Melinda White, MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Melinda White is a community member of Ganado, Arizona. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2004. Melinda continued with her education and graduated from University of Phoenix with a Master of Health Administration in 2010 and Master of Nursing in 2019; and from University of Tulsa with a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law in December 2017. She has over 15 years of healthcare leadership experience working in Quality Management as Director of Quality Management/Risk Manager and Chief Quality and Compliance Officer. Melinda is particularly passionate about patient centered care, delivering excellent patient experience, providing optimum quality of care, and ensuring patient safety is a priority. She is known for her ability to problem solve with peer executives and hospital leaders and being innovative and creative when tackling the challenges. Much of Melinda’s healthcare experience is working with tribally operated healthcare facilities that contracted or compacted under P.L. 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
Melinda is a committee member of the Care Improvement Committee with Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association and served on the APC committee reviewing policies and procedures for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System – AHCCCS. Melinda also was selected to serve as a member of the Institute Review Board – IRB for the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
Melinda supports the Sage Memorial Hospital’s Mission, Vision, and Values, which are the compelling forces to enhance the healthcare services to the communities served. Melinda is a believer in providing exceptional healthcare in Indian Country; she considers her work as a humbling and blessed experience. Melinda has profound respect for the Navajo traditions and incorporates the pathway to Hozho’ into her daily life.
Tina James-Tafoya, MHA
Chief Operations Officer
Tina James-Tafoya is from the small Navajo community of Wheatfields, AZ. Her clans are Tó’aheedlííníí (Water Flows Together) born for Kinyaa’áaníí (Towering House) and her grandfathers are Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People) and Lók’aa Dine’é (Reed People). She is married and is a mother to three children (Zak, Dezbah, & Max).
Tina has more than 11 years of healthcare experience and served in various healthcare support roles such as Patient Relations Manager, Patient Advocate, Professional Development Director, Public Affairs Director, and Chief Administrative Officer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and went on to work in various media outlets where she won national awards for her work in reporting Native American news.
In 2017, Tina earned a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and was named the UNM 2017 MHA Student of the Year. She also attended the Wharton School of Business with the University of Pennsylvania to earn a certification in Executive Presence & Influence. She is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Team member focusing on executive training and coaching.
Tina’s love and deep respect for the culture, traditions, and language of the Diné people is the cornerstone of her motivation and commitment to create and maintain a high functioning, safe, and quality healthcare environment.
Kenneth Anaeme, MD, FACP, FAAP, CWSP, ABPM/UHM
Chief Medical Officer
Dr Kenneth O. Anaeme obtained his medical degree with Honors in Pharmacology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1988. After an Internship at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, he went on to serve for one year with the Nigerian Air Force Hospital as part of the mandatory National Youth Service Program. Following this, Dr Anaeme relocated to Chicago Illinois, where he undertook a combined residency program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, becoming board certified in both fields in 1996.
He practiced for several years in Illinois before relocating to Arizona in 2002 where he continues to practice as an Internist and Pediatrician. Since 2005 Dr Anaeme has expanded his clinical practice to include the provision of Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine services, achieving board certification in the field of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in 2009.
In addition, Dr Anaeme is also an expert in the field of Age Management and Wellness Medicine. He is certified in the clinical use of Peptides as well as Bio Identical Hormone Replacement.
Through his multiple practice locations and triple board certifications, Dr Anaeme is able to provide expert consultation to a wide variety of patient populations in various settings including the acute hospital, outpatient clinic and skilled nursing facility.
Valerie Jensen, DPN, RN
Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Dr. Valerie Jensen, DNP, RN – Dr. Jensen is originally from the Navajo community of Dilkon, AZ and currently lives in Winslow, AZ. She is of the Honághááhnii (One who walks around you) clan and born for the Áshįįhí (salt) clan. Dr. Jensen’s healthcare and nursing experience includes pre-hospital emergency medical services, clinical nursing, and 14 years in healthcare leadership of as a Chief Nurse Executive. She is experienced in clinical planning, planning and design of new healthcare facilities, organizational program building, and quality improvement initiatives. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona in 2023. She received and accepted invitations into honor societies of Alpha Chi and Sigma Theta Tau and retains active membership. Her educational journey began with an associate degree in nursing in 2000 from Northland Pioneer College in Show Low, AZ. Following this, she then earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nursing from Northern Arizona University in 2003 and 2014, where she is currently a member of the College of Nursing faculty. She is passionate about ensuring high quality of care, advocacy for nursing, and support for lifelong learning.
Cheryl Thompson
Chief Financial Officer
Cheryl Thompson is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Sage Memorial Hospital. She has over 20 years of high-level experience as an accounting professional working in multiple industries – healthcare organizations, tribal colleges and universities, tribal enterprises, K-12 schools, and a utility company. Her multi-faceted professional work experience has enabled her to develop a deep understanding of—and a genuinely appreciation for—a diversity of thought and opinions in the modern workplace. She is therefore committed to nurturing a positive work environment at Sage Memorial Hospital where everyone has a “voice” that is heard and valued.
