Distinguished Alumni

Dr. Mary Hardin-Jones is Professor Emerita at the University of Wyoming. After completing her B.A. and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Texas Tech University, she pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Iowa to study cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial differences. During her 37-year academic career, Dr. Hardin-Jones published numerous articles regarding the influence of cleft lip and palate on early speech-language development and surgical outcomes in children with cleft palate. She also co-authored two textbooks and a third book on early intervention for parents of these children. Dr. Hardin-Jones serves as an Investigator on a NIH-funded grant involving 17 medical institutions designed to study the effectiveness of speech and surgical treatments for children with cleft lip and palate.  It is the first major inter-institutional comparison of speech outcomes for these children to be carried out in the United States.

Throughout her career, Dr. Hardin-Jones was very active in professional service.  She participated on cleft palate teams in several states and served as President of the Montana Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as Vice-President of the Montana Cleft Palate Association.  Dr. Hardin-Jones served on the Executive Council of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, as Vice President for Communications for the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.  She was awarded Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in recognition of her contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.

Dr. Vivek Gupta is Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at St. John’s University and the Scientific Founder of PulmoSIM Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on the development of inhaled therapies for rare respiratory diseases. His research centers on non-invasive drug delivery systems—including inhalable nanomedicine, oral delivery of biologics, and localized delivery approaches for brain and lung diseases, aimed at improving therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes. Dr. Gupta brings deep translational expertise developed through a prolific academic career and through industry-facing innovation. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on over 20 U.S. and international patents, several of which have been licensed for clinical development. He has led pioneering work in scalable nanomedicine manufacturing and in the formulation of repurposed drugs for oncology, fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. As Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research (2021–2025) at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Dr. Gupta led strategic initiatives to expand interdisciplinary research, secure external funding, and support trainee development. Dr. Gupta is an invited speaker at international scientific forums, serves on multiple editorial boards, and is on multiple NIH review panels. His current work continues to bridge pharmaceutical innovation and real-world application, advancing the next generation of therapeutics for hard-to-treat diseases.

Ajith Pai, PharmD, FACHE, has served as President of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest Fort Worth since July 2022. Texas Health Southwest ranked #9 in DFW in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report annual rankings, ranked #19 in Texas and #1 in Fort Worth on the 2025 Newsweek’s America’s Best-in-State Hospitals list, and was recognized in 2025 as a Premier Top 100 Hospital. Texas Health Southwest recently announced a $223 million expansion which includes a new 5-story patient tower to open in 2028. Prior to Texas Health Southwest, Ajith served as President of Texas Health Cleburne.  

As president, Ajith oversees operations, works to advance physician recruitment and alignment, service-line development and promotes effective employee, governance, and community relations. He ensures the hospital meets goals for patient safety, clinical and non-clinical quality, operational performance and patient, physician, and employee engagement. 

Ajith received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Texas Tech School of Pharmacy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.  Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as the Chapter President of ACHE of North Texas. In service to his belief in the importance of leadership through advocacy, Ajith currently serves as the Chair of the Texas Hospital Association (THA) PAC (HOSPAC), sits on the board of THA, and serves on the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board 7. 

Ajith enjoys spending time with his family which includes his wife, Myriam, their three children, Elyse, Nikhil, and Yvette.

Karmen Lee Ann Stephens, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP, is a nationally recognized clinical pharmacy leader with over two decades of experience spanning long-term care, community pharmacy, and telehealth. As Vice President of Clinical at Consana Health, Dr. Stephens oversees clinical development and process improvement for a pharmacy serving patients in all 50 states. She leads a team of over 30 pharmacists, manages strategic partnerships—including a 1.8 million-member health plan—and drives innovation in Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) and Medication Therapy Management (MTM).

Dr. Stephens is board certified in geriatric pharmacy and a Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), where she has served in multiple leadership roles including Founding Chairperson of the Quality Impact Project and member of the DEA Taskforce. Her work has earned her accolades such as the ASCP President’s Standing Ovation Award and finalist recognition for the RISE Dr. Martin L. Block Award.

She is a published author and frequent national speaker, with presentations at AMDA, NCQA, and ASCP conferences. Her research and advocacy focus on improving care for underserved populations, including transgender individuals and seniors in post-acute settings.

Dr. Stephens also serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students at the University of North Texas mentoring future pharmacists in clinical practice. Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care continues to shape the future of pharmacy practice.

