Meet the Board
Healthcare quality professionals are defined by a standard of conduct rooted in commitment and accountability. With a pledge to performance improvement, healthcare quality professionals recognize that LAHQ’s leadership exemplifies this strong code of ethics. LAHQ has enjoyed a strong legacy of leaders who have worked together to make our organization worthy of your support and membership. The Board pledges to focus on activities to enhance your professional growth and success. We are constantly seeking to serve our members better. Members are encourage to get involved in the LAHQ committees and network at conferences.
LAHQ elects their Board annually in February/March. Our Board includes an Immediate Past-President, President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian and four Members-at-Large.
President, Donna Carbajal, RN, RRT, RRT-NPS, BS, MBA, CJCP
Senior Director of Quality, East Jefferson General Hospital, Metairie, LA
As LAHQ President, I serve the members of LAHQ to ensure our mission to drive healthcare quality and safety through communication, advocacy, leadership, and education is achieved.
Donna has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, initially as a Respiratory Therapist then as a leader in quality, performance improvement, compliance and Lean. She holds an RN degree, Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans and is a CJCP (Certified Joint Commission Professional).
President Elect, Todd Fletcher, CPPS
RGP Project Engineer, Metairie, LA
As an active steward of the organization, I assert that I will prepare myself with the latest updates and developments required for this position.
Todd has 27+ years of Health Systems Engineering experience in both for profit and not-for-profit organizations. He has a proven track record implementing process improvement training for accreditation and system implementation teams. He has been a past speaker and panelist at local and national healthcare conferences. Todd is also a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).
Secretary, Rachel Brunt, RN, BSN, MBA-HCA, CIC, CPHQ
Director of Quality, Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette, LA
As LAHQ Secretary, I am responsible for recording Executive Board meeting minutes and facilitating communication among the LAHQ membership .
Rachel has a BS in Biology, BSN/RN and a Masters in Business Administration. She began her career in telemetry & admit/discharge nursing at Lafayette General then transitioned to quality in 2011 as the Infection Preventionist. In 2015, Rachel moved into the role of Quality Director.
Treasurer, Carey Hotard, MBA
Project Manager, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Baton Rouge, LA
Carey recently rejoined LAHQ. She brings to the position a strong work ethic, an eye for detail and organization, as well as a desire to continue learning about improving the quality of healthcare in our state.
Carey acquired her MHA from University of Louisiana Lafayette in 2004 and a BA in Sociology in 1997. Her work experience includes leadership roles in skilled nursing, assisted living facilities and hospice facilities. She is currently the project manager at Louisiana Healthcare Connections and is responsible for various performance improvement projects in collaboration with Managed Care Organizations and Louisiana Department of Health.
Parliamentarian, Donna Buxton, RN, BSN
Performance Improvement/Regulatory Coordinator, Terrebonne General Medical Center, Houma, LA
Donna has been her current role for 13 years. She obtained her RN Associate’s degree from Nicholls State University in 1979. She obtained her BSN degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2016. Her experiences include, emergency and psychiatric nursing and case management. She has served as a Nursing Director for over 20 years. She is also green belt certified. Donna has been a member of the Louisiana Association for Healthcare Quality and the past New Orleans Association for Healthcare Quality for 10 years.
Immediate Past President, Kelly Gilkey, MT(ASCP), MSHCM, CPHQ
AVP Performance Improvement, Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
Kelly currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Performance Improvement for Ochsner Medical Center. She previously served as the Director of Performance Improvement at Ochsner Medical Center- Westbank where her responsibilities included oversight of Performance Improvement, Risk Management, Patient Relations, Infection Control, and Hospital Education. She led the organization through several successful Joint Commission Surveys and successfully drove improvement in clinical outcomes. Kelly has more than 15 years of healthcare experience in both the clinical and administrative arenas. Kelly received her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of New Orleans and holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Louisiana State University. Kelly has been a member of the National Association of Healthcare Quality for 10 years and received her designation as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality in 2013.
Member-at-Large, Joe Tidwell, PT, MHA
Vice President Quality, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Baton Rouge, LA
Joseph currently serves as Vice President of Quality for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. He previously served as the Senior Director of Provider Network at Louisiana Healthcare Connections where he developed a behavioral health network team and a demographic verification project that is now being considered as a best practice by 19 other health plans. Before this Joseph was an Administrator at Phoenix Behavioral Hospital in Rayne, La. He led the organization through a successful Joint Commission Certification survey for both the inpatient and outpatient programs. The hospital was recognized by the Joint Commission as a Top Quality Performer among all psychiatric hospitals in the nation. Joseph has more than 25 years of healthcare experience in both the clinical and administrative arenas. Joseph received his Master’s degree in Health Administration at Tulane University and his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Texas Woman’s University.
Member-at-Large, Donna Stephens, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, CPPS
AVP Quality, Touro Infirmary, New Orleans, LA
Donna is an effective, action-oriented professional, equipped with more than 30 years of progressive advancement and extensive background in healthcare with commanding industry knowledge of quality and performance improvement, coupled with strong background in patient safety, risk management, infection prevention and regulatory requirements (Joint Commission and CMS). She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) and Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).
Member-at-Large, Angel Johnson, RHIA, CPHQ
Chief Quality Officer, Northern Louisiana Medical Center, Ruston, LA
As a LAHQ member-at-large, Angel’s role is to maintain connectivity between the Board and its members.
Angel has 13 years of direct healthcare experience including Acute Care, Care Management, and Long Term Care. She specializes in quality, accreditation, performance improvement, project management and patient satisfaction. She currently oversees Performance Improvement, Infection Control, Medical Staff Functions, Patient Safety and Regulatory Compliance.
Member-at-Large, Bobbie LeBlanc
HEDIS manager, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Baton Rouge, LA
As member-at-large, Bobbie will help maintain connectivity between the Board and its members through assistance with education, nominations and membership.
Bobbie’s unique experience with HEDIS will add value and variety to our organization and the Board.