PEOPLE
Our vision is Healthy Living For Everyone.
Integral Care’s nine-member volunteer Board of Trustees is appointed by Central Health, the City of Austin and Travis County. Each appoints three representatives to reflect the needs of our local community. The trustees are a diverse group with various professional backgrounds, bringing expertise in the areas of criminal justice, health care, management and rehabilitation services. The Board volunteers their time and skills by participating in regular meetings, training sessions and Integral Care functions. We thank them for their invaluable service.
hal katz
Appointed 2010
Katz is a partner at Husch Blackwell and is board-certified in healthcare law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He focuses his representation on clients doing business within the healthcare industry. His clients include physicians, hospitals, provider networks, managed care organizations, governmental entities, diagnostic centers and other healthcare providers across the state of Texas. Representation of these clients includes advising on corporate, transactional, regulatory and public policy matters. Katz was Chair of the CommUnityCare board, where he served from 1998-2010, and is the Vice Chair of the Austin Arts Commission. Katz is also on the Integral Care Foundation Board of Directors.
Patricia “Trish” Young Brown
Appointed 2020
Patricia “Trish” Young Brown is a partner in Design Run Group, LLC, a mission driven venture studio that partners with health organizations to create new companies that build innovative human-centered solutions to serve the health and wellness needs of vulnerable communities in Texas and beyond. Trish has more than 20 years of experience leading multiple healthcare and community based organizations, including serving as the inaugural President and CEO of Central Health, the Travis County Healthcare District created by the voters of Travis County in May of 2004 and CEO of Thinkery, Austin’s STEAM Children’s Museum. Trish is a long time member of the Austin Area Research Organization, a nonpartisan group of over 120 community committed business and civic leaders that champion regional solutions to regional challenges. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Denver. She recently completed her Masters of Art in Spiritual Formation (MSF) at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin.
Guadalupe Zamora, M.D.
Appointed 2014
Dr. Zamora has 24 years of experience as a practicing physician. When not on staff at St. David’s Medical Center, he works at his own family medicine clinic in East Austin alongside his niece, Dr. Belda Zamora. He has served as the past president, secretary, and treasurer of the Travis County Medical Society, and was formerly on the advisory board for the Medical Access Program (MAP), prior to the existence of Central Health. Most recently, he served as treasurer of Healthy ATX, a local organization that supports the improvement of the local healthcare system.
City of Austin
Sarah Churchill Llamas
Appointed 2017
Sarah Churchill Llamas is a healthcare and health information technology attorney and a nationally-recognized expert in health IT solutions, having been appointed a Health IT Fellow by the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Sarah is a Shareholder in Winstead PC’s Austin office, and is a member of the firm’s Healthcare Industry and Corporate Securities/M & A Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on the intersection of healthcare and technology, advising providers, hospitals and businesses on healthcare information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare transactions and regulatory compliance. She received her BS in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology from Arizona State University and her JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Ann Kitchen
Appointed 2022
Ann Kitchen is an attorney and health care consultant with expertise in improving access to health care services for women and families. Kitchen served as Austin’s District 5 Council Member for 10 years, during which she provided ongoing support of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) initiatives and Integral Care’s EMCOT (Expanded Mobile Crisis Outreach Team) on the Housing & Community Development and Psychiatric Services Stakeholder committees. She helped create the city’s AustinCARES program, which funds Integral Care clinicians in the 911 Call Center and the HEAL Initiative, which provides immediate shelter, social and health services and a path to permanent housing for the unsheltered population. She has over 10 years of state service as a State Representative for District 48, a Senior Medicaid Policy Advisor with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, an Assistant Attorney General with the Charitable Trust Section of the Texas Attorney General’s Office and a caseworker for special needs children at the Texas Commission for the Blind. Kitchen is also an expert on health information technology and was Executive Director of the Integrated Care Collaboration (ICC) for five years.
Stephanie Bazan
Appointed 2023
Bazan, an accomplished executive with over fifteen years of experience in communications, fundraising, strategic planning and building programs, brings a wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial mindset to her role as Executive Director. Most recently, Bazan served as the Chief Communications Officer & Crisis Communications Advisor at the prestigious law firm Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP. She has also held the position of Director of Communications, Events & Programs at the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she advocated for small and minority-owned businesses and significantly impacted the lives of many through her work on the nationally ranked Hispanic Austin Leadership program. Her dedication to the community is further demonstrated through her board and committee appointments and volunteer work, including the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board and Integral Care Board of Trustees.
Travis County Commissioners Court
Emmitt W. Hayes, Jr
Appointed 2017
Hayes is currently an independent consultant with LTBL Consultants, facilitating workforce development, diversity management and juvenile justices training workshops across the United States. After 38 years of public service, he retired in January 2014 as Director of the Probation Services Division for the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department. During his tenure as Assistant Deputy Executive Director for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse that ended in 1995, one of his crowning achievements was his participation in the development and implementation of the Texas Criminal Justice Treatment Initiative. He has served on the National Advisory Council for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and currently serves as a board member for Neighborhood Housing Services of Austin and the Epsilon Iota Foundation.
