PHARMACY - Key Persons

Alex Tibble

Job Titles:
  • Alumni Relations Specialist

Allan Stone

Job Titles:
  • Multimedia Services Manager

Amy J. Levi

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • Vice President for Academic Affairs
Amy Levi, PhD, is the Albers Endowed Professor of Midwifery at the UNM College of Nursing and was selected as the Director for the Office of Interprofessional Education at UNM Health Sciences Center effective July 2016. She has undergraduate degrees in Nutrition from Hampshire College (1975) and in Nursing from Widener University (1985). Her MSN (1986) and PhD (2000) are from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her appointment at UNM in 2012, she was engaged in full scope midwifery practice and on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, the University of Vermont School of Medicine, and the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. Dr. Levi's research and professional interests encompass interprofessional care in sexual and reproductive health, unintended pregnancy management, and midwifery education. She developed an interprofessional education program in obstetrics at the San Francisco General Hospital before relocating to New Mexico. Recent publications address the development of competencies in sexual and reproductive health, patient-centered miscarriage management, and updating the annual gynecological exam. She is a Fellow in the American College of Nurse-Midwives and the American Academy of Nursing.

Arthur Kaufman

Job Titles:
  • Distinguished Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of New Mexico
  • Leadership
  • Vice President for Community Health
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan Biography Dr. Kaufman is a distinguished Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of New Mexico. He received his MD from the State University of New York, Brooklyn in 1969, and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York in 1974. He served in the U.S. Indian Health Service in South Dakota and New Mexico, before joining the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of New Mexico in 1974. Dr. Kaufman helped initiate the Primary Care Curriculum in New Mexico, which became an international model for change by innovative track in traditional medical schools. He is the Director of New Mexico's WHO Collaborating Center. In 1999, he was elected Secretary General for the Network: Towards Unity for Better Health-- a WHO-affiliated, NGO. He received national and international teaching awards including the "5 Star Doctor Award" from WONCA in 2008. In 2015, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine/Institute of Medicine. He has over 70 publications, has written four books, and has received numerous federal and private foundation grants. Dr. Kaufman's specialties and certifications include: Internal Medicine Family Medicine

Barry E. Bleske

Job Titles:
  • Chairman and Professor Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences

Brenda Crisafulli

Job Titles:
  • Graphic Designer

Bridgette Wagner Jones

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Manager, UNM School of Medicine

Byron Hughey-Geer

Job Titles:
  • Brand Manager
  • Graphic Designer

Carly Newlands - CMO

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Director

Chris Ramirez

Job Titles:
  • Communications Manager & News Media Contact

Cindy Mason

Job Titles:
  • Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, CEO, UNM Health System

Donald Godwin

Job Titles:
  • Dean, College of Pharmacy / Executive Associate Dean for Education

Dr. Douglas Ziedonis

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, CEO, UNM Health System

Dr. Mike Richards

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan Biography Dr. Mike Richards is Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. He is also currently serving as the Interim Dean of the UNM School of Medicine. Dr. Richards has a background as both an administrator and physician, having served as Director of the UNM Center for Disaster Medicine and Medical Director of the EMS Bureau at the New Mexico Department of Health. He is also a professor and former chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and former Chief of Staff at UNM Hospital.

Elizabeth Dwyer Sandlin

Job Titles:
  • Communications Manager

Jack L. Fortner

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
  • Co - Chair
  • Chairman of Committee
  • New Mexico and the Senior Partner
Jack L. Fortner is an attorney in Farmington, New Mexico and the Senior Partner in the Firm of Fortner & Beckstead, LLC. Fortner grew up in Farmington, New Mexico and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1978 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree. While at UNM he was a student senator and a member of the NMPIRG Board. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Fortner then obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan in 1981. Regent Fortner was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham for the term of January 2021 through December 2026. Regent Fortner was first appointed to the Board in 1998 by Governor Gary Johnson to a six year term of 1998 to 2004. In 2004, Governor Bill Richardson re-appointed Regent Fortner to the Board of Regents for a term from 2004 to 2010. Governor Susanna Martinez re-appointed him from 2010 to 2016. Regent Fortner is the only person in New Mexico to ever be appointed to four terms , on the Board of Regents for UNM. Jack Fortner served as President of the Board in 2005, and has also served as President for the years 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

