Maria Kiner, President

Maria Kiner is a CPA and Registered Investment Advisor. She graduated from Michael's rival school University of Southern California but recovered with a MBA from University of California Los Angeles. Two daughters and a good deal of coffee keep her on her toes

Scott Burch, Vice President/Marketing

As Principal and Creative Director for the award winning Southern California multimedia design firm Scott Burch Design, Scott has brought his extensive print and packaging design skills to the forefront. He believes good design encompasses us in every aspect of our lives. "Good design sells, guides, creates and most importantly teaches." Scott Burch Design designs packaging for DVD materials, produces award-winning print advertising campaigns, logo development and interactive point-of-purchase displays. A degree in Environmental Design from San Diego State University led to the graphic design program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He and his wife Renell, an attorney, have two daughters, Delaney and Avlyn .

Susan Sagle, RN, OCN, CCRP, Vice President/Client Programs

Susan began her Oncology nursing career at Eisenhower Medical Center in 1978. She served on a number of hospital committees there including the Multidisciplinary Oncology Team, Bioethics Committee, Medical Research Committee and the Institutional Review Board. She has managed both inpatient and outpatient oncology units. She has served on the Boards of Directors of the American Cancer Society and Gilda's Club Desert Cities. A member of the Desert Cancer Foundation Board of Directors since 1999, Susan is currently the Chairperson of the Patient Assistance Committee. She is the former Director of Research at the Cancer and Blood Institute. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional as well as an Oncology Certified Nurse. In 1991 she was a recipient of the Lane W. Adams Award from the American Cancer Society in recognition of outstanding and compassionate cancer nursing, and for setting the highest standard in care for people with cancer and their families. She and her husband, Neil, reside in Rancho Mirage.

Lilli Mandelik, Secretary

Lilli Mandelik is the former Administrator for CareSouth Home Care which services the Coachella Valley. For the previous seven and a half years she served as the Director of the Desert Comprehensive Breast Center at Desert Regional Medical Center . Lilli served as the Director of Business Development for Desert Regional Medical Center between 1993-1997 and was originally recruited to the hospital as the Manager for Hospice in 1991. Prior to working in Palm Springs she worked at Eisenhower Medical Center in the Department of Human Behavior and the Peter Lake Radiation Oncology Department. Lilli holds both a Masters degree from Chapman University and a Bachelors degree from Pepperdine University in Psychology and began her interest in medicine counseling patients with acute illnesses over 20 years ago. Lilli was instrumental in starting the Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund which serves uninsured valley residents who need screening and diagnostic mammography services. She sits on the Medical Advisory Board for Gilda's Club and has been a board member of the Desert Cancer Foundation since 2001. She is divorced and resides in Palm Desert .

Stephen A. Christian, Treasurer

Stephen Christian is the Senior Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer at Palm Desert National Bank and the Palm Desert Branch Manager. He was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Christian subsequently graduated from the Colorado School of Banking. A desert resident for 17 years, he has been very active in community and charitable organizations. Currently he is a Trustee for the Family YMCA of the Desert, Board President of the local chapter of American Cancer Society and a board member of the National Junior Tennis League. Christian is a 20 year cancer survivor. Both of his parents are also cancer survivors. His daughter is a junior at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Michael P. Appelhans, Esq.

Michael P. Appelhans is the General Counsel of EisenhowerMedical Center. Prior to joining Eisenhower Medical Center, Appelhans was a legal consultant and served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel from 1995 to 2006 for the Tenet HealthCare Corporation hospitals located in California, NevadaNebraska. Appelhans, a former resident of the CoachellaValley, served as Vice President/General Counsel of Desert Hospital Corporation from 1992 through 1995. He began his legal career in Sacramento, California, at the University of California, DavisMedical Center, in 1982, as Legal Affairs Analyst. He has also served as Legal Counsel at Alta Bates Corporation in Emeryville, California, and Summa Health System, in Akron, Ohio. Appelhans earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, in 1984, and his Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Wichita State University, Kansas. Appelhans has been married for 30 years and has three grown children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Julia E. Burt

Julia E. Burt attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, earning a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a major in accounting in 1985. While at the University of Wisconsin, Julia was actively involved with Beta Alpha Psi, serving as the first female president of the fraternity. Today, Julia enjoys the rare combination of having both a CPA and a law degree, having earned the latter from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton. Combining her CPA and law degree, Julia’s practice is principally devoted to Probate, Estate and Trust law. Her boutique firm emphasizes a hands on approach, and assists clients with the planning and the subsequent administration for clients. Julia is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, the California Society of CPA’s, the American Institute of CPA’s, the Desert Bar Association, serves on the Planned Giving Council for Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California, and is a board member for the Partnership for End of Live Care of the Coachella Valley. She is past President of the Tahoe Truckee Bar Association and a Judge Pro Tem. Julia is married to Randall and enjoys traveling, golf, cooking, skiing and when at all possible, walking with their golden retriever Aspen.

Elber Camacho, M.D.

Dr. Camacho is the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center . He has over 20 years' experience as a medical oncologist and hematologist. He was recruited to the Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1995 from Loma Linda (CA) University, where he earned his medical degree and was on the teaching staff. Dr. Camacho also was a fellow in Hematology and Immunology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York . He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology. He specializes in general hematology and malignant hematology with emphasis on leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. In addition to his duties as medical director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Camacho serves as medical director of the Hospice Program at Desert Regional Medical Center . He also serves on the board of the American Cancer Society. He and his wife, Ludim, have three children. They reside in Palm Springs.

