Dr. Kevin Foster

MD, MBA, FACS

Vice President

Kevin Foster is a graduate the Medical College of Ohio.  He completed a general surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin, followed by burn surgery and trauma research fellowships at the University of Washington.  He recently completed an MBA from Indiana University.  He is currently the Medical Director of the Arizona Burn Center, the Program Director for the surgery residency program, and the Director of Surgical Research.  Dr. Foster has experience as an active board member with the Foundation for Burns and Trauma in Phoenix, Arizona.  He is additionally the Medical Director for Camp Courage, a special needs children’s summer camp for burn victims.

Board Members

Jennifer Wall
BS, MSPAS, PA-C

President/CEO/Founder

Jennifer has earned her Bachelor of Science at Allentown College, PA.  She received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at DeSales University, PA.  She has served the burn community as a burn and plastic reconstructive specialized physician assistant since 2001.  Beginning in 2006, she has been coordinating a multi-disciplinary team into Malawi, Africa to assess the needs of the local burn victims, aid in treatment of burn victims, and provide education to the local health care workers of the rural community of Nkhoma, Malawi. 

During the 2010-2011 year, Jenn will remained as the In-Country Program Director in Nkhoma, Malawi strengthening the Nkhoma burn program, expanding prevention services and partnering with sister programs.

Dr. Steven Miller

MD

Vice President

Dr. Miller is a member of the General Surgery teaching faculty at Maricopa
Integrated Health Systems since 2003, a trained hand surgeon since 2009, previously working in private practice in North Carolina and Arizona.  He has served as a board member and former president on Medical Missions International, one of the world’s largest short term mission organizations for 10-years.  He has served in over 20 medical missions to Asia, Africa, Central and South America.  Dr. Miller has visited the Nkhoma Hospital in 2007, aiding Malawian orphans, burn victims, general surgery patients.

Treasurer

Director of Psych/Social Research at the Arizona Burn Center and President of Care Plans for Life, LLC.  She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona.  She received her PhD in Life Span Developmental Psychology and Certificate in Life Care Planning from the University of Florida.  Dr. Rimmer has worked in the field of burns for 20-years.  She is a published children’s author including four books on burn prevention.  She is the former Executive Officer of the Foundation for Burns & Trauma of Phoenix, AZ with extensive experience in Non-profit organization and management.

Michelle Keogh

BS, MSW, JD

Secretary

Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from Utica College of Syracuse University
in Psychology- Child Life, with a concentration in applied child development.  She earned her Master’s of Social Work from the University at Albany, State University of New York.  Michelle then received her juris doctorate from the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law.  With extensive experience in writing and managing complex service systems, Michelle’s responsibilities will include assistance with development, grant writing, and coordination of committee functions.

Kelly Kaufman

MSN, CRNA

Board Member

Kelly has been a registered nurse for 14-years.  After serving as a critical care nurse at the Maricopa Medical Center for eight years she received her Masters in Nurse Anesthesia at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona.  Kelly continues to serve at Maricopa Medical Center serving the anesthesia needs of burn and trauma victims.  Kelly has served on the 2007 and 2008 Africa Burn Relief teams, serving as a nurse and CRNA roles.

Pennsylvania, USA Committee

Board Member

Dr. Root is a practicing neurologist for the past 35-years.  He received his
Doctorate of Osteopathy from Kansas City College in 1975.  Dr. Root has extensive
experience serving on foundation boards, including serving with DOCARE, Ministry of Hope, and the American College of Osteopathic Neurology and Psychiatry.  Dr. Root has frequently visited the Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi and provides education and mobile clinic work with the Ministry of Hope, Malawi Africa Orphaned Children Organization.  Dr. Root intimately understands the mechanisms of burns in this rural part of Malawi and is dedicated to help prevent debilitating burn injuries caused by neurological disorders.

Committees

Our Partner

Our Organizational Supporters

Malawian Committee

Left to Right: Daniel Chimutu, CO | Dr. Naomi Vink
Stella Bwetu, RN | Moffat Kachombo, CO
Kate Matula, Theatre Matron
Dr. Reynier TerHaar, Medical Director

Not Pictured: Maralise Potgieter, RN | Nurse Dasisara
Dr. David Morton, Deputy Medical Director |
Mr. Sambani, CO | Kennedy Mwale | Kaphira Hospicio, CO

PA Committee Members, 2009,
DeSales University 5K Race, Center Valley, PA

Left to Right: Justin Wall, Mellisa Trojak,
Joseph Mench

The Pennsylvania-based committee is dedicated to networking, advertising, fundraising and increasing awareness in PA communities concerning the mission and goals of the Africa Burn Relief Program.

The Malawian committee consists of local medical professionals who are committed to caring for burn victims in the Nkhoma Hospital. They work directly with the US-based educators and specialists to implement and to ensure sustainable quality burn care during the absence of visiting ABR team counterparts.

Our deepest gratitude is extended to our loyal partner and supporters, many of which are friends, co-workers and family members who have followed us through our 5 year journey in building Africa Burn Relief into the organization we are today.

A special thank you is extended to all of the volunteers, fundraiser artisans, fundraiser donors, collaborative organizations and small businesses that help to make our trips possible.

Christopher Diamonds, Dream Big Design, So-Zona Jewelry, Foundation for Burns & Trauma, Maricopa Health Foundation, Banner Surgical Specialists, Goodhardt & Sons, DeSales University
PA Student Association, Kevin LaPratt, Barbara Davis, Arizona Burn Center, Captured Moments Photography, Wiring by Wall, Inc., Phyllis Moser, Dr. Helen Trop-Zell, Dutch Burns Foundation, Malawi Mission Work Team, Bosrand Malawi Work Team

Dr. Ruth Rimmer

PhD, CLCP

Dr. Kenneth Root

DO

Board Member

Samuel received his bachelor’s degree from University of Montana in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing.  During his 14 years in the profession of medical sales, Samuel has had the opportunity to meet and work with amazing burn survivors and very committed medical burn staff across the country and internationally.  For many years, he has also served on other burn related non-profit organizations as a burn camp counselor and a past board member.  Samuel also served on the 2010 Africa Burn Relief team, to coordinate a burn prevention program in area villages and schools of Nkhoma and plans to return to Malawi for follow up.

Samuel K. Thompson