Governance

Wagner is the founder and president of The RightCare Foundation, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) Public Charity, founded in 2010. As a career firefighter paramedic and critical-care flight paramedic with over 23 years of public safety experience, Wagner...
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Wagner is the founder and president of The RightCare Foundation, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) Public Charity, founded in 2010. As a career firefighter paramedic and critical-care flight paramedic with over 23 years of public safety experience, Wagner brings sincere passion to RightCare causes. His role as a first responder helped him to identify the need for improvement in quality, timeliness, and accountability of care in local communities.Wagner established The RightCare Foundation to advocate for and promote best-practice care. The support of fire chiefs, IAFF locals, city councils and physicians continues to encourage Wagner to continue to promote The RightCare Mission. An active member of the community, Wagner serves as appointed Council Member of The Arizona Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging (GACA), Member of The Arizona Attorney General’s Taskforce Against Senior Abuse (TASA), Vice Chair of The Arizona Attorney General’s Healthcare Committee and Champion Member of The Health Improvement Partnership of Maricopa County (HIPMC). He is currently employed by The City of Phoenix Fire Department and has served as a critical care flight paramedic for AirEvac Services, a service of PHI Air Medical, Inc.

Kurt Merkelz, M.D., is senior vice president and chief medical officer of Compassus and has been in this role since 2017. Throughout his career, Merkelz has focused on caring for older adults. His perseverance in raising industry benchmarks for quality...
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Kurt Merkelz, M.D., is senior vice president and chief medical officer of Compassus and has been in this role since 2017. Throughout his career, Merkelz has focused on caring for older adults. His perseverance in raising industry benchmarks for quality hospice care earned him the Compassus R. Sean Morrison, M.D., Award for Outstanding Achievement in Hospice Physician Leadership. He is currently serving a third term as co-chair for the National Quality Forum (NQF)’s Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) post-acute workgroup. Dr. Merkelz pioneering work in standardized care delivery garnered Compassus national recognition by NQF in 2020. Merkelz serves on several national organization committees including AAHPM, AMDA, and NHPCO. Merkelz is triple-board certified in hospice and palliative care medicine, family practice and geriatrics.

Nancy Barto served in the Legislature from 2006-2022, serving as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate, focused on health care and family-related issues.Nancy has been a strong voice for reform...
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Nancy Barto served in the Legislature from 2006-2022, serving as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committees in both the House of Representatives and Senate, focused on health care and family-related issues.Nancy has been a strong voice for reform and effective independent oversight of the agencies serving Arizona’s vulnerable elderly in long term care, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, foster children and those with serious mental illnesses and looks forward to an alliance with the Right Care Foundation to continue advancing effective public policy in these areas.
Nancy took the lead sponsored numerous health care reforms into law, protecting patient privacy and ensuring affordable health care options can flourish state. She was a member of the Education and Judiciary Committees during most of her service, and co-chaired the Joint Legislative Psychiatric Hospital Review Council and the Child Safety Oversight Committee since 2013. Prior to her Legislative service Nancy enjoyed a career as a mother, community volunteer and public policy advocate. She enjoys hiking, playing piano, games and time with her family. Joe and Nancy are members of Living Streams Church.
She and her husband, Joe Barto are proud parents of three daughters and sons-in-law and three grandchildren.

Mr. Robens is a fire service veteran serving as a Captain Paramedic and Command Officer. He has also been an Attorney for over thirty years. Mr. Robens practices in the area of litigation and healthcare law. He consults with and...
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Mr. Robens is a fire service veteran serving as a Captain Paramedic and Command Officer. He has also been an Attorney for over thirty years. Mr. Robens practices in the area of litigation and healthcare law. He consults with and lectures extensively to Fire Departments/Districts, Emergency Medical Service Agencies, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians, Hospitals, Air Medical crews and Fire Service and Medical conferences, and on medical/legal issues, risk management, personnel management, supervisory and leadership issues, documentation/charting, Ethics and Ethical Decision-making. Mr. Robens and his law firm also provide legal advice to healthcare companies on a broad range of issues. Mr. Robens also teaches at the University and Community College level on medical-legal, supervisory, and ethics issues. His medical-legal seminars are presented all over the country at Fire Departments, and Fire Service and Medical Conferences, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Fire Department Instructor’s Conferences. He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and is also licensed to practice in the District and Federal Appeals Courts. In his spare time, he is a Commercial Pilot and has flown as an airline, air ambulance, and corporate pilot. He has two children and resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Susan is Director of Seniors Ministry for the Church of St. John the Divine in Houston TX. After decades of working in the healthcare arena managing medical staffing agencies, home health companies and home care agencies, Susan now has the...
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Susan is Director of Seniors Ministry for the Church of St. John the Divine in Houston TX. After decades of working in the healthcare arena managing medical staffing agencies, home health companies and home care agencies, Susan now has the honor of assisting seniors to lead their best lives – spiritually, physically and emotionally. Thanks to RightCare countless seniors and their families have been positively impacted by the organization's research, commitment, and passion to help others. The RightCare Ministry, initiated at St. John’s, has been a template over the last 8 years for other churches wanting to empower seniors to live safely, independently, and with dignity as they navigate the complexities of aging.