Annette Lerma discovered her passion for public health somewhat by accident. After starting her professional career in the field of public education, she grew disillusioned with teaching and after just two years, took a nutritionist position with the WIC program on September 11, 2001. It was there that she realized how public health aligned with her heart’s desire to improve lives and make her community a better place to live.
Annette’s academic credentials include obtaining her BS from Abilene Christian University in 1999, a Certificate of Public Health in 2018 a Master’s in Public Health from Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in 2021.

Her 24-year public health journey has carried her through different programs and positions.  WIC Director, Health Programs Manager, Assistant Director, and finally Director in 2018. Today she leads a diverse team of 60 staff over 15 vital programs spanning nutrition, environmental health, vital statistics, emergency preparedness, and clinical and laboratory services. 

During the pandemic, Annette and her team transformed Abilene into a high efficiency vaccination hub capable of administering up to 2,000 doses per day. One local opinion writer in the Abilene Reporter News praised the operation as “the efficiency of a Chick fil A drive through,” and recommended “Ms. Lerma take over the process to renew driver’s licenses”.  

Her leadership earned her the Odis Dolton Good Neighbor Award from the Abilene mayor for her coordination of the city’s pandemic response. Under her guidance, the community not only weathered a crisis—it came together stronger and more resilient.

Amber Pastusek is the Chief Medical Officer for the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS). She previously served as the Vice President of Crisis and Forensic Divisions at the Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD prior to her role at CHCS. She has been working with the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) since 2010 in Harris and Bexar counties. She is a strong advocate in serving a vulnerable underserved population with passion and dedication to community mental health. She is originally from Lubbock, TX and attended her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University and medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She trained in adult and child psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. She has grown in her leadership career over the years to include a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2021. Additional interests include clinical informatics and legislative calls to action advocating for mental health. She has had the loving support of her husband, Eric, and two children throughout her career journey.

I graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2017. It was there I realized the creativity involved in rehabilitation within the field of athletic training. My time at Texas Tech was transformational—it not only solidified my desire to help others but also set me on a path to serve in high-performance athletics.

After earning my degree, I pursued another graduate degree in education at the University of Oklahoma, where I had the privilege of working with the football team. Following two years in Oklahoma, I achieved a longtime dream by earning an internship with the San Francisco 49ers. I was fortunate to continue shaping my own philosophies about rehabilitation and patient care and become the best version of myself.

From there, I returned to Texas Tech to ultimately serve as Director of Rehabilitation for Football. During that time, I was honored to work alongside one of my mentors, Professor Larry Munger, as an adjunct instructor in the Master of Athletic Training program. It was a full-circle moment to contribute to the same program that shaped my career.

Shortly thereafter, I was invited to rejoin the San Francisco 49ers’ staff. At every step of the journey, I’ve been fortunate to mentor and work alongside rehabilitation sciences students. Throughout my career, I remain committed to advancing the field of athletic training through mentorship, innovation, and a deep love for the profession. Giving back to the next generation of athletic trainers continues to be the most rewarding part of my career.

Dr. Mary Hardin-Jones is Professor Emerita at the University of Wyoming. After completing her B.A. and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Texas Tech University, she pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Iowa to study cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial differences. During her 37-year academic career, Dr. Hardin-Jones published numerous articles regarding the influence of cleft lip and palate on early speech-language development and surgical outcomes in children with cleft palate. She also co-authored two textbooks and a third book on early intervention for parents of these children. Dr. Hardin-Jones serves as an Investigator on a NIH-funded grant involving 17 medical institutions designed to study the effectiveness of speech and surgical treatments for children with cleft lip and palate.  It is the first major inter-institutional comparison of speech outcomes for these children to be carried out in the United States.

Throughout her career, Dr. Hardin-Jones was very active in professional service.  She participated on cleft palate teams in several states and served as President of the Montana Speech-Language-Hearing Association as well as Vice-President of the Montana Cleft Palate Association.  Dr. Hardin-Jones served on the Executive Council of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, as Vice President for Communications for the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.  She was awarded Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in recognition of her contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders.

PA Monica Ward graduated from the Texas Tech PA Program in 2009. During her time at TTUHSC, she developed a passion for advocacy that has shaped her entire career, dedicating herself to advancing the PA profession and improving patient care at local, state, and national levels.

Monica currently serves as Director of Clinical Operations for CHRISTUS Health System's North American Division, providing service line leadership across multiple states. Her career trajectory from family medicine PA to executive healthcare leader exemplifies the diverse opportunities available to PA graduates.
Monica has served extensive volunteer roles with the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA), including Secretary, Legislative Affairs Committee Chair, Chief Delegate to the AAPA House of Delegates, President-Elect, and President. She is currently Immediate Past President and Chair of the Nominating Committee. During her leadership, she hosted Legislative Days at the Austin Capitol and strengthened partnerships with regional PA societies.