Jamie Silva-Steele

Job Titles:
  • Leadership
  • President and CEO, Sandoval Regional Medical Center
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan Biography Jamie Silva-Steele has over 35 years of progressive experience in an academic healthcare environment. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Mexico, she began her career as a pediatric nurse and worked in the general and sub-acute nursing units at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH). As her career progressed, she obtained her Master's in Business from the University of Phoenix, and moved into leadership roles within the organization, taking on director positions and serving as an Administrator for Ambulatory Services at UNMH. In 2013, Ms. Silva-Steele joined UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC) as its interim Chief Operating Officer and has been serving as its President and CEO since 2014. She was a National Association of Public Hospitals (NAPH) fellow from 2011-2012 (now known as America's Essential Hospitals). She participated in the Disparities Leadership Program through the Disparities Solution Center of Massachusetts General Hospital from 2009-2010 and was a recipient of The Disparities Leadership Program Award for "Recognition of Excellence in Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care." In addition, in 2014 she received the Governor's New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award for her work in addressing disparities in health care while serving at UNM Hospital. Ms. Silva-Steele is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Health Executives (FACHE). Ms. Silva-Steele has served on the Hospital Services Corporation (HSC) Board of Directors since 2014, the New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) Board of Directors since 2015 and the New Mexico Healthcare Executives (NMHE) Board of Directors since 2016.

Jett Loe

Job Titles:
  • Public Relations Specialist

Joe Anderson

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs

Julian Gutierrez

Job Titles:
  • Social Media Manager

Kate Becker - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • CEO, UNM Hospitals
  • Leadership
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan Biography Kate Becker joined UNM Hospitals (UNMH) as Chief Executive Officer in July 2018. UNMH, home to the State's only Level 1 Trauma Center, annually manages more than 71,000 emergency visits, 7,000 trauma cases, 20,000 surgeries, and 530,000 outpatient visits. UNMH is the State's only academic medical center and is the primary teaching hospital for the UNM School of Medicine. UNMH cares for a large, diverse population with complex and urgent health needs, providing more than $44 million of uncompensated care per year. Kate came to UNMH from SSM Health, in St. Louis, Missouri. During her years with SSM Health, she served as President of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, the primary teaching hospital of Saint Louis University; interim President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital; and President of SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital. Before joining SSM Health, Kate was the CEO of SLUCare, the faculty practice plan of Saint Louis University. Kate currently serves on the boards of America's Essential Hospitals, the New Mexico Hospital Association, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and Lobo Energy. She also serves on the Tocqueville Campaign Committee of the United Way of Central New Mexico. Kate received her bachelor's degree, and her master's degree in public health, from Saint Louis University. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Kathleen Becker

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • CEO, UNM Hospitals

Krystal L. Ward

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

L. Douglas Ried

Job Titles:
  • Associate Dean for Programmatic Assessment

Ludmila Bakhireva

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Dean for Clinical & Translational Research

Lydia Gosling

Job Titles:
  • University Marketing Representative

Markella Pavlakos

Job Titles:
  • Development Officer
  • Director of Development

McKaela Arviso

Job Titles:
  • Social Media Content Specialist

Melanie A. Dodd

Job Titles:
  • Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs

Melissa Romine

Job Titles:
  • Senior Marketing & Communications Director

Nicki Garcia

Job Titles:
  • Senior Business Manager

Nicole San Roman

Job Titles:
  • Communication & Outreach Specialist

Paul B. Roth

Paul B. Roth, announced his plan to retire in 2020. Learn more about his contributions.

