Leadership

Board of Directors

Karl Wustrack, MD

Karl Wustrack, MD

Chairman of the Board

I have been serving on cleft missions for 35 years now. My passion and dedication to this cause started after...

Karin Vargervik, DDS

Karin Vargervik, DDS

VP of Treatment Centers

After receiving my dental and orthodontic education in Norway where I was born, I received a Fulbright scholarship in Boston...

Anita Stangl

Anita Stangl

Special Adivisor

I became involved with cleft lip and palate repair programs in 1994 when I volunteered for a medical mission to...

Cecile Chiquette

Cecile Chiquette

Director

Cecile is Public Fiduciary and has been a board member at AfS for three years. Previously she was President of...

John Dean

John Dean

Director

My wife Susan and I are both “retired”, although we keep busy with a variety of volunteer and community projects....

Chih-Chen Fang, MD

Chih-Chen Fang, MD

Director

I was born in Taiwan and emigrated to Canada when I was 17 years old. I went to medical school...

Benjamin Lam

Benjamin Lam

Director

For me, AfS has been a breath of very fresh air since I joined the board more than 10 years...

John O’Connor

John O’Connor

Director

I joined the AfS Board as a result of my friendship with, and admiration for Dr. Karl Wustrack, who has...

Jim Patrick

Jim Patrick

Director

Jim Patrick is a third generation owner of Patrick & Co. founded by his grandfather in 1873. Jim found his calling to help others when...

Honorary Board Members

In-House Staff

Paul Vazquez

Paul Vazquez

Director of Operations

After working for many years in the for-profit world, I was looking for a change – hoping to do something...

Medical Directors

Chih-Chen Fang, MD

Chih-Chen Fang, MD

Director

I was born in Taiwan and emigrated to Canada when I was 17 years old. I went to medical school...

Karin Vargervik, DDS

Karin Vargervik, DDS

VP of Treatment Centers

After receiving my dental and orthodontic education in Norway where I was born, I received a Fulbright scholarship in Boston...

Karl Wustrack, MD

Karl Wustrack, MD

Chairman of the Board

I have been serving on cleft missions for 35 years now. My passion and dedication to this cause started after...

Rosemary Welde, RN

Rosemary Welde, RN

Vice Chair

I was born in Philadelphia and went to nursing school there. I have lived in California since 1980. I have...

Mission Directors

Anita Stangl

Anita Stangl

Special Adivisor

I became involved with cleft lip and palate repair programs in 1994 when I volunteered for a medical mission to...

Quality Assurance Committee

About Alliance for Smiles

Our Heroes

Our Founders

Alliance for Smiles was formally founded by five individuals: John Uth, John Goings, James Patrick, James Deitz and Anita Stangl. However, Alliance for Smiles wanted to recognize individuals who made a leap of faith in the concept of the work of Alliance for Smiles and decided to donate a minimum of $20,000 during the first four years of operation. They are also founders of Alliance for Smiles and will be recognized in perpetuity as such. The following individuals receive the honor of this unique position:

Mr. Burton BerryMrs. Debbie Jefkin-Elnakave
Mr. Bill BenterMr. Benjamin Lam
Mr. Wilber BresemanMrs. Noime Liangco
Dr. Wallace Chang, M.D.Dr. Thomas Mack, D.V.M.
Ms. Cecile ChiquetteMr. Donald Parachini
Dr. Scharleen Colant, Ph.D.Mr. James Patrick
Dr. James Deitz, Ph.D.Ms. Esther Rebizzo
Ms. Barbara FisherMs. Dee Dee Ricks
Mr. John GoingsDr. Alan Stormo, M.D.
Allan and Nancy HerzogMr. Eng-Rung Tsai
Mr. Howard HoMr. John Uth
The Family of TaipeiTai and Tony Wang (W.A.C. Lighting)
Mr. Joseph HoffmanDr. Colin and Mrs. Silvana Wong

Rotary Clubs who supported the work of Alliance for Smiles during its first four formative years with donations of $25,000 or more received the honor of being Founding Rotary Clubs. Alliance for Smiles recognizes three Rotary Clubs with this title and they will be recognized in perpetuity for their faith in the work and dreams of Alliance for Smiles.

The Rotary Club of San Francisco

The Rotary Club of Chicago

The Rotary Club of Wanchai, Hong Kong

Alliance for Smiles wishes to thank the above individuals and Rotary Clubs for their support which has helped Alliance for Smiles to not only facilitate medical missions during its first four years but to prosper and grow.

