Mary Byrne

President

Mary Byrne has been in the car business for over 30 years. The former owner of Nissan of Fife, Mary was the first female president of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association in over 100 years. Born and raised in Tacoma, Mary has always valued giving back to her community and her involvement with CARE is a big part of that. Mary and her husband recently celebrated 36 years of marriage and raised their two sons in the South Sound community. Mary first learned about CARE while on a medical mission trip to Honduras with Dr. Senecal. She joined the Board in 2013 and now serves as president.

“CARE gives HOPE! I have seen first-hand the impact it has on patients and staff. Also, it is local, we are living our mission in giving the best care possible to the South Sound. This is our community and time is precious to these patients, keeping them local is so important. I have gotten to know some of the patients over my 10 years and they are always so grateful and access to these trials has given them years to spend with family they would have never had. This is why I am involved. The doctors, staff, and administrative team are amazing.” –Mary Byrne

Al Linggi

Vice President

Al is  an Independent Healthcare Consultant specializing in Pharmacy, Specialty Pharmacy, IT Automation, Process and Regulatory Affairs. He was appointed by two separate Governors to serve on the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (formerly the Board of Pharmacy) during which time he served as Chair for three years. Mr. Linggi was appointed and served as Chair for Districts 6, 7, and 8 for the NABP.

During his time at McKesson Corporation, Al served in many positions: Corporate VP Business Development, President and General Manager of McKesson Medication Management, a pharmacy outsourcing business located in Minneapolis, MN as well as General Manager of MedPath, McKesson’s original Specialty Pharmacy Operation located in Carollton, TX. AS Corporate VP of Product Development Al Contributed to the design and building of two Automated Dispensing devices as well as a number of analytical engines that are designed to manage process and the supply chain.

Al has served on numerous Advisory Boards including: Amerisource Bergen, McKesson, Eli Lilly, Johnson and Johnson, Amgen, Genentech, Creighton University School of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee School of Pharmacy and the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, HighFive Healthcare and Frost.

Gwen Gilchrist

Secretary

Gwen Gilchrist graduated from Washington State University. A retired schoolteacher, Gwen taught history at Curtis Junior High in University Place for 32 years. Married for over 35 years to Gary Gilchrist, Gwen has two adult children and two grandchildren. Gwen is an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and serves as a mentor for Communities in Schools at Oakland Alternative School. Her passion for history aligns with her joy of reading and travel. Spending time with her family is always a priority.

Gwen has experienced losing a loved one to cancer and she values what South Sound CARE Foundation offers to patients and their families. Cancer clinical trials can add months, years, or even an indefinite amount of time to someone’s life.

Wayne Mannie

Treasurer

Wayne Mannie is a retired Senior Officer of Columbia Bank. His banking career spans over 45 years. He has been very involved in the community during that time holding many officer positions on those boards. Wayne recently came out of retirement to be President of Pacific Medical Specialty Group, a company that provides Doctors and Nurse PA to skilled nursing facilities in the Puget Sound Area. Like so many people, his family has also been touched by cancer. This has been a driving force for him to help bring cancer research and patient opportunities to the South Sound.

Carolyn Ho

Past President

Carolyn Ho served for 30 years as a special education teacher, High School administrator and Director of Special Education and Nursing Services. After retiring from public education, Carolyn spent another 12 years as an educational consultant for several school districts. Carolyn’s connection to CARE is personal. Many of Carolyn’s family members have battled cancer including her parents, brother, identical twin sister, and late husband, Ray Ho. Ray was first diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma in 1999 and received a grim diagnosis. Soon after Ray’s diagnosis, their family connected with Dr. Frank Senecal and Ray survived another 14 years because of Dr. Senecal’s compassionate and professional care. Carolyn was eager to give back and joined CARE’s Board in 2014.

“I am continually inspired by the work that the South Sound CARE Foundation has accomplished. The funds we have raised through our annual Beer & Bites event, sponsorships and grants, provide support to our patients to access cutting-edge clinical trials close to home; often prolonging their lives and even curing their cancer.” –Carolyn Ho

Frank Senecal, MD, FACP, MBA 

Founder

Dr. Senecal is a medical oncologist with a clinical focus on breast cancer. He has board certifications in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. He received high honors from Indiana University undergraduate and medical school and completed his internship and residency at the University of Washington. He is currently the Director of Oncology for the Franciscan Healthcare System. Former appointments include: Chief of Staff at St. Joseph’s and St. Francis hospitals, Medical Director of Hospice of Tacoma and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at St. Francis Hospital. Dr. Senecal is active in cancer treatment research and has published scientific articles in that field.

His compassionate nature and vision to expand clinical trials in the south sound is the reason the South Sound CARE Foundation exists today.

