Chair
Dan Barrett has been serving on the Board of Directors for The Center for Health Care Services since 2011. He was nominated by Bexar County Precinct 2 Commissioner Paul Elizondo and is the chairman of the board.
Barrett received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is currently the President/CEO of Barrett Insurance Services, the first Hispanic commercial insurance agency in San Antonio.
Barrett previously worked with the Texas Council of Community Centers to develop the Texas Council Risk Management Fund, and served on the Risk Management Fund’s first founding board.
Barrett’s dedication to being an active partner in the growth and development of San Antonio and Bexar County is exemplified through his involvement with the Bexar County Small Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (SMWBE) Program, Hispanic Contractors Association of San Antonio, Muscular Dystrophy Association of South Texas, and a number of other civic and community boards.
Vice Chair
Judge Polly Jackson Spencer joined the Board of Directors for The Center for Health Care Services in 2015 and was nominated by the University Health System Board of Managers.
Judge Spencer received a bachelor’s degree in history from Duke University and a doctorate in jurisprudence with distinctions from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Judge Spencer was Probate Court Judge No.1 for Bexar County for 24 years and was one of the driving forces behind Bexar County’s Jail Diversion Program. She is board certified in estate planning and probate law in addition to being a former adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law. Currently, Judge Spencer is a visiting judge sitting by assignment.
Judge Spencer has served on working committees to help improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Bexar County. Some of those working committees include Bexar County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Advisory Committee, Substance Abuse Steering Committee for Bexar County, Bexar County Jail Diversion Task Force, and Bexar County Frequent 911 Callers.
Currently, Judge Spencer serves on a number of community boards such as Trinity University Board of Visitors, Deaf Education and Hearing Science Council, San Antonio Chamber Music Society, Morningside Ministries, and San Antonio Academy. She is also a member and director of The Rotary Club of San Antonio.
Secretary
Chief Justice Retired Sandee Marion served for over 28 years in the Texas Judiciary until her retirement on December 31, 2020. She was elected in 1992 as Judge of Bexar County Probate Court No. 2 where she handled the probate, guardianship and mental health dockets. She served on the Probate Court bench until her appointment to the Fourth Court of Appeals in 2002. In 2014, she was elected to serve as Chief Justice of the Court.
Judge Marion graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and from St. Mary’s University School of Law. Judge Marion practiced civil law for 12 years before her election to the bench. She is board certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
In 2008, Judge Marion was named Distinguished Graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law. She is a past President of the Board of the St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association. Judge Marion is an active member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio. In 2018 and 2019, then Chief Justice Marion served as Chair of the Texas Council of Chief Justices. The State Bar of Texas Foundation recognized Judge Marion in 2020 with the Outstanding Jurist of the Award.
Currently, Judge Marion serves as a senior visiting judge and she sits on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s University, the Center for Health Care Services and Corazon Ministries.
Treasurer
Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski is renowned as a dynamic healthcare leader for her unwavering commitment to advancing health access and improving community wellness. As the President and Chief Executive Officer at Community First Health Plans, Inc. (Community First), Theresa continues to shape and expand healthcare services catering to diverse populations, especially those historically underserved. After serving two terms as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Community First, Theresa was appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2020, where she drives innovative initiatives enhancing health outcomes and reducing disparities. These initiatives address Community First members’ unique needs, such as expanded access to preventive care, mental health services, and chronic disease management. Her strategic vision has created partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, further amplifying Community First’s impact on the community. The innovative community initiatives she has led include the installation of fifty food pantries; a unique and culturally relevant mural, We Love our Southside; and the Empowering Pathways: Entrepreneurship Scholarship Program, and Empowering Pathways: Maternal Scholarship Program.
