Summit Healthcare’s Governing Board reflects our commitment to excellence with the vision and leadership to carry out our mission, “Trusted to deliver exceptional, compassionate care, close to home.”
The members of the Governing Board have a variety of professional expertise, medical backgrounds, and community service.
Paul Watson
Chairman
Paul Watson joined the Governing Board in 2002, and became chair in January of 2019. He served previously as the Vice Chair and as Chair of the Finance Committee. He recently retired from a career in public service including, Assistant County Manager/Economic Development Director for Navajo County and as Manager for the Towns of Snowflake and Pinetop-Lakeside. He received his A.A. degree from Mesa Community College and his B.S. in Accounting from Brigham Young University.
He has served on numerous boards, committees and councils, in the area and the state. Mr. Watson and his wife Lisa have lived in the area for over 40 years and raised their four children here. He has a passion for the area and would love to see the economy flourish to allow his and other families be able to return to live and work in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona.
He recognizes that outstanding healthcare is a key component to a strong and healthy economy and enjoys serving on the Governing Board.
Neil Traver
Vice Chair
Neil Traver is the Federal Funds Program Manager for Arizona Public Service Company. A certified public accountant by training, Neil joined APS in financial operations in 2006. In 2010, he joined APS’ Fossil Division and moved to the Cholla Power Plant in Joseph City, where he oversaw the financial operations for Cholla and the Four Corners Power Plant near Farmington New Mexico. He was promoted into his current role in 2022 and manages all federal funding for APS.
Having grown up in St. John’s, Neil is grateful that APS afforded him the opportunity to return to the region. He is committed to the communities he serves and is active on the REAL AZ Economic Development Board for Northeast Arizona in addition to his role on the Summit Healthcare Foundation.
Neil is also an ambassador with the Snowflake/Taylor Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is a class member in the 2018-19 White Mountain Leadership program. He also participates as a Boy Scout troop leader.
Neil enjoys anything outdoors and is an avid hunter, fisher, camper and skier. He and his wife, Beth, live in Snowflake.
Becky A. Thompson, M.D.
Secretary
Becky A. Thompson, M.D., became a member of the Active Medical Staff at Summit Healthcare in October, 1999 and joined the Governing Board in 2011.
Dr. Thompson attended Medical School at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, Arizona and completed her Residency as Chief Resident at Southern Illinois University in Quincy, Illinois. In 1999, Dr. Thompson started “Your Family Practice Team” in Show Low.
She has been an active member of the American Academy of Family Medicine since 1995 and has been a frequent Delegate in the academy’s congress.
Dr. Thompson became American Academy of Family Medicine Fellow in 2014 and serves as Volunteer Faculty for University of Arizona’s Rural Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Thompson is married with 4 children.
John Corder
Board Member
John Corder became Governing Board in 2007. He is currently President of Corder Community Services. John retired after thirty six years in law enforcement and served as Chief of Police for twenty years for the City of Show Low. He grew up in Iowa and attended numerous law enforcement schools, academies, as well as Northland Pioneer College.
He is a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police and past chair of the Show Low Chamber of Commerce Board.
In the past twenty five years he has been a member of and participated in many local groups and organizations.
He has been appointed by two Governors to state boards and is a past President of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police. Mr. Corder’s interests include classic cars, art and music. He and his wife Janet have two grown children and five grandchildren.
Doug Wright, D.O.
Board Member
Dr. Douglas Wright, D.O., has been a valued member of Summit Healthcare's active medical staff since August 2000 and has served on the Governing Board since 2015. A graduate of Des Moines University (formerly the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences) in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Wright completed his medical residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. At the time, this hospital ranked among the top 40 in the United States, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
Throughout his career, Dr. Wright has held pivotal leadership roles. He served as Summit Healthcare's Chief of Medical Staff from 2010 to 2014, contributed to the community as an elected member of the Pinetop Fire Board for 11 years, and played a key role in church leadership and service initiatives.
With 14 years of experience as a full-tune emergency room physician at Summit, he now serves as the Medical Director and Physician at the Summit Healthcare Wound Care Clinic. These roles have deepened his appreciation for first responders, fellow healthcare providers, patients, and the wider community.
Driven by a passion for advancing healthcare, Dr. Wright remains committed to improving access to quality healthcare and enhancing the well-being of individuals and families in the region. His compassionate care and strong leadership are additionally fueled by having his eleven-year-old son, Ben, die of cancer.
Dr. Wright actively pursues opportunities to grow and learn. He frequently attends training courses to sharpen his expertise, benefiting not only his clinical practice but also his contributions to the Board of Directors and committees like the Credentials Committee and the Quality Committee, where he serves as Chair.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Wright treasures time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. A lover of the arts and nature, he enjoys artwork, nurturing plants, and collecting unique items. Living amidst the natural beauty of Arizona's White Mountains, he relishes outdoor activities such as hiking, jeeping, skiing, and exploring the breathtaking surroundings.
Dawnafe Whitesinger
Board Member
Dawnafe Whitesinger began serving on the Summit Healthcare Association Governing Board in late-2024. She also serves as a representative for District V on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors, making history as the first White Mountain Apache and the first woman to hold the position of Chair on the Board. Raised on the Fort Apache Reservation, Whitesinger has lived in the Pinetop-Lakeside area for over two decades. Her commitment to her community is evident through her extensive career in education, serving as the Director of Instructional Programs at Dishchii’bikoh Community School, where she has dedicated 23 years to enhancing education opportunities and community growth. Whitesinger’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Curriculum Development from the University of Michigan.
Through her years of experience in public service, Dawnafe is knowledgeable about what makes a thriving community, she understands our societal challenges, the importance of public health, ensures safety, and advocates for our region by making decisions that impact communities, advocating for policies that strengthen our neighborhoods, and delivering essential services. Whitesinger currently serves as a Board of Directors member for Native Women Scholars, Vice-Chair of the White Mountain Apache First Things First Regional Council, Chair of the White Mountain Regional Transportation Committee, Board of Directors member of PLUME, National Indigenous Rights Alliance; Advisory Board Member of Indigenous Peoples Initiative, American Indian Structural Heart Disease Partnership (In-STEP) Community Research Leadership Board Member, Board of Directors for the Fort Apache Heritage Foundation, and member of the National Associations of Counties Human Services and Education Committee.
Wayne Wielgus
Board Member
Wayne Wielgus began serving on the Summit Healthcare Association Governing Board in August 2024. Wayne has more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry where he has successfully led marketing efforts at some of the largest brands in lodging and the cruise industry. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for Azamara Cruise and Celebrity Cruises where he provided strategic leadership for global marketing. Wayne previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Choice Hotels International. He has also held various executive positions with Best Western International, Forte Hotels, inter-Continental Hotels Corporation and Ramada Hotels.
Wayne has an M.B.A. in Marketing from Memphis University and a B.S. in Marketing from Fairfield University.
He is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Chad Brimhall, M.D.
Chief of Staff
Dr. Brimhall is a family medicine physician who enjoys treating patients of all ages. He received his medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine and completed his Residency at Good Samaritan Family Medicine Residency.
