Candidate for
Board Member; Ross Valley School District

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS, LONG VERSION

Running for public office leads one to ask why and what do I have to contribute to the community? Answering these questions is a personally rewarding time of introspection. But for a person who values privacy and the freedom of relative obscurity it is embarrassing, but necessary, to step forward and "sell" oneself to the electorate.

Born in North Wales 1936, only child of contractor and homemaker (both with ninth-grade educations). Raised in a rural market town dating back to Roman times, I clearly remember Second World War conditions. The only books in the home were a bible and a dictionary. I was an indifferent student in public school and just scraped through my graduating exams. Career counseling was a three-minute interview with the principle. Yet, somehow, I made it medical school.

I spent my working years as a medical professional and educator, taking some personal time to round out my own education. My career offered the great opportunity and privilege to teach students how to lessen patient stress in times of acute and chronic pain, and experience the satisfaction of contributing to society in a meaningful way.

Retirement has been a continuation of my career as student. It has allowed me the opportunity explore the different facets of human potential and face the problems and opportunities of being a senior. During the last three years I have become fascinated by public education at the K-8 level. I have researched the literature and observed the decision making process of the RVSD at over 100 meetings. The focus and quality of our educational system is a direct outcome of the values of our culture. Unfortunately I have not felt comfortable intruding into the classroom as a stranger, but if elected to the board I would feel it my duty to do so.

Almost three years ago I became interested in the Fairfax/ San Anselmo Children's Center, Deer Park. I have spent many hours there observing, discussing, and helping in the garden. My findings have been documented in two three-minute videos entered in the Fairfax Short Doc. Competition (2010 and 2011), and in a photographic exhibit at the Fairfax Library (January 2011) on the importance of early childhood education.

Ross Valley resident for 33 years Perspective gained from parenting three children and as a grandparent to four Degrees in science, medicine, anesthesiology, and diplomas in art history and in medical history Academic career teaching students, educators and physicians in medical schools, hospitals and other venues Experience in innovative medical curricula design with implementation at the local, state and national levels A global educational perspective arising from extensive travel and visits to schools in nine countries, plus three pediatric medical missions to Central America Volunteer experience with Manor School PTA, soccer coaching, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, teaching and mentoring of children Master Gardener at Bennett House for the last 11 years Project Director of the Horticultural Learning Center

Education and professional history (long version - more than you want to know!)

Medical training and teaching:

Manchester University: B.Sc.(Hon) Comparative Anatomy and Evolution (1956), M.D.(1960)

Tutor in Manchester University Anatomy Dept.

UCLA Pharmacology Dept, Post-doctoral research

Manchester University, junior lecturer and researcher

UCSF, CVRI, Post+doctoral Fellow

UCSF, resident anesthesiology

Virginia Mason Hospital Seattle, resident anesthesiology

UCSF, Assistant Professor

Postgraduate Medical School, London, Lecturer (FFARCS degree)

Personal sabbatical in London (3-years of subsistence living):

Victoria and Albert Museum, Diploma of History Fine Arts

Wellcome Institute, Diploma of History of Medicine

Visiting Scholar, London University. Advanced Educational Methods Unit

with self-directed study of visual perception and philosophy of art

Professional career:

UNC Medical School, Associate Professor Anesthesiology

Clinical teaching medical students and residents

None-clinical teaching (3 years)

"Life Support Skills Course," 40 contact hours, 4 students/ week x 156 weeks

Medical consultant to N.C. EMT start-up program

Director of multimedia EMT curriculum ($25,000 IAFF grant)

Analysist of Heimlich's initial 360 letters, presented to Nat. Acad. of Sciences

Chairperson"Human Values in Medical Education" committee for three years

Return to Marin County in 1981 with 3 small children and a mortgage

Staff Anesthesiologist Kaiser Hospital, San Rafael

As a specialist in regional anesthesia and treatment of acute and chronic pain, I introduced regional anesthesia into the ORs, established a pain clinic, the step-down unit, and was a medical consultant helping introduce patient-controlled analgesia, and spinal narcotics to the Bay Area medical community

In the last few years of my career I helped on three medical orthopedic missions to Central America.