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Board of Trustees

Karla Hardesty, President

Karla Hardesty joined the Board in July of 2007. She is a Project Manager for Adams State University Enrollment Management, and holds an MA in Adult and Post-Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming, and a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. Ms. Hardesty also serves the community as Records Director-Sand Dunes Chapter, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and as School Board President at Trinity Lutheran School.

Jim Ehrlich, Vice President

Jim Ehrlich joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in September 2011 and is a resident of Monte Vista.

Kendal Knaus, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer

Kendal Knaus, MD, joined the Board in September 2004 and serves on the Executive, Finance, Infection Control and Product Evaluation Committees. He is also the Medical Director for Lab at SLV Health. Dr. Knaus holds a BS in Physical Science from Colorado State University, and received his MD degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He is a member of the Colorado Society of Clinical Pathologists, College of American Pathologists, and American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Jan Gay, Past-President

Jan Gay joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in August of 1996. Ms. Gay is a retired office manager from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and holds an Associates Degree in Business from Adams State University. In the past, she also served as President of the Conejos County Hospital Board and School Board President for Trinity Lutheran School.

Donald Shawcroft, Trustee

Donald Shawcroft joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in 2003, first serving on the Conejos County Hospital Board. Besides his many community activities, Donald also currently serves as the President of the Colorado Choice Health Plans board as well as a trustee on the Conejos County Hospital District Board. Donald is a partner in John B. Shawcroft Ranches, Ltd.

Kathy Lorenz, Trustee

Kathy Lorenz joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in July 2007 and lives in Monte Vista.

Rosalie Martinez, Trustee

Ms. Martinez joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in July 2008. She holds an MBA in Management from Colorado State University and a BS in Accounting from Adams State University. Rosalie Martinez is Co-Owner/Management of L & M Auto Enterprises, and Farms, Cattle Ranches, and Horse Racing. In the past Ms. Martinez served as Vice President for Administration at Adams State University, an Instructor at the Adams State University School of Business, and on the Adams State University Foundation Board. She is presently also involved in the San Luis Valley Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, San Luis Valley Health Foundation Board, and Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Honorary Board.

Susan Geiger, DO, Trustee

Susan Geiger, DO, joined the Board in July 2010. She has served in San Luis Valley Health Occupational Medicine since September 2006 and holds a BA Degree in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College and Doctorate of Osteopathy from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dennard Ellison, MD, Trustee

Dennard Ellison, MD, joined the ENT Clinic at San Luis Valley Health in 2010. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. He went on to graduate from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1986, followed by a residency in general surgery at Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville, FL., and a residency in otolaryngology at Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. He was a staff otolaryngologist at the University of California San Diego Medical Center and San Diego VA Medical Center. Prior to coming to SLV Health, Dr. Ellison had been with Presbyterian Hospital's Multi-Specialty Group Otolaryngology in Albuquerque, NM, since 2002.

Kasey Russell, Trustee

Kasey Russell joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in 2016. He received his Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree from Adams State University. He is a loan officer at Alamosa State Bank. Away from work, Kasey enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with his family.