Cheryl began her career in healthcare and went on to serve for many years in different sectors of the non-profit world. Her areas of expertise include financial accounting, budget planning and formulation, audit management, investments, policy development, and risk mitigation efforts. As the CFO for Sage Memorial Hospital, Cheryl is responsible for managing finance, patient accounting and benefits, purchasing, health information management, philanthropy, and grants accounting.
Prior to taking the role of CFO with Sage Memorial Hospital, Cheryl was the former Finance Director and Vice President of Finance and Administration within three tribal institutions of higher learning where she oversaw the departments of Finance, Information Technology, Operations and Maintenance, and Human Resources. During her tenure in these institutions, Cheryl managed over $100 million in revenues representing $25 million in core revenues. She was also recognized as employee of the year with two organizations – the Navajo Housing Authority and Diné College.
Cheryl earned an B.A. in business, with a minor in humanities, from Northern Arizona University. She then went on to earn an M.S. in public accounting and an M.S. in leadership administration from Purdue University and Capella University, respectively. Looking into the future, Cheryl dreams of someday building and leading her own consulting firm. “
Lori Livingston
Interim Chief Quality and Compliance Officer
Lori Livingston is originally from Window Rock, AZ, now lives in Blackhat, NM. Married to Arvid Livingston for 24 years, together for 29 years. Proud mother of six children: Tyger, Shundiin, Aliyah, Rowdy, Nazohni, and Tehya. Her clans are Kinyaa’aanii (towering house people) born for To’aheeddliinii (water flow together people). Her maternal clan is ashiihi (salt people clan), and her paternal clan is nakaii dine (Mexican people clan).
Lori is happy to work at Sage Memorial Hospital, providing exceptional care to the Dine people and the Ganado community. Her dream was to become a Large Animal Veterinarian, but her maternal grandmother, Maybell C. Willie, influenced her to become a nurse, following in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, Stella Chischilly.
Lori is an experienced and dedicated nurse with expertise in labor and delivery, dialysis, and home health care. Throughout her career, she has excelled as a charge nurse and clinical nurse, providing direct patient care, mentoring new nurses, and contributing to nursing competencies. She is constantly expanding her clinical knowledge through specialized training and workshops, staying up-to-date on patient care practices, leadership skills, and conflict resolution. Her skills have earned her some impressive awards, like the Navajo Area Director’s Award and a Creativity and Skill Award.
Lori’s educational background includes an Associate in Science in Nursing in December 2010 from the University of New Mexico – Gallup. Currently, she’s enrolled at the University of New Mexico – College of Nursing, working towards her Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree, expected to be completed in May 2026.
Christian Bigwater is a highly creative and talented marketing professional with over 22 years of experience. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Northern Arizona University with an emphasis on communications and promotion.
He spent most of his professional career working on the Navajo Nation in various roles. He spent 13 years at the Navajo Housing Authority, 1 year as Sr. Public Information Officer for Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan, 2 years as Marketing Manager at Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise, and 5 years as an Assistant Marketing Coordinator at the Navajo Tourism Office.
Christian’s experience in marketing is coupled with his appreciation of art and design work. He is a native of the Navajo Nation, hailing from Ganado, Arizona and currently lives in Gallup, New Mexico. He is truly passionate about creative work and all aspects to do with it. He thrives on creating, exploring, and pushing boundaries when it comes to marketing initiatives.
Jarom Prows hails from the community of Fort Defiance, AZ, located on the Navajo Nation. His ancestry is multifaceted: His clans are Swedish born for Hashtł’ishnii (Mud People) and grandfathers are Swedish and Nakaí (Spanish).
Jarom has been working in healthcare for over 17 years, covering everything from construction to design to operations. He holds an Associates degree in Design and Drafting, a Bachelors of Science degree in Construction Management, and a Masters of Science in Health Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Most recently Jarom was employed as the Director of Operations for FDIHB, Inc., based out of Fort Defiance. Here he used his strong communication and problem-solving skills to help lead the team responsible for Covid-19 response and vaccine administration. The efforts of this group were rewarded with the prestigious Navajo Area Directors Award for Outstanding Covid-19 group.
Jarom is married, and the proud father of three sons – Aiden, Talon and Zyion. He is grateful to serve the Navajo people and emphasizes the teachings of Hozhó and K’é in his daily interactions with patients and staff.
Kenneth Cooper
Interim Director of Human Resources
Kenneth Cooper is the Interim Director of Human Resources at Sage Memorial Hospital. Ken has been working in the field of Human Resource Management for over 20 years. He has a vast array of knowledge in leadership and has taught business and Indigenous leadership at the collegiate level. Ken holds an Arizona K-12 Teaching Certification, an Associate in Management, Bachelors in Business Administration, Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Employment Law and is currently in dissertation for a Doctorate in Business Administration. Additionally, Ken holds the Tribal Human Resource Professional (THRP) designation and the Arizona School Personnel Administrator (ASPAA) certificate.