Join us in congratulating NALHE’s 2017 annual award recipients recognized for significant contribution to both the NALHE organization and to the advancement of initiatives affecting Latinos in today’s dynamic healthcare industry. Discover what leadership in action can do to change the future of our industry as you learn more about the career achievements and exceptional contributions these individuals have made to our organization.

 

Caucus Leader of the Year Award

david loaiza funk - Join the Celebration: Congratulations to the NALHE 2017 Award Recipients

David Loaiza-Funk, MHS, CMI/CHI, LSSBB serves as the Chair of the Diversity Committee for ACHE-NV Chapter as well as UMC hospital. David has worked with UMC hospital for 5 years leading the Cultural and Linguistic Services Department, ensuring quality of services in communications, expanding projects of language proficiency, cultural competency and interpreting training. David has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration as well as dual certification in medical/healthcare interpreting and a black belt in Lean Six Sigma for Quality Improvement. David is currently starting the Nevada Caucus through the National Association of Latinos Healthcare Executives, and he is the organizer of this event.

 

Executive Leader of the Year Award

jim rodriguez - Join the Celebration: Congratulations to the NALHE 2017 Award Recipients

Jim Rodriguez is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Program Committee Chair and past President for the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. Jim is member and past Vice-Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee for the Greater Austin, Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Treasurer of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Jim has served in senior leadership positions with private and public medical centers, an outpatient hospital, community mental health organizations, provider-owned HMOs, PPOs and a Medicare Advantage Plan. His expertise includes start-up and turn-around opportunities with and between insurers and providers.

 

Career Achievement Award

 jesus garza - Join the Celebration: Congratulations to the NALHE 2017 Award Recipients     

Jesús Garza is currently Senior Vice President, Ascension Healthcare, and Texas Ministry Market Executive for Ascension, the nation’s largest non-profit health system, including Providence Healthcare Network in Waco. He is a longtime Austin healthcare leader and has announced his intention to retire effective Aug. 1, 2017, from his Senior Vice President position.

“Jesús has served Ascension and Seton Healthcare Family for 15 years with compassion, generosity, unmatched professionalism and skill,” said Patricia A. Maryland, President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Ascension Healthcare, a division of Ascension.  He also serves as President and CEO of Seton Healthcare Family in Austin.

 

Career Achievement Award

octavio diaz - Join the Celebration: Congratulations to the NALHE 2017 Award Recipients

Octavio J. Diaz, MD currently serves as Tenet’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), where he develops and implements system-wide strategies to advance patient safety, clinical quality and medical staff alignment. Dr. Diaz is board certified in Emergency Medicine and has been affiliated with Tenet and Vanguard Health Systems since 2004. Dr. Diaz has held roles with progressively greater leadership responsibility in clinical and administrative healthcare management. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He also earned a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University. He completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. He is an energetic, goal-driven healthcare executive with a strong clinical and physician executive background in academic and non-academic institutions, and expanding healthcare management and operational experience. Dr. Diaz is steadfast in his dedication to scientific, evidence-based best practice modalities and has been instrumental in helping to simplify the complexities of healthcare delivery. His leadership roles have expanded from community based hospitals, to local markets, to multi-state regions. He excels in rapidly identifying deficiencies and setting a path forward to success.