Darci L. Graves, M.P.P., M.A., M.A.
Technical Advisor
Office of Minority Health, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Darci L. Graves, M.P.P., M.A., M.A., joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Minority Health in 2015. In her current role as a Technical Advisor, she assists in the coordination and implementation of priority agency and office-wide programs, policies, and products. She leads the office's enterprise level efforts and serves as co-chair to the CMS Rural Health Council. She led the development and release of the CMS Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities. In addition, she provides subject matter expertise in areas such as culturally and linguistically appropriate services, cancer, health literacy, and health equity. Ms. Graves holds graduate degrees in Communications, Religion and Sociology, and Public Policy and has over 20 years of professional experience in the fields of cultural and linguistic competency and health education.
Peter Kaboli, M.D., M.S.
Acting Executive Director
Office of Rural Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Peter Kaboli, M.D., M.S., is the Acting Executive Director of the Office of Rural Health (ORH). Dr. Kaboli leads ORH partnerships with clinical program offices, research initiatives, and programs that are disseminated across Veterans Health Administration to increase access to care for rural Veterans. Dr. Kaboli also oversees the activities of ORH's five Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers (VRHRCs). In addition to his work with ORH, Dr. Kaboli is a Core Investigator with the Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) Center of Innovation; a Hospitalist at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Healthcare System; and a Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, Master of Science in Epidemiology, and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa.
Kellie M. Kubena
Rural Health Liaison
Rural Development Innovation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Kellie Kubena serves as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Health Liaison in the USDA Rural Development Innovation Center. Over her 25 years in federal service at USDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kellie has worked on issues in environmental compliance, regulation, infrastructure funding, and strategic engagement. Kellie has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Fisheries from the University of Washington.
Benjamin Smith, M.B.A., M.A.
Deputy Director
Indian Health Service
Benjamin Smith, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is the Deputy Director of Indian Health Service (IHS). Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for American Indians and Alaska Natives. As Deputy Director, Smith leads IHS operations to ensure the delivery of quality comprehensive health services and that IHS services are integrated across all levels of the agency. Prior to his federal service, Smith worked as a self-governance specialist for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, performing research, advisory services, and consultation on health programs with national, state, and local health departments. Smith received his Master of Business Administration from George Washington University, a Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University. He is also one of the Navajo Nation's Chief Manuelito Scholars.
Additional members
- Percy Devine
- Diane Hall
- Aleta Myer