2025 ACHE of East Texas Board of Directors

Christi Baggett is a longtime resident of the East Texas area and has worked in the healthcare industry the majority of her career. She has worked for the past 18 years at The Hospice of East Texas where she currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Christi has been involved with ACHE on varying levels for approximately 4 years and has more recently increased her involvement through committee work. In addition to this, Christi serves on the IT Advisory Committee for Bethesda and is an active member of various hospice and non-profit groups.

On a personal level, Christi is married with three children and two dogs, who loves to read, camp, and enjoy sports. She received her Masters in Executive Health Administration from UT Tyler and recently graduated from the Leadership Tyler Core Class 36.

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Kenneth is a seasoned healthcare executive with a strong track record of driving strategic growth and operational excellence across diverse healthcare settings. As Director of Strategy and Business Development at CHRISTUS Health, Kenneth collaborates with regional leadership and corporate stakeholders to lead high-impact initiatives, including new service line development and major capital investments. His leadership is instrumental in advancing key projects across Northeast Texas.

Prior to his current role, Kenneth served as Practice Director at Texas Oncology, where he oversaw clinical operations and performance improvement initiatives. He also held various operational leadership over the past 15yrs in the East Texas area.

Kenneth holds a Master of Public Administration in Health Care Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Nelson University.

A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) since 2020, Kenneth is committed to advancing healthcare delivery through data-driven strategy, collaborative leadership, and a passion for community-focused care.

Ernie Hackney has 17 years of healthcare experience in the field of hospital decision support, financial reporting, and financial operations. Ernie joined UT Health East Texas in December of 2018 as Market Director of Financial Reporting, and in June of 2021 was named Market AVP of Financial Operations and Decision Support. Previously, Ernie worked for 5 years as a Division Financial Analyst with Community Health System in Franklin, TN and for 5 years with St. Thomas Health Midtown, an Ascension owned hospital in Nashville, TN. He graduated Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.  

Jamie-Crystal L. Wylie, FACHE, RN, CCRP is an accomplished healthcare leader and the Regional Research Director for CHRISTUS Health's Northeast Texas ministries. With a strong background in clinical operations and healthcare administration, she is passionate about bridging innovation, research, and patient care in rural health systems.

She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Jamie-Crystal is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Certified Clinical Research Professional with over seven years of experience in clinical research leadership.

Deeply committed to both her profession and her community, she serves as a Legacy Board Member of the East Texas Chapter of ACHE, is an active member of the Junior League of Tyler, and teaches Sunday school at Flint Baptist Church. Outside of her professional roles, Jamie-Crystal enjoys the outdoors, traveling, playing Mahjong with friends, and spending time with her four children.

Kerrie Anne Ambort-Clark's professional focus is on strategic leadership. Kerrie Anne designs, develops, and executes the implementation of programs and curricula in business - bridging the gap between the clinical and business aspects of the healthcare industry. Kerrie Anne is passionate about developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. She is an elected member of the East Texas American College of Healthcare Executives [ACHE] Board and the National Board of Medical Examiners [NBME] Council; she is a Regent’s Awardee for the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Kerrie Anne leads the operations and strategy for Health-Related Business Programs, as Assistant Dean, working together with various academic units and community stakeholders. Kerrie Anne has proven herself as an accomplished leader in executive healthcare education for over a decade. She was at the forefront of developing the first executive healthcare administration program at the institution followed by eight years as the founding Executive Director for the Executive MBA Healthcare Management Program in the Soules College of Business. In addition to teaching as a faculty member in the Soules College of Business core curriculum, Kerrie Anne teaches in the School of Medicine as a contributing faculty member to the PHSS-HALM curriculum. She also serves as the Director for the School of Medicine’s Healthcare Leadership Distinction (HLD). Leadership training modules used in academia as well as industry have been developed by Kerrie Anne. She has provided leadership development to community stakeholders including an “Elements of Leadership -Improving Communication and Group Decision Making” presentation to CHRISTUS® Trinity Mother Frances Health System leadership.

Recognized as a Distinguished Teaching Professor for her innovations and excellence in teaching, Kerrie Anne provides a challenging and engaging learning environment, centered around innovation and critical thinking, coupled with her passion for the overall success of every student she works with. She was recognized by the Rotary International Rotary Club of Tyler as the 2022-2023 “Teacher of the Year” for The University of Texas at Tyler, named a 2019 Faculty Fellow in the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, recognized as a 2018 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award recipient by the University of Texas System, named the 2017 Outstanding Faculty Award recipient for Teaching by the College of Business and Technology at UT Tyler, and a 2016 Cengage Pride/Ferrell Innovations in Teaching Competition Finalist for the Society for Marketing Advances.