Deborah Smith
Appointed 2021
Deborah Smith is a content curator and documentary film producer who works to end racial, gender and economic inequality by creating powerful, authentic media while diversifying her industry through education and employment of low-income youth and young people of color. Deborah has worked for the Texas Facilities Commission Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and is a 2016 Central Health Community Health Champion.
Horace (H.Ed) Edward Calahan
Appointed 2018
H. Ed Calahan is currently the pastor of Agape Baptist Church and brings over 30 years of experience in mental health. He began working in mental health in 1970, including 10 years of service as a clinician and Director of Mental Health at Integral Care. He also served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Mental Health; Director of State Operated Community Behavioral Health Services; the Director of System Transitions and Director of Multicultural Services for the Texas Department of State Health Services, retiring in 2004. Prior to this work, he served in the United States Air Force. Calahan was an instrumental member of the National Association for Rural Mental Health, holding the office of President from 1995-1997. He continues his commitment to the community as an active sponsor of the Central Texas African American Support Conference. He received a BA in Sociology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a MEd in Guidance and Counseling Psychology from Prairie View A&M University.
Ex-Officio
Sheriff Sally Hernandez
Appointed 2019
Elected in November 2016, Sally Hernandez is currently serving her first term as Sheriff of Travis County, Texas. One of only six women to hold the title of sheriff in the entire state, she’s uniquely qualified for such a challenging leadership role. Hernandez started her career in Law Enforcement in 1981, in Llano, TX as a night dispatcher. In 1988, she moved to Austin and served as a deputy with the Precinct Three Constable’s Office. In 1992, she was hired as a Sergeant Investigator for Travis County District Attorney’s Office. In 2005, she advanced to Chief of Investigations. In 2013, Hernandez took office as Travis County Constable Precinct Three. As Sheriff, Hernandez has garnered national aplomb and has received myriad awards for her leadership and innovative partnerships. She passionately fights for mental health reform, civil liberties for all and the success of the next generation. Sheriff Hernandez serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of Integral Care’s Board of Trustees per the legal requirements of Senate Bill 632, signed into law in June 2019.
Jeff Richardson
Chief Executive Officer
Jeff Richardson was the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sheppard Pratt, a prominent behavioral health organization in Maryland. Serving over 70,000 people across 380 locations, Jeff demonstrated exceptional leadership in the behavioral health sector. His impressive career includes a twenty-three-year tenure as the Executive Director of Mosaic Community Services, highlighting his dedication to community-based care. Jeff holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business administration from Loyola University. His commitment to behavioral health advocacy is evident through his involvement in nonprofit boards and state task forces. Jeff has held prestigious roles such as Board President for The National Council for Behavioral Healthcare and President of the Board for the Mental Health Association of Maryland.
Furthermore, Jeff’s contributions to the field extend to consulting, publications, and presentations on critical behavioral health topics, including systems redesign, business development, community mental health, strategic planning, affordable housing, healthcare technology, clinical services and nonprofit mergers and acquisitions.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff is a devoted family person, married with four adult children, one of whom has special needs. This personal experience fuels his passion for providing effective and quality behavioral health services to individuals and families facing similar challenges.
Dr. Amanda Banks
Chief Equity Officer
Dr. Amanda Banks serves as the Chief Equity Officer at Integral Care. In this capacity, she leads the efforts of embedding a racial equity framework across the entire agency. Her extensive background in race equity includes working with state agencies, public schools, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and faith-based entities. A social justice advocate, storyteller, facilitator, and public speaker, Dr. Banks strives to empower, inspire, and elevate the voices of “the least of them.” Dr. Banks is the author of Amazing Race, a nonfiction book filled with riveting stories and leadership lessons based on the trials and triumphs of 1968 Olympian and coach, Jarvis Scott. A Texas Tech All-American (Triple Jump), and member of the Texas Tech Hall of Fame and Southwest Conference Hall of Fame, Dr. Banks earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Texas Tech University.
Dr. Kathleen Casey
Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer
Dr. Kathleen Casey serves as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Integral Care and Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School. She has over 20 years of experience implementing large-scale public health and behavioral health initiatives. Dr. Casey holds an Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, Public Policy and Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and is a former Doctoral Fellow with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. She served as a Program Officer for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Central America and as a Policy Analyst for Prevent Child Abuse America’s National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research.
