Parkview Community Hospital opened its doors to the community in 1958. Its founders included 5 local physicians who shared a love for the community and a dream to make sure the residents of Riverside had access to quality and affordable healthcare. Today, Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center’s (PCHMC) mission remains the same. Operating in an area with a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, the hospital remains critical to the well-being of the community including areas of Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Moreno Valley, and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.
Parkview Community Hospital Foundation (the Foundation and our predecessor) was established in 1973 by the hospital board to seek private gifts and grants to support the hospital. Over the years, millions have been raised to purchase equipment critical to the care of patients and to support advanced health programming.
The Parkview Legacy Foundation was created in July of 2019 by the sale of Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center (a non-profit hospital) to AHMC (a for profit hospital group). With the sale, the state of California required that the proceeds of the non-profit hospital be put to use for the benefit of the community through the creation of non-profit public charity or private foundation. The Legacy Foundation is the result of that transaction. With the funds endowed to the foundation, we are honored to invest back into the local community with a broader scope of ensuring the equitable probability of wellness through social determinants of health.
Damien O’Farrell, President and CEO
Damien O’Farrell joined Parkview Legacy Foundation to lead operations after 5 years as CEO of Path of Life Ministries, the largest non-profit homeless shelter and housing provider in Riverside County. There, he was instrumental in the development of organizational systems, staff development, community integration and led the organization through to double in size and service area. In addition to his role with Path of Life Ministries, Damien has also served as the Director of Community Development at Today’s Urban Renewal Network (TURN), where he now serves as a board member. Damien is a certified facilitator and strategic lanner with the Institute of Cultural Affairs, has served on the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership Board and a past Charter Review Commission for the City of Riverside. He is the founding Vice-President and a past President of The Pick Group (a Young Professionals Organization), a member of the original creation and steering committees for Seizing Our Destiny, Give BIG Riverside, Our Riverside, Our Neighborhoods (known as 26 in 26), and serves as the Board Chair for the International Social Benefit Business, CommonChange.com.
As a lifetime resident of Riverside, he is husband to Jennifer (Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire), and father to Marleigh (7 year old RUSD student).
Parkview Legacy Foundation Staff
Parkview Legacy Foundation Staff
Damien O’Farrell
President and CEO
Damien O’Farrell joined Parkview Legacy Foundation to lead operations after 5 years as CEO of Path of Life Ministries, the largest non-profit homeless shelter and housing provider in Riverside County. There, he was instrumental in the development of organizational systems, staff development, community integration and led the organization through to double in size and service area. In addition to his role with Path of Life Ministries, Damien has also served as the Director of Community Development at Today’s Urban Renewal Network (TURN), where he now serves as a board member. Damien is a certified facilitator and strategic planner with the Institute of Cultural Affairs, has served on the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership Board and a past Charter Review Commission for the City of Riverside.
Shari Chun
Executive Assistant
Shari has been a volunteer at Parkview Legacy Foundation since 2018. She joined the Foundation to support the medical center where her husband provided care to his patients. Shari enjoyed being a member of the Valentine Ball and Golf Tournament committees. In 2021, Damien hired Shari as his Executive Assistant, where she could continue to dedicate herself to moving the Parkview Legacy Foundation mission forward. Professionally, Shari is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care. Although she is not currently practicing in the patient care setting, Shari volunteers her time to assist organizations on special projects, such as COVID and flu vaccination clinics. In 2021, she started her own company called Kokua Consulting Services, LLC, where she is able to provide educational, organizational, and project management services to those in need. Riverside Heartsavers is the newest initiative of KCS, where Shari and her partner are focused on providing CPR education throughout the City of Riverside. Ohana is her first priority. Shari treasures spending time with her husband and three sons, especially traveling “home” to Hawaii to visit family.
Executive Board Members
Executive Board Members
Matt Stowe
Board Chair
Matt is the Chief Operating Officer of OctoClean, a company which provides state of the art, commercial cleaning services to the healthcare, education, and business sectors. Under Matt’s guidance the family-owned business founded by his parents Chuck and Yvonne adopted a large-scale, franchise business model in 2000. The motivation for this evolution was to allow other community members to realize the autonomy and success that comes with business ownership. Currently, OctoClean has over 50 franchises in Southern California. In 2021, the company expanded its business area to incorporate Arizona, where OctoClean franchises continue to grow. Matt and his wife Julie actively support many charitable organizations within the City of Riverside. Family remains the core of Matt’s care and attention, as he supports all of the endeavors of his children, Ava and Dean.
