Emergence Health Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Emergence Health has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, human resources, clinical oversight, administration, and medical services.

Committed to regional behavioral wellness, Emergence Health delivers essential psychiatric evaluation, crisis intervention, and rehabilitative skills training to improve community health outcomes across the El Paso area.

Leadership Roles at Emergence Health

  • Chief Executive Officer - Kristen Daugherty
  • Chief of Staff - Rene Hurtado
  • Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer - Stephanie Martinez
  • Chief Medical Officer - Shawna Scully
  • Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) - Iris Sandoval
  • Physician, Chief Medical Officer of Outpatient Medical and Addiction Service - Carroll Thornburg
  • Kristen Daugherty - Chief Executive Officer

    Kristen Daugherty, the Chief Executive Officer at Emergence Health, directs the overarching strategic vision for behavioral and developmental services. Daugherty architects long-term growth initiatives while ensuring the organization maintains high standards for crisis intervention and psychiatric evaluation. By aligning clinical goals with operational capacity, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of excellence across all regional facilities. Daugherty manages complex stakeholder relationships, including board interactions and community partnerships, to secure the resources necessary for expanding service reach. This leadership role involves constant monitoring of healthcare policy shifts to adapt service delivery models effectively. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, Kristen Daugherty drives the mission of providing accessible mental health support. Daugherty maintains a focus on sustainable development, ensuring that the network remains a cornerstone of the regional healthcare infrastructure while delivering consistent, high-quality care to every patient served.
    Kristen Daugherty

    Rene Hurtado - Chief of Staff

    Rene Hurtado, the Chief of Staff at Emergence Health, coordinates executive operations and facilitates communication across all internal departments. Hurtado manages the flow of information to the leadership team, ensuring that strategic priorities receive immediate attention. By streamlining administrative workflows, the Chief of Staff optimizes the efficiency of the executive office. Hurtado oversees cross-functional projects that integrate psychiatric evaluation and supportive counseling services into the broader organizational framework. This role requires constant collaboration with department heads to resolve operational bottlenecks and maintain alignment with corporate objectives. Rene Hurtado executes high-level planning initiatives that support the expansion of behavioral health programs. Hurtado monitors project timelines and resource allocation to ensure that every initiative meets the rigorous demands of the regional healthcare market. Through meticulous coordination, the Chief of Staff enables the organization to respond rapidly to emerging community needs while maintaining operational stability.

    Stephanie Martinez - Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer

    Stephanie Martinez, the Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer at Emergence Health, supports the management of human capital and workforce development initiatives. Martinez organizes recruitment strategies and employee retention programs essential for maintaining a skilled clinical staff. By facilitating administrative processes within the human resources department, the Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that staffing levels remain adequate for crisis intervention and rehabilitative services. Martinez coordinates internal training schedules and policy implementation to foster a productive work environment. This role involves managing sensitive personnel data and supporting the Chief Human Resources Officer in executing organizational culture improvements. Stephanie Martinez tracks performance metrics to identify areas for professional development among clinical teams. Martinez contributes to the overall operational success by ensuring that the human resources function remains agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce, ultimately supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care.

    Shawna Scully - Chief Medical Officer

    Shawna Scully, the Chief Medical Officer at Emergence Health, oversees the clinical integrity of all behavioral and developmental services. Scully directs the implementation of evidence-based psychiatric evaluation and psychoactive mediation monitoring protocols. By establishing rigorous clinical standards, the Chief Medical Officer ensures that patient care remains safe, effective, and compliant with regional healthcare regulations. Scully collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to integrate supportive counseling into comprehensive treatment plans. This leadership role involves mentoring medical staff and driving continuous quality improvement initiatives across all facilities. Shawna Scully monitors clinical outcomes to refine service delivery and enhance the effectiveness of crisis intervention programs. Scully maintains a focus on advancing medical practices to address the complex needs of the population. Through expert clinical guidance, the Chief Medical Officer secures the quality of care provided, ensuring that the organization remains a leader in behavioral health services within the region.

    Iris Sandoval - Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

    Iris Sandoval, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at Emergence Health, manages the operational infrastructure and business support systems. Sandoval directs the administrative functions that underpin psychiatric evaluation and rehabilitative skills training. By optimizing facility management and resource distribution, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) ensures that clinical teams possess the necessary tools to deliver care. Sandoval oversees budget planning and financial reporting to maintain the fiscal health of the organization. This role involves coordinating with external vendors and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with operational standards. Iris Sandoval executes strategic plans to improve service efficiency and reduce administrative overhead. Sandoval monitors operational performance metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement. Through diligent management of the organizational backbone, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) supports the delivery of essential behavioral health services, ensuring that the network operates smoothly and effectively to meet the demands of the regional community.

    Carroll Thornburg - Physician, Chief Medical Officer of Outpatient Medical and Addiction Service

    Carroll Thornburg, the Physician, Chief Medical Officer of Outpatient Medical and Addiction Service at Emergence Health, leads the specialized delivery of addiction treatment and outpatient medical care. Thornburg directs clinical protocols for substance use disorders and monitors the efficacy of psychoactive mediation. By integrating addiction services with broader behavioral health programs, the Physician, Chief Medical Officer of Outpatient Medical and Addiction Service ensures a holistic approach to patient recovery. Thornburg oversees the medical staff dedicated to outpatient care, providing clinical supervision and guidance on complex cases. This role involves developing treatment pathways that address the specific needs of patients requiring long-term support. Carroll Thornburg collaborates with other medical leaders to refine the continuum of care and improve patient outcomes. Thornburg drives initiatives to expand access to addiction services, ensuring that the organization effectively addresses the critical health challenges facing the region through evidence-based medical practice.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Emergence Health Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Emergence Health?
    Emergence Health is led by Kristen Daugherty (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Rene Hurtado (Chief of Staff) and Stephanie Martinez (Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer).
    Who is part of Emergence Health’s executive team?
    The executive team of Emergence Health includes leaders such as Kristen Daugherty (Chief Executive Officer), Rene Hurtado (Chief of Staff), Stephanie Martinez (Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Emergence Health have?
    Emergence Health has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Emergence Health’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Emergence Health includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).