Chair
Ana Acosta, MA
University Medical Center 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 -Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Community At-Large Representatives
David Palafox, MD, DABFP, FAAFP
Community-At- Large
Amy Ross, BS, MBA
Community At-Large
Craig R. Roberts, J.D.
Community-at-Large - Vacant
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

