Vision 2020 Campaign Steering Committee Supporting the $1.2 billion Vision 2020 Campaign and the effort to secure $360 million in private philanthropic support is the task of the Vision 2020 Campaign Steering Committee. The Campaign Steering Committee assists in the development of campaign policy and strategic planning for all phases of the Campaign. Its influential members also participate through their involvement in one or more of the Campaign strategies by helping identify, cultivate and solicit potential Campaign contributors and lead by example. CO-CHAIRS Jere and Marian Chrispens. Before retiring in 2003, Jere Chrispens helped develop two software companies focused on health care. Mrs. Chrispens practiced nursing before becoming a full-time mother and grandmother. She is on the board of the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church.
MEMBERS Leonard Bailey, MD, and Nancy Bailey, MS. Recognized as the pioneer of infant heart transplantation, Dr. Bailey is surgeon-in-chief, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Transplantation remains a small portion of Dr. Bailey’ s practice, which involves all types of congenital heart disease in all age groups. He is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Mrs. Bailey received her BS degree in nursing from the Loma Linda University School of Nursing and a master of science degree in nursing from the Loma Linda University Graduate School. She is a legal nurse consultant and business owner.
Donna Hadley graduated from Loma Linda University School of Nursing. She practiced nursing until 1988, when she was named director of alumni relations and development for Loma Linda Academy. She then chaired the Centennial Committee for the School of Medicine’s 100-year anniversary.
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Peter Nelson, DDS, and Suzanne Nelson. Dr. Nelson graduated from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He practices dentistry in San Luis Obispo. Mrs. Nelson earned her BS degree from the School of Dentistry and worked as a dental hygienist for more than four decades. She retired five years ago to take a more active role in several volunteer projects, including working with the youth at their local Adventist Church. Dedicated to humanitarian service, the Nelsons have assisted with mission clinics in 25 countries, including assignments in the Far East, Africa and Central and South America.
Kenneth Ramirez. A tribal leader for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Mr. Ramirez has held a number of elected and appointed leadership positions with the tribe. He served on the tribe’s Business Committee as secretary and on the San Manuel Education Committee as a board member. He fondly remembers as a child the Loma Linda doctors and nurses befriending and caring for him and his family. He is now returning that kindness, serving as the founding donor for the Behavioral Medicine Center’s MEND scholarship program, which helps children who suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes live full lives. He is an important advocate for the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.
Elmar Sakala, MD, MPH, MA, and Darilee Sakala. Dr. Sakala graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and earned an MPH degree from the School of Public Health. He is interim director, Loma Linda University Perinatal Institute, and interim chief, maternal fetal medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine. For more than a decade, Mrs. Sakala served as junior medical auxiliary sponsor for the School of Medicine’s Alumni Association, and for a number of years she assisted the Alumni Association in planning the Annual Postgraduate Convention. She also serves in a variety of volunteer capacities at the Calimesa Seventh-day Adventist Church.