Dawn Handley
Chief Operations Officer
Dawn Handley, LPC, serves as Chief Operations Officer of Integral Care and has more than 20 years experience in behavioral health care. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Education in counseling. Handley joined Integral Care in 2008 and is responsible for directing adult and children’s behavioral health, disease management, crisis services and integrated care. She is a member of the Crisis Services Implementation and Psychiatric Services Stakeholder Committees. Previously, Handley served as Chief Operating Officer for Connections Individual and Family Services and Interim Executive Director for Waterloo Counseling Services. She also held leadership positions in other healthcare organizations. Handley was Board Chair for Waterloo Counseling Services and received awards for her outstanding contributions from the Texas Network of Youth Services
Lisa Ott Laky
General Counsel
Lisa Ott Laky serves as General Counsel for Integral Care where she oversees the human resources department and all legal affairs. Laky was in private practice from 1984 through 2001, became a director of the Austin firm of Hilgers & Watkins in 1993 and also served as Vice President and General Counsel for Q-Up, Inc. She joined Integral Care in 2004. Laky served on the board of the Family Crisis Center of Bastrop, Lee and Fayette Counties and was chair of the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission from 2003-2005. Laky graduated from Texas A&M University cum laude in 1981 and from The University of Texas School of Law in 1984.
Scott Ruff
Chief Technology Officer
Scott Ruff serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Integral Care. With over 30 years of experience in technology and operations leadership, he has worked with organizations such as Bridgemoor Transitional Care, Remington Medical Resorts, NEC Electronics, Motorola (Freescale), and Hitachi Semiconductor. Scott brings a wealth of expertise to Integral Care, skillfully integrating advanced technology with robust administrative practices to continuously enhance the accessibility and quality of services. His extensive background in executive leadership, HR, technology, and analytics positions him well to contribute significantly to Integral Care’s mission. Outside of work, Scott is passionate about his family, photography, and hiking, which further enriches his approach to life, leadership, and innovation.
Rusty Taylor
Chief Financial Officer
Rusty Taylor is an accomplished financial and operational leader with more than 13 years of experience leading the financial and business operations of a variety of healthcare companies, primarily in the venture and equity spaces during that time, and 25 years overall in healthcare. Prior to Integral Care, he consulted as a Fractional CFO as well as served in CFO roles at ABA Centers of America, Mindstrong Health, AVIA Health, Constellation Behavioral Health, Smart Choice MRI, Surgical Care Affiliates, and head of client success and finance of Zynx Health. He holds a B.S. in Management from Pepperdine University and an MBA from University of Southern California.
Mesha Barnes
Chief of Staff
Mesha Barnes Serves as the Chief of Staff at Integral Care and has more than 25 years of administrative and leadership experience, including 15 years of service to Integral Care. In her role, she is responsible for managing Board logistics, streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and helping to drive organizational success. Mesha’s communication and interpersonal skills enable her to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels and facilitate collaboration across departments. Mesha has worked with organizations such as University of Texas Investment Management Company and the Texas Association of Counties.
Elizabeth Marrero, MSSW
Provider Network & Authority Officer
Ms. Marrero is a seasoned professional and has over 20 years experience. Her background includes planning and program development, relationship management, group facilitation, conflict resolution and consensus building.
She is skilled at building strong working relationships and working with diverse communities. She joined Central Health in 2012 and oversaw their Community Health and Wellness Initiatives and helped Central Health’s patient population and at-risk communities address social determinants of health to support their healthcare journey and increase access to needed medical services. She was involved in the planning and development of the new health and wellness centers in Eastern Travis county.
Prior to Central Health, she was the Community Development Manager for Parkland Hospital in Dallas where her primary responsibilities were to address and identify gaps in services, coordinate health events, and assess the needs of underserved residents of Dallas County and was the Government Relations Director for the National Association of Social Workers where her focus was health/aging policy. She was also a Congressional Black Caucus Fellow in Rep. Charlie Rangel’s New York City district and Washington, DC offices.
Elizabeth began her career primarily in the field of domestic violence and has worked in Guatemala developing sustainable programs for a street children’s shelter.
Rodney Guinn
Chief Human Resources Officer
Rodney Guinn is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Integral Care, with over 24 years of experience in healthcare human resources leadership. Since joining Integral Care in 2007, he has led a skilled team of professionals in Human Resources, Learning and Development, and Credentialing. Rodney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Concordia University and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Ethics from St. Edward’s University. Rodney is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by the Human Resources Certification Institute.
committees & councils
Integral Care uses input from several committees and councils to help make sure we stay true to our mission, promote diversity, create policies and build an environment that best serves our clients. If you’re interested in joining the council or would like additional information, email Feedback@IntegralCare.org.
The Consumer Council is made up of people who currently receive services from Integral Care. The council receives information about Integral Care’s services, policies and procedures and discusses how they could impact current and future clients of the agency. The council also offers ideas to improve our services and helps hold Integral Care accountable to our mission. The Consumer Council meets quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. Meetings are a safe environment where people can openly share their thoughts about Integral Care.
The Planning and Network Advisory Committee (PNAC) is a volunteer committee selected by Integral Care’s Board of Trustees. The committee includes clients, family members, providers and community members. PNAC provides feedback and support to Integral Care regarding our policies and services. Committee members receive information on current issues and policies, including provider network evaluation and development, and present their recommendations to the Board of Trustees. PNAC meets the second Thursday of every month at 12:00 p.m.