Robert Clark

Robert H. Clark Jr. was born in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 1930. He attended University of Southern California. In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force and served as a jet pilot until 1956. He has been a principal of Cosway Company since 1962 where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. He and his wife, Mary Lou, have seven children and eighteen grandchildren. They reside in Palm Desert .

Charissa Farley

Charissa Farley is the president of Farley Interlocking Paving, a paving installation contracting company and a paving stone distribution company. She is active in the Building Industry Association, the BIA Women's Council, the ADA Standardization Committee, and the Desert Contractor's Association. Charissa has also been a segment host for the local television programs "Desert Home Builders" and "New Home Television". This fall she will be hosting "Home Makeover in the Desert" on Time Warner Channel 4. She also serves as a contributing writer to Builder/Architect magazine.Charissa has three children, two girls and a boy. Born in Los Angeles, she attended Santa Monica College and University of Southern California. A twenty year resident of the Coachella Valley, she resides in Rancho Mirage with her son.

Richard Fausel, D.O.

Dr. Fausel is director of The Osteoporosis Center in Rancho Mirage. He has served as Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory, Infusion and Apheresis Services and Osteoporosis Center of The Cancer and Blood Institute. He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency in Pathology at Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. He is board certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and Family Medicine. He has lived in the desert more than 30 years and loves outdoor recreation, especially bicycling. He and his wife, Rosemary, enjoy a daughter, Cassie.

John J. Ferrelli

John has been in the healthcare industry for 19 years, serving in various hospital administration roles. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of JFK Memorial Hospital in March, 2004, John served as the Chief Operating Officer at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. John received a Bachelor’s Degree from Knox College in Illinois and obtained his Master’s in Management from J.L. Kellog Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. John moved to the Coachella Valley in March of 2004 with his wife, Sharon, and two daughters, Geena and Sarah. He currently is involved with several other community activities including serving as a Board member for the JFK Memorial Foundation, United Way of the Desert, Desert Town Hall, CBS-2 Charity Challenge and the Indio Chamber of Commerce.

Michael Kiner

Michael Kiner is an Architect and Real Estate Developer in the Coachella Valley . A UCLA graduate, Michael played professional Baseball before getting a Masters degree from SCIARC in Los Angles. He is married to fellow Board Member Maria Kiner and lives in Palm Desert with his two daughters.

Lee Morcus

Lee Morcus is a Principal with Kaiser Restaurant Group. A veteran of the hospitality industry he opened his first restaurant in Chicago in 1984. Currently he oversees the development and operations of Kaiser Grille, The Chop House, Crazy Bones and The Hog's Breath Inn. A desert resident since his youth, he has been very active in community and charitable organizations. Lee has a Bachelor of Science & Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Denver. He and Lisa, his partner, reside in Indian Wells.

Jerry Pelzer

Jerry and his wife, Pat, are part year residents of Palm Desert and reside at Indian Ridge Country Club where he has worked for the past six years on the committee for the Desert Cancer Foundation Golf Tournament. His professional career included 25 years with an investment banking firm headquartered in Chicago, the last nine years as President. In addition to his present position on the DCF board, he has served on numerous charitable boards including the Tri City Family Services, Baker Retirement Center, seven years as chairman of a 465 bed nursing home and fourteen years at his alma mater, Valparaiso University, nine years as chairman. He also served on numerous securities boards and committees. His education includes a BSCE from Valparaiso and a MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is a CPA and the recipient of an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Valparaiso University.

Peter J. Wasserman

Peter J. Wasserman retired as an executive in the securities industry following 40 years of service.. Mr. Wasserman served variously as Vice President of Drexel Burnham, President of Drysdale Securities, President and Managing Partner of Altman-Brenner & Wasserman Securities, Managing Partner of the Patriot Group and a member of the NYSE. He is a graduate of St Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and is active today in fundraising for the University. Through the Wasserman Family Foundation, he supports Desert Cancer Foundation, Gilda’s Club Desert Cities, McCallum Theater and Opera in the Park. As a cancer survivor he is also active in fundraising for Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families.
He and his wife, Judi, have three children and three granddaughters. They reside in Palm Desert and also maintain homes in New York City and Warren, Vermont.

Teresa Whipple

Teresa Whipple is Vice President - Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, she is responsible for management and operation of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and Desert Comprehensive Breast Center. She oversees a staff of more than 135 cancer specialists who provide services for cancer screening, detection, treatment and follow-up. Whipple first joined the Cancer Center 12 years ago as Director of Finance. Prior to relocating to Palm Springs, she held positions of increasing responsibility including Chief Fina ncial Officer/Associate Administrator for Oakwood Hospital in Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Accounting at Western Carolina University in North Carolina. She served in the U.S. Army for four years. She serves on the Board of the American Cancer Society. Among her professional affiliations are: member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Healthcare Financial Managers Association, the Advisory Board Oncology Roundtable, the Association of Community Cancer Centers and the American Hospital Association. She and her husband, Barry Clayton, reside in Rancho Mirage.

Robert A. Bernheimer, Past President and Board Member Emeritus

Bernheimer has served on the board of the Desert Cancer Foundation since 1997. He has been a City Councilman in Indian Wells since July, 2000 and served as Mayor from 2002-2003. Bernheimer is a local attorney at the firm, Robert A. Bernheimer. His legal practice emphasizes government relations, real estate law and business litigation. Bernheimer is a board member of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, the Indian Wells/Desert Town Lecture Series, and the Palm Springs and Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority. He is a past board member of Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, Southern California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the Indian Wells Planning Commission and the Indian Wells Architecture and Landscape Committee. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara (B.A., 1989) and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (J.D., with great distinction and Order of the Coif, 1994). He and his wife Rosalind have one child and live in Indian Wells.

FOUNDATION STAFF

FOUNDERS