Angelina serves as Chief Executive Officer of Western Healthcare Alliance and its affiliated companies, where she partners with the Board of Directors, key stakeholders, and the executive management team to develop strategic initiatives that strengthen rural healthcare across Colorado, eastern Utah, and Michigan’s Thumb Region. Since joining WHA in May 2016 as a marketing and communications leader, she has demonstrated exceptional growth, advancing to interim CEO in July 2018 and being named permanent CEO in January 2019. Her healthcare leadership journey began after a successful career in education, where she rapidly progressed from Outreach Coordinator to Regional Development Director for a national nonprofit, developing innovative programming and support systems. Transitioning to healthcare, Angelina quickly distinguished herself at a Critical Access Hospital in western Colorado, advancing from marketing roles to Director of Customer Service, Marketing, Community Relations, and Development, and ultimately to Vice President of Business Development. In this executive capacity, she orchestrated comprehensive communications strategies, managed physician services, and identified critical business development opportunities while establishing robust infrastructure supported by state and federal grants, fundraising initiatives, and foundation development. Angelina’s commitment to rural healthcare extends beyond her executive role through her extensive board leadership, including serving as Board President of the Colorado Health Institute and Co-Chair of Club 20 Healthcare Policy. She also contributes her expertise to the National Cooperative of Health Networks Board, National Rural Health Association Rural Health Policy Congress, Ariel Clinical Services Board, and the National Rural Health Innovations Board. Through these roles, she has significantly enhanced visibility, impact, and financial stability for rural healthcare initiatives. Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Arts in English with a Spanish minor and dual Master of Arts degrees in Language Acquisition and Psychology. She holds professional certifications in mediation, conflict resolution, facilitation, Reality-based Leadership instruction, and executive coaching, bringing a unique combination of communication expertise, psychological insight, and leadership acumen to her role in transforming rural healthcare delivery.
Angelina Salazar, MA
Chief Executive Officer
