Richard Trogman, Chief Executive Officer

A board-certified healthcare management executive with over 30 years of experience in the industry, Richard is well suited to take on the startup and lead the hospital from opening to operation. Skilled in operational and strategic management, he has held a number of healthcare executive roles. Most recently, Richard served as PIH Health’s system chief operating officer and president of PIH Health Hospital – Downey. His career has also included 27 years of progressive leadership roles with Kaiser Permanente.

Michelle Hepburn, Chief Nursing Officer

Michelle has over 25 years of progressive leadership experience with over 16 years of nursing, clinical, and leadership experience in emergency services, critical care, and ambulatory care. She joined Ernest Health because the organization mirrors her nursing philosophy of Patients, Passion, and Purpose. She believes in resiliency and is an advocate for the care of all members of the team to support their well-being as we nurture and support our patients. As the chief nursing officer for Stockton Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, her role is responsible for the clinical operations and fostering an environment that adheres to the Guiding Principles for patients and all members of the interdisciplinary care team.

Michelle is a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, Emergency Nurses Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, and Association of California Nurse Leaders. She is an avid learner and earned her first nursing degree, an AAS from Phillis Beth Israel School of Nursing, and holds her bachelor’s and master’s in nursing from Lehman College, City University of New York. She is completing her MBA from Capella University and is presently enrolled in a DNP program at the University of San Francisco. Michelle has worked at the director level of trauma centers, community hospitals, and in the HIV and dermatology clinical setting, primarily on the East Coast, with her last four years in California.

Michelle is committed to the growth and well-being of the community. She is an advocate for our youth and has served as a mentor to nurses and students both in healthcare and business. She is a firm believer in beginning and ending each day with gratitude and paying this belief forward to everyone she encounters

Erin Jefferson, Director of Therapy

Erin explored roles in the fields of teaching and mental health before discovering a passion for speech therapy that continues today. She received her bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Barbara and completed her master’s in speech-language pathology at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She now continues her affiliation with UOP as a clinical instructor, sharing her experience and love for her discipline with future speech therapists.

Erin’s prior experience in therapy includes working in a stroke-certified and level II trauma hospital both as an acute inpatient and outpatient therapist, including serving on the stroke committee, providing interdisciplinary staff education, and progressing to a leadership role within the institution.

Erin is passionate about interdisciplinary, whole-person care. She believes that rehabilitation is a truly collaborative effort between the patient and their entire care team and that the services the patient receives should be functional, evidence-based, and tailored to each patient’s individual goals. She chose to be a part of Ernest Health for its proven track record of providing excellent patient care, feels privileged to be a part of a leadership team truly committed to their patients, and is excited to have the opportunity to provide a world-class level of care to the Stockton community.

Eileen Ramirez, Director of Patient Outcomes

Eileen brings 29 years of healthcare experience to Stockton Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, possessing a solid foundation of knowledge and expertise in acute care, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, and dialysis. She strives for patient excellence and will continue to do so as the director of patient outcomes.

Dharma Arokiadass, Director of Pharmacy

Dharma Arokiadass leads our pharmacy department’s strategic direction and priorities to ensure quality medication management that helps to make patient care more efficient. As the director of pharmacy, he is responsible for developing dynamic and innovative measures that ensure streamlined pharmacy operations to enhance nursing and rehab engagement and patient outcomes. His team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians delivers a patient and family-centered pharmacy service to keep our patients happy and comfortable with their well-being in mind.

Prior to joining our team, he practiced pharmacy in various healthcare settings at different levels of care, including community, inpatient, and state of California, in clinical and managerial roles. His clinical experience encompasses medication management in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatry, hospice, and palliative care over a span of 23 years.

In addition to a degree in pharmacy, he also has a degree in business management (MBA) from the University of San Francisco and a Certificate in Healthcare Project Management from the American University. He also enjoys flying, camping with his family, coaching children for Science Olympiad, mentoring pharmacy and nursing staff, and volunteering at free medical clinics in the Central Valley.

Margaret Barcelona, Director of Quality

Margaret is a registered nurse with almost 15 years of clinical experience in nursing, including behavioral health, subacute specialties, skilled nursing, and acute rehabilitation. Her advanced certification as a rehabilitation nurse has allowed her to advocate optimal health outcomes in various populations. Margaret believes in the highest quality and standards of care in order to promote integrity and accountability in the workplace, thereby reinforcing her role as the director of quality.

Michael Wells, Director of Facilities Management

Michael is an excellent logistician with 20 years of experience in hospital facilities, environmental services, program management, strategic planning, site development, and building.

Michael served 20 years in the Bay Area and Central California, filling various roles in fleet management, maintenance management, supply chain management, recruiting, and facilities management, including ground maintenance, disaster preparedness, construction management, facilities maintenance engineering, safety and risk management, wastewater treatment, and installation energy conservation.

Michael is an active member of the community, supporting non-profits in youth development, an ordained minister for the Southern Baptist, a member of The Tribal Water Commission, and holds an active gaming license and a certificate in wastewater treatment. He has worked with various developers and builders to bring cancer and heart centers, Cal-Fire stations, rehabilitation hospitals, shopping malls, and casinos to life.

Michael is a dedicated family man and has been married for over 30 years, with three daughters and one granddaughter and loves being a public servant.

Angela Pugh, Director of Human Resources

Angela brings more than 15 years of human resources experience in the healthcare industry, with an emphasis on employee relations. She earned her bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University, California.