Angelina Salazar

Angelina is the Chief Executive Officer of Western Healthcare Alliance and its affiliated companies. Working with the Board of Directors, key stakeholders, and the executive management team, she establishes long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies for the overall benefit of rural healthcare in Colorado, eastern Utah, and the Thumb Region of Michigan. She joined the WHA team in May 2016 to strengthen and lead the marketing and communications programs. In January 2019 she was named CEO after stepping into the interim role in July 2018.

Angelina started her career in education quickly advancing her role from Outreach Coordinator to Regional Development Director for a national nonprofit. After many years of developing programming and support, Angelina was recruited into the realm of healthcare. She started in marketing for a Critical Access Hospital in western Colorado, quickly advanced to Director of Customer Service, Marketing, Community Relations, and Development. Before leaving the hospital to join WHA, she held the executive position of Vice President of Business Development. In that role, she oversaw all communications, volunteers, marketing, physician services and identified business development opportunities. She established and implemented the infrastructure to support the organization through state and federal grants, fundraising events, and the establishment of a foundation.

In addition, Angelina serves on the National Cooperative of Health Networks Board of Directors (current Board President), the Colorado Health Institute Board of Directors (current Board President), the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions Advisory Board, Club 20 Healthcare Policy (current Co-Chair), National Rural Health Association Rural Health Policy Congress, the Ariel Clinical Services Board, and the Prime Health Advisory Board. Her dedication to solving rural healthcare challenges and building strong relationships in the community have helped to build visibility, impact, and financial stability. Angelina possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Spanish, two Master of Arts Degrees in Language Acquisition and Psychology as well as a certification in mediation, and conflict resolution. She is also a certified facilitator and Reality-based Leadership instructor.