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

Certifications

American Nurse Association, Nurse Executive – Board Certified
American College of Healthcare Executives: Fellow

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

Paul Stefanacci, MD, FACS, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Interim Chief Medical Education Officer and Graduate Medical Education Designated Institutional Official

Education

The George Washington University School of Business - Master of Business Administration
New Jersey Medical School – Doctor of Medicine
Boston College - Bachelor of Arts

Clinical Training