Ted Collas, Board of Health President
Term: April 28, 2021-April 28, 2026
Represents: At large
Ted Collas was appointed to the El Paso County Board of Health following his retirement from the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) in 2021. During his 36-year career with the CSFD, Ted served as a firefighter, paramedic, company officer, battalion chief, deputy chief, and served his final five years as the Fire Chief. Ted considers his 25 plus years as an Emergency Medical Technician, seventeen of which were at the paramedic level, as his introduction to public health. As Fire Chief he oversaw one of the most progressive and effective Community and Public Health programs in the fire service. This division of the CSFD includes Community Assistance Referral and Education (CARES) services, which helps people dependent on emergency medical services (EMS) to provide their routine health care, connect with primary care providers. The Community and Public Health Division is also home to the Community Response Team (CRT) which provides on-scene behavioral health evaluations and medical screenings to patients in crisis, providing them with the care they need rather than traditional hospital evaluation or law enforcement interdiction.
Ted has a deep commitment to service and the well-being of the residents and visitors to the Pikes Peak region as evidenced through his extensive professional and volunteer experience. In addition to his service on the Board of Health, Ted currently serves on the board of the Public Safety Initiative at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which provides high-level professional training for first responders nationwide. He also serves on the board of the Nutrition Camp School Foundations, Inc., which supports programs that promote the health and wellbeing of children in the Pikes Peak region.
Ted earned an Associate of Science in Fire Science from Honolulu Community College. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University, and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Regis University.
Doris Ralston, M.P.A., C.H.E.S, Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation Executive Director & CEO, Board of Health Vice President
Term: Aug. 1, 2022-Aug. 1, 2027
Represents: Business, banking or financial professional
Doris Ralston works as executive director of the Colorado Springs Osteopathic Foundation. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from UCCS and a bachelor’s degree in community health education from East Carolina University. Ms. Ralston served two three-year terms (2013 – 2019) on the Colorado Commission on Family Medicine, a Governor appointed position representing Congressional District 5.
With Ralston at the helm, the Osteopathic Foundation was named the outstanding grant-making organization for 2012 by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s Partners in Philanthropy.
She was also awarded the John H. Drabing Award for “extraordinary dedication and support” in 2010 and the National Award for Excellence in Financial Development, awarded by the Congress of Lung Association staff at its national meeting. Ms. Ralston continues to volunteer for the American Heart Association in addition to her service on the Board of Health.
James Terbush, M.D., M.P.H.
Term: Aug. 1, 2018-Aug. 1, 2023
Represents: Active or retired medical professional
Dr. Terbush was appointed to the Board of Health in 2013 and served as its president January 2019-December 2022 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He will complete his term on the Board in August 2023.
As Command Surgeon to North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) from 2006-2009, he served as the Medical Advisor to the Commander and was responsible for the integration of Department of Defense medical assets internally and with other agencies in support of military response to civilian disasters including terrorism and other incidents. From 2009-2011, Dr. Terbush served as the Fleet Surgeon for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. He was deployed forward to Port-au-Prince, Haiti in response to the earthquake disaster in 2010, integrating Department of Defense medical capabilities into the overall international response. Dr. Terbush’s final assignment before retiring from military service in 2014, was with the Science and Technology Directorate at NORAD and USNORTHCOM where he served as the lead for medical innovations.
In more than 30 years of Government service Dr. Terbush was the physician to U.S. personnel in more than 80 countries. He is published in scientific journals on Influenza and Air Travel, Mass Fatalities Management and Public Health Consequences of a Cyber Attack. He is also an advisor to the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine Forum on Disaster and Public Health and is the Past President of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine. Dr. Terbush received his M.D. from the University of Colorado and master’s in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Cami Bremer, El Paso County Commissioner
Term: Jan. 10, 2023-Jan. 10, 2027 (aligns with Commissioner term)
Represents: El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Cami Bremer was appointed to the Board of Health in 2019. Commissioner Bremer brings broad experience in government and media relations as well as health care and non-profit management to her role as a Board member. She has served as regional director for the American Heart Association, provider and community relations manager for Penrose Cancer Center, director of governmental affairs for the Chamber of Commerce, and communications specialist for the City of Colorado Springs. Commissioner Bremer attended the University of Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Journalism in Public Relations. After moving to Colorado in 2002, she continued her education with an MBA from UCCS.
