Change Makers 2025 Honorees

Keynote Speaker and Honoree

Dr. Nirma D. Bustamante, MD, MPH
CDC Mexico Country Director

A board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and medical epidemiologist, she has over 15 years of experience in global health research and emergency response. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she earned a B.A. in Biology from Texas A&M (Cum Laude) and a Doctor of Medicine from UT Southwestern, studying abroad in France, Senegal, and Laos. She completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Harvard, leading projects in Uganda and Colombia on emergency care access and mobile health interventions.

She earned an MPH from Harvard and completed a fellowship in International Emergency Medicine, responding to crises in Greece, Haiti, Madagascar, and Puerto Rico. As a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, she tackled outbreaks of Hepatitis E, polio, and Ebola in Africa and contributed to WHO vaccination efforts.

Since 2020, she has led the CDC Mexico office in efforts to combat infectious diseases and enhance binational surveillance. She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, a part-time staff member at The Hospitals of Providence, and has published over 23 peer-reviewed articles.

Daisy Celeste Alvarado, OTD

El Paso Children's Hospital
The University of Texas at El Paso

  • Dr. Daisy Alvarado, OTD is an occupational therapist and scientist dedicated to advancing the understanding of the relationship between meaningful doing, health, and quality of life outcomes. Currently, she serves as a pediatric acute care occupational therapist at El Paso Children's Hospital, adjunct faculty for The University of Texas at El Paso's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, and is a PhD student at Texas Woman’s University, focusing on the concept of occupational identity and the changes that occur following illness or injury.

Dr. Alyssa C. Benavides, PhD, MPA

Texas Tech Health El Paso

  • Dr. Alyssa C. Benavides, PhD, MPA is a strategy leader in healthcare and higher education, committed to Student and Community success. As Managing Director of Interprofessional Education at Texas Tech Health El Paso, Dr. Benavides leads student-centered initiatives that prepare the region’s future healthcare professionals for collaborative care, and consults on initiatives related to the institution’s Health-Related, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. In addition, Dr. Benavides drives community-centered impact by leading Texas Tech Health’s Community Health Workers/Promotores Program, which expands healthcare access and education across the West Texas Region. A lifelong Community Cheerleader, Education and Opportunity Advocate, Dr. Benavides has served on community boards and mentored students for over 20 years.

Sharon Butterworth

Paso del Norte Center at Meadows Institute Leadership Cabinet

  • Sharon Butterworth is an El Paso native and long time mental health advocate having served on the Texas State Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board, Department of Aging and Disabilities Council, and Health and Human Services Executive Council, and locally as President/Board Chair of Junior League, United Way, Paso del Norte Health Foundation, and currently on Southwestern Children’s Home Trust, J. Edward and Helen M. Stern Foundation, El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium, and Paso del Norte Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.

Amanda Chiao Ph.D., Au.D., CCC-A

Texas Tech Health El Paso
El Paso Children’s Hospital

  • Amanda Chiao (she/her/ella) is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Pediatrics and Equity in Audiology Research Laboratory at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, Department of Surgery. Dr. Chiao is also a senior pediatric audiologist at El Paso Children’s Hospital where her internationally-recognized clinical expertise includes audiological and vestibular testing in infants and pediatric concussion. She has led the development of highly specialized pediatric hearing and concussion service lines, firsts for our community. Dr. Chiao is also an NIH-funded researcher who is currently studying the effects of substance misuse on hearing and balance, and identifying hearing and balance differences among underserved patient populations. As a native El Pasoan, Dr. Chiao is proud to bring much needed quality pediatric and high-impact NIH research programs back to our borderlands.

Dr. Lauren Eisenberg DO, FACOS

Rio Grande Urology

  • Dr. Lauren Eisenberg DO, FACOS, fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and current vice president of Rio Grande Urology has been providing cutting edge urological care in the borderland for over14 years. As the only female urologist in El Paso from 2011 to 2024, she continues to provide a much needed gap for the city of El Paso. She is published in the Journal of Urology, and was the previous chief of urology at the Hospitals of Providence bringing new innovative urological technology to El Paso. In addition, Dr. Eisenberg is an associate professor at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and frequently mentors medical students with hands-on teaching in her clinic. In this capacity, she is at the forefront of educating the next generation of urologists. An extremely empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated physician, Dr. Eisenberg puts her patients first, and is committed to improving health outcomes for her community.

Gabriela A. Gallegos, JD, MPP

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in El Paso

  • Gabriela is an attorney, social entrepreneur, international sport leader, and Associate Professor at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in El Paso. She combines her expertise in law and policy with her passion for community health to equip the next generation of public health leaders to drive meaningful change.

