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PDASD Board of Directors & Staff Bios "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision; the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." Andrew Carnegie
My name is Catherine Rodriquez. I am a retired school principal who has Parkinson’s disease. I became involved with the Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego after working on the Proposition 71 Stem Cell Initiative and seeing PDASD as the best providers of services, education and advocacy for Parkinson’s patients and their families in the San Diego area. I hope to use the teaching, organizational, and communicative skills I developed as an educator to assist in the programs and services provided. I would also like to use my abilities to speak Spanish and contacts in the Latino communities to increase our outreach. I see PDASD as a growing organization, each year our services reach an increasing number of Parkinson’s families. As our fund raising capabilities grow so does our ability to increase services and to provide funding for research and that the research will some day soon find a cure to Parkinson’s. I volunteer my time because I want to combat this disease in any way possible. My vision for the organization is to assist and give hope to those who have Parkinson’s and their families. It helps us, and everyone, to know that we are not in this alone, that we can stand up to this disease in many ways.
Terry is the General Manager of the Ability Center, an organization which modifies vans and provides a wide variety of adaptive devices for families dealing with various chronic illnesses, including Parkinson’s. They have locations in California, Nevada and Arizona. Terry has been working at the Center for fourteen years and has extensive experience in all aspects of business management.
Following his mother's diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2002, Brian and his family have learned some valuable lessons dealing with the effects of her illness. His role as a long-distance caregiver is especially challenging because his mother lives in Spokane, WA. Brian feels that the most valuable qualities needed for any family to cope successfully with Parkinson's disease are consistent communication, sharing, and education. "The experience of my mother's diagnosis strengthened our family because we learned how to communicate our feelings more openly, especially with regard to the difficult issues," says Brian. With a legal background in tax estate planning and charitable gifting, Brian has been and continues to be tremendous asset on the PDASD Board of Directors. In 2004, Brian established The Cain Law Group to where he assists individuals and small companies throughout San Diego.
Charlie entered the United Sates Naval Academy in 1966 graduating with the Class of 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also has a M.S. in Business from Indiana State University. He served in the United States Navy from 1970 until his retirement in 1995. He worked as a consultant for several government agencies from 1996 to 2004 and has been the Director of the San Diego & Imperial Counties CFC since 2005. He brings military, management and fundraising experience to the PDASD Board. Charlie was interested in joining the PDASD Board because his father lived with Parkinson’s for more than 20 years. He says, "Joining the Board would be a way for me to honor him and everyone else with the disease." Charlie resides in San Diego with his wife Sandy.
Early in my career as a clinical neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease, I observed that PD patients, their families, and caregivers benefited from a greater understanding of the condition. PDASD and the Parkinson's Support Groups have been especially helpful in providing valuable information to thousands affected by Parkinson's throughout San Diego County, and I routinely refer both newly diagnosed PD patients as well as those with a long history of the disease to the Association. Significant advances have been made in the understanding and treatment of Parkinson's. When I completed my training more than 30 years ago, there were only a handful of PD specialists in the U.S. By contrast, Parkinson's has become one of the major sub-specialties of neurology today, with many more neurologists now specializing in PD. As a member of the PDASD Board of Directors and President of the San Diego Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), I have been particularly interested in reaching out to my former medical colleagues to make them more aware of PDASD services and programs, and provide them with updates regarding current research and treatment in the field of Parkinson's. It is a pleasure serving with my fellow Board members. Although coming from diverse backgrounds, we share the common mission to improve quality of life for all those affected by Parkinson's. Dr. Kobayashi received his medical degree from the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine. His training included internal medicine at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical Center, and research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kobayashi received the S. Weir Mitchell Award from the American Academy of Neurology in 1974 and the Clinical Investigator Award (for research career development) from the VA, and is Associate Clinical Professor of Neurosciences (Emeritus) at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine. He has published numerous scientific and clinical articles on neuron-pharmacology and movement disorders.
At the June 2008 PDA Board of Directors meeting, John McGinley was voted in a new board member; and he will serve a 2-year term. We want to thank John and all Board of Director's members who generously give of their time, talents and resources to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson's. John shared some of his thoughts: How did you hear about PDASD? My wife, Shaughn McGinley, has been involved with the agency for several years. Shaughn has Parkinson's and remains very active as a support group leader for " Dynamic Women with PD" , plays senior women's soccer, and appears in your Faces video shown at the Good Start for the Newly Diagnosed workshops. I want to provide support to her and others. We have also attended several of Marion Brodie patient/caregiver educational symposia. We would you like to share your personal and professional background? My wife Shaughn and I have three children and they have given us five grandchildren. I consider myself "retired" which allows me to volunteer with PDASD, and I spent several years as a volunteer with a Los Angeles-based program called RADD. The program stands for Recording Artists against Drunk Driving (RADD). I received a BS degree in Education from Notre Dame University, and after college, served as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. I returned to Indiana and was a high school teacher and coach in Indianapolis for one year. My primary career was working with the FBI for 27 years, and I retired as a Special Agent in Charge. I was then recruited by Penske Corporation to become their Vice President of Security for several years; and I completed working with Penske in 2007. What do you believe you can do to contribute to the mission and vision of PDASD, as a Board member? I think I could be of use to the Board from my experience in managing people and projects. I am objective in dealing with people and my responsibilities.