Legacy Club

In 2009 Alliance for Smiles launched its Legacy Campaign to encourage individuals to make a minimum $5000 one-time donation; or to make multiple donations through-out the year adding up to $5000. Participation in this campaign is recognized by membership in a special Legacy Club that will be publicized on the website, at the Gala and in literature. Everyone who donated a minimum $5000 by December 31, 2009 became a Charter Member of this very special Club.

Legacy Club Charter MembersLegacy Club 2010-2011
Burt BerryBurton Berry
Wilber BresemanWilber Breseman
Tai Can -WangTai Can-Wang
Dr. Wallace ChangCecile Chiquette
Cecile ChiquetteDavid De Roode
David De RoodeJim Deitz
James DeitzJohn Goings
John GoingsAllan Herzog
Allan HerzogSilvia Iselin
Bing Shin HoMary Jensen
Howard HoBenjamin Lam
Joe HoffmanDr. Quentin Li
Benjamin LamAnna Marie Marcias
Edward LauDr. Thomas Mack
Jojo and Noime LiangcoJames Patrick
Dr. Thomas MackAngelo Rebizzo
Gary MitchellDr. Collin Wong
James PatrickEdith Richter
Stacey QuoRobert and Kathryn Smith
Eng Rung TsaiJohn Uth
John UthDr. Karin Vargervik
Karin Vargervik
Dr. Colin Wong
Choi Chung Yuen

Individuals are inspired to volunteer and donate because of their belief in the work of an organization. Especially when considering humanitarian programs, the emotions felt because of participation in a program that changes lives can have a sincere and long lasting impact.

For many, what an individual accomplishes during his or her lifetime is totally satisfying and fulfilling. Involvement in family, friends and work create a sense of well being. However, for those who want to make a mark in another way and share more of their talents and wealth with humanitarian concerns, involvement in a cause can be extremely rewarding. When they pass, they will have left a humanitarian legacy.

Those people involved in the work of Alliance for Smiles, whether as volunteers or donors, are leaving a legacy that goes beyond the lives of the children receiving surgery. It extends to the patients’ families and to their villages. Alliance for Smiles heals tens of thousands of lives when considering the extended community affected.

To carry on the work of Alliance for Smiles, funding is crucial. Therefore, those individuals who are willing and able to make significant donations are core to program sustainability. These individuals have the opportunity to allow the work of Alliance for Smiles to progress, building on an impressive past.

Therefore in 2009 Alliance for Smiles launched its Legacy Campaign to encourage individuals to make a minimum $5000 one time or multiple time donation to the work of AfS. Participation in this campaign will be recognized by membership in a special Legacy Club that will be publicized on the website, at the Gala and in literature. Everyone who donated a minimum $5000 by December 31, 2009 became a Charter Member of this very special Club.

Volunteer Awards

Volunteer of the YearDistinguished Service AwardJohn Uth Memorial Award
2008 - Barbara Fisher
2009 - Dave Fowler2009 - Dr. Colin Wong
2010 - Wilber Breseman2010 - Dr. Wally Chang
2011 - Dr. Quentin Li2011 - John Goings
2012 - Dr. Karin Vargervik2012 - John Uth
2013 - Tina Hollcroft2013 - Barbara Fisher2013 - Burton Berry
2014 - Dr. Chih-Chen Fang2014 - Tina Hollcroft2014 - Rotary Club of Wanchai
2015 - Mary Jensen2015 - Rotary International
2016 - Dr. Billy De Shazo2016 - STOP Cleft International Alliance
2017 - Rosemary Welde2017 - David Fowler2017 - Shanghai Ciguang Skin Health Foundation
2018 - Dorothy Ferreira2018 - Tai Wang & WAC Lighting
2019 - Becky Steed, RN2019 - Dr. Karl Wustrack2019 - Dr. Chih-Chen Fang
2020 - Mary Liu2020 - Dr. Deinde Shoga2020 - Tina Fischlin
2021 - Nan Madden2021 - Rosemary Welde2021 - Jean and Dave Rosenblum
2022 - Pat LaRocco2022 - Linda Stewart & Doug Berry

Decade of Leadership Awards

In order to celebrate dedication to AfS on the occasion of our 10th Anniversary, the Decade of Leadership Award was created to honor four remarkable individuals who have given of their skills and talents from the beginning days of Alliance for Smiles.

  • Barbara Fisher
  • John Goings
  • Dr. Karin Vargervik
  • Dr. Colin Wong

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Dr. Colin Wong
  • Dr. Karin Vargervik
  • John Goings

Children’s Champion Award

  • Burt and Joan Berry
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