Meet Your Board of Directors
Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC
Board President through January 2027
Dr. Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, is the President of the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence and a passionate advocate for advancing nursing practice, professional development, and clinical readiness. She currently serves as the Nursing Executive Advisor with HealthStream, where she supports innovative education strategies and competency-based learning. Dr. Frija's career has been dedicated to empowering nurses across academic and clinical settings to grow, lead, and thrive within their profession. She has served on the board since 2019.
Dominic Rodriguez, MSN, RN
Board President-Elect through January 2027
Director of Nursing Services
Department of Health/Public Health Division
Robert Middleton, MSN, MBA, RN, CENP, GB-98
Board Treasurer through January 2028
Vice President of Operations
CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico
Robert E. Middleton, III has served on the Board of the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence since 2016 and currently serves as Treasurer, having previously served as President from 2023 to 2024. He brings 25 years of nursing and executive leadership experience with a strong focus on clinical operations, workforce development, and advancing nursing leadership across New Mexico.
Robert’s background spans bedside nursing, executive healthcare leadership, and nursing education. In addition to his executive role in hospital operations, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Nursing at New Mexico State University Alamogordo, where he supports the education and professional development of future nurses. He also has extensive experience teaching in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, including leadership and financial management, and remains committed to bridging academic preparation with real-world practice.
He holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and an MSN as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. He is Certified in Executive Nursing Practice and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program with a focus on population health. His involvement with NMCNE reflects a long-standing commitment to strengthening the nursing profession, supporting nurses at every career stage, and ensuring a strong and sustainable nursing workforce for New Mexico.
Outside of his professional roles, Robert values time with his family and staying connected to the communities that have shaped him. He and his wife have been married for 27 years and have three children, and they enjoy spending time with extended family in Nashville and visiting Colorado Springs, where their oldest son lives.
Kimberly Petrovic, PhD, MSN, MA, RN
Board Secretary through January 2028
Associate Professor of Nursing
Associate Dean for the School of Nursing & Kinesiology
Western New Mexico University
Dr. Kimberly Petrovic is the Associate Dean for the School of Nursing and Kinesiology (SONAK) at Western New Mexico University (WNMU). She has been a nurse for more than 25 years and has worked in higher education for over 21 years. Her professional experiences have focused on adult health and aging, ethics, and leadership, among others. She looks forward to the ongoing work of the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence and its Board.
April McGriff, MSN, RN
Board Director through January 2028
Assistant Women’s Veteran Program Manager
Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center Albuquerque, NM
April McGriff is a nursing leader with 24 years of experience across diverse specialties, including women’s health and veteran care. She currently serves as the Assistant Women’s Veteran Program Manager at the VA in Albuquerque, NM, where she helps lead initiatives that improve access to gender-specific, trauma-informed care for women Veterans.
Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April completed high school as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) but was too young to take the boards. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Tuskegee University, later earning her LPN in 2001, RN in 2010, and MSN in 2023.
April is a long-time mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, guiding high school students interested in nursing and healthcare careers. She also volunteers with the National Urology Patient Education Task Force, the New Mexico Nurse Honor Guard, and serves on the New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards planning committee.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, fishing, roller derby, and reading mystery, romance, historical fiction, biographies, and fantasy. April highlights collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and strong commitment to nurse and patient advocacy. She champions inclusivity, mentorship, and the advancement of nursing leadership.
Stephanie Vigil, MS-IHM, BSN, RN
Board Director through January 2028
Director of Nursing - Regional Ambulatory Practices
Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Stephanie Vigil, MS-IHM, BSN, RN, brings over 21 years of experience to the NM Center for Nursing Excellence Board of Directors. She has practiced across diverse settings, including ambulatory and emergency care, and has developed expertise in patient advocacy, trauma-informed care and professional nursing practice. Stephanie is passionate about advancing nursing excellence through collaborative leadership, evidence-based initiatives, and workforce engagement. She is committed to fostering innovation and supporting programs that elevate the practice of nursing and the quality of patient care across the state of New Mexico.
Karl M. Ngoye, MHA, MBA, BSN, RN
Board Director through January 2027
ICU Relief Charge Nurse, Nursing Instructor
Memorial Medical Center
With over a decade of experience as an ICU nurse, he has dedicated his career to caring for patients and families during their most critical moments. Known for his calm presence, clinical excellence, and deep compassion, he has consistently set the standard for high-quality, patient-centered care. His commitment to nursing has been recognized through multiple honors, including several DAISY Awards and being named Nurse of the Year three times.
Beyond the bedside, he is a passionate nursing instructor, mentoring and shaping the next generation of nurses. He takes pride in teaching not just skills and knowledge, but also empathy, resilience, and professionalism. As a certified fitness coach, he promotes physical and mental wellness, encouraging others to prioritize health, balance, and longevity—both inside and outside the healthcare setting.
At the heart of everything he does is his role as a father, which fuels his dedication to service and leadership. He is also a devoted community organizer, working tirelessly to support homeless children and families. His advocacy and outreach efforts have earned recognition at the hospital, community, state, and national levels. Through care, education, and service, he continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact wherever he serves.
Maribeth Thornton, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CCM
Board Director through January 2027
Chief Nursing Officer
UNM Hospital
Maribeth Thornton is the Chief Nursing Officer, prior to accepting this role in March of 2024, she served as Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Women’s and Children’s. She has worked at UNMH since 2000. She has experience at UNMH in a variety of roles in Care Management, at Carrie Tingley Hospital, Quality, Adult Progressive Care and Women’s and Children’s in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She also has Pediatric Hospice, Home Health Care, and behavioral health experience. She has been a nurse for 40 years. Maribeth passions include mentoring and coaching and helping others reach their full potential as well as developing and implementing new programs. Maribeth serves on several boards including the Center for Nursing Excellence, and the UNM College of Nursing Advisory Board She is also certified in Nursing Executive Leadership and Case Management.
To contact our board members about specific questions or to request their email, please reach out to us at admin@nxmcne.org.
Diane L. Cassell, RN, BSN, MBA, CEN, NEC-B
Board Director through January 2028
Retired Nurse
Meet Your NMCNE Staff
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Meggin Lorino, LMSW
EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Meggin Lorino has over a decade of experience in non-profit program management, specifically working to promote special populations' health and well-being. For seven years, she worked for Baker Ripley, one of the nation's top 1% non-profits as the director of Neighborhood Based Senior Services. Meggin is passionate about about supporting individuals' ability to age in community. She has extensive experience in compliance management, strategic planning and evaluation, grant writing, and community development. Meggin holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico.
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Kalena Rosecrans, MSW
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Abbie brings both heart and experience to her work with NMCNE. At UNM, she studied psychology in the Honors Program and conducted research in the Positive Psychology Lab. Inspired to support people in meaningful ways, she went on to earn her Master’s in Social Work.
Before joining NMCNE, she worked as a Developmental Specialist in Early Intervention. That work shaped her belief in the power of resilience and strong community support—values that continue to guide her today.
Abbie finds joy in dance, using movement as a form of communication and connection. Her creativity also shines through design and event planning, where she enjoys crafting meaningful, shared experiences.
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Elise Maughn
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Elise is passionate about building resilient communities through behind-the-scenes support grounded in clarity and reliability. With a background in education, construction, and the creative arts, she brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to internal operations. In public education, she worked to strengthen connections between students and community resources. Elise holds a B.A. in English from Drake University and is excited to support the mission of compassionate care in New Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, visiting museums, and watching the birds with her cats.
