Meet our Administrative Team

Jennifer Opsut, CEO

Jennifer Opsut was named as our chief executive officer in March of 2021. She previously served as our chief operating officer. Before joining our Alaska Regional family in 2018, she served as chief operating officer, as well as executive director of strategic planning and operational development at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell, Idaho. Prior to joining West Valley, Jennifer served as a senior decision support analyst with the West Florida Division of HCA, Alaska Regional's parent company.

With over 20 years of healthcare and hospital executive experience, some of Jennifer’s many areas of expertise include patient and employee safety, hospital culture, growth and engagement. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wingate University and a Masters of Healthcare Administration from the University of North Carolina.

Jennifer and her husband enjoy exploring Alaska with their three sons.

Stephen Heffington, MD, Chief Medical Officer

Accomplished physician leader and board-certified urological surgeon Dr. Stephen Heffington is our chief medical officer (CMO). Dr. Heffington works with our executive team in advancing initiatives that elevate care quality and safety. He also oversees medical staff functions such as credentialing, risk management and patient safety, colleague education, and utilization review techniques that help manage healthcare costs.

Dr. Heffington previously served as the assistant director for medical affairs and chief medical officer for the Defense Health Agency’s Defense Health Network Central, based here in Alaska. He supported healthcare delivery in 39 medical treatment facilities in 21 states and four countries. Dr. Heffington earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lipscomb University and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Tennessee. He completed a combined six-year residency and fellowship in Urologic Surgery and Renal Transplantation from the University of Missouri.

He is a published author and has made national and regional presentations in the areas of urology, simulation medicine, accreditation, education administration, public health, risk management, physician/provider well-being, and healthcare administration.

Mesa Rangel, Chief Financial Officer

As our CFO, Mesa has a wealth of financial experience and expertise, and a proven track record of financial stewardship and strategic planning. She previously served as clinical division controller for Alaska Native Medical Center. However, Mesa is not new to Alaska Regional. She joined our team in 2014 as a staff accountant, and over the next eight years, she progressed to senior staff accountant, assistant controller, controller and assistant chief financial officer. She graduated from HCA’s Executive Development Program, obtained her MBA from Capella University, and has an undergraduate degree in General Accounting from Colorado Mesa University.

Ashlyn Hall, Chief Nursing Officer

Meet Ashlyn Hall, our Chief Nursing Officer. She joined our team in 2021 from St. Mark's Hospital, our sister facility in Salt Lake City. Prior to joining St. Mark's, she served as the Director of Emergency Services, Cardiac Cath Lab and House Supervisors at another sister facility, Lakeview Hospital, also in Utah.

Ashlyn is originally from Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, and received her BSN from Penn State University and her MBA from Western Governors University. She began her healthcare career as an Emergency Room nurse in a Level II trauma facility in Minot, North Dakota, and continues to serve as an Officer in Charge with the U.S. Army Reserves 934th Forward Surgical Team.

Ashlyn is known for her outgoing personality, energy and passion for service.

Rob Stantus, Chief Operating Officer

Rob joined our Alaska Regional Hospital family in December of 2018. Prior to joining us, he served for five years as the assistant vice president of outreach in HCA's Mountain Division Office, with oversight of tele-health, patient transfers, behavioral health programs and outreach.

Rob has been a registered nurse for 25 years, with extensive experience in the ICU, emergency department and air medical field.

He received his BSN from Creighton University and MBA from the University of Utah.

Since moving to Alaska, Rob and his wife have been busily exploring the state with their three daughters.

Kimberlee (Kim) McNew, Ethics & Compliance Officer

Kim joined the team as our ECO in 2022. She previously worked as the practice administrator for a large local physician group. Before that, she was the clinical director for a hospital-owned multi-specialty group in Michigan.

Kim's extensive healthcare and executive career has encompassed strategic planning, leadership, business development and employee engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Health Information Systems and a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Kim also served on our hospital Board of Trustees for seven years, with two years as Board President.

Ali Miller, VP of HR

Ali Miller is our vice president of human resources. Ali has been a member of our HR team since April of 2016, initially serving as HR business partner and department leader.

Ali came to us from Hope Community Resources, a non-profit organization that provides support to people with intellectual and physical disabilities across the state of Alaska. During her six-year tenure with Hope, Ali served in several successive HR roles prior to joining our hospital.

Ali holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management from University of South Dakota, a Leadership Certificate from Wayland Baptist University and Master's Degree in Business Management from UAA.

Evan Ray, Mountain Division President

As President of HCA Healthcare's Mountain Division, Evan Ray leads approximately 10,000 colleagues in an award-winning network with care sites in Alaska, Idaho and Utah. He began serving in this capacity on March 18, 2024.

Evan is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) with more than two decades of experience as a healthcare executive and a proven track record of developing and expanding patient services to meet the healthcare needs of the communities he has served.

Prior to leading the Mountain Division, Evan served as the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of HCA Healthcare's Gulf Coast Division. In that role, Evan was responsible for multiple hospitals in Houston and South Texas as well as a number of outpatient care sites and service lines. During his five years in Houston, the Gulf Coast Division experienced substantial growth by advancing capabilities and improving access to care options.

Evan previously spent 18 years serving as a healthcare executive in Alabama, Iowa and South Carolina. He received a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham after completing his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University.

John Armour, Mountain Division Chief Financial Officer

John Armour leads the financial operations for the Mountain Division as our Chief Financial Officer, a role he has held since October 2023. John is excited to serve the Mountain Division as it focuses on meeting the needs of some of the nation's fastest-growing communities.

John joined the Mountain Division from the Methodist Hospital system in the San Antonio area, where he effectively managed the financial performance of three acute care hospitals, five freestanding emergency centers, four ambulatory surgery centers and 14 physician practices.

John's leadership and financial planning were instrumental in several important growth initiatives, including new hospitals and expansions at existing facilities. He previously served as the CFO in HCA Healthcare's Gulf Coast Division and also held several leadership roles at facilities throughout Texas.

John received his Bachelor's in Business Administration and Accounting from Southern Arkansas University, and an MBA from Northcentral University.

Sabrina Braun, Mountain Division Chief Nurse Executive

Sabrina Braun is the Chief Nurse Executive for HCA Healthcare's Mountain Division. In this position, Sabrina supports, develops and celebrates the division's 3,700 nurses and oversees the overall strategic direction for nursing operations across 11 hospitals in Alaska, Idaho and Utah. Sabrina has been in her position since March 2024.

Sabrina has held nursing and leadership positions in Florida, Indiana and Texas since joining the HCA Healthcare family in 2005. She most recently served for seven years as the Chief Nursing Officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where she helped the 323-bed facility achieve the Pathway of Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and several HCA Healthcare Unit of Distinction awards.

She has a Doctorate in Nursing and a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration. She is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders and earned the Certified Medical Surgical Nurse designation through the ANCC.

Sabrina is a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and has supported her communities by serving on numerous boards and coalitions.

Dr. Filip Roos, Mountain Division Chief Medical Officer

Filip Roos, M.D. is the Division Chief Medical Officer for HCA Healthcare's Mountain Division, overseeing clinical relationships and medical staff operations for our 11 hospitals and associated facilities.

Dr. Roos previously served as the Chief Medical Officer of the Mountain Division's Ogden Regional Medical Center. Prior to that, he spent over 20 years in private practice as a cardiac anesthesiologist with an interest in echocardiography. He also served as Chief Medical Executive at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, a Sutter Health facility in Oakland, California, where he oversaw two complex acute care hospitals and an inpatient behavioral hospital.

Dr. Roos graduated in mathematics and computer science at Academic College in Prague, Czech Republic, and received his Doctor of Medicine degree at Charles University's First Faculty of Medicine, also in Prague. He completed his internship and residency at University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Roos earned his MBA at Auburn University's Harbert College of Business.

Dr. Roos has served on numerous community boards over the course of his career. He currently serves on the board of a non-profit educational organization, “Viva el Espanol,” where he has served for over 10 years. He has served on the Board of Directors for NorthBay Healthcare and currently serves on the Weber Human Services Foundation Board.