Kay Ghahremani is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Texas Association of Community Health Plans (TACHP), with over 25 years of experience in health care administration and management. In her current role, Kay directs a dynamic membership of 12 health plans sponsored by local health systems across Texas that collectively serve over two million Texans. As CEO, Ms. Ghahremani represents and advocates for issues important to the TACHP mission of supporting and strengthening the delivery and outcomes of health care in Texas communities through engagement of health care consumers, community providers and other stakeholders.

Kay previously served as the Texas Medicaid and CHIP Director for the Health and Human Services Commission, directing services for over four million people monthly. In this capacity, Ms. Ghahremani managed a large organization dedicated to the complex operations of the Texas Medicaid and CHIP programs. During her three year tenure, Texas Medicaid expanded its managed care program statewide and improved health care delivery for individuals with complex health conditions.

Prior to becoming the Texas Medicaid and CHIP director, Kay served as the Medicaid and CHIP Policy Director for over five years. She has held a number of progressively challenging positions in health care during her professional career involving the design, implementation and operations of government programs.

Ms. Ghahremani holds a master’s degree from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs.

President of Cook Children’s Health Plan

Karen Love joined Cook Children’s Health Plan (CCHP) in November 2018, bringing over thirty years’ experience in the health care industry. Prior to joining CCHP, Karen served as Executive Vice President and COO of Community Health Choice, a Houston-based community-based Managed Care Organization serving over 430,000 Members.   Karen’s long career has been centered on strengthening the collaborations among payers and providers to produce better health outcomes for Members and patients.

Education:

Karen holds a B.B.A. from the University of Texas, Austin and a M.H.A., Tulane University.

President & Chief Executive Officer Community First Health Plans

Theresa Scepanski began her career with University Health in 1995. With over 35 years of experience in human resources development and leadership, Theresa’s skills and abilities have led to her being promoted to several key management roles and eventually to her current position as Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer.

Promoted to Senior Executive Director, Health System Administration in 2005, Theresa provided leadership and support to the Detention Health Care Services, University Health System Foundation and CareLink departments. Theresa led several initiatives to strengthen the fiscal health of CareLink. Under her leadership, CareLink improved access to health care through expanded collaborative arrangements with non-profit clinics, federally qualified centers, the local mental health authority, and community physicians.

Theresa served as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Community First Health Plans, managed care organization, in 2010. Theresa was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer in 2012. In this role, she has spearheaded significant improvements and expansions in all her areas of responsibilities; Human Resources, Center for Learning Excellence, Volunteer Services, Employee Health, Safety & Wellness, Environment of Care, Emergency Preparedness and Detention Health Care Services. Serving a second term as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Community First Health Plans, beginning August 2019, Theresa was appointed as the President & Chief Executive Officer for Community First Health Plans, August 2020.

Board affiliations include Texas Association of Health Plans, Texas Association of Community Health Plans and Healthcare Access San Antonio (HASA). Theresa has served as Chair for the University Health System Annual United Way Campaign since 2006.

Education:

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from Texas State University and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development, graduating with honors from Webster University.

Chief Financial Officer of Scott and White Health Plan

Stephen Bush joined Scott and White Health Plan in 2009 as Controller for the organization. He became Chief Financial Officer in May 2015.

He has successfully improved health plan operating margin performance and reduced administrative cost ratios in each year since becoming CFO. In addition, he was a key contributor in the initiation of the following health plan programs:

• Medicaid STAR program – 2012
• Affordable Care Act individual market – 2014
• Medicare Advantage program – 2014
• Acquisition of FirstCare Health Plan – 2019

Prior to joining the Scott and White Health Plan, he was the Controller for MHNet Specialty Services, a managed behavioral healthcare organization in Austin, Texas specializing in behavioral health and substance abuse services for Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid clients.

His expertise played a key role in the acquisition of MHNet by Coventry Health Care in 2008. In addition to his role as Controller, he also served as the Corporate Tax Manager for MHNet’s complex structure of company entities and held an interim role as Director of Information Systems.

Mr. Bush also served in financial and accounting roles with service and manufacturing organizations in Tampa, Florida and Houston, Texas.

Education:

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Accounting and in Business Management from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.   He earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from Sam Houston State University.  He is also currently licensed as an active Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.