The Texas Health RISE (Readying Inspiring Individuals with Skills to promote Equity) 2024 class recently proudly celebrated its graduation.
This remarkable group of 40 individuals completed a transformative journey, gaining leadership skills through the lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over a four-month, eight-session in-person program.
During their time in the RISE program, participants engaged in learning experiences that broadened their perspectives and enhanced their leadership capabilities to lead with empathy and inclusivity.

Texas Health Chief People Officer Carla Dawson spoke to the graduates, highlighting the significance of putting their new skills into practice to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for each other and the patients we are privileged to serve. Dawson encouraged graduates to integrate these lessons into their roles and communities, emphasizing the necessity of creating an environment where every individual feels valued and respected.
Since the launch of the RISE program in 2021, more than 100 employees have participated, creating a community of individuals who not only embrace Our Texas Health Promise: Individuals Caring For Individuals, Together, but who also are gaining a deeper understanding of how to foster inclusivity and enhance our ability to contribute more positively to Texas Health and the communities we are honored to serve. This program is collaboration between the Government and Community Affairs and People and Culture teams.
Congratulations to the 2024 RISE graduates!
Here are the graduates, in alphabetical order:
Tammy Badgett, Texas Health Resources
Misty Beza, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance
Vishia Coleman, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne
Abbie Connor, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth
Nicole Cummings, Texas Health Care at Home
Marsha Dixon, Texas Health Resources
Travis Estes, Texas Health Physicians Group
Chirag Gosai, Texas Health Resources
Hannah Grant, Texas Health Resources
Kenya Griffin, Texas Health Resources
Lona Henderson, Texas Health Resources
Lauren Johnson, Texas Health Partners
Marcel Kans, Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care
Harman Kaur, Texas Health Physicians Group
Ronisha King, Texas Health Rockwall
Lourdes Maria Lim, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Charonne Lovett, Texas Health Dallas
Amber Martin, Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery
Jacob Mathew, Texas Health Rockwall
Kasey McCollum, Texas Health Resources
Shannon McComber, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano
Tavia Miller, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen
Sabina Neupane, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
Erika Oropeza, Texas Health Resources
Julie Parsons, Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care
Leslie Perez, Texas Health Resources
Shauna Radke, Texas Health Fort Worth
Jonathan Torres Renteria, Texas Health Partners
Danielle Rugg, Texas Health Fort Worth
Trisha Russell, Texas Health Physicians Group
Bella San Pedro Personeni, Texas Health Resources
Samuel Sanchez, Texas Health Physicians Group
Letetia Smith, Texas Health Hospital Frisco
Aden Teklu, Texas Health Plano
Kimberly Thornton, Texas Health Plano
Adrian Thurman-Coe, Texas Health Dallas
Myeshia Westbrooks, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford
Julia Whatley, Texas Health Physicians Group
Skipper White, Texas Health Alliance
Felicia Wilson, Texas Health Physicians Group
Published by Texas Health Communications on 1.13.2025