Wednesday, April 09, 2014 • Austin, Texas • Appointment
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed five members to the STAR + PLUS Facility Advisory Committee for terms to expire at the pleasure of the governor. Pursuant to Senate Bill 7 of the 83rd Regular Legislative Session, the committee advises the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on the implementation of the transfer of nursing facility services to the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care model.
Sandy Klein of San Antonio is a licensed nursing home administrator and senior vice president of management services at Touchstone Communities. She is an executive board member of the Texas Healthcare Association, a state representative of the American Health Care Association, and member and past Texas Chapter director of professional development for the American College of Health Care Administrators. She is also co-chair of community outreach for the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing Advisory Board and a member of the Texas Alliance for Patient Access Executive Board. Klein received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.
Don Langer of Katy is plan president for the United Healthcare Community Plan of Texas. He is former chief operating officer of AmeriChoice for the New York Community Plan, and former CEO of AmeriChoice for the Connecticut and Delaware Community plans. He is also a past board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford, past chairman of the Governor of Connecticut’s Prevention Partnership Program Board of Directors and a past member of the Greater Hartford YMCA. Langer received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.
Woody Richards of Georgetown is administrator of the S.P.J.S.T. Nursing Community in Taylor, and CEO of S.P.J.S.T. Assisted Living Community in Taylor and S.P.J.S.T. Nursing Community in Needville. He is a past regional representative for the Texas Health Care Association, past president of the Taylor Lions Club and past board vice president of the Taylor Chamber of Commerce. Richards received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education, counseling and guidance from Sul Ross State University.
Peggy M. Russell of Austin is president and founder of Austin Geriatric Specialists. She is a certified medical director through the American Medical Directors Association, and is board certified in internal medicine and geriatrics. She is medical director of the Granite Mesa Health Center, Hearthstone Health Center, Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Sagebrook Health Center and Sonterra Health Center. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society and Texas Medical Association. She is also a member and past president of the Travis County Medical Society and past president of the Texas Medical Directors Association. Russell received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed her internal medicine residency at University Medical Center Brackenridge.
Suzanna Sulfstede of Carrollton is director of the Dallas County Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program. She is a member of the National Association of Local Long Term Care Ombudsmen and National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. She is also an ordained elder and past session member of Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church. Sulfstede received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington.
