NAFEC Board of Directors
On October 27, 2015, the National Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (NAFEC) held its first ever membership meeting, where NAFEC members elected its initial board of directors. NAFEC is excited to introduce our board members, each of whom has significant experience working within the FEC industry. The board is honored to represent FECs across the country and will work to further the industry nationwide.
Rhonda Sandel – President
Rhonda began her career working as a registered nurse, before starting her first company, Sandel Legal Nurse Consultants. While consulting she met the physicians that ultimately founded Texas Emergency Care Center, joining their team as CEO. Rhonda has been instrumental in the growth of Texas Emergency Care Center and has overseen the opening and operation of four area locations since 2006. Rhonda continues to guide Texas Emergency Care Center in their day-to-day operations and expansion plans as the CEO.
In addition to her role at Texas Emergency Care Center, Rhonda has also served as president of the Texas Association for Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC). With TAFEC, Rhonda was actively involved in the legislative process to develop licensing standards for freestanding emergency centers.
Maureen Fuhrmann – Secretary
Maureen Fuhrmann, Chief Business Development Officer for Neighbors Health System, Inc., received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Niagara University and earned a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston.
Prior to joining Neighbors Health System, Maureen held primary responsibility for all aspects of REMCO Emergency LLC, the management company that provided turnkey solutions for building, managing, and operating FECs.
Her 25 years of emergency healthcare experience played a key role in the development and design of freestanding emergency centers throughout Texas. She has been an active member of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers since its inception, and is currently a member of its board of directors.
Graham Cherrington – Treasurer
Graham has over 10 years of healthcare industry experience, and recently served as Chief Operating Officer of WellNow Urgent Care.
Previously he was Executive Vice President of Operations for NovaMed, an operator of 37 outpatient surgery centers in 19 states. Prior to NovaMed, Graham was Senior Vice President of Operations for Matria Healthcare, Inc., a provider of disease management services to health plans and employers.
Graham began his career with Accenture, and PepsiCo. He received an MBA from the University of Florida and a BS in Business from the University of Illinois.
Swapan Dubey
Dr. Swapan Dubey attended The University of Texas at Austin and then medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Dr. Dubey attended and completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook in 1999.
In 2010, Dr. Dubey co-founded SPHIER Emergency Room and has served as the President and CEO of SPHIER Emergency Room.
Dr. Dubey has been involved in organized medicine through the TMA, HCMS, and ACEP. Dr. Dubey is currently serving on the Board of Socioeconomics for Harris Count Medical Society. Dr. Dubey assisted in the formation of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers and has served as President for the association.
Michael Falgiani
Dr. Michael Falgiani is the Medical Director of the UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Springhill. Dr. Falgiani graduated from the University of Oklahoma and attended residency at The University of Florida Shands Jacksonville.
Dr. Falgiani served as faculty for the University of Florida at Winter Haven Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine upon completion of his residency. Dr. Falgiani then moved to Kansas City, MO, where he worked in community emergency medicine for three years before returning to Florida.
Dr. Falgiani returned to academics in July 2010 when he became full-time faculty for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UF Gainesville. Dr. Falgiani has a wide range of clinical interests including hyperbaric medicine and diving related injuries. In August 2013 UF Health opened the first freestanding emergency center in Gainesville. Dr. Falgiani was instrumental in the development and planning of this facility and has served as the Medical Director since its opening.
Abe Longoria
Dr. Abel Longoria is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He has been an active member of Greater Houston Emergency Physicians (GHEP) since 1998. In 2009, he was an integral part in GHEP opening its first FEC, Elite Care in Houston.
In addition to his Elite Care and GHEP duties, Abel is a charter member of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers and has served on the board since its inception.
Abel also continues to be active in the pre-hospital arena. In this capacity, he had the honor of serving as the “Medical Director of Ground Zero” for the 14 days immediately after 9-11. His numerous years of pre-hospital care were recognized in 2008 when he was awarded the EMS Medical Director of the year for the Greater Houston Area.