Board of Health

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, as well as serving on the Colorado Springs Christian Schools Board.

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 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.

Dr. Chan is a retired physician with several decades of experience serving in various clinical, administrative, and population health roles. She has worked in leadership roles as an active duty U.S. Army physician, commissioned corps US Public Health Service, as a managing partner in private practice, and as a medical director in public sector administrative management. Her international work includes Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan, serving as a Harvard University Global Health and Innovations Fellow in Kenya, as well as collaborative private/public sector work in Tasmania, Madagascar and at the Thai/Myanmar border. Her area of clinical specialty is women’s health, and has maintained board certification in OB/GYN since 1994. She returned to school mid-career for her MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and has a concentration in Health in Crisis. Special areas of interest in public health include global health equity and asset distribution, distal determinants of health, social norms as determinants of health behavior, and health economics.

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, 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 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.

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.

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.