Pavan Muttil

Job Titles:
  • Chairman & Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Richard Larson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • Leadership
  • Vice President for Research, HSC
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan

Robb McLean

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team
  • CEO and President, UNM Medical Group
  • MHCM

Robert L. Schwartz

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of Committee
Robert L. Schwartz is the Henry Weihofen Professor of Law Emeritus at the UNM School of Law. After joining the UNM law faculty in 1976, Schwartz focused his research and teaching in the emerging field of Health Law and has gone on to become a nationally recognized scholar in the area of bioethics, bringing this expertise into School of Medicine classrooms. Schwartz has co-authored several textbooks on health law and has served on the editorial boards of the Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy and the Medical Law Review. Through the World Health Organization, he has worked as a consultant on health legislation in Cambodia, Tonga and Vietnam. Schwartz has previously served as General Counsel for the New Mexico Human Services Department and the Chair of the New Mexico Health Policy Commission. Schwartz holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Rosemary Williamson

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant to Donald a. Godwin, PhD Dean

Sara Mota

Job Titles:
  • Art Director

Susan Smolinske

Job Titles:
  • Director New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center, Professor / Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences

Tracy Hunter

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, and Associate Professor - Clinician Educator, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences

Travis Barnette

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, Finance and Administration

Valerie Romero-Leggott

Job Titles:
  • Leadership
  • Vice President and Executive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, HSC
Leadership Office of the Executive Vice President HSC Leaders Richard Larson, MD, PhD Michael Richards, MD, MPA Amy Levi, PhD, CNM, WHNP Valerie Romero-Leggott, MD Arthur Kaufman, MD Kate Becker, JD, MPH Robb McLean, MD Jamie Silva-Steele, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE HSC Committee Homeless Coordinating Council Strategic Plan Biography Dr. Romero-Leggott is a first-generation college student and native New Mexican Hispana with strong roots in her cultural heritage. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and her medical degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine. Dr. Romero-Leggott serves as Vice President and Executive Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for the UNM Health Sciences Center, as Professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine, and as the UNM HSC Endowed Professorship in Equity for Health. She also serves as Executive Director of the Combined BA/MD Degree Program, a unique program that promotes the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of New Mexico high school seniors interested in practicing medicine in New Mexico's areas of greatest need. She has been a primary care provider on the forefront of treating populations burdened by socio-economic, racial and ethnic disparities; and has extensive experience teaching cultural competence, developing educational pipeline programs for underrepresented youth, building a diverse health workforce, and providing mentorship and career development opportunities and guidance for diverse faculty, residents, students and staff locally and across the nation. She has been awarded grants totaling over $11M to enhance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from middle school through professional degrees for underserved and underrepresented youth. These include serving as PI for New Mexico Health Careers Opportunity Programs (HCOP) Academy as well as PI for the New Mexico Workforce Diversity Center of Excellence. Dr. Romero-Leggott is a role model for young, female learners and professional women in the health sciences and has had a profoundly influential career advocating for women of color. She values time with her family and enjoys the peace and beauty of New Mexico's mountains.

William H. Payne

Job Titles:
  • Member of Committee
Bill Payne was raised in Albuquerque, and following completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of New Mexico, entered the Navy in 1975. During his first 11 years of active duty, he served in Underwater Demolition Team ELEVEN, SEAL Team ONE, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE. Additionally, the Navy sent Bill to Georgetown University where he earned an MA in Government and a certificate in National Security Studies, eventually earning a Navy designation as a Middle East/Africa/South Asia Politico/Military sub-specialist. Returning to Albuquerque from active duty in 1986, Bill completed his JD degree at the University of New Mexico School of Law where he was Associate Editor of the Natural Resources Journal. He is currently licensed to practice law in New Mexico and the District of Columbia. Bill was made an Honorary UNM Letterman in 2012, and was recognized by the UNM Alumni Association with the Higher Education Distinguished Legislator Award in 2013. Bill eventually became the first career reserve Navy SEAL to be promoted to Rear Admiral. He served in the Navy for nearly 35 years of active and reserve service including multiple recalls to active duty before retiring in October of 2009. Among his senior level positions, he served as Deputy Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy at United States Central Command, Director of Operations at United States Special Operations Command, and Deputy Commander, United States Navy Special Warfare Command. First elected to the New Mexico Senate in 1996, Bill was the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, a member of the Energy Council, a Commissioner of the Uniform Law Commission, and the recognized leader for utility, veteran/military affairs, and natural resource issues in the Senate. He served as Minority Whip for 12 years. Bill is married to Deborah Payne, a retired Commander U.S. Navy, and a retired manager at Sandia National Laboratories.