Incoming Foundation Board Members ISAAC CHANKAI, MD
Chief of Staff, Dominican Hospital General Surgeon, Surgical Associates Monterey As a Santa Cruz native, Dr. Isaac Chankai feels a great sense of pride and reward returning to the Santa Cruz community professionally. He has fond memories of Rio Del Mar Elementary and Good Shepherd – just down the street from Dominican Hospital. He earned his undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz. After residency, Dr. Chankai returned to the community as a general surgeon, practicing for the last eight years. During this time, he has had the opportunity to participate in medical staff leadership and feels fortunate to serve as the current Chief of Staff. “Dominican Hospital has a tremendous medical staff providing superlative care every day," he says. "But with the onset of the pandemic, those dedicated physicians gave even more of themselves to the hospital, organizing into different committees and task forces to address the problem head on.”
SISTER RITA EILEEN DEAN, OP
Vice President of Mission Integration, Dominican Hospital In 1941, the Adrian Dominican Sisters responded to a call to serve the people of Santa Cruz County and began their health care ministry which continues to this day at Dominican Hospital. The Sisters have treasured their partnership with others in providing excellent, compassionate health care to all. Sister Rita came to Santa Cruz in 1992 as Director of Mission and Sponsorship. She has been an Adrian Dominican Sister for 61 years and has worked at Dominican Hospital for 28 years. Through the years, she has overseen multiple areas of the hospital, but her greatest joy is visiting patients and being of service. She received her first Masters in Education from Holy Names in Oakland and her second Masters in Administration from University of San Francisco. Her background includes teaching at the elementary level as well as serving as Principal for eight years, which included supervision of the faculty. Sister Rita has been involved with the Foundation over the years as a volunteer with the golf tournament, helping to author grant proposals to the Congregation, and a variety of steady donor interactions.
JUAN RODRIGUEZ, MD
Vice Chief of Staff, Dominican Hospital Interventional Radiologist, Radiology Medical Group of Santa Cruz County, Inc. An honored and accomplished physician – and our current Vice Chief of Staff – Dr. Juan Rodriguez was born and bred in the country of Spain. Educated at Cardenal Ram Institute, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree, he advanced to the University of Zaragoza School of Medicine where he earned his Doctorate in Medicine – graduating cum laude. After finishing a surgical internship in Spain, he moved to the US where he completed radiology training at LSU and a Fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at UCSF. He received his California Medical License in 2005. With a deep commitment to research and education, Dr. Rodriguez is a well-published and sought-after lecturer and author, including as a multiple chapter contributor in many medical books and journals.
JERRY SOUZA, RN, BA Director, Cardiovascular Services, Dominican Hospital
Jerry Souza has been a Santa Cruz resident for more than 40 years with broad experience in health care, including paramedic training in Dominican’s emergency department and graduating with honors from Cabrillo College’s nursing program. Jerry started his health care career as a firefighter EMT, worked as a field paramedic, and gained experience in trauma, critical care, and transport nursing. In addition to his clinical background, Jerry has extensive administrative experience in health care program development and physician practice management. Before his current Director of Cardiovascular Services role at Dominican, Jerry was the Executive Director at Dignity Health Medical Foundation in Santa Cruz. Jerry lives with his family in Santa Cruz. He enjoys road biking, fishing (and storytelling!), and camping. He has participated on the boards of various nonprofit organizations and enjoys serving his community as an active member of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary club.
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