At the national level, Monica served four years as Chief Delegate for Texas in the AAPA House of Delegates, successfully passing multiple resolutions. She served on the AAPA Political Action Committee Board of Trustees (2017-2020) and in 2025 served as Course Director and presenter for the AAPA Executive Leadership Conference. She is Co-Founder of the NTX APRN/PA Leadership Alliance.

Monica serves on the faculty of West Coast University's PA Program and is a sought-after speaker on healthcare leadership and professional development. Monica lives in Dallas with her husband, Nate, and their two daughters.

Dr. Benjamin J. Leeah was born and raised in the Houston, Texas area. He earned an undergraduate degree in computer science from the University of Houston-Downtown in 1995. He completed medical school at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine in 2000 and went on to complete a family medicine residency in 2003. Dr. Leeah was in private practice of family medicine in Amarillo until 2008 when he joined the TTUHSC Managed Care organization as a regional medical director overseeing the medical care of state prisoners in the panhandle and high plains of Texas. In 2023, Dr. Leeah earned an MPH from TTUHSC. Dr. Leeah is a Fellow of the American College of Correctional Physicians, an NCCHC certified correctional health professional - clinical provider, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, and a certified physician executive.  Dr. Leeah is a strong advocate for patient care for the incarcerated and is a leader in provider education, quality improvement, litigation support, and patient safety.

Stephanie Weatherby is the founder of Tribe Wellness + Concierge, an integrative healthcare company launched in 2023 with the mission to simplify healthcare and bring personalized services directly to patients. With a passion for wellness and whole-person care, Stephanie blends traditional and functional medicine to treat the root causes of illness—rather than just symptoms—while eliminating the stress of navigating the conventional healthcare system.

She began her academic journey at The University of Texas at Austin, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business. Her passion for healthcare led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Her diverse educational background allows her to approach healthcare with both a clinical and entrepreneurial mindset, delivering care that is compassionate, efficient, and innovative.

Through Tribe, Stephanie’s team offers a full spectrum of services including urgent care house calls, in-home physical therapy, in-home phlebotomy, mobile IV therapy, functional medicine, psychiatric services, hormone therapy and telemedicine—all designed to meet patients where they are, both literally and emotionally. Tribe currently delivers in-home care across more than 20 cities in Texas and offers statewide access to virtual appointments with planned expansion to additional locations.

Tiffany Jackson began her nursing career as an LVN in 2009 and has now been an RN for 8 years. She holds a Bachelors and Masters of Nursing from Texas Tech University, where she developed a strong foundation in clinical leadership, strategic planning, and community health. Her academic background has been instrumental in shaping her holistic approach to management, blending evidence-based decision-making with compassionate leadership.
Tiffany has led initiatives that have streamlined operations, enhanced cross-functional collaboration, and fostered a culture of accountability and growth while directing both the MedSurg and Emergency Departments at Permian Regional Medical Center. Her leadership style is marked by transparency, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Beyond her professional role, Tiffany is a passionate advocate for community health and well-being. She established a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to support survivors with trauma-informed care, is in the process of launching a local advocacy team in conjunction with Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center, serves on the community CHIP steering committee, and chairs the food insecurity task force. Her efforts have also led to the development of a community garden, promoting access to fresh produce and sustainable living.

As she continues to shape the future of her organization and community, Tiffany remains dedicated to fostering innovation, championing equity, and driving meaningful changes across both healthcare and civic landscapes.

Tiffany Miller is the Clinical Manager of the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas—a county hospital rooted in service, teaching, and heart. A nurse for 13 years and a leader for 9, Tiffany’s journey began as an LVN and continues today as she pursues her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Texas Tech University, where she also earned both her BSN and MSN.

Born and raised in the small town of Azle, Texas, Tiffany has always carried with her the values of faith, family, and friendship. She’s been married to her high school sweetheart for 16 years and is the proud mom of two little girls, Presley (8) and Parker (5), who inspire her daily.

Tiffany started her career on a cardiac telemetry unit, managed a med-surg trauma unit, and now leads a team in a high-acuity cardiovascular setting. She’s passionate about mentoring, advocating fiercely for patients, and creating a culture where both staff and patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.

Her leadership and dedication have been recognized through honors like the DFW Great 100 Nurses (2021), the Gallup Manager of the Year (2025), and the JPS Rose Award for excellence in patient experience and employee engagement.

At her core, Tiffany is a servant leader, proud Texan, and someone who believes that kindness and connection can change lives.