Student Association of Healthcare Administrators (SAHA)
SAHA is a graduate student organization at the University of New Mexico where students interested in healthcare administration can come together. The organization's mission is to provide opportunities for students to interact with peers and healthcare industry leaders in order to develop the professional skills and networks vital to achieving their career goals.
For participation information, please contact SAHA's Advisor or connect with the organization through SAHA's Facebook page.
Upcoming Event(s)
BIO
Ryan Stevens, MHA is the Executive Director, Clinical Neurosurgical Services within the UNM Medical Group. His interests lie in strategy deployment, collaborative teambuilding, revenue enhancement, and workflow process and quality improvement in ambulatory and inpatient care settings. He supported operations at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in many roles including Director of the Radiology and Cath Lab, and at U NM Hospital as Senior Director, Rehabilitation Services. He is a member of NM Healthcare Executives (NMHE) and an American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Fellow.
Contact Kristal Vargas, Communications Chair, for questions.
Hunter Esmiol enjoys working with people. “It is amazing what can get done when people and organizations collaborate and invest in each other.” Hunter follows a simple leadership code: 1. Leave a place better than what it is 2. Make sure people have the right tools to do their job well 3. Help out.
Mike Kendall is a retired Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman with 23 years of experience in military healthcare as a provider, manager and leader. He also taught aviation physiology and water survival training to Navy and Marine Corps aircrew during his career. He used this experience to support the flight training department of Eclipse Aviation in Albuquerque before starting his own business providing management services to sole proprietors. He currently supports the Office of the Executive Vice Dean, School of Medicine at UNM with ambitions of fulfilling a greater role within the UNM Health System. Mike’s goal is to strengthen the relationship among the MHA and MPA student body while fostering relationships with faculty, NMHE, ACHE, and the community. Mike holds a B.S. degree in Healthcare Management and wishes to pursue a doctorate degree upon completion of the MHA program.
Cindel Cardoza was born in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. She graduated from the National Autonomous University of Honduras as an Attorney at Law with Criminal Justice orientation in 2003. After obtaining her law degree, she worked for six years in the human resources field as Human Resources Manager at the Caribbean Hospital in Puerto Cortes. In September 2017, Cindel moved to Albuquerque to pursue a master’s degree in Health Administration at University of New Mexico. She expects to graduate in Spring 2020.
Kayla started the MHA program in Fall 2018. Originally from northern New Mexico, she has called Albuquerque home for over 8 years. She received her B.S. in Biology from UNM in 2014. Currently, Kayla is employed with After Hours Pediatrics as a Referrals Specialist. She enjoys interacting with patients and their parents to provide outstanding customer service and patient care. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys baking, crocheting, watching movies with her best friend, and spending time with her family.
Kristal joined the MHA program in 2018. Before joining, she earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from The University of New Mexico. Kristal has sixteen years of clinical experience in outpatient cardiology and pediatrics. Throughout her career, she has successfully designed and implemented various clinical processes aimed to improve clinical efficiency and quality care. When not working or doing school work, Kristal enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children.
