State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC) Members

SMAC is composed of a 15-member committee and includes the following:

• 6 - Members of the public
• 6 - Health care providers or professionals
• 3 - Ex-officio Members (AHCCCS, DHS, DES Directors, or their designees)

Members are appointed for two-year terms. Appointments are made on a staggered basis with half the public and professional/provider members completing their terms annually.

• Ex-Officio Members
  • Thomas J. Betlach, Director, AHCCCS Administration
  • Kathy Waite, DES/AHCCCS Liaison, AZ Dept. of Economic Security
  • Will Humble, Director, AZ Department of Health Services
• Provider/Professional Members
  • Tara McCollum Plese, Director of Government & Media Relations, AZ Association of Community Health Centers
  • Kathy Byrne, Executive Director, El Rio Community Health Center
  • Amanda Aguirre, CEO/President, Regional Center for Border Health
  • Kathleen Collins Pagels, Executive Director, Arizona Health Care Association
  • Kevin Earle, MBA, MPH, Executive Director, Arizona Dental Association
  • Peggy Stemmler, M.D., Pediatrician and Consultant, Arizona Academy of Pediatrics and Stemmler and Associates
• Public Members
  • Phil Pangrazio, AZ Bridge for Independent Living
  • Dr. Leonard Kirschner, Arizona Perinatal Trust
  • David Mitchell, State Director, AARP Arizona
  • Kim VanPelt, Associate Director, St. Luke's Health Initiative
  • Vernice C. Sampson, Senior Pastor, Salt River Assembly of God
  • Tomás León, Chief Executive Officer, People of Color Network