The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society is led by its officers, board members, and staff. 

Maggie Jeffries, MD, President

Dr. Maggie Jeffries is a private practice anesthesiologist in Houston, Texas. She received her anesthesia training at Johns Hopkins University, during which she served as a resident member of the American Society of Anesthesiology and the ACGME Resident Review Committee that reviews and certifies residency programs.

Following graduation, she became an assistant professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where she specialized in pediatrics and neuroanesthesia. During that time, she was an active contributor to diverse areas of research, including cerebral oximetry, post-dural puncture headache, infectious disease, and liver failure. She is a published author in several national journals, including Regional Anesthesia, Journal of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, The Neurologist, and Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, The Neurologist, Liver Transplantation and Surgery, and Anesthesiology News.

In private practice since 2010, Dr. Jeffries has extensive experience in anesthesia for ambulatory and office-based surgery. A partner in Avanti Anesthesia, she is active in all aspects of medical care including medical director, medication & equipment ordering, electronic documentation, and quality improvement.

Adam Hornback, RN, Vice President

Adam Hornback has been the administrator of North Texas Team Care Surgery Center in Mesquite, Texas, since 2012, as well as an operating room nurse who has been in the ambulatory surgery center environment for about 15 years.

Dr. Gaurav Aggarwala, Treasurer

Cardiologist and Circular Pain Specialist, Achy Legs

Dr. Gaurav Aggarwala is an interventional cardiologist and an active entrepreneur, as he founded the Pulse Physician Organization in May 2019, and he has grown that to nine clinics in Houston and surrounding areas. The group now provides internal medicine, cardiology, family practice, podiatry, pain management, and wound care with hyperbaric medicine to the communities it serves. He established one of the first ASCs in Houston, which was cardiology-based, and has now expanded his to include a second ASC in Crockett, providing much-needed outpatient care in East Texas. Along with a very busy clinical practice, he is an active researcher with numerous publications and abstracts.

Dallas Freyer, R.N., C.A.S.C.

Administrator, Corpus Christi Outpatient Surgery; 
Surgicare of Corpus Christi - United Surgical Partners International

Dallas Freyer has served as the administrator of Corpus Christi Outpatient Surgery since 2004, and also serves as the administrator of Surgicare of Corpus Christi. Freyer is a registered nurse and certified surgery center administrator.

A graduate of the Del Mar College Registered Nursing program, Freyer is on the Texas ASC Society Programs & Education committee and is a board member on the TASCS PAC.

 Susan Cheek, C.P.A., C.H.C.C., C.A.S.C., 

Administrator, Dallas Endoscopy Center; IV Anesthesia Services, PLLC; 
CEO, Creative Empowering Solutions, LLC

Susan Cheek has served as the administrator of the Dallas Endoscopy Center and IV Anesthesia Services since 2006. Cheek is a certified public accountant, certified healthcare compliance consultant, and certified surgery center administrator, as well as a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.B.A. in accounting.

Christopher Kralik is a registered nurse with over 15 years of experience. He started his career in emergency nursing. After nine years, he made the switch to endoscopy nursing and has been working in this field for the past six years. He joined Digestive Health Center of Plano in January 2020, as center director. In 2021, a second ASC was opened in Allen, and he transitioned to administrator for both the Plano and Allen ASCs at that time. 

Since joining the ASC community in 2020, Kralik has been involved with TASCS as a member, town hall speaker, conference committee contributor, and conference panel speaker. While still somewhat new to the ASC world, he is passionate about his work and the safe and cost-effective services that ASCs provide to patients and communities. He looks forward to continuing to grow and contribute to TASCS and the ASC community.

Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene, BSN, RN, CASC

ASC Administrator, Mann Cataract Surgery Center

Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene's career began by receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Southeastern Louisiana University where she made the presidents list six times and deans list once during her college studies. She received honors with inductions to The Thirteen Club, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Scholars Honors Society, and Student Nurse Association while receiving a four-year letterman on the Southeastern Louisiana University Track and Field and Cross-Country Team.

Upon graduating, Schneeweiss-Keene moved to Houston, Texas, where she became a part of the Mann Cataract Surgery Center family. She became lead nurse and assistant to the director of nursing within one year of hire, then became ASC manager within the next two years, director of nursing four years later, and ASC administrator four years after that.   

Cheryl Garmon, DNP, RN, CASC

Consultant

Cheryl Garmon, who received her doctorate from the University of Texas at Tyler, started out as a nurse intern. Over the years, she has held positions such as surgical staff nurse and trauma/critical care case manager, and for the past 15 years, she has served as the director of Heaton Laser & Surgery Center. She's also involved with several organizations, completing community service for nonprofits and sitting on boards of professional associations.

