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Board of Directors

Community First Health Plans Board of Directors and Executive Leadership have a wealth of experience across the health care spectrum.

 

Board of DirectorsExecutive Leadership

Board of Directors

Paul Nguyen

Paul Nguyen

BOD Chair

Paul Nguyen is the President and CEO of CommuniCare Health Centers. He has over 20 years of progressive health care leadership experience in both inpatient and ambulatory services. Prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Nguyen served as the Chief Operations Officer for CommuniCare. His health care administration background includes working in two Level I Trauma Centers at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland, OR. He also has worked with critical access hospitals in rural Wyoming and Montana where he designed and initiated various strategies in operation efficiency and emergency preparedness. Mr. Nguyen has a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Park University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Webster University.

Rene Escobedo

Rene Escobedo

Vice Chair

Board Chair, Rene Escobedo, Attorney at Law, operates his own practice specializing in civil litigation, corporate, business, municipal, and administrative law. He received his BBA in accounting from University of Texas – San Antonio and his law degree from Saint Mary’s University School of Law. Mr. Escobedo is involved with the Greater Chamber of Commerce Education Council, Catholic Charities Board of Directors, University of Texas at San Antonio Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the United Way Board of Trustees.

Bryan Bayles, Ph.D., MPH

Bryan Bayles, Ph.D., MPH

BOD Member

Dr. Bryan Bayles currently holds a Research Assistant Professor position in public health at Texas A&M University – San Antonio in the Department of Science and Mathematics with a cross-appointment in the Department of Counseling, Health and Kinesiology. Prior to this position, Dr. Bayles was Curator of Anthropology and Health at the Witte Museum where he spearheaded content, programming, and data analysis for the Witte’s pioneering exhibition: The H-E-B Body Adventure Powered by University Health. This permanent exhibition has won multiple awards for its innovative use of interactive technologies and multimedia to nurture health IQ, empowerment, and wellness while generating actionable health data at the zip-code level for tens of thousands of school-age youth and adults in central Texas.

A member of the Mayor’s Fitness Council and UTHSCSA Department of Family & Community Medicine, Dr. Bayles works closely with an ever-widening range of community partners to ensure that the Witte Museum’s H-E-B Body Adventure continues to be at the forefront of a new national model for the empowerment of families in healthy living and lifelong learning.

Dr. Dianna Burns-Banks

Dr. Dianna Burns-Banks

BOD Member

Dr. Dianna Burns-Banks is a board certified pediatrician with over 20 years of experience in primary care and the owner and one of the founders of South Texas Center for Pediatric Care. Dr. Burns-Banks completed her medical school, internship, and pediatric residency at University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. She earned her master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.

Dr. Burns-Banks is a community activist and a patient advocate. She has been honored by the San Antonio Business Journal as a Healthcare Hero and was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2006. She is passionate about educating both her patients and their parents and advocating for quality care for both physical and mental health care services for all children in our community.

George B. Hernández, Jr.

George B. Hernández, Jr.

BOD Member

George B. Hernández, Jr., JD, is the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Bexar County Hospital District, a countywide hospital district under the name of University Health. The Health System serves as the principal partner of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and helps train over 2,500 health care professionals annually.

University Health is the first and only health system in San Antonio and South Texas to earn Magnet status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). As one of the Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems in the nation, University Health ranks in the top one percent of U.S. health organizations for achieving a high level of information technology integration. Most recently, University Hospital was named the best hospital in metropolitan San Antonio by U.S. News & World Report among 52 metropolitan areas across the country.

Mr. Hernández was the recipient of the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers 2009 Frank M. Adams Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service; and the 2010 Top 25 Minority Healthcare Executives Award by Modern Healthcare Magazine. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Public Hospitals and the Executive Committee of the Texas Hospital Association. Hernández is a native of San Antonio. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University and law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is married to Adel Hernández and together they have three children and a grandson.

Christopher Reed Hurley

Christopher Reed Hurley

BOD Member

Christopher Reed Hurley is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the University Health System. Mr. Hurley holds a master’s degree in accounting from Nova Southeastern University in South Florida and a bachelor’s degree from University of Houston. He is a Certified Public Account with more than 25 years of leadership experience in health care.

Mr. Hurley moved to San Antonio in 2008 and has been with University Health since March of 2014. As the Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, he is directly responsible for the fiscal affairs of the $1.8 billion governmental Health System.

Anita L. Fernández

Anita L. Fernández

BOD Member

Anita L. Fernández is co-founder and co-owner of OCI Group (Our Community Inc., LLC), a social purpose consulting group focused on government relations and public affairs. She joined the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers in 2020 after being nominated by Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez.

Ms. Fernández served as chief of staff for State Representative Diego M. Bernal, Texas House District 123, during which time she led the Capitol and District offices and various community and policy initiatives in the areas of public education, transportation, urban affairs, health care, and immigration. Prior to that position, Ms. Fernández was director of college and career readiness at Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering.

