Leadership

Val Verde Regional Medical Center (VVRMC) is pleased to announce new leadership. Linda Walker, MBA, RHIA, is VVRMC’s Chief Executive Officer. She joins VVRMC with 20 years of healthcare operations and leadership experience.

Walker’s extensive leadership experience covers acute care hospital operations, both clinical and non-clinical, as well as specialty and rural health care clinical operations. She held the positions of physician services officer at Uvalde Memorial Hospital and CEO of Uvalde Medical and Surgical Associates, both in Uvalde, Texas. Her operational and financial knowledge of both inpatient and outpatient sides of healthcare make her uniquely qualified for rural hospital leadership.

"My passion for providing quality patient care for the members of our rural community is unmatched. Our staff members are committed to our goals, and our physicians and other healthcare providers are some of the best you can find. We must be patient-centric at all times. I have collaborated and led in all aspects of hospital strategic planning and business line development, and look forward to bringing my knowledge and experiences to VVRMC," stated Walker. Additionally, as a long-time resident of South Texas, Walker has a deep understanding of the culture of the community and the many positive attributes Del Rio has to offer. She, her husband Lynn and their four children have experienced many events in the community and especially enjoy fishing and boating at Amistad Lake.

With her past experience and dedication to rural healthcare, Walker has the background and ability to move VVRMC forward toward its Mission, Vision and Legacy while strengthening the foundation already in place. "Healthcare is an ever-changing environment," she said, "and we must have an outward mindset to meet the many challenges coming our way. Being flexible and proactive are must-haves for success in what we do. I am very excited to be part of VVRMC."

Claudia Falcon had been the assistant chief financial officer (CFO) at VVRMC for over a year. She has now been promoted to CFO.

Falcon was born and raised in Uvalde. She has an extended family there. Her family is very important to her, and she enjoys spending time with them. "My family is the reason I was able to go to school and pursue a career. Without their support, I couldn’t have accomplished what I have."

She has accomplished a lot. Falcon graduated from Uvalde High School; earned her Associate’s degree at Southwest Texas Junior College; and then went on to Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Organizational Leadership and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting. She has also served as secretary on the board of the Healthcare Finance Management Association. She has 20-plus years of experience in a healthcare setting.

"I’ve had experience in nearly all aspects of the revenue cycle and hospital operations" she says. She started as a receptionist and worked her way up—all while going to school and raising a family. In 2017, she accepted the position of controller and in April of 2019 was offered an opportunity at VVRMC as assistant CFO.

Falcon and her husband Roy are very active in the Catholic church. They are active parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene in Brackettville. Between her and her husband, they have four grown boys, a daughter-in-law and two granddaughters. When she isn’t working, she is spending time with her family, involved in church activities and attending church retreats. She enjoys visiting cathedrals with her husband and went on a pilgrimage to Mexico City a few years ago.

She understands the functioning of communities in our area and loves Del Rio. "It feels like home," she says.

Keith Wiley comes to VVRMC from Vermont, where he gained extensive experience in healthcare-related information technology systems. He originally came to us to manage Meditech implementation in the main hospital and all our clinics. Meditech is an electronic records management (ERM) program allowing VVRMC to streamline work flow and offers a multitude of ways to provide services to our patients. It has been a major undertaking and allows all VVRMC facilities to share information.

He now serves as VVRMC's chief information officer, responsible for all IT-related activities. He supervises a team of network engineers, PC support technicians and help desk coordinators in supporting all IT users.

We are fortunate to have a CIO with such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Jorge Jurado joined VVRMC as the Director of Patient Access in November of 2019. Shortly after he transitioned to the Rural Health Clinic Practice Management Administrator in March of 2020. He brings 8 years of Healthcare Leadership experience starting in Long Term Care and the past 2 years in Practice Management Operations. Jorge is passionate about patient satisfaction, customer service and Rural Health.

Prior to VVRMC Jorge worked as a Licensed Nursing Facility Administrator for multiple nursing homes in the South Texas area, most recently Del Rio Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jorge holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Business Administration in Management from Sul Ross State University. He also received a Long-Term Care Certificate from Midland College and holds an active Nursing Home Administrator License for the State of Texas. Most recently Jorge was certified as a Certified Rural Health Care Professional and is currently seeking his Fellowship of American Healthcare Executives Designation.

Jorge and his wife Carliz have been married for 12 years and they have 3 children, Fabian 10, Camila 7, and Elia 3. He was born and raised in Del Rio and is very engaged in the community. Jorge is dedicated to supporting the CEO’s vision and initiatives across the organization as they continue to improve the healthcare services at VVRMC

Brisa Lopez joined VVRMC as the Clinic Nurse Manager in July 2017. In 2018, she transitioned to the Quality Department as the Clinical Outcomes Manager where she successfully led the DSRIP program. She continued to take on additional responsibilities in the role as the Patient Safety Officer. In November 2020, she took on her current role as the Director of Risk and Compliance. Brisa was nominated and voted by her peers as the Director of the Year for 2021.

She brings 19 years of Healthcare Leadership and Nursing experience starting in Long Term Care and Home Health. Brisa is passionate about patient satisfaction, customer service and quality care. Prior to VVRMC Brisa worked as a Director of Nurses at Del Rio Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 11 years. Brisa became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2003. She advanced her education and in 2008 she obtained her Associate degree in Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Brisa currently holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and is enrolled in the graduate program with West Texas A&M University where she will obtain a Master’s of Science in Nursing Administration.

Brisa and her husband, Baldo Hernandez have been married for 25 years and have 2 boys, Baldo Jr. 24, and Christian 8. She was born and raised in Del Rio and is honored to serve her community. Brisa is dedicated and committed to supporting VVRMC’s mission and healthcare initiatives across the organization as they continue to improve the healthcare services at VVRMC for the community.