Nevada Medicaid Leadership

Stacie brings over ten years of experience in Medicaid and health care policy from the public and private sectors. Most recently, Stacie served as a principal at a national consulting firm, advising numerous state and local governments, health care providers, hospitals, health insurers, and non-profit organizations on ways to achieve their goals in Medicaid and the individual market. Stacie also held key leadership roles in Minnesota’s Medicaid agency, including serving as chief of staff, where she oversaw the agency's legal, compliance, communications, and legislative divisions, and as director of federal waivers and policy, where she helped oversee the implementation of federal regulatory changes and multiple state health care reforms and initiatives. Stacie also has knowledge of state Medicaid financing from her time as an administrator for the health and human services budget committee at the Minnesota Senate and experience in advocacy and public policy from previous roles representing the priorities of a large safety-net hospital and the health care needs of clients served by legal aid. Stacie holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and a master’s in public health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Sandie Ruybalid has been with the DHCFP since 2002. She began her career with the State of Nevada in 1994 in Workers Compensation Insurance and has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare insurance industry, with a focus on Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS). She was appointed to her role as Chief IT Manager in 2019 and oversees the Department’s Health Information Technology Projects, and the Division’s Information Services Unit, and Information Security Officer. She was the Project Director for the Division’s successful MMIS Modernization project which went live February, 2019. She received her Certificate of Public Manager designation in April of 2016. She was appointed to the Patient Protection Commission in 2021 by Governor Steve Sisolak as an employee of the Department with expertise in health information technology and patients’ access to medical records.

Dr. Malinda Southard DC brings practical clinical experience from her Carson City chiropractic practice, as well as a heart for helping others, collaboration, and team building. She began her career in state service in 2014 as an Administrative Assistant III with the Nevada Medicaid (Division of Health Care Financing and Policy). Along her journey back to Medicaid, she joined the State Public Health Preparedness (PHP) Program in the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, internally promoting and culminating as Manager for the Nevada PHP Program where she led an amazing team and fostered immense collaboration with internal and external partners for several years, including throughout the pandemic. She then accepted the Governor-appointed position as Executive Director of the Nevada Patient Protection Commission in 2022. She earned her Certified Public Manager (CPM) in 2019 and holds an Associate Degree, with honors, from San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton, California; a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree both from University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) in Portland, Oregon. Malinda grew up in a small town in Northeastern California and now enjoys living in Northern Nevada with her family.

Theresa Carsten is a native Nevadan, born and raised in the Reno/Sparks area. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno she worked for a local non-profit organization for seven years writing grants, and operating services funded by the United States Department of Agricultures, Food and Nutrition Services agency. Theresa began her career with the State of Nevada in 2012, with the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy as a policy specialist within the Behavioral Health Unit. Since that time, she has supervised the quality and compliance of contracts held by the Division with each Managed Care Entity operating in Nevada. Later, Theresa was assigned oversight in additional areas, including dental policy, as well as managing statewide efforts related to Medicaid Access and Availability and Quality Assurance across both Fee-For-Service and Managed Care delivery programs. Theresa also worked for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health managing the Rural Health Clinics and maintained operational oversight of services provided in rural Nevada. Theresa has been appointed as the Acting Deputy Administrator of Managed Care, Access, and Quality Assurance through the 82nd Legislative Session.

Cynthia Leech began her career with the State of Nevada in 2002 with Nevada Medicaid (Division of Health Care Financing and Policy). Over the twenty plus years, Cynthia has gained experience with fiscal processes, policy development, contract oversight, and data analytics. In 2022, she was promoted to the role of Social Services Chief over Program Integrity, managing the Provider Enrollment, Audit, Surveillance and Utilization Review (SUR), and Recoveries teams. In 2023, she filled the new Agency Manager role as the Chief Compliance Officer for Nevada Medicaid. This position serves as administrative lead for program integrity and compliance efforts ensuring the proper expenditure of program funds, compliance with due process rights, and state and federal audits and regulations. Cynthia holds a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in international relations. She was born and raised in Northern California and has enjoyed living and raising her family in Northern Nevada since 2001.

Ann Jensen joins Nevada Medicaid's executive leadership team as the Innovation Officer/Agency Manager. She brings expertise in primary care, value-based care, and health policy across the public and private sectors. Recently, Ann spent five years in Washington, D.C. working for a value-based care enablement company that partners with over 1,500 independent primary care physicians across the country. She has a track record of successfully achieving shared savings in risk-bearing Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and improving quality performance in complex, state-wide provider networks. Additionally, Ann served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Performance Officer for two years, ensuring a high-functioning and outcomes-oriented team of nearly 500 staff. Ann also has experience with federal health policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and care delivery at safety-net health systems. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Ann is thrilled to return to her western roots and serve the people of Nevada through innovative Medicaid programs to improve access and quality of care.

Dr. Keith Benson DMD is a native Nevadan, born and raised in Carson City. After completing dental school at University of Nevada, Las Vegas he completed a residency at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Dr. Benson has twelve years of experience as a frontline public health dentist. With a strong desire to improve community health he brings his knowledge and experience to help improve the oral health of Nevada. Dr. Benson also has experience in the rural communities of Nevada with much time spent with family located in Eureka and Spring Creek. His career in dentistry started in Reno, while pursuing his bachelor’s degree volunteering on mobile dental bus teaching second graders how to brush and floss their teeth. Now Dr. Benson is pursuing his goal of improving Nevada’s oral health through health promotion, programs, and sound policy. He is so thankful to be raising his family in Carson City and serving the people of Nevada.

Dr. Keiko Duncan is a specialty pharmacist with a rich background including clinical, health system, and public health experience. She brings extensive program development expertise, including 340b and health system expansion work. She began her career as a pharmacy technician at a Medicaid managed care health plan, developing the pharmacy formulary and working with California Children’s Services. As a clinical pharmacist, Keiko has been a leader in her local community managing retail and specialty pharmacies. She also ran an extensive vaccine distribution and education effort across California and Hawaii. Most recently, she worked with rural hospitals in developing specialty pharmacies and comprehensive medication management programs, expanding access and affordability within the pharmacy model. Keiko is board certified in medication therapy management, credentialed as an HIV Pharmacist, and certified in public health (CPH) and specialty pharmacy (CSP). She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Doctor of Pharmacy from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.