Tasha Hopper, MSN, RN, NE-BC, FACHE

The Hospitals of Providence East Campus

  • Tasha Hopper is the Chief Executive Officer at The Hospitals of Providence East Campus in El Paso, Texas. She is a nurse with over 25 years of experience. Tasha received the Women of Impact award for 2021, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), a certified nurse in leadership, and an alumnus of the Texas Leadership Academy. She and her husband, Rob, have three children: Madison, Paige, and Bobby.

America Jones, RN, BSN, MSN, MNSM

Kindred Hospital

  • America Jones, RN, BSN, MSN, MNSM, has served as CEO of Kindred Hospital since 2017 and is an El Paso native dedicated to providing quality healthcare to her community while mentoring healthcare professionals and aspiring leaders. She was promoted to CEO after serving seven years as Kindred Hospital El Paso’s Chief Nursing Officer, overseeing all clinical operations for the hospital, which specializes in ventilator liberation, complex wound care, and the care of medically complex patients.

    America is the founding Chair of UNIDOS, the Hispanic and Latino Employee Resource Group for ScionHealth, the parent company of Kindred Hospital. She has been recognized as one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s Hispanic and Latino Healthcare Leaders to Know in 2024 and was honored by Diversity Journal as one of the Latino Leaders Worth Watching in 2021.

    America has been married to Wayne, a retired Captain of the El Paso Fire Department, for 30 years, and they have two sons, Kody and Dylan.

Wilma Luquis-Aponte, D.M.D., Ph.D.

Hunt School of Dental Medicine

  • Dr. Luquis-Aponte, who grew up in Puerto Rico, holds a DMD from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry, an MPH in Maternal and Child Health, and a PhD in Public Health from Walden University. After 17 years in private practice in El Paso and serving in various clinical and academic roles in Puerto Rico, Brownsville, and El Paso, TX, she now serves as a full-time Associate Professor and Director of Specialized Dental Care Education at the Hunt School of Dental Medicine in El Paso, TX. She remains actively involved in professional dental associations while also pursuing personal interests in ballroom dancing, community service, and the arts.

Eva Moya, PhD, LMSW

University of Texas at El Paso

  • Eva M Moya, is a fronteriza and a, native of Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. Chair and professor of the Department of Social Work at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a social justice advocate and scholar.

Dr. Daisy Nieto

El Paso Cardiology Associates
The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus

  • Dr. Daisy Nieto is the city's first female cardiologist, dedicated to advancing cardiovascular care with a focus on women's health, prevention, heart failure, sports cardiology, and advanced imaging. Beyond medicine, she is a proud wife and mother to two daughters, striving to inspire the next generation both at home and in her community.

Carolyn M. Pena, OT

Del Sol Medical Center

  • Carolyn Pena is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Del Sol Medical Center, where she has dedicated her entire 24-year career to advancing patient care in rehabilitation. She earned a bachelor of science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as well as a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and has since held multiple leadership roles, including Senior Occupational Therapist, PPS Coordinator, and Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor, before stepping into her current position.

     

    As Director, Carolyn leads multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams in acute care and inpatient rehabilitation, ensuring that patients receive exceptional physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy to support their journey toward functional independence. Her commitment to quality improvement and patient safety is evident through her active participation in committees focused on fall prevention, skin integrity, employee safety, rehabilitation quality, performance improvement, and trauma services at Del Sol Medical Center.

     

    Beyond her role at the hospital, Carolyn is deeply invested in education and professional development. She serves as a guest lecturer for therapy programs at UTEP, Western Technical College, and PIMA Medical Institute and is actively involved in professional organizations, including the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (Vice Chair), the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the Alpha Chi Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon. She also contributes to her community as Treasurer of the Americas High School Volleyball Booster Club and as a member of the UTEP College of Health Sciences Advisory Board and Occupational Therapy Program Interview Panel.

     

    Carolyn’s outstanding contributions to her field have earned her notable recognition, including being named an Outstanding Clinician by the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and receiving the Frist Humanitarian Award at Del Sol Medical Center. Her dedication to patient care, professional excellence, and mentorship continues to make a lasting impact on the El Paso community and beyond.

Dr. Leslie Robbins

University of Texas at El Paso College of Nursing

  • Dr. Leslie Robbins, a proud UTEP alumna, currently oversees the BSN, MSN, NP Certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, and previously served as the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Director of the DNP programs at the college. She holds the prestigious Charles H. and Shirley Leavell Endowed Chair in Nursing. She is a fellow in the National League of Nursing Academy of Nursing Educators, a fellow in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and was part of the first cohort for the PDNHF Realize Transformational Leadership Experience program. Recognized for her leadership, she received the 2013 El Paso VNA Nursing Excellence for Advancing and Leading the Profession Award and currently serves on the HCA LPDS Board of Trustees and the Emergence Systems of Care Governance Board.

Andrea S. Tawney, PhD.

Texas Tech Health El Paso
ATawney Consulting, LLC

  • Dr. Andrea Tawney is the Vice President for Texas Tech Health El Paso, where she oversees marketing, communications, and fundraising. She has built a team of strong leadership that has transformed philanthropic giving and expanded the visibility of Texas Tech El Paso’s mission by growing strategic marketing, partnerships, and community engagement. In 2023, she and her team announced a historic gift of $25 million to establish the first comprehensive cancer center in West Texas. Before joining Texas Tech El Paso, Dr. Tawney served as New Mexico State University Foundation’s President. Under her leadership, the foundation launched the most ambitious cash campaign in the system’s history. Within five years, her team raised more than $100 million.

    In 2023, Dr. Tawney launched ATawney Consulting, LLC to share her passion with other mission-driven organizations. She is proud to focus her talents and expertise on organizations that lift their communities with sustainable and collective impact. Dr. Tawney provides strategic planning for fund development growth and campaign feasibility of non-profits as well as the facilitation of board vision planning for corporate and private foundations. She is also a facilitator and inspirational speaker. In 2016, Dr. Tawney was named one of Albuquerque Business First’s 40 Under Forty and a 2019 Women of Influence. In 2022, she received Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching in Leadership International Award, and in 2023, she was honored as El Paso Inc.’s Woman of Impact.

    Dr. Tawney is a proud Air Force veteran and earned a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. She holds a Master of Education and a B.A.S. from Northern Arizona University. She serves on a number of regional boards, including an appointment on the board of the New Mexico Border Authority and the National Advisory Council for Foundations, Inc.

B. Abigail Tarango, Ph.D.

University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso
El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation
La Fundación UMC de México

  • Dr. Abigail Tarango is Executive Director of the University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso, El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the President of la Fundación UMC de México, where she champions accessible, high-quality healthcare for the border region. With a passion for strengthening the region’s well-being, Dr. Tarango oversees philanthropic initiatives that transform lives and spark lasting impact throughout the Borderland.

Glenda Villatoro, BSN

Del Sol Medical Center

  • Glenda Villatoro is an experienced healthcare professional with a 23-year tenure with the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), exemplifying steadfast dedication and expertise in her field. Glenda's journey in healthcare leadership is characterized by her commitment to excellence. Glenda earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1998 and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix in 2001. She attained her Board Certification as a Nurse Executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2015. As Chief Operating Officer for Del Sol, she oversees operations, manages various nursing departments, and is instrumental in supporting the Chief Staffing Officer role. Her multifaceted role underscores her ability to navigate the complexities of healthcare administration with poise and efficacy. Her love for the institution is reflected in her tireless efforts to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services. Her ability to navigate the dynamic healthcare landscape has contributed significantly to the success of the organization. In summary, Glenda Villatoro is a distinguished healthcare leader with over two decades of experience at HCA. Her impact on operations, nursing, and financial functions is a testament to her enduring dedication to healthcare excellence.

Christine Walker, DNP

Las Palmas Medical Center

  • Christine Walker was named chief nursing officer (CNO) at Las Palmas Medical Center in January of 2022. Walker brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience in various service lines, including Women's Services, Emergency, and critical care. She previously served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at St. David's South Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas.

    Walker has also served as the senior director of the Transformation Office at Texas Health Resources in Arlington, Texas. She led system integration, reliable care blueprinting, and patient journey initiatives for the most extensive faith-based, non-profit healthcare delivery system in North Texas.

    Walker received a doctor of nursing practice degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in 2016. She also holds a master of science in nursing/master of business administration and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

Tracy Yellen

Paso del Norte Health Foundation,
Paso del Norte Community Foundation

  • Tracy J. Yellen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Paso del Norte Community Foundation and a growing community of philanthropy leading the strategic direction, board governance, investment management, grantmaking, development, communications and administration to advance health, education, social services, economic development, and quality of life in the binational, tri-state region. Tracy has more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit and governmental organizations. She is active in the El Paso community currently serving on the boards of the PHIX Health Information Exchange, Fundacion Paso del Norte, and ROICOM. She is past chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-El Paso Branch Board and University Medical Center of El Paso. She has additionally served on the boards of the Borderplex Alliance, YWCA El Paso, Women’s Fund of El Paso, Mesita, Wiggs, and El Paso High School PTAs, and The Johns Hopkins University. Tracy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. Tracy is married and has two young adult children.

Martha Zepeda, MBA

American Cancer Society, Southern Region

  • Martha Zepeda, MBA works as an Associate Director, Community Partnerships within the Patient Support Pillar in the Southern Region of the American Cancer Society. She has 19 years leading the cancer-fighting organization with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.

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