fundraising $1,000,000 in seed money to eradicate ALS
Board Members
Diana Himelic Dawley – President
Diana has been President of the Jim Himelic Foundation since its inception in the fall of 2000. Please refer to the web page entitled “About Jim Himelic” for more background information regarding Diana.
Diana retired on April 30, 2009 after 38 years of government service, including 23+ years with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office as a project legal specialist in the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Division. In 1993, Diana earned her accreditation as group fitness instructor through American Council on Exercise (ACE) and continues her part-time employment with the Hilton El Conquistador Country Club teaching aqua, step, and yoga classes.
Diana married Honorable Frank Dawley on November 12, 2008 in Maui, Hawaii. Frank was a colleague of Jim’s at the Pima County Juvenile Court. To contact Diana, please email her at dianahimelic@yahoo.com.
Ana E. Himelic, Esq. – Vice President
Ana is the vice president of the Jim Himelic Foundation and is one of the founding members of the Board of Directors. Ana graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 2005 and is a member of both the Arizona and California Bar. Ana began her career in San Diego, CA where she worked as an Associate for Klinedinst Law Firm before joining the District Attorney’s Office. In May 2009, Ana accepted a position with the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer and currently resides in Mumbai, India.
Ana watched her father, Jim Himelic, battle ALS for four years until his death in 2000. Ana is proud of the research being conducted at the University of Arizona and hopes to see ALS eradicated in her lifetime. To contact Ana, please email her at ahimelic@hotmail.com.
Robert J. Curtis, Esq. – Treasurer
Rob is the treasurer of the Jim Himelic Foundation. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 2000 and the University of Arizona's College of Law in 2005. He currently practices law in Tucson.
Rob became friends with Ana Himelic in law school and is greatly inspired by her and the Himelic family's constant work and devotion for the Foundation. Rob strongly believes in the Foundation's mission and, as treasurer, hopes to help the Foundation however he can. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at robertjamescurtis@hotmail.com.
Monica L. Derrick, Esq. – Secretary
Monica was born and raised in Tucson and is a childhood friend of the Himelic family. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and practiced in Denver a short time before moving back to Arizona. She now lives in Tucson with her husband, Grant, and their two children: Owen and Chloe. Monica currently practices law at Monroe, McDonough, Goldschmidt and Molla, P.L.L.C. Monica is dedicated to assisting the Himelic family in their quest to find a cure for ALS, as she fondly remembers Jim and is inspired by the work the family has done in his memory. Monica believes the Jim Himelic Foundation can become one of the most well-respected and productive charities in Tucson.
Anthony J. Abruzzo, Esq.
Tony Abruzzo has been a JHF board member since its inception. Jim Himelic was a very close friend of Tony’s through law school as well as his roommate before Jim married Diana. Tony greatly respected Jim and will never forget the impact Jim had on him. Tony deeply admired Jim’s ability to be a great family man, an excellent attorney and judge, and an overall gentleman.
Tony graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1973 and has practiced both civil and criminal law since that time. He is currently a sole practitioner in private practice in Tucson. Tony handles personal injury matters and criminal defense. He is a past member of the Pima County Commission on trial court appointments.
Before becoming a lawyer, Tony served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971 in the U.S. and in Vietnam. Before that, he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1968. Tony has been married to Grace Abruzzo since 1975. The couple has two daughters, Gracie and Teresa. Tony and his wife are parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
Bruce M. Coull, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Professor of Medicine
William M. Feinberg MD Endowed Chair in Stroke Research
Head, Department of Neurology
Please click on the following link to see Dr Coull’s Profile: http://www.neurology.arizona.edu/?l=faculty&b=coull
Frank Dawley
Frank married Diana Himelic in November 2008. He received his law degree from the Arizona State University College of Law in 1978, and enjoyed a thirty-year legal career that included seventeen years on the bench. Frank and Jim Himelic served together as juvenile court judges from 1997 to 2000, the year that Jim lost his battle with ALS.
Frank is an avid golfer and has assisted the board with the annual Himelic Tournament fundraiser since its inception. Now retired, Frank looks forward to his new role of board member. He can be reached at fdawley2@comcast.net.
Jodi K. Dorsey
Jodi served as Jim's courtroom clerk in the Juvenile Court Division for approximately 3 years. Shortly after Jodi started in this position, Jim was diagnosed with ALS. With great sadness, Jodi admired his courage and strength, as well as that of his family, and was amazed at his perseverance. One year before Jim's passing, Jodi and her husband lost their first child at the age of 3 months. Jim was very supportive during this extremely difficult time despite the fact that he was going through his own very difficult circumstances. During this time, Jodi came to realize what a wonderful man Jim was and what a terrific family he had. Jodi has been involved with the Himelic Tournament since its inception in 2000 and looks forward to many more years with the organization.