Her leadership style is characterized by empathy, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Known for inspiring her team and fostering a culture of transformation and innovation, she has garnered recognition within the industry, including several honors highlighting her contributions to health equity and community engagement. These honors include the 2025 Stevie Awards Woman of the Year in Healthcare and Female Executive of the Year, the Bexar County Medical Society’s 2024 Annual Women Leaders in Medicine, the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2022 Healthcare Heroes, Modern Healthcare’s 2023 Top Diversity Leaders, and the 2023 Alamo Council of Government’s Community/Nonprofit of the Year.
Theresa’s board service spans national, state, and local organizations, including her role as Chair of Arts In Play, Inc.; Chair of the State Medicaid Advisory Committee; Vice Chair of the regional Health Information Exchange; member of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans; Texas Association of Health Plans; Texas Association of Community Health Plans; Bexar County Health Collaborative; former Chair for University Health’s annual United Way Campaign; and serving as a member of Project Mend and the Board of Trustees for the San Antonio Water System. A native San Antonian, Theresa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from Texas State University and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Development with honors from Webster University. Theresa began her career with University Health in 1995.
Bernard Beale is a highly skilled and results-oriented businessman with decades of experience in management and finance. He specializes in mergers, acquisitions, franchises and business consulting. His expertise is in turning around under-performing units, enhancing productivity, profitability, and driving sales growth. Health and wellness is his passion and he brings a positive set of skills to the Center for Health Care Services. Author, family man and active in church and community. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management, Aurora University and BA Degree, Oakwood College.
Maria Fernanda Cardenas is a nonprofit executive, civic leader, and community advocate with a proven commitment to advancing equity, strengthening organizations, and creating meaningful impact for underserved communities. Originally from Laredo and based in San Antonio, Fernanda has built her career at the intersection of healthcare, public policy, nonprofit leadership, and community service.
Fernanda serves as Executive Director of The Gonzaba Foundation for Healthier Communities, providing strategic leadership for initiatives that improve the quality of life for older adults and underserved populations. She leads organizational strategy, community partnerships, program development, and resource-access initiatives that address the evolving needs of seniors and their families. Prior to joining the Foundation, she spent nearly a decade with UnitedHealthcare, working to address health disparities and improve access to care for vulnerable populations.
A proud graduate of St. Mary’s University, Fernanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Political Science. Her background has equipped her with expertise in governance, strategic planning, public policy, organizational leadership, and community engagement.
Fernanda serves on the boards of South Texas Adult Protective Services, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Meals on Wheels – San Antonio. She also serves as Chair of the City and County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs and holds leadership roles with the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees. Her leadership has been recognized with honors including the Hispanic Chamber Women’s Leadership Advocacy Award, Alamo Area Council of Governments Mission Partner Award, Senior House Champion Award, and State of Texas Adult Protective Services Unsung Hero Award.
Known for her resilience, strategic thinking, and ability to turn vision into action, Fernanda brings a leadership perspective grounded in accountability, collaboration, advocacy, and measurable community impact. She believes effective leadership means asking the right questions, bringing people together, creating sustainable solutions, and leaving every organization and community she serves stronger than she found it.
Mr. Garza possesses over 40 years of Utility and Executive Public Health experience with a concentration in the Human Resources, Leadership and Operations. He possesses extensive knowledge in high voltage transmission and distribution environments coupled with extensive experience in Substation Construction, Maintenance, System Protection, System Testing, and Transformer Maintenance. Additionally, Mr. Garza has experience in all areas of Human Resources, Safety and Health, Employee Relations, Selection Procedures, Equal Employment Opportunity, Operations Management, Project Management, Training and Continuous Process Improvement. Mr. Garza possesses years of experience as an Adjunct Faculty member at both St. Philips College and The University of Incarnate Word. Mr. Garza is also a retired Utilitiesman Master Chief Petty Officer from the United States Navy and served as a Senior Enlisted Advisor for a Naval Special Warfare Seal Team SEVENTEEN SOJTF in Coronado, California in his final duty assignment. Master Chief Garza has also served in combat operations in the Al Anbar Province with the II Marine Expeditionary Force where his focus was on physical security, project management, construction safety, combat construction, communications and deployed multiple tours with Naval Special Warfare to South Korea in which he was responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of Special Operators and support team members. He worked with CPS Energy for over 31 years and his last significant responsibility included the formation of a best in class Safety and Health program which resulted in an 85% reduction of all workplace injuries. His last assignment was as the Sr. Executive for Labor and Employee Relations to ensure workforce partners focused on delivering “customer obsessed” results for the communities we serve in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. After retiring from CPS Energy, Mr. Garza served 5 years at the Center for Health Care Service as the Vice President of Operational Safety and Risk Management as well serving a stint as the Interim Vice President of Human Resources.
