Jacqueline Brown
Jacqueline has been a rural public health nurse for the past 30 years. She has worked as the Director of Prowers County Public Health and Environment from 1988-1993, and 1995 to present. Jacqueline received her Master's of Science Degree in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Colorado, School of Nursing. She currently serves as a member for the CDPHE Emergency Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee, CDPHE Public Health Improvement Steering Committee, as well as several other prestigious committees and advisory boards.

Arlene Harms
Arlene Harms began her rural health career at Melissa Memorial Hospital in Holyoke, Colorado in 1976 as a laboratory technician. During her tenure at the hospital she wore multiple hats and worked in many different clinical areas. She served as a cardiovascular tech and implemented the hospital's Cardiac Rehab Unit, became a certified x-ray technician and EMT and served as ancillary supervisor for 12 years. She taught Medical Technology at a junior college in Nebraska for five years. Arlene also served as Compliance Officer and Assistant Administrator before becoming the hospital's Administrator in 2000. In 2006, Arlene relocated to the San Luis Valley where she now serves as the CEO of Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte.

Bryan Hess
As the EMS Department Director for Gunnison Valley Hospital since 2003, Bryan has over 24 years' experience in Emergency Medical Services. He also serves as the Director of the EMS Education Department, a Colorado State Training Center for EMT Basics and EMT Intermediates. Bryan has served on the local Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council, both as a current representative member and as the past Vice-chair and Chair. He is currently on the board for the Colorado Chapter of International Trauma Life Support. In 2004, Bryan was awarded the CRHC Rural Healthcare Excellence Award and was most recently awarded the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce Shining Star Award.

Sheryl Hieber
Sheryl Hieber has had the pleasure of being the Administrator for Surface Creek Family Practice for the past 10 years. Following the 3 "R"s from childhood, her primary job functions are Recruitment, Retention, and Relocation. Surface Creek Family Practice has grown from single provider/single location to four providers and three clinic locations within Delta County. Sheryl's previous healthcare experience includes Alzheimer's Unit Director and Hospital Business Office Manager.

Larry Kipe
Larry lives and breathes rural health, as he has been a rural family physician for 21 years. He is the Past President of the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, and a current board member for the Colorado Board of Health. Larry is also a member of the American Medical Association, and the Colorado Medical Society, as well as other prestigious organizations.

Pam Nicholson
Pam Nicholson has served the Centura Health family for more than 20 years, most recently as senior vice president for strategic integration. Pam has extensive experience in managed care operations, payer relations, strategic planning, contracting, claims management, benefit design, physician relations and health care network development. She is a member of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development and the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is also a Bighorn Leadership Fellow.

Robert Omer, President
Bob Omer is the CEO of Southeast Colorado Hospital District in Springfield, a facility that includes a 23-bed CAH, 56-bed LTC Center, and Southeast Colorado Physicians Clinic (PB-RHC). Bob also serves as an Alternate Delegate for the Region 8 Policy Board of the American Hospital Association. His 35 years experience in executive management includes tertiary, community, and rural hospitals, LTC facilities, physician clinics and practices, and rural healthcare in the Midwest and Mountain West. Bob is a graduate of both The University of Utah (B.S.) and Washington University (MHA) in Saint Louis. He is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Karen Tomky
Karen Tomky, RN, MSN, CFNP is native of Olney Springs, Colorado where her family farm is located. Karen practices as a nurse practitioner at Centennial Family Health Center in Ordway and is the only full time provider of healthcare services in Crowley County, where she also serves as County Coroner. Karen served on the Provider Task Force of the 208 (Blue Ribbon) Commission for Health Care Reform, and on the Governor-appointed Scopes of Care Task Force. She is a past recipient of the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Human Caring in 2001 from the Colorado Nurses Foundation, which honors nurses who best exemplify the philosophy and practice of Florence Nightingale, a 19th century nursing pioneer who epitomized the art of helping people toward their optimal health. Karen also serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Colorado Area Health Education Center.