New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence Board of Directors

President

Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC

Director of Education

Lovelace Health System

Term Expires: January 2027

President-Elect 

Dominic Rodriguez, MSN, RN

Director of Nursing Services

Department of Health/ Public Health Division

Term Expires: January 2027

Treasurer

Robert Middleton, MSN, MBA, RN, CENP 

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Chief Construction Executive (CCE)

Vice President of Ancillary Services

Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center

Term Expires: January 2026

Secretary

Kimberly Petrovic, PhD, MSN, MA, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Associate Dean for the School of Nursing & Kinesiology

Western New Mexico University

Term Expires: January 2026

Director 

Maribeth Thornton, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CCM

Associate Chief Nursing Officer

UNM Children's Hospital

Term Expires: January 2027

Director 

Stephanie Vigil, MS-IHM, BSN, RN

Director of Nursing - Regional Ambulatory Practices

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Term Expires: January 2026

Director 

April McGriff, MSN, RN

Surgical/Outpatient Urology Nurse

Raymond G Murphy Veteran's Affairs Medical Center

Term Expires: January 2027

Director 

Karl M. Ngoye, MHA, MBA, BSN, RN

ICU Relief Charge Nurse

Memorial Medical Center

Term Expires: January 2027

Director 

Diane L. Cassell, RN, BSN, MBA, CEN, NEC-B

Retired

Term Expires: January 2026

Director 

Jacqueline Valdez, RN

Relief Charge Manager

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Term Expires: January 2026