Larry Moorman is a renowned pediatric care specialist with over 22 years of hands-on experience in delivering exceptional and innovative care for children with complex medical needs. As the founder of Coastal Medical, Larry has led research initiatives aimed at...
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Larry Moorman is a renowned pediatric care specialist with over 22 years of hands-on experience in delivering exceptional and innovative care for children with complex medical needs. As the founder of Coastal Medical, Larry has led research initiatives aimed at understanding and addressing the critical outcomes necessary for medically complex children and their families. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a deeper comprehension of these needs, driving the development of advanced care models. In collaboration with RIGHTCARE, Larry has played a pivotal role in developing training systems for hospitals, clinics, and post-acute care providers. His unwavering dedication to enhancing pediatric care through innovative solutions is evident in his efforts to align care continuums to meet the unique needs of children and their families. Under his guidance, Coastal Medical has established preferred provider relationships with some of the most prominent names in the industry, showcasing transformative models of care. Beyond his professional achievements, Larry is deeply committed to his own family, who inspire him daily and fill him with immense pride.

Nat Nickele is an Arizona attorney, active in healthcare policy, legislation, and enforcement. He is a national and international consultant for complex legal and policy matters.

Nat Nickele is an Arizona attorney, active in healthcare policy, legislation, and enforcement. He is a national and international consultant for complex legal and policy matters.

Kathleen O’Brien Thompson is a skilled developer of broad-based coalitions and specializes in strategic communication and the creation of polished, relevant content. Kathleen has relished the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations including Tour Manager for American Idol,...
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Kathleen O’Brien Thompson is a skilled developer of broad-based coalitions and specializes in strategic communication and the creation of polished, relevant content. Kathleen has relished the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations including Tour Manager for American Idol, working in conjunction with Kellogg’s, which resulted in a Silver Medal Award from Event Marketer Magazine, Fortune 500 companies, and campaign manager for the United Way. Quality patient care is an important issue that she has had to deal with personally. Her experiences with learning to become a patient advocate for family members proved important when she faced her own health concerns.

James Mullany serves as the treasurer for RightCare. He is an experienced investment and management professional in public market equity, debt, and alternative asset management, including private equity real estate investment, development and construction across multiple asset classes. James currently...
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James Mullany serves as the treasurer for RightCare. He is an experienced investment and management professional in public market equity, debt, and alternative asset management, including private equity real estate investment, development and construction across multiple asset classes. James currently serves as a Board Member for the City of Phoenix Deferred Compensation (DCP) Plan.

Don began his career in the United States Army, and has served with commendation as a firefighter/paramedic, paramedic, as well as commendation from Eurocopters for 1500 successful missions. Don has co-authored medical protocols and syllabi with Adam D. Corrado, M.D....
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Don began his career in the United States Army, and has served with commendation as a firefighter/paramedic, paramedic, as well as commendation from Eurocopters for 1500 successful missions. Don has co-authored medical protocols and syllabi with Adam D. Corrado, M.D. for the Emergency Services Departments as well as developed training protocols for aircraft safety and survival. Don served as a board member for the Community Development Department and board member/presenter/lecturer for Mothers Awareness on School-Age Kids (M.A.S.K.). In his spare time, Don is raising a family and writing a children’s book.

For many years he has designed Senior Living projects with memory care courtyards, sensory gardens, and great attention to improving the wellbeing and happiness of residents through the healing properties of nature. He is now involved on the protective side...
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For many years he has designed Senior Living projects with memory care courtyards, sensory gardens, and great attention to improving the wellbeing and happiness of residents through the healing properties of nature. He is now involved on the protective side of Senior Living and has become an advocate for the policy changes RightCare is working towards to protect our most vulnerable citizens.