"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