Kerrie Anne is a ROTA, Fellow in the Academy of Distinguished Teachers, and President [2022-2024] for the Academy. She is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Women Texas. Kerrie Anne was named the “2022 Mentor of the Year” by the UT Tyler Office of Leadership and Service for her contributions to mentoring students. Kerrie Anne also serves as a Faculty Advisor for various student organizations as well as a faculty Mentor for AMP, the Academy Mentoring Program.

In addition to teaching, strategic development, and the development of leadership initiatives, Kerrie Anne was previously a Contractor of Special Projects at UT Tyler for the office of the Provost and Academic Innovation and Student Success where she worked with University Administration on state authorization, online education, and faculty development.

Annie Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science in Health with a minor in Business from Texas A&M University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Trinity University. She began her career at UT Health Tyler in 2024 as an Administrative Resident and progressed to Assistant Administrator in 2025. In her current role as an Assistant Administrator, she focuses on operational excellence, strategic growth, and enhancing the patient experience within the hospital. She is committed to improving workflows, developing high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of collaboration. Outside of work, Annie enjoys spending time with her husband and her Goldendoodle, Teddy. She also loves baking cookies and going for runs in her free time.

In her leadership role with Oceans Healthcare, Sharron demonstrates Communication and Relationship Management by cultivating strategic partnerships with hospitals, physicians, and community organizations across East Texas. She is known for building trust-based relationships that enhance care coordination and improve access to behavioral health services.

Sharron earned her nursing degree from Tyler Junior College and her Master of Business Administration from LeTourneau University. This combination of clinical education and advanced business training equips her with a comprehensive understanding of both patient-centered care delivery and executive-level operational strategy.

Her approach to Leadership centers on mission-driven collaboration, team empowerment, and accountability. With frontline clinical experience and executive training, she leads with empathy while maintaining focus on organizational performance and sustainable growth.

Ed Fry has successfully assisted healthcare systems, hospital boards and executive teams in securing visionary leaders for more than 30 years. Prior to founding FaithSearch Partners in 2007, he held senior/partner positions with Witt/Kieffer and Russell Reynolds Associates, two large international executive search firms.

To date, he has managed more than 500 searches, including nearly 100 CEO-level searches.  His clients have included more than half of the 20 largest healthcare systems in the country.  A large focus of his practice has been with faith-based hospitals and systems.

Ed was one of four individuals who founded HealthSearch Partners and serves as its President/CEO, leading the firm’s day-to-day operations as well as implementing strategic initiatives.

Ed holds an MBA from Dallas Baptist University and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Southwestern Adventist University, where he is a member of the institution’s board of trustees. He also serves on the board of the Ardmore Institute of Health, a $75 million, faith-based national foundation promoting wellness and healthy living, recently completing a four-year stint as board chair.

Dr. William W. Hooks, Jr. is a board-certified anesthesiologist and healthcare executive with over 20 years of combined clinical, operational, and military leadership experience. Currently serving as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medical Information Officer at Titus Regional Medical Center, he drives physician engagement, digital transformation, and strategic initiatives to improve quality, safety, and efficiency. As Medical Director for Perioperative & Procedural Services, he leads multidisciplinary teams delivering anesthesia, ICU, and pain management services.

Dr. Hooks began his academic journey at Stephen F. Austin State University, earning a bachelor's degree in Biology. He then obtained his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. While in medical school, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy, beginning a 13-year career marked by several commendation medals and awards.

His military service included a Transitional Internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, followed by a three-year tour as a Flight Surgeon. During this time, he was stationed in California and deployed twice aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In 2009, Dr. Hooks returned to Bethesda, MD, to complete his residency in Anesthesiology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he served as both Chief Resident and President of the House-Staff Senate. His final assignment with the Navy was at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, where he held the positions of Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Vice-President of the Medical Staff before honorably resigning his commission and rank of Lieutenant Commander and moving back to Mount Pleasant.

A passionate advocate for patient safety and quality, Dr. Hooks further honed his expertise by completing the Executive MBA program at the University of Texas at Tyler's Soules College of Business, earning a Master of Business Administration in 2022. This advanced business training reflects his commitment to leadership, particularly in the context of rural American healthcare.

Dr. Hooks is a published author and resides in Mount Pleasant with his wife and daughter. In his spare time, he is an admitted Disney and Marvel enthusiast and enjoys making and performing music with his family.

Dawn Johnston, MBA, MSN, CFRN, LP, is the Administrative Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, CHRISTUS Flight For Life, Northeast Texas.

Dawn Johnston has been in her Director role for CHRISTUS Flight For Life since October of 2018. With helicopter outposts at Mt. Pleasant, Wills Point, Palestine and Longview, Dawn provides clinical leadership for an amazing team of nurses and paramedics that provide critical care to the most seriously ill and injured patients in Northeast Texas while rapidly transporting them to definitive care. Dawn’s focus on organizational excellence enabled the well-respected agency to attain industry accreditation for the first time in 2021. Dawn served as Education Chair for the East Texas Chapter of ACHE in 2021 and became a Board member in 2022. She received her BSN from Western Michigan University and MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration from Capella University. She also obtained her BA in Communications/Journalism from Truman State University, and MBA from California Coast University.

