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 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


Committees (Revised Sept. 2022)

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

At-Large Representatives (Revised May 2022)

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