Leadership

Olajire Idowu, MD, F.A.C.S., Chairman of the Board is the founder of Medical C.A.R.E., Inc. and the visionary who has rallied the pediatric medical team that makes Medical C.A.R.E., Inc.'s training missions possible. Dr. Idowu is currently Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California and a partner of Pediatric Surgical Associates of the East Bay, and is affiliated with other area hospitals including Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, and San Joaquin General Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Stockton. In the past, he served as Chief of Pediatric Surgery for San Joaquin General Hospital, Stockton, California; and Chief of Pediatric Surgery for Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California. Dr. Idowu is currently a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, the International Pediatric Endoscopy Group, the American Pediatric Surgical Association, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He holds a medical degree from the University of Ibadan School of Medicine in Ibadan, Nigeria; and a GCEAL degree from the Government College of Nigeria. --more info--

Katie Sabato M.S., R.R.T., Secretary is currently the Respiratory Care Administrator for Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California, where she has served as a respiratory therapist for many years. Before working with the other board members to form Medical C.A.R.E., Inc., Ms. Sabato undertook her own medical mission to Belize, bringing medical supplies and training to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. She is currently chairperson for the Neonatal/Pediatric Section for the National Association of Respiratory Care. Ms. Sabato received her respiratory therapy training from Skyline College in Oakland, California, a Master's Degree from University of California San Francisco, and her Bachelor of Science degree from Smith College.

Lenore Hawley R.N., T.N.C.C., Treasurer has been a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, California, for more than many years and is currently working in the Emergency Room. During her tenure at Children's Hospital she has worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, and Radiology Department. Ms. Hawley has applied her pediatric nursing skills on medical missions to Belize, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palestine, and Russia. She is also affiliated with Alta Magnetic Imaging Affiliates where she is responsible for pediatric sedations for MRI scans. She holds an Associate of Science degree from Contra Costa College in San Pablo, California.

Jonah Odim, MD, PhD, FRCS, FACS, Member of the Board Graduated from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1977 and received a Medical Degree in 1981 from Yale University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and general surgery residency at University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics and subspecialty training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He was selected as a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Fellow (1990-1992) and received the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Research Award from Miles, Inc. as the highest rated fellow in clinical research during this period. He subsequently completed the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) from McGill University in 1995. --more info--