Shawn Washington
Treasurer
Shawn is a Certified Public Accountant and the President of Shawn Washington Accountancy Corporation. His extensive knowledge and experience with non-profit accounting and contributions as the Treasurer of the Parkview Legacy Foundation have greatly benefited the Foundation. Professionalism, responsiveness, and quality are the core values of his company and Shawn brings these values to his work with Parkview Legacy Foundation.
Justin Gilbert
Secretary
Justin Gilbert has been in the banking industry since 2007, currently as a Vice President Small Business Banker with Bank of America. A member of this year’s Leadership Riverside’s Class, Justin also serves as the Chairman of the Chamber’s Ambassador’s Program, he is a board member for the Chamber’s East Hills Business Council, a member of Riverside East Rotary, and Riverside Meals on Wheels. Justin and his wife Holly, who was his kindergarten sweetheart, have three children, including his son James who spent his first few days in the Parkview NICU. One of Justin’s hobbies is golf, and we appreciate that he has served as a member of the Foundation’s Golf Tournament committee.
Board Members
Board Members
Antonio Mejico Jr., Ed.D
Board Member
Antonio is the Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Innovation, Interim Director for the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, and an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the California Baptist University. He obtained his academic preparation at the University of Redlands, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (2003), Master of Arts in Education Consulting K-12 (2009), and Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Justice (2012). Antonio has a passion to positively affect Social Justice, Child Welfare Policy, Child Maltreatment, Wraparound Implementation and Policy, Incarcerated Youth, and Faith and Resiliency among aging Latinx populations. Antonio serves as a religious volunteer with San Bernardino County Juvenile Probation, where he provides bible study to incarcerated youth, currently serving rehabilitative sentences. He also volunteers at several “pop up” homeless shelters in Redlands, during the winter months to provide supervision and meal distribution to homeless men during inclement weather. Beside serving on the Board of Directors of Parkview Legacy Foundation, he is on the Board of Directors for Bethany Christian Services.
Calvin Patel, MD
Board Member
Dr. Calvin Patel graduated with a B.S. in Biology and Minor in Chemistry from La Sierra University in Riverside and completed his medical schooling in 2011. Thereafter, Dr. Patel completed residency at the University of California – Davis in 2014. After completing his training, Dr. Patel joined IPC Healthcare as a hospitalist. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Patel co-founded Providence Healthcare Partners, Inc. (PHCP), a hospitalist company based in Riverside County. With over seventeen providers, PHCP has become a regional leader amongst hospitals and skilled nursing facilities in managing and delivering the highest quality care to chronically and acutely ill patients presenting with multiple medical conditions. Team leadership is another component of Dr. Patel’s hospital medicine career. He currently serves as the Chief of Staff-Elect, a Board member of the Medical Executive Committee, and the Chair of the Family Medicine Department at Parkview Community Hospital. He also is the Department Vice-Chair of the Family Medicine Department at Riverside Community Hospital. Dr. Patel’s passion for patient care and collegial attitude does not go unnoticed. In 2016, he was recognized with the Most Valuable Physician of the Year Award at Parkview Community Hospital. He was also the youngest appointed Board Member of the Riverside County Medical Association Board of Directors and the La Sierra University Foundation Board of Directors. Separately, Dr. Patel serves as an Alternate Delegate to the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In his free time, Dr. Patel takes pleasure in spending time with his family and is passionate about traveling, scuba diving, racing, camping, and discovering.
Dayne Brassard
Board Member
Dayne Brassard earned an AS degree from Riverside City College and a BS in Business Management from the University of Redlands. Dayne is the President and CEO of Tilden-Coil Constructors, where he has been employed since 1995. One of Dayne’s major responsibilities as CEO is to ensure that the organization is fulfilling the purpose of Shaping Futures; both by mentoring team members for their individual growth and development and by giving back to communities. In addition to his involvement in several professional organizations, Dayne worked with RCCD to initiate the Starting Blocks learn-to-swim program and serves as a member of the CBU Athletic Development Board. Dayne has been instrumental as a member of the Parkview Golf Tournament planning committee, where a team from Tilden-Coil has participated annually. He and his wife Leigh reside in Riverside and together have four children.