Longinos Gonzalez, El Paso County Commissioner
Term: Jan. 10, 2021-Jan. 10, 2025 (aligns with Commissioner term)
Represents: El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Longinos Gonzalez, Jr. was appointed to the Board of Health in 2016. An Air Force Academy graduate and retired military officer, Commissioner Gonzalez served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 2012. He holds a master’s degree in science education and was a teacher with Harrison School District 2 prior to his election to the Board of County Commissioners. In addition to his service on the Board of Health, Commissioner Gonzalez is a Board of Director member for the Fountain Valley Senior Center and serves as county liaison to the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Military Affairs Council among multiple community liaison assignments.
Dave Donelson, Colorado Springs City Councilor
Term: July 1, 2021-July 1, 2023 (Colorado Springs City Council reappoints representative every two years)
Represents: Colorado Springs City Council
Dave Donelson was appointed to the Board of Health in 2021. He is the Colorado Springs City Council member for District 1. Mr. Donelson is a retired U.S. Army Officer and physician assistant with more than 20 years’ experience in medicine — as a U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret) Medical Sergeant, paramedic, and then as a physician assistant. He was responsible for the health and medical readiness of all soldiers in his unit. He is an Iraq War veteran with three one-year deployments to Iraq.
After retiring from the Army in 2010 he served the citizens of Colorado Springs as a physician assistant at Peterson SFB Flight Medicine, a small urgent care, and finally as the center director for a men’s health clinic. He has a bachelor's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of New Mexico.
Richard Vu, M.D.
Term: April 28, 2021-April 28, 2026
Represents: Active or retired physician
Dr. Richard Vu was appointed to the Board of Health in 2021. Dr. Vu is a board- certified internist, practicing at Matthews-Vu Medical Group. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Vu has been serving patients in Colorado Springs since 2004.
Jack Briggs
Term: May 17, 2022 - May 17, 2027
Represents: Nonprofit, public, or private or public education sector
Jack Briggs is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Springs Rescue Mission, southern Colorado’s largest homeless shelter and addiction recovery program. Prior to the Springs Rescue Mission, Jack was Vice President for Global Resiliency and Security at New York University (NYU). He was responsible for organizing, integrating, and executing the University’s Emergency Management and Continuity Programs and security for NYU’s 15 campuses in 11 countries. While at NYU, Jack earned his Doctorate in Education Leadership and Innovation as well. Before NYU, Jack served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years in a variety of senior leadership roles retiring as a Major General.
During Jack’s extensive military carrier, he last served as the Director of Operations for Headquarters U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). He was responsible for the defense of North America, along with support to all federal agencies and state governments during civil operations including natural and man-made disasters.
Jack entered the U.S. Air Force as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has extensive experience in Europe, including his selection as the first Olmsted Scholar to Hungary, NATO staff positions, and executive officer to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe/Commander, U.S. European Command (EUCOM). He also served as Commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan at the height of the 2010-2011 combat operations surge. Jack flew 225 combat sorties in operations Desert Storm, Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor and the Wright Brothers Award winner for Outstanding Leadership at Air War College.
Glant Havenar, Mayor of Palmer Lake
Term: February 21, 2023 – December 12, 2024
Represents: Elected Official from a municipality other than Colorado Springs
Glant Havenar was appointed to the Board of Health in 2023. She is currently serving as the Mayor of Palmer Lake. She brings over 20 years of experience in leadership roles and in decision-making capacities for various Boards. She will act as a part of a strong team of professionals providing for the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens in the Pikes Peak region. She believes that all people in our community should have a voice in their health care choices, be treated with compassion, and have access to superior health care.
Glant holds a Bachelor in Communications and understands the complexities of often seemingly straightforward issues. Over her multiple years in public service, Glant has gained the insight, training, and the knowledge needed to make or guide excellent choices for our community. Glant’s three greatest treasures call her Mom, a role that has formed the core values and the heart of who she is.