Glenn Dabatos

President

Interstate Rehab, LLC

My vacation to Manila is never complete without visiting Mending Kids children who underwent or will undergo surgical procedures. We visited Philippine Heart Center's children's ward where we saw children who reminded me of my own nephew Jacob, who was a child supported by Mending Kids several years ago when no other hope was available to him. Our last trip touched my heart more than ever as my wife Mary Jane and I visited Mending Kids children waiting for their procedures. As always, my mind started racing on ways to help these poor and helpless kids. I am reminded of why we exist, where ever there are helpless children in the world, we are needed. My recent trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia also showed how children in poor countries are the most helpless citizens of this small world of ours.

Laurie Dugan

Vice President

Community Volunteer

It has been an incredible journey for my family to be part of Mending Kids International. We have opened our hearts and our home to host children who will forever be part of us. We have traveled the world and played a small role in helping to change the lives of children and their families. To be witness to the number of people who put their hearts and soles into something for the greater good of mankind is like being given front row seats to watching a miracle take place. Families enter the hospital with anxiety and fear holding their sick child only to reemerge days later with a child that has a bright future. The journey is priceless.

Dorothy Lucey

Secretary

Former Newscaster
Good Day LA
Fox 11 Los Angeles

At this moment I'm taking a boy from Ethiopia to see the US Doctor who removed 10 pounds of tumors from his hands. Yes, 10 pounds of tumors. Since the surgery I have seen this young man play basketball with those same once mangled hands. Before Mending Kids he lived in shame, hidden from others in his family's small tent. Today he goes to school. He can write and type and learn. His hands are near perfect and his smile is even more than perfect. This is Mending Kids and this is why I am here.

Jordan Wiggins

Treasurer

Senior Manager
Deloitte Inc.

My desire to help children in need brought me to Mending Kids. I have a cousin who adopted a boy out of Guatemala that had health complications and it made a tremendous impact on me to donate as much time to the cause of helping children. Having heard about Mending Kids before I joined the board and the focus they had on helping children in need is a cause I find important as an individual.

Rosey Bell

Realtor
Coldwell Banker Pasadena

Lorena Delgado

Missions Coordinator
Real Life Church

My involvement with Mending Kids in the past few years has completely changed my life. I have been blessed with the privilege of being part of three medical missions, and God willing, I will be going on many more. I love spending time with the kids and their families and being part of the life changing efforts of Mending Kids. I'm flattered that Mending Kids has invited me to participate on the board and I look forward to helping in what ever capacity I can.

David A. Ferry, MD

Cardiologist
Pediatric Cardiology Medical Associates

The pediatric cardiology trips to different countries that I have been on have been the most exhilarating and exciting experiences in my career. However, they do not happen by themselves. It takes coordination, planning, vision, and fundraising. These trips are only possible with groups like Mending Kids International. Being on the board of Mending Kids is an opportunity to give back what they have given me, and pass on the joy of these trips to other medical professionals.

Leslie Frost

Co-Chair MKI Malibu Guild

From the first moment I first had the privilege to meet a child helped by Mending Kids International, my life changed. The humbling experience of watching a child's life be positively transformed and seeing the impact on not only the child but their parents, family and community compelled me to get actively involved in Mending Kids. I am honored to be part of an organization that strives to improve children’s lives around the globe and look forward to participating in this amazing journey of healing and hope.

Will Gibson

Associate Producer
TheLip.tv

Mending Kids is about touching people's lives in a very special and vital way. Creating healthcare opportunities for children who would otherwise have never received any has a profound effect not just on those directly helped, but on their families, communities and the world at large. Here at home too, the ripples are felt by those who contribute their time and resources. I know, because mine was years ago when I was given the opportunity to attend and volunteer on a surgical mission to Guatemala. I got to see what making a real difference looks like and that's why I'm here.

Julia Hans

Founding MKI Board Member

My late husband, Vince Hans and I have had the pleasure to be a major part of this organization for the past 17 years. We started by hosting Anya, a Russian burn victim, for a whole year. We have been blessed to be able to host many children over the years. Also, the opportunity to be a board member has been rewarding. In 2009, I was invited to go on a medical mission to Ecuador and another to Guatemala in 2012. I can only say these experiences have truly changed my life. I am so grateful to be part of Mending Kids International.

