Northern Arizona Healthcare announces new board members 

Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is pleased to introduce the newest members of its system-wide Board of Directors. The Board is an all-volunteer group of private citizens who bring a range of experience and skill, combined with community awareness. They are committed to effective governance, oversight and support in NAH’s quest for health care excellence across northern Arizona.  

The newest members from the Verde Valley are: 

Paula Herald: Herald has over 25 years in health care management and administration experience at large health organizations. She has had success in developing and leading operations and project teams, establishing and managing executive relationships, and driving improvements in profitability, productivity and quality. Her experience includes such work at CVS Health, Kaiser Permanente, and Ernst and Young. She has lived in Cottonwood for the last 20 years, where she is active in various community organizations. 

Richard Evnen: Evnen was the CEO of a wholesale foodservice distributor in Nebraska before moving to Sedona. He has a long history of volunteer community service and civic leadership. He is a former trustee and governance leader of Bryan Health in Lincoln, Neb. Richard also served as Chair of the American Hospital Association Committee on Governance. 

The newest member from Flagstaff is:  

William J. Badger, MD: Dr. Badger is a board-certified Urologist and resides in Flagstaff where he has operated a private practice since 2008. He has presented extensively on urological issues, both in Flagstaff and beyond. His work has been cited in numerous medical journals and textbooks. Dr. Badger introduced laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery to northern Arizona, further enhancing access to advanced medical care in the region. Patients applaud his polite bedside manner and direct, honest conversations. 

They join these board members who are continuing in their service to the region: 

Randall Garrison: Garrison was elected to the NAH Board of Directors in 2018 and resides in Cottonwood. He is a fifth-generation Verde Valley native who currently lives in Cottonwood. Garrison and his wife own and manage several businesses around the Verde Valley area. He previously served on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors representing District 3. He is the treasurer of the NAH Board.  

Charlie Agee, MD: Dr. Agee has been a member of the NAH Board since 2021 and resides in Paradise Valley. As a health care consultant, he brings expertise in large health care systems. He was a clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and has previously worked in leadership positions at large hospital systems. He currently serves as the chair of the NAH Board. He has life fellow status with over 25 years as a fellow with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

Janet Corrigan, MBA, MS, PhD: Ms. Corrigan has been a member of the NAH Board since 2017 and resides in Prescott. For more than 30 years, she held leadership positions at national and community levels and made significant contributions in the areas of patient safety, quality improvement, performance measurement, public reporting and value-based payment. Ms. Corrigan was formerly the Senior Director for Health Services at the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, where she was responsible for the portfolio of quality and safety initiatives. 

Alice Gagnaire: Gagnaire has served as a member of the NAH Board since 2013 and resides in Flagstaff. Prior to joining the Board, she worked at Flagstaff Medical Center for more than 35 years, most recently as Senior Vice President and Vice President of Patient Care Services. She has been an active member of the Flagstaff community since 1973, having served as the president of Arizona State Board of Nursing, North Country HealthCare, Arizona Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Cancer Society – Flagstaff Chapter and the Flagstaff Community Caregiving Coalition. She has also been a member on the Northern Arizona Chapter of the Red Cross, NAU School of Nursing Advisory Board, Soroptimist International of Flagstaff and Assistance League of Flagstaff. 

William Jeffers: Jeffers has been a member of the NAH Board of Directors since 2012 and resides in Navajo County. He is a lifelong resident of Arizona and is active in the community, serving on numerous committees and boards. He is a member of the Petrified Forest Museum Association Board of Directors. He was chair of the Arizona Department of Transportation Board, served on the Arizona Appellate Court Commission, was chairman of the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority and past president of the Arizona Natural Resource Conservation District Association.  

Troy Lorents: Lorents was elected to the Northern Arizona Healthcare Board of Directors in 2021 and has lived in Flagstaff since 1971. Lorents works at W.L. Gore and Associates, focusing on Data Privacy and Data Security as an Americas Privacy Lead for the Medical Group. He has been on many community non-profit groups including the Lorents Education Foundation, Flagstaff Hoops Basketball, president of the Coordinating Council on Mexican Affairs, DREAMS minority scholarships. In his free time, he is a high school wrestling referee.  

Daryl Melvin, P.E.: Melvin has been a member of the NAH Board of Directors since 2022 and resides in Flagstaff. He currently serves as the vice-chair. Melvin is a private equity principal in Melvin Consulting, PLLC. Melvin is Hopi/Navajo from the Hoospowungwa (Roadrunner clan) and born from Muii’dez’gesh’ni (Coyote pass clan). He held the position of chief executive officer for numerous tribal hospitals and health centers. He is a licensed civil engineer in Arizona and New Mexico and is a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service (ret.). 

William Riley, PhD: Dr. Riley joined the NAH Board of Directors in 2017 and resides in Gold Canyon. He is currently Professor and Director of the National Safety Advancement Center in the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University.  Previously, he served as CEO and president as well as other senior leadership positions in various healthcare systems since 1985. Dr. Riley has served in 13 different governing and advisory Board Certification positions since 1984. His professional memberships include the American Public Health Association. 

John Rivers: Rivers was elected to the Northern Arizona Healthcare Board of Directors in 2018 and resides in Flagstaff. He served as president and chief executive officer of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association from March of 1986 until retiring in January of 2011. Rivers is a lifetime Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served as Arizona’s Regent to the College from 1992 to 1997. He also served as a member of the National Steering Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Smokeless States Project. He is an active participant in numerous other civic and community activities. 

NAH is committed to delivering high-quality health care close to home for the patients and communities we have the honor to serve. For more than 50 years, NAH has focused on improving health and healing people, and will continue to deliver excellent patient care in northern Arizona for the next 50 years.