Executive Team
Gary K. Herbst, Chief Executive Officer
Education
- B.S. Degree, Business Administration, University of Pacific, Stockton, CA, 1983
- Certified Public Accountant, California State Board of Accountancy, 1985
Professional Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1985 to present
- California Society of Certified Public Accountants, 1985 to present
- American College of Healthcare Executives, Member, 1998 to present
- Healthcare Financial Management Association, Advanced Member, 1989 to present
Community Affiliations
- Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County, Board Member & Treasurer
- Rotary Club of Visalia
- First 5 Tulare County Children's Health Advisory Committee Member
Contact:
559-624-2330, gherbst@kaweahhealth.org
Jag Batth, PT, DPT, Chief Operating Officer
Education
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, AT Still University of Health Science
- Masters of Physical Therapy, Cal. State University, Fresno
- Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy, Cal. State University, Fresno
Certifications
- Physical Therapy Board of California-Licensed Physical Therapist
- NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) Certification
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- American Physical Therapy Association
- California Physical Therapy Association
- California Hospital Association
Community Affiliations
- College of Sequoias, PTA Advisory Committee
- Visalia Unified School District, STRONG Academy Advisory Committee
Contact:
559-624-3794, JBatth@kaweahhealth.org
Dianne Cox, Chief Human Resources Officer
Education
- B.S. in Business Administration, California State University, Fresno
- M.B.A., California State University, Fresno
Certificates
-
ACA (now World at Work) Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
-
Institute for Applied Management and Law (IAML) Certificate in Employee Relations Law
Community Affiliations
-
Tulare County Workforce Investment Board Healthcare Division Committee
Contact:
559-624-2362, dcox@kaweahhealth.org
Ben Cripps, Chief Compliance & Risk Officer
Education
- B.A. Degree, Business Administration - Accounting, Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, CA
- MBA, in Health Care Management, Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO
Certifications
- Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
- Health Privacy Compliance (CHPC)
Professional Associations
- Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), Member
Community Affiliations
- Kaweah Health Foundation Board, Board Member
Contact:
559-624-5006, bcripps@kaweahhealth.org
Ryan Gates, PharmD, Chief Population Health Officer
Education
- Doctor of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
- Post-Graduate Residency - Primary Care, Veterans Affairs Hospital, San Diego, CA
- B.S. Degree, Environmental Biology & Botany Minor, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
- Teaching Credential, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Certifications/Fellowships/Trainings
- Diabetes - Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), American Association of Diabetes Educators
- Diabetes - Patient Care Traineeship - USC/ASHP Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Geriatrics - Reynolds Mini-Fellowship, UCLA/California Center for Geriatric Education, Los Angeles, CA
- Geriatrics - Leadership and Management, UCLA/California Center for Geriatric Education, Los Angeles, CA
Professional Associations
- American College of Healthcare Executives
- California Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- California Pharmacists Association
Contact:
559-624-5647, rgates@kaweahhealth.org
Doug Leeper, Chief Information & Cybersecurity Officer
Education
-
BS, Computer Science, Washington Adventist University,
Takoma Park, MD -
MBA, Healthcare Administration, Loma Linda University
School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA
Certifications
- College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)
- Certified Healthcare Chief Information Officer (CHCIO)
Professional Affiliations
- College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), Member
- Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security (AEHIS), Member
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Member
Contact:
559-624-2254, dleeper@kaweahhealth.org
Marc Mertz, Chief Strategy Officer
Education
- BS, Health Services Administration, James Madison University
- MHA (Master of Health Administration), University of Southern California
Certifications
- American College of Medical Practice Executives, Fellow
Professional Associations
- Medical Group Management Association
- American College of Healthcare Executives
Community Affiliations
- Rotary Club of Visalia, Board Member
- Visalia Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
- Mineral King Preservation Society, Board Member
Contact:
559-624-2511, mmertz@kaweahhealth.org
Keri Noeske, RN, BSW, DNP, Chief Nursing Officer
Education:
- Grand Canyon University, Doctorate of Nursing Practice
- University of Phoenix, Masters of Science Nursing, Masters of Health Administration
- Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, MI, Associate in Applied Science/ Nursing, Registered Nurse
- Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI, Lee Honors College, Bachelors of Social Work, Rural Interdisciplinary Health Certificate
Professional Affiliations:
- California Hospital Association - Case Management Committee
- Association of California Nurse Leaders
- Nurse Leadership Coalition of San Joaquin Valley
- American Case Management Association
Contact:
559-624-5916 knoeske@kaweahhealth.org
Malinda Tupper, Chief Financial Officer
Education
- BA - Accounting, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
- BA - Finance, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant - 1991 to Present
- Licensed Real Estate Agent - 1986-1987
Professional Affiliations
- Healthcare Financial Management Association
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Texas Society of Public Accountants
Contact:
559-624-4065, mtupper@kaweahhealth.org
Lori D. Winston, MD FACEP, Chief Medical Education Officer, Designated Institutional Official
Education
- Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine
- University of Michigan, Bachelor of Science, Cellular & Molecular Biology
- Central York High School, York, PA
Certifications
- ABEM Board Certification #36622 – re-certified in 2016
- Medical Board of California (2011-Present)
- NIHSS Certified
- CITI Training
Professional Affiliations
- Association for Hospital Medical Education (2011-Present)
- Council of Residency Directors – EM (2007 – Present)
- Council for Transitional Year Program Directors (2011-2014)
- American College of Emergency Physicians (2002-Present)
- California Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians (CalACEP) (2012 - Present) Current President, Executive Committee
- Member Tulare & Kings County Medical Society (2011 – Present)
- Illinois College of Emergency Physicians (ICEP) (2002-2011)
Contact:
559-624-5215, lwinston@kaweahhealth.org
