2025
EPSHA Board & Committees
Executive Board
Jessica Valles
President
Meet Jessica Valles, M.S., CCC-SLP. She first joined EPSHA in 2019 and has served at several capacities including Past President and Parliamentarian. She is a bilingual-certified SLP who has treated the adult population across acute hospital, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings. Her areas of speciality include Head and Neck Cancer, Voice, and Parkinson’s-disease-related disorders. She has served as an editor for TSHA, TSHA Financial Advisory Committee member, and ASHA Financial Advisory Board member.
Amy Gutierrez
President-elect
Meet Amy Gutierrez, M.S., CCC-SLP. She is a bilingual SLP with experience in both pediatrics and inpatient rehab. Amy began as an assistant speech-language pathologist and has a combined 13 years of experience in the field. For the last 7 years she has had opportunities to serve in administrative roles which has encouraged her to pursue a MBA.
Dr. Patricia Lara
Vice President
Meet Dr. Patricia Lara...
Melissa Machorro
Secretary
Meet Melissa Machorro…
Katie Haycraft Urquidi
Treasurer
Meet Katie Haycraft Urquidi, she is a pediatric speech language pathologist with a love for teaching little ones to speak, eat, and have their voices heard. She actively works in the hospital and home health settings.
Elena Muñoz
Co-Treasurer
Meet Elena Muñoz…
Kara Yepo
Parliamentarian
Meet Kara Yepo, has been a Speech Language Pathologist for 20 years and holds a
clinical position with The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus. She received her Masters in
Education at New Mexico State University. She has spent most of her career working in the medical field in acute care and outpatient settings with the adult population. Kara has primarily focused her career on dysphagia, voice, and neurogenic disorders. With a team, she was instrumental in implementing and now facilitating the Head and Neck Cancer Community of El Paso. Outside of work, she is a wife of 23 years and a mother of 3 boys which keeps her busy. She loves traveling, going to concerts, and that first sip of coffee in the morning.
Genevieve Hernandez
Co-Parliamentarian
Meet Genevieve…
Committee Member
Bryanna Michel
Social Media Committee Member
Meet Bryanna Michel…