University Medical Center chooses new board members to lead El Paso Children’s Hospital

University Medical Center chose its nominees to head El Paso Children’s Hospital.

Out of 19 people, including well-known finalists such as local veterinarian Richard Bonart, former El Paso City Manager Joyce Wilson and Former Mayor Joe Wardy, UMC’s nominating committee chose Ted Houghton, former Chair of the Texas Transportation Commission; Miguel Fernandez, El Paso businessman and current member of the UMC Board of Managers (he will serve on both boards); Ronald Acton, El Paso businessman, foundation and community leader, former UMC Board member ; and Patrick Gordon, an El Paso attorney.

“This is a very controversial board,” Stout said. “I think we have some good board members. We’re going to work as hard as we possible can to make the Children’s hospital successful again.”

The deal between the two hospitals included divvying how the board was chosen. UMC picks four members, EPCH picks two, who will remain in office for three months, then be replaced. EPCH chose Chairwoman Rosemary Castillo to stay, as well as Sedhana Chheda.

The doctors at Children’s doctors get to pick one person. They have not announced who it is.

UMC’s nominating committee believes the four they chose are the best people to serve the community and handle big budgets.

“We want somebody that has a strong background in business and in legal,” said Commissioner David Stout, who was also on the UMC nominating committee. “We want someone with a background in the medical field as well.”

The application is lengthy, with eight forms to fill out including duties and responsibilities, a board members pledge and financial interest disclosures. UMC states applicants can’t have any conflicts of interest, they have to promise to act for the good of the community and must have prior board experience. But most important — they need to know how to budget.

“This board will now be dealing with a lot more money,” Stout said. “Obviously there’s been a lot more taxpayer money involved in the past with the building of the hospital, and also the money that was not paid back to UMC. And of course now Children’s will be partnering with UMC.”

The nominees with be sworn in Dec. 8. Their first task will be choosing EPCH’s new CEO.