Elena Thomas Faulkner
Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Faulkner is the CEO of NIMAA. She brings a strong record of organizational leadership, management and development to the role, along with a deep commitment to and passion for working alongside underserved communities. Thomas Faulkner was previously the Chief Strategy Officer for Denver's La Clinica Tepeyac, Inc. Prior to her work at La Clinica Tepeyac, Thomas Faulkner spent more than a decade with John Snow International (JSI), where she developed projects related to the health care safety net, access to care and capacity building. Previous to JSI, she held leadership positions with the Colorado Community Health Network and has worked extensively within and on issues of importance to the Latino community. She holds an MA in International Development from American University and a BA from the University of Colorado.
Mary Blankson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Clinical Director
Blankson is the chief nursing officer for Community Health Center, Inc., overseeing diverse nursing services across the CHC network, including primary care, healthcare for the homeless, and school-based health services. AS CNO, she oversees the quality and expansion of nursing services, the development of nursing policy, and continuing nurse education. Blankson also works collaboratively to ensure Joint Commission and Patient Centered Medical Home compliance throughout CHC. Blankson earned her MSN at Yale University and joined CHC as a family nurse practitioner shortly after graduation. She has served as the on-site medical director of the New London county sites, the vice president of the medical staff, the chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and as a preceptor for CHC’s Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. She completed her DNP education at Johns Hopkins University. Blankson is certified and holds professional membership in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Robert Block, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Robert Block, CPA is the Chief Financial Officer of Community Health Center, Inc. In this role, Bob is responsible for all CHC financial operations, revenue cycle, supply chain, payroll and treasury services.
Bob brings over 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, and operations. He previously served as Vice President of Finance at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Chief Financial Officer of the Jewish Home for the Aged, Chief Administrative Officer at the APT Foundation, Director of Finance at American Medical Response, Manager: Budget and Finance at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and CEO of The AuctionBlocks (a company he founded and ran for ten years).
Bob obtained his bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his master’s degree in Public Policy from the Graduate School of Fine Arts of the University of Pennsylvania. Bob was Controller of a behavioral health research group (Center for the Study of Adult Development, later Integra Inc.) during his final four years at Penn. He subsequently earned his CPA license at Arthur Young and Company (currently Ernst & Young).
Bob is an avid skier and golfer, as well as an antique collector. He has written eight books for Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and appeared on numerous radio and television programs including Martha Stuart Living and Storage Wars.
Academic Staff
Itzel Gutierrez
Instructor
Shelly Halper
Student Services Manager
Tiffany Heath
Instructor
Susan Klos
Curriculum Director & Instructor
Betty Murphy
Associate Director of Education
Administration
Tami Bonnett-Admi
Consultant
Teri Brogdon, M.Ed.
Business Development Lead
Arly Hernandez, MHA
Externship Organization Program Manager
Natalie Millis
Program Coordinator
Ali Murray
Program Manager
Carolina Rose
Distance Education Manager