Ricardo Gonzalez is a senior healthcare executive with extensive experience in financial strategy, healthcare operations, and organizational growth. He serves as Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of a large, multi-site federally qualified health center (FQHC) in San Antonio, overseeing financial operations for an organization with more than $500 million in annual revenue and approximately 1,200 employees.
In his role, Gonzalez provides executive leadership across finance and accounting, human resources, pharmacy operations, marketing, and other strategic areas. He works closely with executive leadership and the board of directors on long-term strategy, financial sustainability, capital planning, risk management, and organizational expansion.
His experience spans healthcare finance, value-based care and risk arrangements, pharmacy operations, 340B program management, payer strategy, and capital investment. He brings a practical understanding of the financial and operational challenges facing healthcare organizations, particularly those serving underserved populations.
Gonzalez is committed to responsible stewardship of healthcare resources, sustainable organizational growth, and expanding access to quality care. As a member of the Center for Health Care Services Board, he brings a perspective grounded in executive leadership and financial expertise, with a focus on strengthening organizational performance and supporting the long-term sustainability of essential community health services.
Gonzalez has lived in San Antonio most of his life, growing up on the west side of San Antonio. He is also a 1992 graduate of St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.
Dr. Abby O. Lozano is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with over 14 years of clinical practice experience and 6 years of healthcare leadership. She currently serves as the Vice President of Behavioral Health at University Health, where she oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs that address behavioral health needs, ensuring alignment with the health system’s mission and community priorities.
Originally from South Texas, Dr. Lozano completed her medical school training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and residency training at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Lozano’s personal mission was to return to Texas to serve her community.
Dr. Lozano’s clinical expertise focuses on individuals with chronic mental illness and severe, comorbid medical conditions, with particular interest in women’s mental health and peripartum mental health issues. In addition to clinical practice, she has held leadership roles, including Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services at University Health and Director of the Psychiatric Consultation and Liaison Service at University Health.
Dr. Keely Holland Petty, CPsy.D., is a native San Antonian and the founder and CEO of Kick Start Your Life™ and The Mental Wellness Faith Collective, a global wellness coaching, training and consulting service. A trusted advocate for women and girls, she blends faith and the principles of psychology to reduce stigma and expand access to culturally responsive mental health care. Her honors include induction into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame and a nomination to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame (both 2025), along with multiple San Antonio Business Journal leadership awards and a Governor’s Volunteer Award for exemplary community service.
Dr. Petty serves as National Training Coordinator for the Trauma Informed Ministry Model at WestCare Foundation. Before that, she spent 25 years as Program Director at Bethel Community Development Corporation, where she oversaw mental health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention programs and managed more than $2.65 million in public funding with no audit findings. She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word and a CPsy.D. in Christian Counseling, and she is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor with additional training in trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation and cognitive behavior therapy.
Her community impact is wide. She created Girl Worth Mentoring for teen girls and Sisters in the Spirit for women in residential addiction treatment. She also leads Matters of the Mind, a virtual conversation series on trauma and mental wellbeing that has reached tens of thousands. She has trained 180 church leaders to recognize mental illness in their congregations, and during COVID-19 she opened her church as a trusted vaccination site that served over 300 residents. She has also served on the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, the city’s Martin Luther King Commission and the Collaborative Council of the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
A familiar voice on local television, radio and print, Dr. Petty has hosted the TBN program Joy in Our Town and written for the Express-News. She is also a board member of the Center for Health Care Services Foundation. She is guided by a belief that we belong to one another, and her life calling is to help humanity hold on to hope until healing happens.
