Cascade Medical Foundation welcomes new staff, board officers

Cascade Medical Foundation welcomes some new faces going into 2023, with a new administrator and a new slate of officers. Nevonne McDaniels joined the Foundation as the new administrator in November. Her background is in journalism, having worked as an editor and reporter. In addition to providing operational support and assistance to the board, the job includes grant writing. McDaniels replaces Marlene Farrell, who had been with the Foundation for several years before accepting a new post this summer.

The Foundation’s volunteer board selected Shannon Keller as the 2023/24 chairperson. Keller is retired, after a 28-year career working as a pharmaceuticals and biotech sales representative and manager. She also has experience volunteering for nonprofits.

“Cascade Medical Foundation has been partnering with Cascade Medical for the sake of our community’s health for 30 years now, and this year is no different,” Keller said. “Our 2023 campaign is to raise funds for the new local Cardiac Rehab Center — no more drives to Wenatchee! With a long family history of cardiovascular disease, I’m so proud to be chairperson of CMF and its current campaign. I can only hope to lead the charge as effectively as my predecessors — Bob Jennings in particular.”

Keller replaces Jennings, who served as board chair in 2021 and 2022. He is continuing his service as a board member.

Strode Weaver is serving as vice chairperson for the next two years. A retired hospital administrator and Navy veteran, he most recently served as board treasurer and previously served as chair. He replaces Bob Adamson, who is rotating off the board this year.

Mark Judy has returned to the board after a one-year sabbatical and will pick up his previous post as treasurer. Judy served as Cascade Medical’s CEO from 2009 until 2012, when he retired to do mission work in Africa and has been active in the Foundation since his return. He and his wife, Terri, who also serves on the board, have been residents of Plain for more than 30 years.

Dana Wilson is continuing as board secretary. She joined the Foundation in 2019 and brings with her an interest in language and culture after a teaching career with the Department of Defense in Europe, particularly Germany and Italy.

The board’s two at-large officers for 2023 are Vangie Schasse, a retired nurse who has served on the board since 2018, and Shari Campbell, healthcare marketing and communications consultant who joined the board in 2021. In addition to Adamson, long-time board members Kathi Nash and Wade Nash rotated off the board this year. The other current board members are: Rich Adamson, Mogens Bach, Vito Fedor, Julie French, Carol Kasper, Bob Keller, Ann MacPherson, Kathy Montgomery and Ted Montgomery.

Work already has started on securing sponsors for the Marson & Marson 20th Annual Cascade Golf Classic, which is set for June 19 at Kahler Mountain Resort at Lake Wenatchee. Find out more about golf sponsorships at cascademedicalfoundation.org/fundraisers/golf. The Golf Classic is one of the Foundation’s largest fundraising events. Proceeds will be used to help fund a new cardiac rehabilitation center at Cascade Medical, the subject of the Foundation’s 2023 campaign. The goal is to raise $87,000, which will cover equipment and training that will improve local access to cardiac rehab services.

“The financial dynamics of sustaining a rural medical center are challenging,” said Cascade Medical CEO Diane Blake. “The Foundation’s work ensures that Cascade Medical’s talented care teams have the advanced equipment they need to best care for our community. I am grateful for the Foundation’s commitment and passion; through their work, they play a key role in taking care of the Upper Valley.”

About Cascade Medical Foundation: Cascade Medical Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to support vital community health needs, including equipment, programs and services for Cascade Medical, which serves the Upper Valley from Stevens Pass and Plain to Leavenworth and Cashmere. Through its 30-year history, the Foundation, with support of the community, has raised more than $1.8 million for Cascade Medical. Recent campaigns have helped purchase the Mobile Clinic, automatic external defibrillators placed throughout the community, 3D Mammography, Think Pink free mammograms, portable cardiac monitoring systems for the ambulances and Suicide Prevention Education in the schools.

For information, go to cascademedicalfoundation.org, call 509-548-2523 or send an email to foundation@cascademedical.org