The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA), a fledgling training program launched by Middletown’s Community Health Center and several partners, has named Elena Thomas Faulkner as its CEO.
Faulkner will succeed former CEO Naveen Kanithi, who was hired by NIMAA in May as its first-ever CEO. Kanithi resigned in July for personal reasons, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
NIMAA operates in five states, providing in-person and online instruction with through mentoring and hands-on clinical training.
CHC developed the medical assistant training institute in partnership with Salud Family Health Centers of Colorado.
Faulkner will be based in NIMAA’s Denver office, which launched in May. She is familiar with the Denver region, having recently served as chief strategy officer at Denver medical clinic La Clinica Tepeyac Inc.
Previously, Faulkner spent over 13 years as a senior consultant for John Snow Inc., a public health research and consulting firm, developing projects to expand access to health care. She also held leadership posts with the nonprofit Colorado Community Health Network.
Faulkner earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and spanish from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in international development from American University in Washington, D.C.