Jodi and her husband have been married since 1997. In addition to their daughter in Heaven, they have two beautiful boys and two wonderful canines.
Jonathan D. Flax, M.D.
Research Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Arizona
Director, Jim Himelic Neuromuscular Research Laboratory
Dr. Flax did his Pathology residency training at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard University, followed by fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Boston/Harvard Medical School. His research training included postdoctoral fellowships exploring neural stem cell biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Children’s Hospital of Boston/Harvard Medical School.
In the Jim Himelic Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Dr. Flax is actively exploring approaches to allow neural stem cells to replace motor neurons lost in individuals with ALS. These stem cells are present throughout the adult brain and spinal cord, and if appropriately reprogrammed could serve as an important reservoir for the generation of new motor neurons. As a direct result of funding by the Jim Himelic Foundation, the laboratory has uncovered a number of key mechanisms that regulate how and when neural stem cells become motor neurons. While this process normally happens only during early brain and spinal cord formation, the ultimate goal is to take advantage of this knowledge and recapitulate new motor neuron formation in the brain and spinal cord of individuals afflicted by ALS.
James T. Guest
James "Jim" was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He became a US citizen in 1971. Jim was a pilot for United Airlines for 28 years after being a Canadian military pilot for nine years. In 1995, Jim retired and he and his wife Jan moved to Tucson, Arizona. In 1999, Jim's son, Andy, was diagnosed with ALS. After courageously battling ALS for nearly 10 years, Andy past away in August 2009. Andy was a single parent and left behind his two teenage children: Jessica and Jamie. Jim and Jan started supporting the Jim Himelic Foundation in 2004.
Daniel J. Himelic
Dan is the eldest sibling of the Himelic family and is a medical student at the University of Arizona. One of Dan’s goals is to improve the status of ALS research for the general public as well as in the medical community. Deeply touched by the untimely passing of his father, Dan is proud of the work and the continued dedication of all those who have contributed to this Foundation.
James B. Himelic
James (“Jim”) is the youngest son of Jim Himelic. Jim graduated with a Bachelors of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona in May 2006. In August 2008, he graduated with a Masters of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he researched renewable and efficient electric power systems. Currently, Jim resides in Boulder and is working on attaining his MBA from the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder. He continues to work part-time as an analyst for Xcel Energy, the primary electric utility company for the state. When he is not working, Jim's hobbies include reading, snowboarding, and watching and playing sports.
Jim is enormously proud in what JHF has been able to achieve to date and is thankful for everyone who volunteers time and donates money for this great cause. Working closely with the other Jim Himelic Foundation Board Members, Jim would like to see JHF become a recognized, established charity throughout the local community. Jim’s ultimate goal is to be able to witness the eradication of ALS. Jim can be reached at james.himelic@gmail.com.
Leo M. Jacques, Ph.D.
Leo has served on the Board of Directors from its beginning in 2000 to present. He has also been on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) from 1996 to present. Leo is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst Supervisor for the Arizona Department of Public Safety and has been an instructor at the University of Phoenix since 1976. Leo, who first met Jim Himelic and his family in 1978, attended all the Himelic family events and played against Jim and his teams for many years in softball.
Donna B. McArthur, PhD, APRN, BC, FAANP
Donna McArthur has 40 years experience within nursing, including 30 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, NP educator, and administrator within ambulatory health care settings in the United States and Saudi Arabia. She graduated from Maryland General Hospital School of Nursing in 1967, receiving her BSN from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 1976, followed by her MSN and FNP from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 1977. In 1997 she received her PhD in Nursing from the University of Maryland; her dissertation, Intergenerational Health Promotion in African-Americans, embraced her practice with ethnically diverse and vulnerable populations across the life span.
Donna is currently a Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, TN and the Director of their DNP Program. Prior to this, Donna was also a clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. In recent years Dr. McArthur’s practice has included older adults in community clinic settings. In 2006 she was awarded the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Foundation/Endo Pharmaceuticals Grant for her research study, Pain Perception in Adults with ALS. At present, her community activities are focused on initiatives surrounding this disease, which includes being an ALSA Board Member.
Jeffrey Minker, Esq.
Jeffrey is a graduate of the University of Arizona-undergraduate and law school. He is an attorney and mediator. Jim Himelic was Jeffrey’s jogging partner for 14 years until his ALS forced him to stop running. Jeffrey is one of the founding members of the Board of Directors and can be contacted at jminker@dakotacom.net.
