Wichita Board of Directors

We gratefully acknowledge these dedicated volunteers who serve on the Wichita American Heart Association Board of Directors. These dedicated volunteers are healthcare professionals and business and community leaders who guide our many activities throughout the Greater Wichita area. 

Board Leadership

Board Chair
Vallerie Gleason, MBA,RN
President & CEO
Newton Medical Center

Board Leadership Development Chair
Dr. Brian Pate, MD
Chair of Pediatrics
KU School of Medicine – Wichita

Midwest Regional Board Chair
Pat Gearhart
Wichita Market President
Simmons Bank

Board Members

Dr. Rishi Adhikari, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist
Wesley Children’s Hospital

Shanna Ahmad
Upper School Counselor
Wichita Collegiate School

Bill Brown
Boeing Programs - Spirit AeroSystems
Senior Vice President

Dr. Pooja Desai, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist
Wesley Medical Center

Laura Fent
Business Attorney
Hinkle Law Firm

Michael Fessinger
Assistant County Counselor
Sedgwick County

Dr. Lalitha Gopineti, MD
Pediatric Cardiologist
Children's Mercy Hospital

Don D. Gribble
Partner 
Hite, Fanning, & Honeyman L.L.P.

Jay Haratsis
General Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton - Wichita Airport

Dr. Christian Hourani, MD
General/Interventional Cardiologist
Cardiovascular Consultants of Kansas

Shawn Jiwanlal
Vice President – Commercial Banking
Simmons Bank

Jim Johnson
Business Analysis
Cargill

Anthony Kruse
Partner 
BKD, LLP 

Linda Newman
Manager, Treasury Management Sales
INTRUST Bank

Christopher Rea
Director of Operations
Foundation Properties

Debbie Reilly, BSN, RN
Clinical Applications Specialist
Kansas Heart Hospital

Dr. Priyank Yagnik, MD 
Pediatric Intensivist
Wesley Medical Center