Meet Our Leaders

Nick Nilest, Chief Executive Officer

Nick is originally from Louisville, Ky., where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and a Minor in Biology from Bellarmine University. He continued on to also receive a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Nick is also Neuro-IFRAH certified to treat and manage adults who have suffered a brain injury or stroke.

Nick started with Ernest Health in 2009 at Laredo Specialty Hospital as the Director of Therapy Operations. In 2014, Nick relocated to Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital as the Chief Operating Officer and in 2015 transitioned to Chief Executive Officer. In 2019, Nick relocated to New Braunfels where he moved to Market CEO over New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital and Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital.

Nick enjoys traveling, reading, sports, and spending time with family, friends, and his two Great Danes.

Dr. Maria R. Lomba, Medical Director

Dr. Maria Lomba has led our medical services since we opened in 2011. She is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and she is passionate about providing the most effective treatment options for her patients so they can return home with as much independence as possible.

Dr. Lomba earned a bachelor’s degree in both biology and Spanish from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She attended medical school at the Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, where she earned her medical degree. She completed her residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas.

With more than 20 years of medical experience, Dr. Lomba is a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She is also active in many professional and community organizations.

Devra Jean Barfield, Chief Nursing Officer

Devra is from the New Caney area where, after many years working in the business sector, she decided to pursue her registered nursing degree from the Lone Star College system. In 2011, she graduated Phi Theta Kappa with her RN certification and an Associate of Applied Science degree and is currently working on her master’s degree.

Upon graduation, she moved to the New Braunfels area and became employed with New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, where she’s worked for the last 11 years. This degree, along with her business experience, made her uniquely qualified to handle the needs of both her patients and their families in navigating the recovery process. She went on to receive her Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse certification and has enjoyed many wonderful and fulfilling years serving this community.

When Devra is not at work, providing exceptional care to all her patients, you can find her spending time with her husband and family. She loves antiquing, crocheting, sewing or just relaxing in her back-yard reading or watching her gardens grow.

Lizbeth Pence, Director of Marketing & Business Development

Lizbeth has known since she was a young girl that she wanted to work in healthcare. Armed with this long-time passion, she earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in healthcare administration from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Lizbeth now has more than fifteen years of healthcare experience. Before coming to the hospital, she played an integral role in opening a non-profit organization that provides free medical and dental care to uninsured residents of Comal County. She served as the clinic’s director, helping to recruit, retain, and manage volunteer physicians, specialists, and dentists to treat the uninsured patients who were in need of care. In 2011, Lizbeth began working for New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, where she worked in case management and admissions before accepting her role in marketing and business development. Lizbeth has enjoyed learning the many facets of hospital operations.

Originally from McAllen, Texas, Lizbeth has lived in the Central Texas area for almost twenty years and resides in New Braunfels. She is an active member of the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and a recent graduate of Leadership New Braunfels. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Susie (Myung-Sook) Coulson, Director of Pharmacy Operations

With years of pharmacy experience under her belt, Susie is passionate about helping our patients learn how to become healthier while using less medication.

Her background is diverse. Susie has served as an acute hospital intensive care unit pharmacist and nursing home consultant, as well as a director who provided oversight to project and research initiatives.

Susie earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry in Korea and a master’s degree in public health from University of Illinois in Chicago. She then earned a doctorate in pharmacy and a doctorate in pharmacology from Texas Southern University in Houston.

A health-conscious eater, Susie enjoys tending to her garden, which includes numerous vegetables along with plums, figs, pomegranates, and peaches. She also likes listening to jazz and classical music.

Alan Cross, Director of Therapy Operations

A local product, Alan is from Elgin, Texas. After high school he spent time at Temple Junior College playing baseball and eventually became a competitive triathlete. Through his years as an athlete, and after two knee surgeries, and other sports related injuries, Alan took an interest in physical therapy. Alan then took his studies to the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with honors with a bachelor of science degree in general kinesiology with a physical therapy focus and went on to earn his doctorate in physical therapy at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Professionally Alan has spent over 13 years working in general orthopedics and rehabilitation, sports recovery and return to play, injury prevention, and more recently has taken an interest in helping patients with amputations. Family and sports are two of Alan’s greatest interests outside of his profession. With three young children the weekends are usually very busy for Alan and his wife, with hunting or fishing, watching the kid’s baseball and soccer games, trips to Gruene to enjoy some live music, enjoying pool time with the family, or hanging out to watch college football.

A dedicated physical therapist, an avid sports fan, an outdoorsman, and foremost a family man pretty much sums it up.

Lindsey Floyd, Director of Patient Outcomes

Lindsey is from the southeast Texas area, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing sciences and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She has specialized training in electrical stimulation for treatment of dysphagia, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and loves learning about animal assisted therapies. She has experience working in both inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, as well as home health settings.

A licensed speech-language pathologist for nearly 7 years, Lindsey joined New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in 2017. She began as a treating therapist, then advancing to coordinate the facility “Disease Specific Certification” team, and later becoming a therapy team lead. She feels it’s rewarding to get to know patients and their families and to follow them daily throughout their journeys toward recovery and returning home

Lindsey has lived in New Braunfels for nearly 7 years. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family, often doing outdoor activities.

Leslie Schubert, Director of Compliance

Leslie is a native Texan and has been a registered nurse for 23 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and completed her Master of Science degree in nursing leadership and management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Leslie spent 18 years as a critical care nurse specializing in cardiac medicine and surgery. The most recent five years she has worked in nursing management utilizing authentic and servant leadership styles.

Leslie started with Ernest Health in 2020 with a goal to focus on quality, patient-centered care in the post-acute setting.

In her spare time, Leslie enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Carlos Robledo, Director of Plant Operations

Carlos brings more than 17 years of experience in the maintenance and operations industry to the hospital, providing an efficient, clean and safe facility for our employees, patients, and their families.

Having worked in power plant operations to hospital facilities, Carlos’ experience provides him with the knowledge of proper reporting and documentation to ensure compliance with healthcare industry guidelines. In prior roles, Carlos has been a key player in helping hospitals become accredited through The Joint Commission. He also has expertise in building automation systems that allow a facility to run as efficiently as possible.

A life-long resident of New Braunfels, Carlos enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He also enjoys playing golf and barbecuing with friends and family.

Cheryl Smith, HR Director

Cheryl’s passion for the hospital’s staff is evident through her role of supporting employee relations, compensation, benefits, performance and staffing. She brings more than 25 years of experience to the hospital, having served in various human resources roles.

Cheryl earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing/management from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. Originally from Clearwater, Fla., she has called New Braunfels home now for nearly 30 years.

Cheryl’s passion for nurturing and helping people carries over into her personal life. She runs a food pantry through her church and also is actively involved in her church choir.

Stephanie Burns, Food Service Manager

Stephanie is from Galveston, Texas. Stephanie graduated from Texas State University with her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition in 2008. Stephanie competed her Dietetic Internship from Texas State University and became a Registered and Licensed Dietitian in 2012.

Stephanie began her journey at New Braunfels Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (NBRRH) 7 years ago. Stephanie’s career path started as a PRN Dietitian at NBRRH. Stephanie has since advanced to a Full Time Clinical Dietitian, Interim Food Service Manager, and then Full Time Food Service Manager. Stephanie is passionate about ensuring patients receive healthy, balanced, quality meals for optimal nutrition.

Stephanie recently obtained her Yoga Teaching Certificate. Stephanie also enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, gardening, and swimming.