"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 Sept. 2022)
Sandra Gonzalez - Chair
MSN, RN
University Medical Center of El Paso
Donald Janes - Secretary
RN, LP
University Medical Center of El Paso
Carla Escobar - Treasurer
BSN, RN
University Medical Center of El Paso
Julia Perez - Chair Elect
MSN, RN
Del Sol Medical Center
Todd Haugen - Ex-Officio
BBA, LP
Memorial Medical Center
Leadership
Wanda Helgesen - Executive Director
MSN, RN
BorderRAC
Acute Care Services Committee Chair
Heather Styles
RN, BSN
William Beaumont Army Medical Center
Subcommittees:
- Cardiac - Chair
- Alexa Timbrook, RN, BSN, CCPC - University Medical Center of El Paso
- Hospital Trauma & Regional Registry - Chair
- Heather Styles, RN, BSN - William Beaumont Army Medica Center
- Pediatric - Chair
- Elen Gutierrez-Rodriguez, RN, BSN - The Hospitals of Providence - 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
Elly Angulo
CHSP
The Hospitals of Providence - Memorial/Sierra 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
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Subcommittees
- Professional Education - Chair
- Bruce Applebaum, MD, FACS - The Hospitals of Providence
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.
New York Life Insurance Company
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