Previously, Dawn was Project Coordinator for Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan managing hospital-wide nursing communications, completing Magnet projects, and contributing to a number of Quality Improvement projects on multi-disciplinary teams. As a member of the Trauma Research Committee, Dawn also contributed to the requirements for meeting the hospital’s Level I Trauma designation. Dawn has a broad inpatient critical care background and was also a full-time flight nurse for West Michigan Air Care for over a decade. During this time, Dawn also became Air Care’s Marketing Coordinator, managing most aspects of the organization’s public relations in Southwest Michigan, in addition to providing education for the flight crew. She has been teaching since she became a nurse, first American Heart Association courses and then many critical care subjects. Dawn has provided public education through the media on community health initiatives and was instrumental in garnering support for the introduction of a legislative bill to curb dangerous methamphetamine labs in Michigan.

Dawn’s background includes firefighting, National Ski Patrol and community health education as a Crisis Pregnancy Coordinator for the Salvation Army. Serving as a “Big Sister” for many years, Dawn was also honored as Mentor of the Year for Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Battle Creek, Michigan in 2008. Dawn’s hobbies include writing and she has several publishing credits, including Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America and the International Medical Corps Training Manual, a resource for war-torn areas of the world, in which she was the Associate Editor. In addition, she has written and edited the company newsletter almost everywhere she has worked.

Dawn has been married to her husband Neal for 29 years, and they have one adult son – Harrison. She and her husband are members of Marvin United Methodist Church. Dawn resides in the Tyler area and enjoys running, traveling, writing and spending time with family, friends and neighbors. She is involved in Tyler’s Sunrise Rotary Club and Women in Tyler, which hosts an annual luncheon honoring influential women from the Tyler area.

Dr. David Larsen serves as the Institute Chair of Primary Care for CHRISTUS Trinity clinic, Director of Physician Practice Operations, and as a Medical Director of Clinical Informatics. He joined CHRISTUS in 2019 as a family medicine physician and has since held a range of clinical and leadership roles, including Medical Director of Clinical Informatics, Lead Physician, and Medical Director of Bluebonnet Point Wellness. His work has been recognized with the CHRISTUS Health Patient’s Choice Award and the CHRISTUS Health Rising Star Award.

Dr. Larsen earned his Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Midwestern University. He holds an Executive MBA in Healthcare Management from The University of Texas at Tyler and a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves on the board of the East Texas Chapter.

George T. Roberts, Jr., has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Texas Public Health District since November 2006.  The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) is a local Health Department established by the City of Tyler and Smith County.  Services provided by NET Health include Community Outreach, Disease Surveillance, Environmental Health, Immunization, Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Regional Laboratory, Vital Statistics, and the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program.  NET Health has started and participated in many community collaboratives including Fit City Tyler whose Mission is to make Tyler a Fit City “One Step, One Bite and One Health Conscious Decision at a Time”.  NET Health primarily serves Tyler and Smith County but also provides some services in 21 counties in East Texas.  The WIC Program serves a 20 county area and Public Health Emergency Preparedness serves a 7 county region.

Mr. Roberts has over 40 years of health care experience, the majority of which was spent in hospital administration, having previously served at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, and Henderson Memorial Hospital in Henderson, Texas.  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and his Master of Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. He is President of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Board of Directors, and he also has served as President of the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO).  He currently serves on the Board of the Episcopal Health Foundation, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Carter BloodCare, Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Area G, and the Texas Health Institute.   Mr. Roberts is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and is active in a number of church, community, and statewide efforts.  Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife Leslie for 32 years, and they have 2 children – Claire (27) and Travis (23).

Travis S. Walters, MHA, NREMT, is a healthcare leader committed to leaving this world better than he found it. He serves as Practice Director for multi-site oncology operations in East Texas with Texas Oncology, where he works closely with physicians, nurses, and hospital partners to improve cancer care availability, reduce wait times, and expand services closer to where patients live.

Throughout his career, Walters has focused on building programs that serve both patients and the professionals who care for them. His experience includes developing new oncology clinics and infusion services, supporting clinical research access, and collaborating with regional hospitals to strengthen coordinated care across communities. Earlier in his career, he led emergency medical transportation services for a multi-hospital system and helped improve financial sustainability while maintaining reliable emergency response coverage.

Walters earned his Master of Healthcare Administration from Texas A&M University and remains connected to frontline care as a emergency room technician. He is passionate about developing future leaders and ensuring healthcare organizations remain responsive to the communities they serve.