AHCA Staff
Kathleen Collins Pagels, Executive Director
Kathleen was named Executive Director of the Arizona Health Care Association (AHCA) in April of 2002. AHCA is the state’s largest association of licensed long term health care facilities, assisted living centers and allied health care related businesses and organizations. Previously, Kathleen was Director of Public Policy for the Arizona Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and has spent much of the last 25 years in a professional capacity serving the aging network. She has worked in the arenas of administration, program management and development, lobbying and advocacy. Kathleen has been a long term care consultant, college instructor, featured presenter and is a member of several local boards and committees. As Executive Director, Kathleen provides leadership for and administration of the association, lobbies and advocates on behalf of the long term care industry on a state and national level, develops and provides a wide range of member services, actively participates in coalitions and task forces promoting public awareness of long term care, as well as coordinating the state affiliate responsibilities for the national American Health Care Association.
John Linda, Director Of Member Services
John joined the Arizona Health Care Association in November of 2002. Previously, he served as the Director of Education for the Area Agency on Aging, Region One for over 7 years, with primary responsibility for the ASMAT training program in collaboration with Phoenix College, and the annual Arizona Intergenerational Advocacy Partnership (AIAP) conference. He was recently honored with the Humanitarian Award for Notable Achievement and Excellence by ASMAT students. John has also been the Executive Director of Sirrine Adult Day Health Care Center, the Program Manager for the Lee Silverman Center for Parkinson’s, and the Manager of Training and Development for what used to be known as Scottsdale Memorial Hospital. He has a Masters degree in Theology, and a Certificate in Gerontology from Arizona State University. As Director of Member Services, John is responsible for coordinating AHCA’s two annual conferences, periodic educational workshops, the AHCA publication “AzCares”, and providing assistance and support to facilities and business affiliates.
Karla Averill, Director of Assisted Living and Program Development
Karla began her employment with AHCA in June of 2007, after serving in the Arizona Governor’s office since 2004. She served in the Office for Children, Youth and Families, and the Office on Aging. Prior to the Governor’s office, Karla worked at the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, specializing in program development. Karla has a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Clinical and Humanistic Psychology, and is an Arizona Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Assisted Living Manager. As Director of Assisted Living and Business Development, her role is to increase Assisted Living membership in the Association, create new and meaningful services for Assisted Living members, and provide leadership on Assisted Living regulatory matters. She will also provide leadership in the development and implementation of the AHCA Service Corporation and preferred provider services.
Linda Doescher, Office & Programs Manager
Linda has been with the Arizona Health Care Association since August of 2001. Previous to AHCA, Linda was employed by Dornier Medical Systems for 13 years. During her tenure at Dornier, she worked in Sales Administration, Shipping & Receiving, Inventory Control, Service Administration, and finally as their Inventory & Production Control Manager. As Office & Programs Manger, Linda manages the day to day functions of the AHCA office, coordinates program activity in the areas of membership and information management, acts as the primary assistant to the Executive Director, and is responsible for administration and development of AHCA’s website.