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
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.
Lori Livingston, RN, BSN
Interim Chief Quality and Compliance Officer
Lori Livingston is originally from Window Rock, AZ, and now resides in Blackhat, NM. Her clans are Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House People), born for To’aheeddliinii (Water Flow Together People); her maternal clan is Ashiihi (Salt People), and her paternal clan is Nakaii Dine (Mexican People).
She holds an Associate of Science in Nursing from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Lori has worked in labor and delivery, dialysis, medical-surgical nursing, home health, infection control, and quality management. She currently serves as Interim Chief Quality Officer at Sage Memorial Hospital, and leads performance improvement, regulatory compliance, and patient safety initiatives
Ronnye Etcitty
Chief of Human Resources
Ronnye Etcitty is the Chief of Human Resources at Sage Memorial Hospital with experience across various healthcare systems in the US and abroad.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human resource management and doctoral coursework in organizational leadership from the University of Arizona. His roles have included positions at Yukon Kuskokwim Healthcare Corporation in Alaska, Tenet, Community Health Systems, Abrazo Healthcare, RMCH, Southwest Behavioral, and the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority.
His clans are Big Water and Red Running into the Water. His mother is the late Lorraine V. Etcitty, from Jeddito, and my father is the late Raymond C. Etcitty from Beclabito. He balances his career with family life, being a devoted father to two daughters and a brother to three siblings.
Brochelle Begay, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Chief of Community Health
.
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.
Richard Laughter
Director of Behavioral Health
Richard Laughter, MD, MBA, is a psychiatrist at Sage Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Services. He is also the Behavioral Health Director. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in human biology at the University of Utah. He obtained his medical doctor degree at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Psychiatry Program. He obtained his Master’s degree in Business Administration in Health Administration at Grand Canyon University.
Dr. Laughter is the only Navajo psychiatrist working on the Navajo Reservation. He isthe only full time Navajo medical doctor ay Sage Memorial Hospital. He has an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps, in which he served in the infantry and obtained the rank of sergeant. He has completed 41 and counting Lakota Sundance ceremonies. He is an active member of the Native American Church and also conducts Native American Church ceremonies. He has also been trained in Chinese Acupuncture.
One of Dr. Laughter‘s goals is to bridge the gap between Western and Native American Traditional way of life. “I am dedicated in helping to serve my people in any way possible giving my best at all times. Sage Memorial Hospital has allowed me to serve in this capacity. “