Our Board
Natividad Medical Foundation's (NMF) Board of Directors is made up of philanthropists, business and community leaders dedicated to doing something about providing access to essential healthcare to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Through strong fiscal management, strategic direction and networking, the NMF Board works tirelessly to improve the health status of our patients, their families and our community.
The Foundation embraces diversity and broad community representation as important values. The NMF Board also reflects a cross-section of Monterey County's people, communities and expertise, and above all, is passionate about NMF's mission and vision.
Senior Vice President Business Banking, Comerica Bank Cathy is past president of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Hartnell College Foundation. A long-time resident of Santa Cruz County, Cathy is an avid cyclist and runner who has participated in marathons including the Boston Marathon and the American River 50 Mile Ultra Marathon. She also enjoys biking with her grandson. Professor of History, California State University, Monterey Bay David L. Anderson is a Professor of History at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). Prior to his return to teaching, Dr. Anderson served as the Dean of the College of University Studies and Programs at CSUMB and as both the Dean of Arts and Sciences and a Professor of History at the University of Indianapolis. Dr. Anderson earned his Doctorate in History from the University of Virginia. Outside the classroom, Dr. Anderson extends his teaching of history and foreign affairs as an author, co-author and editor of more than twenty-five books, including his most recent, "The Columbia History of the Vietnam War." In addition to his accomplished role as an author, Dr. Anderson is very active in community organizations including Leadership Monterey Peninsula, and he is a senior lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School. Vice President of Finance, Laser Devices Sylvana Stratton is the Former Vice President, Chief Planning and Organizational Development Officer at Hayward Corporation, having retired in June 2008. Prior to her role as Vice President, Sylvana served as the Chief Financial Officer for Hayward Corporation for fifteen years. As a community volunteer, Ms. Stratton has served as Board President for Leadership Monterey Peninsula, Vice President for the Economic Development Council of Monterey County, and was a board member of the Visiting Nurse Association for seven years. Regional Director, California Emergency Physicians Jeffrey Bass, M.D., is double Boarded in Emergency and Internal Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of California, Los Angeles, and his Emergency Medicine training at the University of Mississippi, where he was chief resident. Prior to assuming his duties as Regional Director of California Emergency Physicians, he was the Medical Director for the Emergency Department at Natividad Medical Center. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Bass served as a physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and before moving to Salinas, he worked tirelessly as an Emergency Physician during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Dr. Bass enjoys playing team sports, spending time with his young family, coaching his son's little league baseball team, and traveling. Consultant & Producer, e2k Sports Maria Giannini is the former Vice President and current consultant and producer for e2k Sports, a special events company based in Mountain View, California. Ms. Giannini has produced over 100 events for the National Football League, including the San Francisco 49ers, the San Diego Chargers, the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. She has produced and directed events featuring celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, Mary J. Blige, the Backstreet Boys, LL Cool J and many more. Many of her events have been nationally televised and seen by millions across the nation. She has served as the Executive Director for the San Diego Charger Girls for the past seven years, with responsibilities including audition management, public relations training, and overall professional consulting for the NFL dance team. Ms. Giannini was featured in a three-part television special on the NFL Network chronicling the Charger Girls. Ms. Giannini is a graduate of Chico State University. In her free time, Ms. Giannini enjoys volunteering in the community through the Junior League of Monterey County, having helped to produce one of the nonprofit's largest and most successful fundraisers. She currently resides in Salinas with her husband and two daughters. Physician, Obstetrics & Gynecology Immediately prior to joining the medical staff at Natividad Medical Center as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OB-GYN) in December 2007, Caleb Liem, M.D. was with Health Steps Clinic in Vancouver, Washington. He earned his medical degree in 1970 from Loma Linda University, California, and completed a rotating internship at Glendale Adventist Hospital. After an OB-GYN residency at Glendale Adventist Hospital, he was in family practice in Crestwood, Kentucky. He completed a second