Watch our collaboration video with Juntos Podemos on YouTube
Board of Directors
Mickey (E. Michelle) Pardew; Ph.D.
is a full professor in special education at Western Oregon University (WOU). For over 21 years she has prepared special education teachers at WOU where she also coordinates a Certificate of Completion program for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Dr. Pardew is a board member of the Northwest Autism Foundation, Polk Adolescent Day Treatment Center and representative for higher education on the Oregon Commission on ASD. Mickey’s background as a family member (brother with autism), counselor, special educator and community volunteer has provided her with over 53 years of experiences in the field of special education.
Dr. Suzanne Dinsmore
graduated from Willamette University with a BA in 1975. She received her MD from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1979. Dr. Dinsmore completed her residency training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois in 1982. Before coming to Childhood Health, Dr. Dinsmore worked for the Cook County Health Department in Chicago, and for Kaiser Permanente in Portland. She joined Childhood Health in 1985. She is board certified in Pediatrics.
Barbara Halsey
As a Salem Hospital employee for close to 30 years, now retired, Barbara, as Director of Medical Staff Serices, worked closely with George in his capacity as Vice President of Medical Affairs. Barbara is currently Director of the Project Access program for Marion & Polk counties sponsored by the Medical Foundation Board.
Dr. James K. Lace
graduated from Lawrence University with a B. A. in 1970. He received his MD in 1974 from the University of Cincinnati Medical School. He did a 2 year pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and 1 year at OHSUDepartment of Pediatrics. He started Childhood Health in 1977. He teaches clinical pediatrics at OHSU and is board certified in Pediatrics. Dr. James Lace has been a pediatrician in Salem since 1977. Along with Dr. Miller and Dr. Mike Gilbert he founded Childhood Health Associates of Salem. He has been active in the Oregon Pediatric Society, the Oregon Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been recognized for his legislative work on improving healthcare for children in Oregon, and abroad he has been deeply involved with medical teams and orphanages.
Susan Miller
met Dr. Miller in Cleveland, Ohio when he was in medical school and she was in music graduate school. They were married in 1969. She is a harpsichordist, organist, and pianist. She has been deeply committed to the musical community in Salem and has served on the boards several non-profits. Hopefully this experience will help with the success of this very personal philanthropy.
Barry Nelson
is co-owner of Capital Financial Planners, LLC, where he is an Investment Advisor and Certified Financial Planner practitioner. He is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council. In addition to his professional activities, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Salem and has served on a number of non-profit Boards, including service as President of one and Treasurer of two. A Salem native, Barry has known the Miller family for some time, and was privileged to have had the opportunity to sing weekly next to Dr. Miller in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church choir for many years.
Cheryl Randall
Cheryl Randall graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in 1965. She earned an MS in The Handicapped Learner from WOU in 1977 and an MS in School Psychology from Lewis & Clark in 1994. She is a nationally certified counselor. She has taught English in a junior high school in Philadelphia, PA. In Oregon she has been a teacher of special education in the Beaverton, Lake Oswego and Salem-Keizer school districts. She has worked as a counselor in private practice, and for twelve years, she was employed as a school psychologist. Though retired, she continues to substitute as a school psychologist in the Salem-Keizer school district. Her favorite role these days is that of grandmother to five cherished grandchildren.
Dina Triest
As a social worker for Salem Hospital Regional Rehabilitation Center for 23 years she worked with Dr. Miller in a monthly Community Connections Clinic serving children and families with special health needs. Before working at Salem Health she was an early childhood educator and home visitor for Head Start programs in Salem and Dallas. She has a BS in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California and an MSW from Portland State University.
Elizabeth Peasley
Elizabeth Peasley, R.N., Pediatric Case Manager at Childhood Health Associates of Salem, received her nursing degree in Iowa in 1999. She moved to Oregon in 2001. Elizabeth started her career at CHAOS as a triage nurse and then helped to develop the Case Management Department there. She will be celebrating ten years at CHAOS in June. Elizabeth is active in the community with Great Beginnings through Marion County Children and Families. She loves connecting families with resources and support. In her spare time she keeps busy with church activities, family and friends. Elizabeth enjoys cooking and baking, shopping, making cards and entertaining.
Staff
Ellen L. Miller; Executive Director
is the daughter of the late Dr. George E. Miller. She was hired by the board in 2009 to get the Foundation organized and to obtain the 501 (c)3 status. Once her original tasks were completed, Ellen, inspired by the community in Salem and her father’s legacy, decided to stay on as the Executive Director. With a background in civil engineering and project management, Ellen is currently pursuing a MBA in Public and Non-Profit Management at Willamette’s Atkinson School of Management. Like her father, Ellen’s hobbies include bike riding and spending time with her dog Charley.
Jamie Peterson; Outreach Coordinator
came to work for GEM in August of 2010 as our Outreach Coordinator. She came from Willamette University where she majored in Rhetoric and Media Studies. While at Willamette Jamie worked for Willamette Telefund, this position provided experience maintaining relationships with the Willamette Alumni community and donors. In 2009 Jamie gained experience in managing constituent matters while she worked as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Fred Girod. Originally from Molalla, Jamie grew up showing horses with her two sisters and golfing competitively with her brother. These continue to be her passions today, along training with her German Shepard, Hudson.
Our Mission
The GEM Children’s Foundation will connect children with special needs and their families to existing services and increase access to resources and information. Through grants and collaborative efforts we will support community organizations serving children with special needs.
Founders Circle
We are grateful for the following major donors who have shown support in the vision of the GEM Center:
- Ralph Hull Foundation
- Drs. John French and Lauren McNaughton
- Mr. and Mrs. Page Golsan
- Dr. and Mrs. Weston Heringer III
- Dr. and Mrs. James Lace
- Mid-Valley Independent Physicians Association
- Dr. Lavena Morgan –Jahanshir
- Salem Pediatric Clinic
- Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, LLP
- 72mm.com
- Dr. Howard S and Rosemary Cohen
- Keith and Madge Bauer
- Penny and Nate Levin
- Jim and Cheryl Randall
- Dr. Josephine L.Von Herzen
- Drs. Selma and William Pierce
- Maudi and Parviz Samiee
Contact Us
VISIT OUR RESOURCE CENTER AND OFFICES:
2475 Lancaster Dr. NE, Building B, Suite 1,
Salem, OR 97305
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 2084 Salem, OR 97308
PHONE:
503-585-4292
EMAIL:
ellen@gemchildren.org
jamie@gemchildren.org