Our Board of Directors
We are dedicated to improving healthcare through partnerships with our communities and the people we serve
Kay Ghahremani, President & CEO of TACHP
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.
Craig Smith
President & CEO Driscoll Health Plan
Craig Smith began as President and CEO of the Driscoll Health Plan in 2021, returning to South Texas and the Gulf Coast area to serve the people and communities where he was raised.
Prior to Driscoll, Craig spent several years working within the Medicaid division of a national health plan. In his most recent role in that organization, he served as Market President running Medicaid health plans in both Washington state and Nevada. He also served as a Regional Vice President in Government Affairs based out of Texas and managing a 12-state government relations team across the central U.S.
Craig’s background in health stems from a decade of serving as policy advisor to multiple Texas State Senate and House legislative officials. In that capacity, he was integrally involved in sweeping healthcare initiatives like creation of the state’s first public educator health insurance program and CHIP eligibility reform. He carries a wealth of diversity in professional experience, having also worked in law, architecture and public education reform.
Education:
Craig is a licensed Texas attorney with a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston, and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas.
Karen Love
TACHP Chair
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.
Theresa Scepanski
TACHP Vice Chair
President & Chief Executive Officer Community First Health Plans
Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski is a dynamic leader in the healthcare sector, renowned for her unwavering commitment to advancing health access and improving community wellness. As the President and Chief Executive Officer at Community First Health Plans, Theresa has made significant strides in shaping and expanding healthcare services that cater to diverse populations, especially those historically underserved.
Theresa began her career with University Health in 1995. With almost 40 years of experience in healthcare operations, human resources development, and leadership, Theresa’s skills and abilities have led to her being promoted to several key executive positions.
Promoted to Senior Executive Director, Health System Administration in 2005, Theresa provided leadership and support to the Detention Health Care Services, University Health 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 in 2010. She was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer at University Health in 2012. In this role, she spearheaded significant improvements and expansions in all her areas of responsibility, Human Resources, Center for Learning Excellence, Volunteer Services, Employee Health, Safety & Wellness, Environment of Care, Emergency Preparedness, and Detention Health Care Services. Beginning in August 2019, Theresa served a second term as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Community First Health Plans and was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2020.
Since joining Community First Health Plans, Theresa has utilized her expertise to drive innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing health outcomes and reducing disparities. Under her leadership, the organization has launched numerous programs designed to address the unique needs of its members, including expanded access to preventive care, mental health services, and chronic disease management. Her strategic vision has been instrumental in creating partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, further amplifying the impact of Community First Health Plans in the community.
Her leadership style is characterized by empathy, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Theresa is known for her ability to inspire her team and foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Her work has garnered recognition within the industry, including several awards highlighting her contributions to health equity and community engagement.
Theresa continues to be a driving force in the healthcare industry, embodying a vision of accessible, equitable, and compassionate care. Her contributions to Community First Health Plans, University Health, and the broader healthcare landscape underscore her commitment to creating healthier, more equitable communities for all.
Board affiliations include serving as Chair of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans, Texas Association of Health Plans, and The Bexar County Health Collaborative. Theresa served as Chair for the University Health annual United Way Campaign from 2006-2022. Theresa grew up in San Antonio, Texas.
Education:
Theresa 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.
Stephen Bush
TACHP Treasurer
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.
EL PASO HEALTH CEO TO LEAD STATEWIDE HEALTH PLANS BOARD
/in News/by tachpEl Paso, Texas – January 9, 2019 – Frank J. Dominguez, President and CEO of El Paso Health, the only locally operated non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO), has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Texas Association of Community Health Plans (TACHP). As 2018 Vice-Chair, Dominguez assisted in directing a membership of 12 Texas-based […]
FirstCare Health Plans Bringing Medicare Special Needs Plan to West Texas
/in News/by tachpAUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 4, 2018 — Today, officials at FirstCare Health Plans announced the new FirstCare Advantage Dual SNP (HMO SNP) plan, which is back after a brief absence, and available in the Lubbock and Amarillo communities. The plan is designed to meet the special needs of those with Medicare and Medicaid. They must be eligible […]
Obamacare sign-ups set to begin for 2019
/in News/by tachpLocal advocates get word out as Obamacare sign-ups set to begin for 2019 Open enrollment for 2019 health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is about to kick off — as is the annual effort by local health care advocates to overcome a fresh crop of challenges that could deter people from signing up. Beginning […]