Ex-Officio Board Member
Sheriff Javier Salazar was sworn into office on January 1, 2017 as the 34th Sheriff of Bexar County. He is a Bexar County native and graduate of Samuel Clemens High School. He attained his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from the Alamo Colleges District. He later received his Bachelor’s Degree from Wayland Baptist University and holds a Master Peace Officer License from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Prior to being elected, Sheriff Salazar served with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) for twenty-three years. He joined SAPD at the age of 21 and worked in various capacities. Sheriff Salazar first worked as a patrolman, then in Downtown Bike Patrol and was one of the first members of the Community Policing Unit known as the San Antonio Fear Free Environment (S.A.F.F.E.) Unit. He promoted through the ranks of the SAPD also serving in Narcotics, the Executive Protection Detail and in the Office of the Chief. He then became an Internal Affairs Investigator and in 2012, the Director of Communications. His last assignment with the SAPD was as Director of the Department’s Integrity Unit.
During his tenure with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Salazar has created several units including; Adult Detention Mental Health, Contraband Abatement Team and the Applicant Processing Unit. In the interest of community engagement and safety he has also created the Public Integrity Unit, Mounted Patrol, Special Victims Unit as well as the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Response and Education (SCORE) Unit.
He has made community engagement one of the top priorities of his administration. In doing so Sheriff Salazar has created several programs including; Active Shooter Training, Gold Badge Business Certification, Pastors on Patrol, the Senior Fraud Program as well as the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.
He has been married to his wife Sarah for eighteen years and is the proud father of two daughters.
Sheriff Salazar’s philanthropic work includes serving various nonprofit and community organizations including;
Alamo Youth Center – Advisory Board Member
Board Member Emeritus
Ira Smith, Jr. served as a trustee and past chair of The Center for Health Care Services from 1977 to 1988, and again from August 2003 to February 2004. He served as CHCS’ Vice Chair from 1979 to 1980 and as Chairman of the Board from 1984 to 1985. He was also Chair of the Texas Council of Community Centers from 1986 to 1987, and was named an Honorary Lifetime Board Member of the Texas Council and Member Emeritus of CHCS in 2016.
Ira also served on the University Health System Board of Managers since 2003, and oversaw the Health System’s $900 million Capital Improvement Program. He served on the UHS Pension Board and Quality Risk Management Committee. A graduate of St. Mary’s University, Ira retired from City Public Service (CPS Energy) in June 1998 after more than 33 years, having served in a variety of leadership roles including director of Central Services, director of Technical Services and director of Computer Services. He served and held leadership positions on both the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital and the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Board of Directors, and was a member of the Community Board for the Methodist and Metropolitan Hospitals.
Sam Williams, Jr. served on the Board of Directors for The Center for Health Care from 1989 to 2011 and was awarded board member emeritus status in 2011.
Williams received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education from Our Lady of the Lake University. He is a retired school teacher who devoted 25 years of committed service to teaching fourth and fifth grade students. He previously served ten years in the Air Force as a non-commissioned officer performing a number of diversified duties from Special Project Assignments to the position of Social Actions Director. He also administered the Drug/Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Programs and served as consultant to the Base Commander on all aspects of Drug Abuse Control, Race Relations, Equal Opportunity and Domestic Actions.
Williams previously served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers, Inc. He also served on a number of local community boards focusing on education such as the Alamo Alliance of Black School Educators, the San Antonio Task Force on School Dropouts, the National School Volunteers, the Texas Governor’s Volunteers and the Community Workers Planning Council for San Antonio. He previously served as president on the Edgewood Independent School District Board where he was the first African-American to be elected in a largely Hispanic population, and was re-elected for five more consecutive terms.
Williams has also served on the Deacon Board of the Westridge Park First Baptist Church.
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