Who We Are
Your Houston ENA:
Here for you every step of your journey
About Us
The Houston Emergency Nurses Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which provides education, leadership, advocacy and collaborative professional practice for emergency nurses across the Houston area.
Our Mission:
Houston ENA supports the mission of ENA: To advocate for patient safety and excellence in emergency nursing practice.
Membership Value Statement:
Houston ENA prioritizes its service to support our members as they contribute to the care of patients and their families, the emergency nursing profession, and our organization.
Chapter Events: CLICK HERE
Chapter Documents:
Bylaws of the Houston ENA
Houston ENA Board & Committee Members
LaToya Lockett, DNP, MBA/MHA, RN, NEA-BC, TCRN, CEN
2026 Houston ENA President, Membership Chair
Dr. LaToya Lockett, DNP, MBA/MHA, RN, NEA‑BC, TCRN, CEN, is an accomplished emergency nurse, educator, and healthcare leader with more than 25 years of experience. A proud native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, she brings the resilience and global perspective of her island upbringing to her work.
She is excited to serve as the 2026 President of the Houston Emergency Nurses Association, where she plans to contribute her leadership skills to advancing the profession and supporting emergency nurses.
Dr. Lockett is the Co‑Owner and Founder of Best Learning Solution (BLS), where she delivers high‑quality, practical training in TNCC, ENPC, AHA certifications, Stop the Bleed, Babysitter Safety, and Wilderness Training. She also continues to practice as a night‑shift emergency nurse and teaches in the
Northern Kentucky University Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Outside of her professional roles, she is an avid traveler who explores the world for both leisure and medical mission work, with journeys to places such as Bali, Greece, India, Jamaica, and numerous islands across the Caribbean. She stays active through weekly bootcamp workouts and long‑distance running, having completed two full marathons and numerous half marathons. Her career reflects a commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and strengthening communities through education, leadership, and compassionate care.
Alex Munoz
2026 Houston ENA President Elect
With nearly a decade of honorable military service and more than ten years of emergency nursing leadership, Alex Monoz brings a foundation of discipline, integrity, and commitment to excellence in every aspect of his work. As Director of Emergency Services, at a major Houston hospital, Alex has led multiple initiatives focused on improving patient outcomes, optimizing throughput, and fostering professional growth among emergency nurses. Alex’s background in both military and healthcare leadership has shaped his collaborative, mission-driven approach to problem solving and team development. A longstanding member of the Emergency Nurses’ Association, he has
actively supported chapter activities, mentored emerging nurse leaders, and championed continuing education opportunities at the local and state levels.
Liz Hamilton, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC, NEA-BC, LSSYB
2026 Houston ENA Immediate Past President
Liz Hamilton is the immediate past president for the Houston Chapter of the Emergency Nurses’ Association. Liz has spent her entire career in the Emergency Department as a staff nurse, charge nurse, nurse manager, nurse educator, and most recently the Nursing Director of the Emergency Department at LBJ Hospital. Liz is passionate about continuing education and believes that ENA is a great way to obtain professional education and collaborate with nurses in the field of emergency medicine. In Liz’s spare time she volunteers as a special advocate/guardian ad litem to at-risk youth. She also enjoys traveling, listening to live music, and relaxing at home with her husband Alex and pets.
Casey Hogan, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN
2026 Houston ENA Secretary
Casey Hogan, MSN, RN, CEN has been a nurse in the emergency department for 12 years with 9 of those as a manager. Casey is passionate about emergency nursing and transformational leadership. She believes in encouraging and growing the next generation of emergency nurses through coaching and professional development. In Casey’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family which includes a wonderful husband, a college age daughter, 2 toddlers under 3 years of age, and 2 french bulldogs.
