Board of Trustees
Karla Hardesty, President
Passionate about access to affordable, quality healthcare with equitable outcomes, Karla has been a trustee since 2007 and has served on several committees as a board member. In 2025, Karla received an appointment as a member of the AHA Rural Health Services Committee. Karla also currently sits on the Colorado Hospital Association’s Clinical Leadership and Excellence Council and has been a trustee delegate on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board and Leadership Development Committee. Karla’s professional career is in postsecondary education in which she is the dean of academic support with Colorado Mountain College and is pursuing her doctorate of education in higher education. Although her husband Matt claims her hobby is "meetings", she loves being outdoors to garden, hike, or snowboard and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Jim Ehrlich, Vice President
Jim Ehrlich joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in September 2011 and is a resident of Monte Vista.
Kendal Knaus, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer
Kendal Knaus, MD, joined the Board in September 2004 and serves on the Executive, Finance, Infection Control and Product Evaluation Committees. Dr. Knaus is the retired Medical Director for Lab at SLV Health. He holds a BS in Physical Science from Colorado State University, and received his MD degree from Baylor College of Medicine. He is a member of the Colorado Society of Clinical Pathologists, College of American Pathologists, and American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Jan Gay, Past-President
Jan Gay joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in August of 1996. Ms. Gay is a retired office manager from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and holds an Associates Degree in Business from Adams State University. In the past, she also served as President of the Conejos County Hospital Board and School Board President for Trinity Lutheran School.
Donald Shawcroft, Trustee
Donald Shawcroft joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in 2003, first serving on the Conejos County Hospital Board. Besides his many community activities, Donald served as the President of the Colorado Choice Health Plans board as well as a trustee on the Conejos County Hospital District Board. Donald is a partner in John B. Shawcroft Ranches, Ltd.
Kathy Lorenz, Trustee
Kathy Lorenz joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in July 2007 and lives in Monte Vista.
Rosalie Martinez, Trustee
Ms. Martinez joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in July 2008. She holds an MBA in Management from Colorado State University and a BS in Accounting from Adams State University. Rosalie Martinez is Co-Owner/Manager of Ace Hardware in Alamosa and of L & M Auto Enterprises, and Farms, Cattle Ranches, and Horse Racing. In the past Ms. Martinez served as Vice President for Administration at Adams State University, an Instructor at the Adams State University School of Business, and on the Adams State University Foundation Board. She is presently also involved in the San Luis Valley Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, San Luis Valley Health Foundation Board, and Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Honorary Board.
Susan Geiger, DO, Trustee
Susan Geiger, DO, joined the Board in July 2010. She has retired from her service in San Luis Valley Health's Occupational Medicine clinic since September 2006 and holds a BA Degree in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College and Doctorate of Osteopathy from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Kasey Russell, Trustee
Kasey Russell joined the San Luis Valley Health Board in 2016. He received his Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree from Adams State University. He is a loan officer at Alamosa State Bank. Away from work, Kasey enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with his family.
Carla Christ, MD, Trustee
Dr. Christ (pronounced Krĭst) specializes in General Surgery and joined the SLV Health team in 2017. She enjoys laparoscopic surgery including colorectal and gallbladder surgery in addition to general surgeries including breast, hernias and anorectal diseases. She is licensed in Ohio and Colorado and has many certifications, including Fundamentals of Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery and advanced skills for exposure in trauma. She completed her General Surgery Internship and Residency at Wright State University, received her M.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and did her undergraduate work at the University of California, Berkeley. She also studied abroad in China and Vietnam.
Carla joined the SLVH Board of Trustees in 2022 and also chairs the SLVH Trauma Committee. She enjoys all outdoor activities, especially running and biking.
Melissa Voutsalath, DO, Trustee
Dr. Melissa Voutsalath (pronounced VOOT-sah-la), is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who practices with an emphasis in Dermatology. Dr. Voutsalath received her doctorate at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. She completed a two-year research fellowship in Cutaneous Surgery and Oncology at the University of Michigan. She completed the family medicine residency at the University of Nebraska.
She has spent time in various dermatology clinics across the country during training. She previously worked at UC Health in Colorado Springs/Monument then relocated to the Valley, where she provides care to patients of all ages at San Luis Valley Health. She provides care in both the Alamosa Stuart Avenue and Monte Vista clinics. She has held various leadership positions at SLVH and joined the Board of Trustees in 2024.