Ms. Fernández graduated from Incarnate Word High School and earned her bachelor’s degree at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. She earned a master’s degree in Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She currently serves as a board member for the Marianist Urban Students Program at Central Catholic High School, on the advisory board of the Institute of Texan Cultures, and as a volunteer project administrator for the National Hispanic Institute.

Executive Leadership

Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski

Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski

President & Chief Executive Officer

Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski began her career with University Health in 1995. With over 35 years of experience in healthcare, human resources development, and leadership, Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski’s skills and abilities have led to her being promoted to several key management positions.

Promoted to Senior Executive Director, Health System Administration in 2005, Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski provided leadership and support to the Detention Health Care Services, University Health Foundation, and CareLink departments. Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski 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.

Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski 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 of 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, Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski served a second term as Interim Chief Executive Officer for Community First Health Plans and was appointed as the President & Chief Executive Officer in August 2020.

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

Ms. Rodriguez Scepanski grew up in San Antonio. She earned 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.

Daverick Isaac

Daverick Isaac

Chief Financial Officer

Daverick Isaac is Community First’s Chief Financial Officer with over 13 years of experience leading finance and accounting operations in the Insurance industry. He has demonstrated success in managing multi-million dollar budgets and setting strategic financial direction for companies such as NTA Life, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, and FirstCare Health Plans. He is known for his ability to optimize financial processes, drive efficiencies, and reduce costs across the board.

In 2015, Mr. Isaac joined FirstCare Health Plans in Austin, TX and quickly ascended to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Vice President where he managed over $600 million in revenue. He then led the acquisition and financial transition of FirstCare Health Plans to Scott & White Health Plan before joining Community First Health Plans in 2020.

Mr. Isaac is originally from Fort Worth, TX. He received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Hastings College in Nebraska and then his master’s degree from Liberty University in Virginia. He serves as Vice President of Corporate Relations for the National Association of Black Accountants, Austin Chapter. He is also an active member of the Finance and Budget Committee for the city of Pflugerville, TX as well as the Value Based Payment & Quality Improvement Committee for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Mr. Isaac is the proud father to two beautiful daughters and husband to an accomplished entrepreneurial wife.

Jessica Yao

Jessica Yao

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Jessica Yao is the Chief Medical Officer at Community First Health Plans, with more than 20 years of experience as an accomplished physician in both clinical practice and health care management. She received her medical degree from the Medical College of Xi’an Jiaotong University in China, completed her residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), and is board certified in family medicine.

Dr. Yao is deeply committed to promoting member and community health, and her passion for this mission is evident in her collaborative approach to health care as she has implemented numerous initiatives to enhance care coordination, promote patient-centered care, and optimize health outcomes.

Dr. Yao recognizes that effective collaboration between providers is essential for achieving the best possible health outcomes for members. She works closely with provider groups to ensure that they have the resources and support they need to deliver high-quality, coordinated care to their patients.

Dr. Yao is a dynamic physician leader who brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion to the health care industry. She is dedicated to empowering members, supporting providers, and improving the health of the community. Her leadership and expertise will continue to drive innovation and improvement in the health care industry for years to come.

Julie Anne Eddy

Julie Anne Eddy

Chief Quality & Accreditation Officer

Julie Anne Eddy is the Chief Quality & Accreditation Officer for Community First Health Plans.  She leads the Quality Management Department which includes the Quality Management Resolution Unit, Clinical Quality Performance, Health Plan Accreditation, Practitioner and Provider Credentialing, and Strategic Initiatives programs for the organization.

Ms. Eddy received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Texas in San Antonio and went on to earn her nursing degree from San Antonio College.  She received her master’s degree in public health in 2017 and has worked for University Health for 20 years. 

Beginning her healthcare journey as a critical care nurse, Ms. Eddy has taken on increasing roles of leadership within University Health over the years.  She has a passion for assuring quality healthcare is available and delivered to the San Antonio community and surrounding areas.  Using her skills in program development and process improvement, she was pivotal in building the Adult, Pediatric, and Perinatal Palliative Care programs, as well as the building of the Inpatient Geriatrics program at University Hospital.  Her skills in healthcare quality led her teams to 4 successful Joint Commission Accreditations since 2014. 

Honored to be a part of the Community First Health Plans leadership team, Ms. Eddy is committed to serving our members by prioritizing the organization’s goal of providing the community access to quality health care for all stages of life, along with the assurance of care for the unexpected, when needed most.  

Ms. Eddy is married to Brenda, a Spanish teacher in the community and is the proud “Birdie” to Owen and Milo. 

Beginning September 1, 2024 Community First Health Plans, Inc. will be adding STAR+PLUS to its line of health care products.

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