Chad Ahrens

Chad is a shareholder at Smith Alling law firm, focusing on business, real estate and construction law. Prior to joining Smith Alling Chad was the managing member of Maher Ahrens Foster Shillito. He also served as executive in-house counsel to a development and construction firm. Chad earned his law degree at Seattle University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington. 

Craig Carter

Craig is a Regional Business Director at Sanofi Genzyme. He has a vast experience in business and pharmaceutical sales and management, including 25 years in the pharma industry. He also has extensive experience focused on oncology therapeutics and has been involved in many different patient advocacy organizations. Craig has been active in the Tacoma/Pierce County community for 40 years as a volunteer leader and board member for Boy Scouts of America, Young Life, Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma school district PTAs and booster clubs, Metro Parks coach, and University Place Presbyterian Church.

Craig enjoys spending time with his family and boating in the beautiful Puget Sound. 

Stan Flemming

Dr. Flemming serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Post Acute healthcare, overseeing the medical operations, clinical staff, and quality programs. A retired Brigadier General, he has extensive academic credentials that include: a Master’s Degree in Human Relations and Social Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, a Master’s Degree from the United States Naval War College in National Defense and Strategic Planning, a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences, and a Fellowship from the University of Southern California School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Additionally, he graduated from the United States Air War College, the United States Army War College Defense Strategy Program, and Harvard University’s Physician Executive Program.

Doctor Flemming was the first HIV/AIDS physician in Pierce County, and in 1995, he was one of two finalists for Surgeon General of the United States. An active politician, he has served numerous political appointments, including: Washington State House of Representatives, City of University Place founding Mayor, Chairman of the Board for Evergreen State College, President of Pacific Northwest University of Health Science, and Chairman of the Board for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. He is currently the Pierce County Executive Pro-Tem and a member of the Pierce County Council representing the 7th District. Doctor Flemming is also the President and CEO of HealthCare-4-Life, PC, a health subscribership organization that improves access to primary care providers in the healthcare community and aims to change the way healthcare is delivered.

In his free time, he enjoys restoring antique and classic automobiles, playing guitar, working in his gardens, hiking, and skiing. He is married to Martha Flemming, a retired elementary school principal and a cancer survivor. They have three children. Doctor Flemming joined the South Sound CARE board because he believes that everyone facing cancer in the South Sound region deserves to have access to the latest technology and the best oncological physicians in the region. The SSCF family creates that opportunity with excellence.

Brian Ho

Brian Ho is an Architect and Managing Principal at TCF Architecture, specializing in the design of K-12 schools. Born and raised in the South Sound, Brian currently lives in Gig Harbor with his wife and 3 kids. Brian’s connection to CARE is personal—both of his parents were patients of Dr. Senecal’s (including his mom and fellow Board member, Carolyn Ho).

“Cancer impacts everyone, and has impacted many in my extended family. CARE’s work is helping bring hope and health to people in these challenging situations.” –Brian Ho

Joy Martin

As the Director of Oncology Services for the Franciscan Healthcare System, Joy Martin is a registered nurse and has a master’s degree in nursing. She has been with Franciscan for over 28 years and chairs the Franciscan Regional Clinical Standards Committee.

Joy co-created the Breast Navigator Program that assists ethnic minorities to overcome cultural, language and other obstacles to receiving breast cancer screening and diagnoses. Because of her leadership and dedication, Franciscan earned accreditation as a Cancer Network Program by the American College of Surgeons in 2006. In 2009, Joy received the March of Dimes Western Washington Distinguished Nurse of the Year Award.

Gordon Rush

Emeritus Member

Since 1987, Gordon’s experience has spanned all aspects of construction, including land acquisition and development of commercial projects in the Puget Sound Region. He contributes an extensive range of knowledge about site and project feasibility, site development, and value engineering and always employs a hands-on approach to management. Gordon and his family are actively involved in the Gig Harbor and Puget Sound community. In 2013, Gordon and the Rush Companies developed and began underwriting Beer & Bites to benefit the South Sound CARE Foundation. The event has gone on to provide more than $4.2 million worth of funding for the South Sound CARE Foundation.

Tony Panagiotu

Emeritus Member

Tony Panagiotu is an Attorney and CPA. For over 35 years, Tony specialized in ERISA Law and Retirement Plan Administration as President and Founder of Panagiotu Pension Advisors. In 2018, Tony sold his practice and shifted his focus from the business world to philanthropy. He currently sits on several for-profit and non-profit Boards; including CARE. As one of our Emeritus Board Members, Tony’s connection to CARE goes way back—Tony partnered with his friends Gordon Rush and Dr. Frank Senecal in the production of the very first Beer & Bites fundraiser to help expand CARE’s reach. With the help of this annual fundraiser CARE now saves and prolongs many more lives. 

“I cannot think of another organization that has a more direct bearing on giving hope to local patients that urgently need the best care to combat cancer.  South Sound CARE provides not only hope, but results.” –Tony Panagiotu