Meet Our Team

Desiree Ramirez, CCEP, CHC, is the chief integrity and privacy officer for UNT Health at Fort Worth. Ms. Ramirez oversees the UNT Health’s  integrity-based compliance program, which emphasizes responsibility for ethical behavior and commitment to UNT Health’s Code of Culture. Ms. Ramirez advocates for an integrity-based program that emphasizes the active involvement of all stakeholders — leaders, employees and students — to foster meaningful and sustainable cultural change.

Central to this philosophy is the creation of a culture where integrity serves as a guiding principle, empowering individuals to make decisions rooted in values. Ms. Ramirez was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in New York City. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Health Policy, Finance and Law from the American University’s Washington College of Law.

Dennys Arrieta, BBA, is the Senior Executive Assistant to the Office of Institutional Integrity and Awareness. Dennys’ role involves managing day-to-day activities, organizing tasks for the Chief Integrity Officer, and maintaining positive relationships with employees and students as well as external stakeholders. Dennys is responsible for tasks such as budget analysis, expenditure control, and ensuring compliance with institutional and state regulations, while preparing reports to aid decision-making. Dennys fosters positive relationships across the organization and plays a vital role in supporting key initiatives and maintaining office efficiency. In addition, oversees Minors on Campus compliance. The Minors on Campus is a State of Texas statutes that sets guidelines for the presence of minors on college and university campuses. It aims to ensure their safety and well-being, particularly during events and activities. Dennys holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Emanuel J. George, III, PharmD, is the Executive Director in the Office of Integrity and Awareness at UNT Health at Fort Worth. In this role, Dr. George leads integrity-focused initiatives, working to foster a culture where ethical wellness and integrity are foundational elements of everyday decision-making. His work emphasizing the importance of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior across all levels of the organization.

Dr. George is committed to creating a community where integrity is not only a guiding principle but also a tool for personal and professional empowerment. His vision centers on the active engagement of faculty, staff, and students to cultivate a sustainable culture of ethical leadership and wellness that supports the mission of the institution.

Born and raised in New Orleans, LA, Dr. George earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Luther Rice College. He brings years of experience in pharmacy leadership, higher education, and ethical wellness to his role at the university, leveraging his diverse background to inspire and lead initiatives that promote holistic well-being through integrity-driven practices.

April Daniel has worked at UNT Health since August 2021 and became the Director of Compliance Operations in the Office of Institutional Integrity and Awareness in February 2023. She oversees the compliance operations section, which includes compliance investigations, clinical audits, and policy administrative processes. April holds a B.A. in Political Science, CCEP, and M.Ed. April received certifications in mediating workplace conflict from the Mediation Training Institute and Six Sigma Root Cause Analysis from SSDSI. She has an extensive background in investigations, employee grievance, law enforcement, compliance, administrative hearings, and Title IX and Title VII

Mihaela ‘Ela’ Lynn, MS, is the instructional designer and LMS administrator for the Office of Institutional Integrity and Awareness at UNT Health at Fort Worth. She joined UNT Health in the summer of 2024 after 15 years of experience in academia working with diverse learners in different corners of the world in both traditional and online settings. Ms. Lynn leverages her technical and analytical expertise to develop and implement comprehensive compliance and integrity education and training programs that foster a culture of accountability and ethical conduct across the institution.

She holds a master’s degree (MSc) in Postsecondary Education with a concentration in Educational Technology from Troy University, a Cambridge CELTA certificate, and APPQMR HigherEd certificate. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Design & Technology at Liberty University.

Bhavna Desai, CPC, CPMA, is the compliance and privacy auditor for UNT Health at Fort Worth.

In this role, Bhavna performs quality provider documentation audits of medical and billing records, reviews and monitors activities in accordance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy elements as well as applicable State and Federal guidance and laws. As part of the Office of Institutional Integrity and Awareness, Bhavna is also responsible for identifying patterns or trends and developing provider education.

Bhavna holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and has prior experience developing and managing the auditing program for a Medicaid and Medicare Plan, coding, and revenue cycle management.

Martika Jacobs, MBA, serves as the Compliance Operations Specialist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. In her role, she offers support in case management, policy administration, and data analysis. She takes pleasure in developing innovative systems and processes, as well as creating narratives through data. Martika is committed to assisting others and fostering a positive atmosphere by providing excellent service and nurturing strong relationships with all stakeholders. She firmly believes that compliance professionals are essential to the success of every organization.

She holds a Lean Six Sigma certification from SDDSI and is a proud graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration. Her extensive experience in the educational sector, outside of compliance, offers the team a different perspective.