James McClung

Chief Development Officer, Reliant Medical Services 

James McClung, BSN, RN has been in the nursing profession for 18 years. McClung served in the US Army Reserves for 14 years, as a nurse, in addition to his civilian work. He has developed, consulted, and managed ASCs from emergency management, safety officer, and facilities manager roles to a clinical nurse, director of nursing, and nurse administrator. McClung is an expert in gap analysis and is the chief development officer of Reliant Medical Services -- the industry leader in ASC development, ASC development enhancement, EMR implementation, equipment procurement, gap/process consulting, and survey readiness. In addition to serving with TASCS, McClung is a continuing member of AAAHC’s Expert Content Committee. He supports ASCs because they are tailored to and focused on the singularity of health care, the patient, and the patient experience.

Sunshine Moore, JD

Administrator, Coastal Bend Eye Center and Coastal Bend Ambulatory Surgical Center

Sunshine Moore received her BS in chemistry from Emory University in 1996, and her JD from Concord University in 2007. She has held multiple positions in the lab and research industry before becoming an administrator. 

Akshay Tavkar, MBA, CMPE, CASC

Principal & Managing Director
Skyline Healthcare Solutions, LLC

Akshay brings over 20 years of healthcare experience, from patient care to senior leadership. Leading Texas's largest ASC showcases his expertise in managing complex healthcare systems. As a board-certified medical practice executive and surgery center administrator, Akshay is dedicated to excellence and actively involved in the Texas ASC Society and ASCA. He currently runs his own healthcare operations consulting firm. 

Passionate about advocating for ASCs, he champions their interests on Capitol Hill and within the Texas legislature. Beyond his professional work, Akshay is committed to community service through his local Rotary club, reflecting his dedication to making a meaningful impact. With his deep expertise and heartfelt commitment, Akshay Tavkar is a leading force in shaping the future of healthcare.  

Kim Persley, MD

Dr. Persley is board certified in Gastroenterology and a Fellow of the American Gastroenterology Association. She specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and obesity. She studied at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Mount Sinai Medical School and won the 2020 AGA Distinguished Clinician Award in Private Practice. 

Read more about Dr. Persley

Jill Thrasher, CASC

Jill Thrasher is currently the Texas Market Director for Client Performance.  She has 28 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with 19 years of experience focusing on the ASC business.  Her bachelor’s degree was earned from Texas State University in Healthcare Administration.  She became CASC certified in 2010.

 Jill’s leadership experience includes a de novo, merger and management of several ASC’s and partnerships.  Her knowledge includes both Joint Commission Accreditation and AAAHC.  Much of her success she credits to the joint venture partner, phenomenal devoted staff and extraordinary physicians.  Jill is currently utilizing her expertise to focus on the RCM functions of the ASC market with the ability to influence and drive key performance metrics.  

Rick Q. Ngo, MD, FACS

Dr. Rick Ngo is a Board-Certified private practice General Surgeon with Texas Hernia & Surgical Specialists in Houston, TX who specializes in ambulatory Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery.  He is a strong advocate and champion for his patients, fellow physicians, the profession of Medicine/Surgery, and the surgical facilities where he practices.  Dr. Ngo holds leadership positions with the American College of Surgeons, the American Hernia Society, the Harris County Medical Society, the Vietnamese American Medical Association- Greater Houston, and the American Cancer Society.

Landon Welch, MHA, LNFA

Chief Executive Officer, Texas Health Surgery Center Cleburne

Welch started his career as a patient transporter at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, and after graduate school, he became a licensed nursing home administrator in Houston, Texas. In 2019, he transitioned to the ambulatory setting and currently works with SCA Health, where he is the CEO of Texas Health Surgery Center Cleburne.  

Welch has been a guest lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management and Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business, co-lectured at the American College of Healthcare Executives’ conference, and serves on several SCA Health enterprise committees.

Outside of work, Welch enjoys visiting national parks with his wife and three children and loves to play pickleball.  

Amanda Penrod, PhD, CASC, RFX Solutions

Amanda Penrod, PhD, is the CEO and Founder of RFX Solutions where she has leveraged over 20 years of experience in healthcare, consulting, and leadership coaching to develop an innovative software solution to streamline ASC regulatory compliance.  Dr. Penrod is CASC certified and has her MBA and PhD in Organization Management & Leadership.   She is an authentic and visionary leader with a keen passion to inspire current and future leaders to achieve personal excellence.  In her personal time, she loves traveling, riding rollercoasters, and spending time with her family.  

Executive Director Krista R. DuRapau	Lobbyist Eric Woomer	Lobbyist Eric Wright