Danny Whitehead, MSN, RN
Board President
Danny Whitehead. MSN, RN, is a west Texas native born and raised. Presently he serves as the CNO at Permian Regional Medical Center in Andrews Texas. He has been in healthcare for 25+ years. He has experience in all areas of the hospital to include flight nursing and correctional nursing. He is very active in promoting nursing education and recognition in rural communities through the Rural Nursing Leadership Initiative. He serves on the board of the Community Engagement Panel in Andrews to promote community awareness and education of relevant healthcare challenges in the community. Danny is married (Kerri) and has three children (Samantha, Zach, and Kalyn).
Kit Bredimus
Brandi McDonald
Dr. Kit Bredimus is the Chief Nursing Officer at Midland Health in Midland, TX. Kit is a nationally recognized leader, being named a Modern Healthcare Rising Star in Nursing, AONL Early Careerist Award, Nursing Management’s Visionary Leader Award Finalist, and TNA Year of the Nurse Award. Kit is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, The American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the National Academies of Practice. Kit presents nationally through various speaking events, podium presentations, podcasts, and publications on today’s important nursing leadership topics. He is married to his highschool sweetheart Heather, and they have four children: Jack, Logan, Molly, and Ben.
Sharon Cannon
Brandi McDonald
Dr. Lea Keesee has served as a nurse educator since 1998 and has been teaching in the Permian Basin since 2001. She taught at Midland College for 17 years and began teaching at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of the Permian Basin in 2018. She has a BSN (1991) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center - Lubbock, a MSN from West Texas A&M University (2001), and a DNP from Boise State University (2017). She holds a certificate as a Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). She has articles published in professional nursing journals and has presented at international, national, and state conferences.
Melonye Huber
Brandi McDonald
Dr. Boswell frequently speaks at local, state, national, and international conferences. She has authored multiple publications on healthcare literacy, online teaching, mentoring, politics, research, and diabetes. She has been an educator for over 24 years, working at multiple levels, including ADN, RN-BSN, graduate, and continuing education. Dr. Boswell was inducted as a fellow in the Academy of Nurse Educators and the American Academy of Nursing. She holds a certification as a Nurse Educator through the NLN. Dr. Boswell serves as an elected board member for Permian Regional Medical Center which is a rural hospital district. She works as a nurse researcher with an acute care agency to advance their evidence-based practice with frontline nurses.
Kit Bredimus
Past-President
Lea Keesee
Secretary
Carol Boswell
Treasurer
Pam Castellano
Pam currently serves as the RN Fellowship Manager at Midland Memorial Hospital. She is currently a member of ANPD, SGNA, ENA, AORN, ANA, TNA, and AONL. Pam began her career in 1978 as an LVN and continued her lifelong learning by obtaining her ADN in 1989, BSN in 2013, and ultimately her MSN from Chamberlain in 2021. Pam has served in many areas including flight nursing, home health, hospital leadership, and education. Pam loves interacting with patients, teaching, mentoring, and advocating for nurses, and has a knack for helping nurses find their professional niche. Outside of nursing, Pam enjoys spending time with her family.
Jessica Booth
Jessica Booth is the Director of Risk Management and Medical Staff Coordinator at Permian Regional Medical Center in Andrews Texas. Jessica has been a nurse for 19 years and graduated with her master’s degree in Nursing Administration and Education in December of 2013 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has a passion for nursing education and serves as an adjunct clinical instructor for the UTPB nursing program. Jessica serves as a board member for the Lindsey Horton Memorial Scholarship foundation and received the Permian Basin Great 25 award in 2020. She is married (Donny) and has two sons (Jackson & Maddox).
Melonye Huber
Melonye Huber is the Chief Nursing Officer at Scenic Mountain Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas, a Steward Healthcare System’s hospital. She graduated from New Mexico Junior College in 1995, with an Associates in Applied Science. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in Nursing Administration both from Texas Tech University Health Science. She is a recipient of the Permian Basin Great 25 Nurse Award in 2019. While active from 2013-2020 with various volunteer opportunities through Odessa Regional Medical Center, Melonye’s primary passion lies in honoring Veteran’s as a medical escort for the Basin Honor Flight.
David Graham
David Graham serves as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Medical Center Hospital. David oversees critical areas such as the ED, Trauma, SANE, and Observation departments. He brings over 18 years of dedicated nursing experience to the healthcare arena. With a diverse background encompassing ICU, ED, LTACH, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Administration, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality patient care. He earned his Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Odessa College, followed by a BSN from Texas Tech University, and an MSN from Western Governors University in 2020. Known for his hands-on experience, strategic vision, and commitment to nursing excellence, Outside of nursing David enjoys coaching youth baseball and spending time with his family.
Yvette Woody
Yvette has 34 years of nursing experience ranging from extensive quality and regulatory roles. Over the years she has included teaching and mentoring nurses in all specialties. Her biggest accomplishment is receiving the Healthcare leadership alumni Texas Tech Health Science Center in 2018 and Permian Basin Great 25 nurse 2022. Joining the rural setting has given her a new passion to create new challenges to give the very best quality care in a unique environment. Yvette earned her Bachelors in Nursing and Master’s in Nursing at Texas Tech Health Science Center. She maintains her Healthcare Accreditation Certification to keep her knowledge in quality current. Yvette has been married to Milton for 27 years and has 5 children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with kids and grandkids.
Ross Padgett
Ross began his Nursing Career in 1987 as a graduate from Midland College-LVN program. Ross went into acute care case management, served in leadership roles, as well as served as founder and president of the West Texas Society of Case Managers, later affiliated with the Case Management Society of America. He serves on the advisory board of the American Academy of Case Management. He has worked in acute care, long term care, rehabilitation, workers compensation, behavioral health and consulted in case management. He currently serves as the Director of Revenue Cycle/Patient access with ORMC and SMMC. Ross continued his education at Grand Canyon University. Ross has 2 sons and one daughter, enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends.