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CEO and Board of Directors

The Hope's CEO
Mark Nudelman


Mark Nudelman A Bellevue native, Mark graduated with a business degree from WSU's Hotel & Restaurant administration program. After graduation he took a job in Maui with Renaissance Hotels (formally Stouffer Hotels.) Mark later returned to Seattle, to work at the Mayflower Park hotel for several years before transferring to the Warwick Hotel. In 1996, Mark transferred to Jamaica and took on the task of closing up a large resort as General Manager. While there, several high-pressure situations honed his management skills - a hurricane, a labor walk-out, and a massive power outage over the Christmas holiday. Mark built trust among his employees and the community as he resolved the labor dispute and aided in the renovation of the town square. Mark successfully closed the resort with full employee compensation packages.    Read More



Board of Directors

The Hope Heart Institute is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which guides the overall strategic direction and approves The Hope's major financial commitments.

Tina Aigner
Tina joined the board in 2007. She is the President of Egis Real Estate in Seattle. Tina currently sits on the Board Development Committee.
Thomas Amidon, MD
Dr. Amidon is Medical Director of The Hope. He is a cardiologist in private practice in Bellevue. Dr. Amidon is one of The Hope's Clinical Research Physicians.
Kristin Black
Kristin joined the Board in 2005. She is a Professional Service Manager for the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca with a primary focus on cardiovascular disease. Kristin co-chairs the Fundraising Committee and sits on the Communications Committee.
John Brock, Chair
Jon is an assistant professor at the University of Washington in the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.
 

Patricia Buchsel, RN
Patricia is on Seattle University’s School of Nursing’s adjunct faculty. She currently co-chairs the Education Committee.

Tracey Conway
Tracey is a highly awarded actress and heart disease survivor. She is owner of Tracey Conway Speaking, where she shares the story of her bout with heart disease. Tracey is a member of the Communications Committee.

Daniel K. Church, Ph.D.
Daniel joined The Hope in 2008. He brings nearly 40 years of higher education, health care, communications and executive management. Currently, Daniel is the President of Bastyr University.

Gordon Cohen, M.D., Ph.D.
Gordon is the Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Co-Director of Children’s Heart Center. His clinical interests include complex neonatal repairs, pediatric heart and lung transplant, mechanical cardiac assistance and heart failure. He joined The Hope’s board in 2008.
  Kirsten Duke
Kirsten Duke is a CPA with Ernst & Young in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services practice.  Kirsten officially joined the board in 2007. She has been a member of the Sauvage Healing Heart Guild since 2002.  She served as president of the guild for 2006-2007. Kirsten currently serves as the Board Treasurer.
Connie Hill-Swartz
Connie joined the Board in 2005. She is an Account Executive at Sales Makers. Connie is active on our fundraising and events committees. Connie is the Board Secretary. She is also a member of the Board Development and Fundraising Committees.
Stephen Hollomon
Steve is the Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, Hollomon Daniel & Chavez. He also chairs the Hope Heart Classic Golf Tournament. Steve sits on the Board Personnel Committee as well.

James Leggett, MD
Dr. Leggett is the associate Medical Director of The Hope. He is a cardiologist in private practice in Bellevue, and part of The Hope's clinical research program.

Carrie Middlemiss
Carrie has worked for WaMu for more than 17 years. Her current role is Vice President, Northwest Division Marketing Manager for the Washington and Oregon markets. She joined the board in 2008.  

Phil Nudelman, COO
Dr. Nudelman served as CEO of The Hope for 7 years. Prior to that he had a career with Group Health Cooperative, the nation's largest consumer-governed healthcare delivery system, which spanned 30 years. Phil co-chairs the Board Fundraising Committee.

  Craig W. Phillips
Craig joined The Hope in 2008. He is the President and COO of biopharmaceutical company Cell Therapeutics Inc. Prior to that he was vice president and general manager of Bayer Healthcare Oncology.
  Brian Pierson
Brian is an Associate Director with Convergent Wealth Advisors. He has a rich background in building community service initiatives and mobilizing volunteers. Brian is dedicated to fostering community philanthropy and volunteerism. He joined The Hope’s board in 2008.
Scott Rabinowitz
Scott joined the Board in 2007. He serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of DHR Executive Search’s Seattle office which he recently opened. Scott is the Chair Elect and currently chairs the Board Personnel Committee as well as sits on the Board Development Committee.
Buddy Ratner, Ph.D.
Buddy is head of the bio-engineering department at the University of Washington. He is an active partner in the joint Youth Take Heart education program..
Juana Royster
Juana Royster is the community health education specialist with the Washington State University Extension, managing the Diabetes program. She served on the Women Take Heart committee for the past 3-years. Juana joined the Board in 2005. Juana is currently co-chairing the Board Education Committee.
Lester R. Sauvage, MD
Dr. Sauvage is founder of The Hope Heart Institute and an ex-officio member of the Board.
Daniel Church

Wende Sauvage
Wende joined The Hope in 2007. She is a broker at Flinn Ferguson Corporate Real Estate. She also chairs the Board Development Committee while serving on the Fundraising Committee.

Tom Wight, PhD
Tom is head of Vascular Biology in The Hope Heart Program at the Benaroya Research Institute. A world- renowned scientist he has been part of The Hope since 2000.
Carrie Middlemiss

Greg Witter
Greg is Principal of The Witter Group, a Seattle marketing and consulting firm. He is chair of the Marketing, PR and Fundraising committee of The Hope. He is chair of the Communications Committee.

Carrie Middlemiss Kristine Wright, MPH
Kristine joined the Board in 2005. She is a former executive in the clinical trials industry, having run multiple cardiovascular drug and device studies.  Kristine is a member of the Sauvage Healing Heart Guild and served as Procurement Co-Chair for the 2007 and 2008 Guild Galas.
Gordon Cohen

Brad Vancour
Brad is an Associate Broker at Suncadia Resort, Washington’s first year round resort. Brad joined the Hope in 2006 and was instrumental in starting the Women’s Only Annual Golf Event at Suncadia. Brad is a member of the Finance Committee.

   

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Scientific Advisory Board

The research programs of The Hope Heart Institute are governed by a volunteer Scientific Advisory Board, which guides the overall research of The Hope.

David Cheresh, PhD
Research Institution of Scripps Clinic

Alexander W. Clowes, MD
University of Washington

Harold Dvorak, MD
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

William Frazier, PhD
Washington University

Vincent Hascall, PhD
Cleveland Clinic

Robert Meacham, PhD
Washington University

Gerald T. Nepom, MD
Virginia Mason Research Center
Benaroya Research Institute

Daniel Rifkin, PhD
New York University Medical Center

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Medical Advisory Board

The members of our distinguished Medical Advisory Board bring a vast amount of cardiac, nutrition, pharmaceutical, and general health knowledge, as well as years of field experience, to their volunteer role. The Board is actively involved in the content review of Hope Health products, thoroughly reviewing each product for accuracy before it goes to press.


Victor Barry, DDS
Dr. Barry has been in private dental practice on First Hill in Seattle since 1977, and has served on the Medical Courtesy staff of Swedish Medical Center since the mid-80s.
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Renee Belfor, RD
For the past 14 years, Renee has worked as the Nutrition Manager and Dietitian on the cardiovascular units of Swedish Medical Center's Providence Campus.
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Kenneth Holtyn, MS
Ken Holtyn has over 30 years of experience in preventive medicine and health promotion in business and industry.
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Robert H. Knopp, MD
Dr. Knopp is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Northwest Lipid Research Clinic at the University of Washington.
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Mr. Gary B. Kushner SPHR, CBP
President and CEO of Kushner & Company
Mr. Kushner is an internationally recognized expert and speaker on employee benefits with particular expertise for small business.
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William James Mayer, MD, MPH
Medical Editor
Dr. Mayer is Board Certified in Preventive Medicine. He has served as a Program Director at the National Cancer Institute, and was a Co-Leader serving Fortune 100 clients in Health Care Consulting at Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
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  Scott Paul Musial
Mr. Musial is Senior Partner and Chief Financial Officer for Pillbox Management Group, a pharmacy consultation company.
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Vicki Rackner, MD
Dr. Rackner is a board-certified surgeon and clinical instructor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
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Lester R. Sauvage, MD
Dr. Sauvage founded the Hope Heart Institute in 1959. He worked as a cardiovascular surgeon for over 30 years before retiring in 1991.
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Wallace Wilkins, PhD
Wallace is both a licensed psychologist specializing in substance abuse counseling and an organizational consultant. He earned his doctoral degree at the University of Washington in 1970.
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