"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
Chair Elect
Vacant
Todd Haugen, LP - Ex-Officio
Memorial Medical Center
Leadership
Wanda Helgesen, MSN, RN - Executive Director
BorderRAC
Committees (Revised March 2025)
Acute Care Services Committee Chair
Lydia Camacho, RN
University Medical Center El Paso
Subcommittees:
Cardiac - Chair
Virginia Armendariz MSN, RN CHFN - University Medical Center of El Paso
Hospital Trauma & Regional Registry - Chair
Lydia Camacho, RN - University Medical Center El Paso
Pediatric - Chair
Elen F. Rodriguez, RN, BSN - THOP East Campus
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 Chair
Michellee Gonzalez, BSN, RN
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 March 2025)
Community At-Large Representatives
David Palafox, MD, DABFP, FAAFP
Community-at- Large - Vacant
Craig R. Roberts, J.D.
Community At-Large
Community-at-Large - Vacant
New Mexico Rural-At-Large Representative
Kenneth Lujan,LP
AMR Medical Transportation
Las Cruces