OB-GYN residency at Loma Linda University in 1977. Married with one son, he is a pianist at Monterey Peninsula Adventist Church, Pacific Grove. Family Medicine Physician, Natividad Medical Group With an Ivy League education that includes the Pre-Medical Program at Bryn Mawr College and a Brown University School of Medicine Medical Degree, Dr. Minerva Perez-Lopez returned to her Salinas roots as a family physician at Natividad Medical Group. Dr. Perez-Lopez completed the Natividad Family Medicine Residency Program in 2006, followed by an Obstetrical Fellowship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. She graduated from Alisal High School, and her education is distinguished with honors, scholarships and academic recognitions. Dr. Perez-Lopez says her educational background offered outstanding opportunities, but her goal was always to return to the community she knows and loves. Chief Executive Officer, Natividad Medical Center, Ex-Officio Harry Weis is the Chief Executive Officer for the Natividad Medical Center after serving as the Interim Chief Financial Officer since 2006. Largely credited with the $35 million financial turnaround at the Hospital, Mr. Weis has an extensive healthcare career with more than 30 years of experience in for-profit, non-profit, individual and multi-hospital settings. Mr. Weis earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of LaVerne and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southwestern Adventist University. President and CEO, D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA John D’Arrigo is the President and CEO of D’Arrigo Brothers Company of California, a vertically integrated grower, packer and shipper of fresh fruits and vegetables in California and Arizona. John began his farming career cutting and packing lettuce, loading celery and planting fields during the 1970’s turbulent labor strike in the Salinas Valley. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of California at Davis. John is an avid supporter of the agriculture industry and actively participates in various agricultural organizations. He is a former chairman of both the Grower Shipper Association and Western Growers. John is the founder of The Agricultural Leadership Council, which purchases necessary medical equipment and services for the hospital. He is also a member of the Kinship Center board and supports numerous other non-profit organizations. John is married to Sandy and they have three sons: Christopher (19), Michael (17) and Matthew (14). Obstetrics and Gynecology Service Director, Natividad Medical Center Dr. Peter Chandler is the Obstetrics & Gynecology Service Director at Natividad Medical Center. Prior to joining Natividad's Medical Staff, Dr. Chandler practiced in Vancouver, Washington, where he was active in outpatient gynecology resident education. Dr. Chandler grew up in Stockton, California, and earned his Master's of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1989. He attended Northwestern Medical School and completed his Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) Residency at Ohio State University. Following his residency, Dr. Chandler joined the United States Air Force where he served on the teaching staff of the Family Practice Residency Program at Andrews Air Force Base from 1997 to 2001. During this time, he was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Uniformed Services Health Sciences University and was part of the Bethesda-Walter Reed OB/GYN residency teaching staff. Natividad Medical Center Board of Trustees, Ex Officio Judith (Judy) Sulsona is a Capacity Building and Community Planning Consultant. She has an extensive background in regional collaborative planning efforts with many Central Coast community groups. She served as the co-facilitator of the planning process for the East Salinas Building Health Communities, a California Endowment funded initiative. Over a twelve year period, she held leadership positions at the Community Foundation for Monterey County, including Executive Vice President. Her expertise includes developing capacity building programs for providers serving culturally diverse populations and guiding strategic planning efforts to meet the needs of rural communities, grassroots organizations, migrant workers and indigenous groups. Judy received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico and completed post graduate studies in International Relations from the University of Mexico.Cathy Schlumbrecht, Chair
Joining Comerica Bank in 1984, Cathy Schlumbrecht is senior vice president in business banking for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. Having served on numerous boards, she is a current board member with the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Cruz Business Council and the Attorneys Bankers CPAs Association for Santa Cruz County. She also serves on the Community Foundation for Monterey County Leadership Advisory Board and chairs IMPOWER a Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce program that she co-founded.
David L. Anderson, Ph.D., Vice Chair
Sylvana Stratton, Treasurer
Jeffrey Bass, M.D., Secretary
Maria Giannini
Caleb Liem, M.D.
Minerva Perez-Lopez, M.D.
Harry Weis
John D'Arrigo
Peter Chandler, M.D.
Judith Sulsona
English