Kim Deloughery, MSN, RN, CEN
2026 Houston ENA Treasurer
Kimberly DeLoughery, BSN, RN is a nurse with over 20 years of experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and leadership. After serving in the United States Army and Army Reserves, she went to nursing school in 2006 to become an LVN. She found her passion for emergency nursing during her first job as an LVN in a level I trauma center in Temple, Texas. Continuing her education, Kimberly achieved her BSN in 2009. She has worked in many hospital positions and roles, from staff nurse to hospital operations administrator, always with an emphasis on emergency medicine. Kimberly has been a member of ENA since 2014 and has served in multiple roles for Houston ENA since 2020, currently serving as treasurer. Kimberly is currently the Clinical Manager for the Emergency Department at Memorial Hermann Katy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, and being at home with her husband, 2 dogs, and 1 cat.
Candace Aguilera Mitchell
2026 Houston ENA Director
Candace has worked in various clinical and leadership roles across the Gulf Coast
Division for 19 years. She graduated from Lonestar in 2004 with her ADN, obtained her
Bachelors in Nursing from Galen in 2021, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Nursing Administration from Capella University with an expected graduation in May 2025. She is a graduate of our 2023 Leadership Development Program and proudly serves as the co-chair of professional development in the women's colleague network.
Present and former colleagues, as well as physician partners, describe Candace as a visible and authentic leader who takes and provides candid feedback, is eager to grow professionally, and, most importantly, is dedicated to ensuring we provide exceptional care to the communities we serve.
Outside of work, Candace is a devoted wife to Raphael and a loving mother to her four children, Arianna, Tremaine, Rylee, and RJ. Her middle child, Arianna, is serving our country in the Navy and is stationed in San Diego. Candace enjoys traveling, baking, and indulging in Mexican cuisine in her free time. She is also an avid reader, particularly enjoying mysteries and love stories. In addition to her personal interests, Candace is committed to giving back to the
community, volunteering a percentage of her free time to Against Poverty; a nonprofit organization focused on helping unemployed adults obtain jobs.
Jay Ledesma, MSN, RN, NE-BC
2026 Houston ENA Director
Jay Ledesma, MSN, RN, NE-BC, is the current Director for Emergency Services at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. He is the current chair for the Memorial Hermann Health System for Emergency Services. He has worked in healthcare for almost 20 years with 10 of those years in the Emergency Department. He has a background in Med/Surg, Telemetry, Intermediate Care, and the Emergency Room. Jay believes in servant and transformational leadership and uses it to guide his teams. He has experience with Lean Six Sigma. Being an ER nurse is a passion and calling.
Esther Martinez
2026 Houston ENA Director
Esther obtained her RN license in 2013 and began working in ER the same year. She was first at the bedside, then moved up through the ranks from Charge, Supervisor, Manager, and now ER Director. Esther obtained her MSN with an emphasis in Healthcare Leadership from GCU in 2024. She is active on several committees in her facility which include Chair of the ER Steering Committee, part of the Employee Advisory Group (EAG), and also Emergency Management Committee. Esther has been with ENA since 2013 with the last 3 years as Director of ENA Houston Chapter.
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Carla Espinosa
2026 Houston ENA Director
Carla Espinosa brings nearly 25 years of diverse emergency medicine experience to her role as a 2026 Director for the Houston Emergency Nurses Association. She began her career as a paramedic, serving both in the emergency department and as a volunteer 911 responder with a local EMS agency. Her dedication to emergency care led her through a variety of roles—including unit clerk, ER technician/paramedic, nurse, and charge nurse—before advancing into leadership.
Carla has spent almost a decade as a manager in both hospital-based emergency departments and freestanding ED settings, where she has been recognized for her operational expertise, team-centered leadership, and commitment to high‑quality patient care. A longstanding ENA member, she now brings her experience, passion, and collaborative spirit to the Houston Chapter Board of Directors.
1. When you join ENA, you are automatically connected to your state and local chapter. Sign up HERE
2. During the sign up process, you can also request dual chapter membership. Additional information can be found HERE
3. You're in! A member of the Houston ENA will be in contact with you. You may also email the chapter HERE