For more than 30 years, I have been deeply motivated to help those suffering with Parkinson's disease, which affected my first husband for 25 years. I am dedicated to volunteering at PDASD in ways that my knowledge and experience make me most helpful. I want my Tulip Tribute to my husband to fund medical research exploring the cause and cure of Parkinson's disease. This ailment cut short the life of this caring and successful physician, husband and father. Since his deepest desire was to learn how the progression of this disorder could be slowed or stopped, I want to do what I can to support his goal. I would like to see that all persons with Parkinson’s in greater San Diego know about the information, support and services available to them through PDASD. As a Board member, my primary concern is to see that PDASD continues to provide high quality information and programs to those it serves. It is gratifying to see the satisfaction experienced by those comparing problems at support group meetings, the enlightenment of those attending symposia, and the relief afforded Respite Care recipients.
Holding a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Economics, Bernard comes to the PDASD Board of Directors with an interesting background. Growing up in South Africa where he earned his degree from the University of Cape Town, Bernard arrived in America in 1992 and currently resides in San Diego with his wife and two children. He treasures spending time with his family, especially playing chess (my favorite game), an activity enjoyed by all. Bernard became interested in the Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego through a close friend who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Bernard has been in the Financial Services industry since 1996, and with his strong background as an investment advisor and financial planner, Bernard has proven to be a valuable asset to as a PDASD Board Member. "I especially enjoy working with families that need guidance in financial planning now, and into the future," says Bernard. As Committee Chair, Bernard was instrumental in developing our "Financial & Legal Wellbeing Workshop," a series of four workshops specifically designed to provide individuals and families with legal and financial strategies that help them achieve and maintain the highest standard of living given the challenges of Parkinson’s.
In 1991, my late husband was diagnosed with PD. My first phone call after hearing the word Parkinson’s was to look in the phone book. I was so happy to see a name and phone number, and how very lucky for me that Mary Mowry, the Association founder, answered the phone. After a long, intense, helpful conversation, I felt so much better, and a couple of days later received a large packet of information in the mail! For the next 11 years my husband, Dr. William K. Tisdale and I were so very well served by this association. We received so many benefits…ongoing information, newsletters, symposiums, transportation and respite programs, support groups, and received ongoing support and encouragement as the disease became increasingly significant in our lives. I know from much first hand experience how wonderful and professional and helpful our staff can be to a worried caregiver and a patient seeking the best and most up-to-date information and resources. I was immensely honored to be invited to serve on the Board of Directors. This is my chance to pay back to the PDASD and community-at-large for the many benefits provided to both Bill and myself. As a retired elementary school principal (San Diego City Schools) I have had lots of opportunities to work with numerous agencies…. and I am very proud to be affiliated now in a different role with this fine organization. The Board of Directors is a dedicated group committed to providing services & programs for Parkinsonians and their families as well as helping fund research. The staff is a hard-working, sincere group of compassionate people who care deeply about helping patients and their families, and we have a wonderful cadre of dedicated, hardworking volunteers.
Dan Wilinsky, senior director of marketing at Qualcomm, recently joined the board of directors of the Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego. Parkinson’s has personally affected Mr. Wilinsky as his mother has been challenged by the disease for a number of years. Mr. Wilinsky, former vice president of the Parkinson’s Foundation of the Heartland in Kansas City, brings added depth to the Association because of his personal experience with Parkinson’s and his expertise in branding and marketing communications. In addition, Mr. Wilinsky served as senior partner for the Kansas City, Missouri, office of Fleishman-Hillard, recognized as one of the world’s leading communications agencies. Previously, he was national media relations director for Sprint Corporation. Dan and his wife, Betsy, reside in Del Mar, CA. They have two children, Lara, an associate producer for WNYC-TV in New York City, and Ben, a sophomore at the University of Kansas. PDASD Staff
Ron Hendrix joined the staff of Parkinson’s Disease Association of San Diego in January, 2001 and presently serves as its Executive Director. He also acts as the Coordinator of the San Diego Chapter of the APDA Information & Referral Center. For the previous 11-1/2 years, Dr. Hendrix held the position of Executive Director at the Alzheimer’s Association in San Diego. During his career, he has accumulated thirty-seven years of diversified management experience while directing several non-profit organizations that served seniors, developmentally disabled, learning disabled and/or traumatically head injured young adults. Prior to coming to California, he held a full-time position as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at a University in Connecticut. Dr. Hendrix earned a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in Educational Psychology, and a M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Pennsylvania State University. He is a LEAD graduate, is actively involved in the community, and presently serves on a number of boards and local committees. Dr. Hendrix is married to the lovely Mary Hendrix who serves as a Chaplain for a local hospice, and has three grown children. |