Cynthia L. Hernandez

Attorney at Law
Office of Independent Review

My involvement with Mending Kids has been a family affair. My sister, a registered nurse, has been a member of many Mending Kids medical mission teams peforming life saving surgeries on children. My parents were a host family and cared for a young girl from Guatemala who had corrective heart surgery. I have also traveled abroad with Mending Kids medical mission teams as a translator. These experiences were humbling and life-changing for us all. Mending Kids is a special organization that is making miracles happen every day. As a board member, my goal is to help Mending Kids continue to save the lives of children all over the world.

Lilian Myers

City Manager
City of Maywood

Volunteering to help on a cardiac surgical mission to Ecuador in 2010, marked the beginning of an amazing personal journey for me with Mending Kids International. There is no greater feeling than having the opportunity to provide a glimmer of hope and compassion to a family when all other doors have closed for a child in a developing country. The look on a parent’s face when their child has recovered from surgery is simply priceless. The work performed by the doctors who volunteer their time alongside the Mending Kids team is life changing and the focus is building sustainable surgical programs in other countries. It is truly an honor and privilege, yet humbling, to serve Mending Kids International. It is food for the soul.

Karissa Nguyen

Graduate Services Advisor
Keck School of Medicine of USC

I was drawn to Mending Kids by their mission statement and began volunteering on medical missions in 2010. On mission trips to Ecuador, Ethiopia, China, and Guatemala, I witnessed the tangible effects of MKI's work on the lives of countless families. Those families, their stories, and the experiences inspire me to serve. Borrowing from the philosophy of Albert Schweitzer, I want to make my life my argument, and my involvement with Mending Kids will allow me to do so.

Lila Rodriguez, RN

Community Volunteer

It is a moving journey to participate in the life changing experience that Mending Kids provides to children and families around the world, I was deeply touched by the miracle of Joselyn, a little girl from El Salvador whose life was saved by the generosity of Mending Kids and now lives a healthy happy life. It is a privilege to be invited to participate on the board, and to work with such a wonderful group of individuals that so selfless give their time and love to make a difference.

Michael Scott

Vice President, Sr. Private Client Advisor
City National Bank

I was introduced to Mending Kids through the Ironfly event and knew immediately that I wanted to part of their cause. I was very impressed by their compassion and dedication to helping children in need. What affected me most, was how their medical procedures transform orphaned children whose medical conditions inhibit them from being adopted, into children ready for a new home. As an adopted child myself, I understand what a gift that truly is.

Cathy E. Shin, MD, FACS, FAAP

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Usc Keck School of Medicine
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Attending Pediatric Surgeon

I am here to make a difference. And, making a difference means so many things to so many people. The Mending Kids group is amazing and the mission trip to Haiti confirmed this. There are many organizations, but few make a difference. As a pediatric surgeon, I am here to make a difference and with Mending Kids, I know that I will!

Mike Takac

Senior Vice-President, Domestic Sales
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

I first became interested in Mending Kids when I met the wonderful people who dedicate their time to helping save children's lives. I am truly inspired by the importance of the cause, and how directly and efficiently resources are deployed to help children. At the same time, I feel blessed by my two healthy daughters, and the good fortune to have accessibility to quality health care. I am humbled by the opportunity to provide my time to help make a difference.

Robin Tarufelli

Strategic Relationships
Deloitte Inc.

After my first golf outing I was hooked. I absolutely love the people in the Mending Kids organization and their drive to heal the children that need it the most. It's so inspiring for me to know that every dollar truly makes a difference in a child's life. Hearing the stories and seeing the smiles of the children that have benefitted from Mending Kids warms my heart and empowers me to do more.

Emily Zalenski

Vice President, Publicity
Warner Bros Home Entertainment

When I was introduced to Mending Kids, I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of their passion to mend children. They are such passionate people saving the lives of children all over the world while growing and expanding healthcare programs in third world countries. I grew up in a large family with two special needs siblings and there is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for my two healthy and happy children. Mending Kids helps to makes children healthy and happy.

Zari Hedayat, Ph.D, MFT

Mrs. Hedayat holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice since 1986. She is a member of the adjunct faculty of Antioch University in Los Angeles and is a MFT trainee supervisor at Valley Community Clinic, with a specialty in perinatal psychology, infant mental health, and trauma. She has published articles and book chapters on the subject of religious diversity and psychology.

Aurora Arlene R. Kamen, MD

Neonatal Perinatal Medicine

Valley Neonatal Associates, Inc.

Nancy Kim, MD

Pediatric Cardiologist

Pediatric Cardiology Medical Associates

Daniela Schweitzer, MD

Geneticist

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles