Leadership

Ken L. Brown

An entrepreneurial business owner with over 20 years experience brings to the Board an upbeat go-getter attitude as well as a vast knowledge of the business world and community of New Mexico.

Ken, a seasoned balloon pilot, has had hands on involvement with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for more than 8 years. The Fiesta draws more than 1.3 million people during its annual 10 day run. Ken's experience brings a broader understanding to our Board's vision.

Del Esparza

Del Esparza, President, of Esparza Advertising provides strategic marketing, advertising, and business solutions to a broad range of national, public and private clients.

Del currently sits on the Executive Board of Directors for the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, where he is Chair for the Leadership Committee. He also serves on the board of the March of Dimes, the Leadership Council Board for Wells Fargo Bank and Governor Richardson’s Insure New Mexico Task Force.

The NM Business Weekly presented Del, a native of Albuquerque, as one of New Mexico's top 40 leaders under the age of 40. He is also a regular lecturer for the University of New Mexico.

Ted Garcia

Ted A. Garcia is the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of KNME-TV, a multi-award winning public television station (PBS) serving northern and central New Mexico. Garcia sits on the Board of Directors for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in Alexandria, VA. He also sits on the Technology and Distribution, Budget and Finance, and Content and Policy Committees.

Ted was recently elected Chair of the Executive Council of the Pacific Mountain Network (PMN). He also serves as the Chair Emeritus of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) Board of Directors.

Vince J. Gilbert RCVT. /EMT-p

Vince has been in the medical field for over twenty-five years in numerous capacities from patient escort manager, to business owner. He has served as a board member to the American Heart Association and to the Albuquerque Country Club.

Vince is the owner Cardiac Devices of New Mexico, and his company is a member of the Hispanic Business owners Association of New Mexico. Cardiac Devices of New Mexico and the Heart Hospital of New Mexico have had a long-term business relationship since the opening of the hospital in 1999.

Martha Holder, RN

Graduated from NMSU in 1981 and has since had a long and distinguished career in nursing. She worked in the PA cardiac step down unit at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Montrose Memorial pediatric/geriatric care and Presbyterian Hospital's SAC/ICU before coming to New Mexico Heart institute and Heart Hospital of New Mexico seventeen years ago.

Enola Keller, RN

A cardiovascular Senior Master Consultant with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for the past 21 years. On the AHA Board and Committees for the Go Red for Women Campaign. Lobbyist for AHA for Smoke free work , restaurant environments. Testifying at the Albuquerque City Council to change City Smoking Ordinances for AHA. ACC Advocate for the NM Chapter Train the trainer in Diabetes. Dedicated Cardiovascular Nurse to promoting Heart healthy Education to the Public.

Jodi A. Lynam

Jodi Lynam received her Associate of Science in nursing in 2001 and is the preceptor for new hires-telemetry and critical care nursing for the Heart Hospital of New Mexico. She has implemented and designed several operational systems, teaching plans and POD manuals during her career.

Through her perspective, Jodi is able to bring a wider vision to the boards programs and services.

Terry Odom

Terry has over 24 years of experience in Nursing and Healthcare Administration. She has expertise in Program Design and Management, Strategic Planning, Operations Management, Quality and Process Improvement, Hospital Reengineering, and Organizational Development. Currently, Terry holds the position of VP, Clinical Services of the Heart Hospital of New Mexico.

She has the proven ability to develop and manage quality driven, cost effective programs. She has facility design and construction experience. Terry has excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills. She is adept in a collaborative work environment, has served in operational as well as consulting/mentoring roles, and has extensive labor relations and negotiations experience.

Dr. Marek Z. Piatek

Dr. Piatek is a graduate of Akademia Medyczna im. Karola Marcinkowskiego, Poznan, Poland. His residency was performed at New York University. He completed a Fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, NY.

Dr. Piatek’s Specialty is General Cardiology and he has certification in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

Cheryl Rein-Borunda

Cheryl Rein-Borunda currently works for the City of Albuquerque as Convention & Tourism Contracts Compliance Manager. Cheryl manages the City’s contract with SMG, a facilities management company as well as the City’s marketing contracts with Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Cheryl received a BS in international trade from George Mason University, and started her career in Washington D.C. working for the FBI. She returned to Denver and worked in international transportation. After several years she moved to Virginia and worked in international marketing. Her career has taken her to Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.

Shirley Russell

Shirley has been in Healthcare Management for 12 years and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for New Mexico Heart Institute with responsibility for statewide operations.

She was the Director of Ambulatory Care for St. Joseph Healthcare before coming to NMHI in 2002. Her educational background is at UNM and University of Phoenix.

Shirley is an Albuquerque native and is married with 3 children.

Jim Silva

Jim Silva is Vice President of Business Development at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico. A native of Albuquerque, Jim received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from Temple University in Philadelphia.

He has worked in the health care administration field for over 16 years and has experience in both hospital administration and physician practice management. Jim served on Leadership Albuquerque and also feels fortunate to have chaired a United Way employee-giving program.

Dr. Salim Walji

Dr. Salim Walji is a Board-Certified Cardiothoracic surgeon who relocated from San Francisco to Albuquerque in September 1995. He has served on the board of Directors of the American Heart Association, as well as various other boards in the community. He has been on the governing Board of Directors of the Heart Hospital of New Mexico since it’s opening, and was asked to perform the first surgery when the Hospital opened on October 18, 1999.

Looking at the patients, as a whole, educating them and their families about their health, and serving an under-served community are some of the issues he feels very passionate about.

Dr. Harvey White

Dr. Harvey White, interventional cardiologist with New Mexico Heart Institute and Medical Director for the Heart Hospital of New Mexico, has dedicated himself for the past 15 years to direct patient care, clinical research initiatives, and leadership activities designed to improve New Mexico's cardiovascular health care system. Dr. White has participated in multiple clinical trials and is the cofounder of the Carotid Stent Research Program in New Mexico distinguished by an early recruiting effort, which stands in the top ten in the country.

Denise Cholewka

Denise Cholewka has served as the Community Relations Coordinator at the Heart Hospital of New Mexico for the past five years. In that time she has also worked closely with the Foundation and it's board of directors as the hospital liaison, bringing both entities together for successful endeavors. With 19 years of marketing and public relations experience, Denise assists the Foundation in planning and hosting it's annual Affair of the Heart fundraiser, as well as various other events.

Terry Harris

A native of Albuquerque, Terry Harris has been in marketing and sales for over twenty years. In 1987 she started Information Systems of New Mexico, a kiosk network that promotes area cultural and retail attractions to our visitors.

Terry is also the area manager for Interspace Airport Advertising, an advertising company, recently awarded a 10-year contract with the City of Albuquerque to handle the advertising program inside the Albuquerque Airport.

Terry sits on numerous boards in the city including the executive Board of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Association of New Mexico.