Scott Parfrey
Scott Parfrey was born in New York City and earned a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the City University of New York. He moved to Tucson, AZ in 1977 and left the field of education for business to own Cadden Parfrey Services, a homeowner association management company. Scott and his wife Kathy met and came to know the Himelic Family when the three Parfrey sons, Brad, Doug, and Tim, and the Himelic kids attended Harelson Elementary School and played youth sports together. Ana Himelic was in the same classes as Brad and Doug, and Mike Himelic was the same age as Tim. Through all the school and youth sporting events, the Parfreys and the Himelics forged an ongoing friendship for over twenty years.
Jim was a fabulous friend, mentor, attorney, and judge, and the Parfreys all remember him with great love and fondness for his truly remarkable spirit. Scott Parfrey has served on the Board of Directors of the Jim Himelic Foundation since its inception in 2000.
Stephanie Phillips
Stephanie lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband, Chris, and two daughters, Campbell and Kennedy. She earned her graduate degree in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University and undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Arizona. Previously, Stephanie worked at the University of Arizona Foundation and was the Director of the Parents Association. She collaborated with parents of current students to raise funds that were directed towards projects which benefited as many students as possible and met a real and immediate need. Currently, Stephanie is a stay at home mother. Stephanie is a childhood friend of Ana Himelic (and all her brothers and sisters) and is very excited about having joined the Jim Himelic Foundation Board of Directors. Through her involvement with the Himelic Foundation Stephanie is looking forward to taking an active role in helping to eradicate ALS.
Laine Pike
Laine attended University of Arizona from 1997 – 2001, where she met the Himelic Family. After receiving her degree in Accounting and Finance, Laine attended Loyola Marymount University and earned a Master's in Business Administration. She also holds California certifications in Consumer Finance License and Life & Health Insurance License. Laine currently resides in Redondo Beach, CA with her husband Trent. Together they run their own business, Oceanview Financial Group, a real estate lending company. To contact Laine, you can email her at laine.pike@gmail.com or visit her website, www.OceanviewFG.com.
Katalin Scherer, MD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Arizona
Neuromuscular Program and Clinics
Director, MDA/ALS multidisciplinary clinic at UPH Hospital at Kino Campus (coming soon)
Dr. Scherer has been treating patients with ALS at the University of Arizona Neuromuscular Clinics since August 2005 when she joined Dr. Timothy Miller. Since Dr. Timothy Miller’s departure in the summer of 2007, Dr. Scherer has assumed the role of director of the UA Neuromuscular Program.
Dr. Scherer did her neurology residency training at Duke University in Durham, NC, followed by fellowship training in EMG (electromyography) and neuromuscular diseases at Duke University. Dr Scherer’s practice is dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, including ALS and other motor neuron disorders. Dr. Scherer holds an academic appointment at the University of Arizona, and is active in teaching and research in the area of neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Scherer is board certified in Neurology and in Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and is an active member of the American Association of Neurology and the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Dr. Scherer sees patients at the MDA supported neuromuscular clinic at University Medical Center, and at the UPH Neurology Clinic at UPH-K.
Dr. Scherer has been working on establishing a true multidisciplinary ALS clinic, which is scheduled to open on the UPH-Kino Campus in early 2008. Such a clinic is pivotal to provide quality healthcare to ALS patients and their families. This clinic will also allow JHF to start clinical research studies and become an ALS clinical and research center in Tucson.
Dr. Scherer will continue to work with JHF and plans to start clinical research studies involving ALS patients in the coming year of 2008.
Link to Dr. Scherer’s faculty website at the UA:
http://www.neurology.arizona.edu/?l=faculty&b=scherer
Libby Shelton, Esq.
Libby graduated from the University of Arizona in 2000 with degrees in History and Political Science. She attended the University of Arizona College of Law and graduated in 2004. Libby lives in Tucson with her husband, Scott, and her son, Derek. Libby works as an Assistant City Prosecutor in the criminal division of the Tucson City Attorney’s Office.
Dr. Daniela C Zarnescu, PhD
Dr. Zarnescu obtained her BS in Physics from University of Bucharest in Romania. After obtaining her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Penn State, she completed her postdoctoral training in developmental genetics at Emory University School of Medicine. She has extensive expertise in genetics, neurobiology, and modeling human disease in Drosophila. For a full profile and list of publications, visit Dr. Zarnescu’s website: http://www.mcb.arizona.edu/facultyResearchDetail.cfm?id=zarnescu
Help us reach our goal of one million dollars in seed money for ALS research