Dex Alexander
Board Member
Dex Alexander is the founder and Creative Director at Black Roses, a brand strategy partnership in Riverside, CA. While overseeing the day-to-day operations, he is also responsible for ensuring the clarity of his clients’ offerings through a proprietary process that builds brands with character. A self-taught multi-disciplinary creative professional, Dex’s career includes stints as an accomplished musician and award-winning songwriter, videographer, photographer, and graphic designer. He transitioned to the role of executive creative director and for 15 years, led teams comprised of hundreds of on staff and freelance creatives. He’s been invited to four commercial brain trust committees, consults with executives and leaders of organizations, and sits on the Riverside Commission for Community Policing. As an active member of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, Dex and Black Roses are committed Riverside business owners, investing in the revitalization of downtown’s Main Street where they established their office, opened a standalone business, and are currently developing future opportunities. Dex is married to Dr. Noemi Hernandez-Alexander, Chair of the Online Political Science Department at California Baptist University. They have two children, Zoe and Ezekiel.
Dwight Tate
Past President
Born “in an orange grove”, Dwight Tate has lived virtually his whole life in Riverside. He attended Magnolia Elementary School, Central Junior High, graduating from Poly at the “new” site. (Dwight still carries his ASB card with the alma mater printed on the back in his wallet). He then went on to UC Riverside, transferred to and graduated from UC Berkeley (CAL) with an individual major in Political History and Art History. He returned to UC Riverside where he completed a teaching credential and eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Lastly, he completed the Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from UC Riverside Extension. Professionally, Dwight worked for 20 years as a Social Work Administrator for people with developmental disabilities and their families, in various settings including Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona, Area Board XII in Riverside, Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, and the Developmental disabilities Center of Orange County. For the next 20 years, he was a Financial Advisor with Waddell & Reed, Inc., here in the Riverside Office. He is currently enjoying retirement.
Judy Carpenter
Board Member
Judy is a graduate of Cal Poly Pomona in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has been a Healthcare Executive in the City of Riverside for over 25 years. Her community involvement is certainly extensive. Judy was a graduate of the 2006 Greater Chamber of Commerce Leadership Riverside class. In 2007, she was honored with the following awards: Riverside County YWCA’s Women of Achievement, the Athena of the Inland Valleys Award, and the Corporate Spirit of the Entrepreneur. Riverside Community College District recognized Judy in 2013 for her distinguished public service, and in 2016, Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation presented her with the HERO award for Community Leader of the Year. Judy was presented with the Frank Miller Achievement Award by the Mission Inn Foundation in 2017. The Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce recognized Judy as the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Judy currently serves as a Board member and past President of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Monday Morning Group, the Raincross Group, and is a Director for Provident Bank, Janet Goeske Foundation, among other commitments.
Karen DeMarco
Board Member
Karen DeMarco is a senior communications and marketing executive with more than 20 years’ experience within business, technology, consumer lifestyle, entertainment and cause advocacy sectors. She works closely with brands, from stealth start-up to established entities, on global brand strategy, strategic business planning and corporate development. DeMarco regularly produces and moderates industry panels, and events, and has had the opportunity to be involved with a wide range of advocacy campaigns including: JCPenney Cares and The USO, Samsung’s Hope for Children, the historic Live8 global concerts Make Poverty History, the Nelson Mandela 46664 Concert for World Aids Day, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Invest in Hope, The Humane Society of the United States and local pet rescue “adopt don’t shop”, the UN Foundation and Summit on the Summit Kilimanjaro global clean water crisis project, and more. In addition to the Parkview Legacy Foundation, she has served on the board of several start-ups, the Entertainment Publicists society, the T.J. Martell Foundation, among others. As a native of Riverside, the Parkview Legacy Foundation is an organization close to DeMarco’s heart. The organization has been a constant in her life, her mother, Pamela, was a founding board member of the Parkview Community Hospital Foundation and the Parkview Legacy Foundation. She is proud to serve the Foundation and carry on the family legacy.
Norm Pelzer
Board Member
Norm Pelzer founded RLM Company in 2016. RLM publishes Riverside Living Magazine. Riverside Living is read by nearly 7500 of the most affluent residents in the city of Riverside. They make up the city’s movers & shakers and he fondly refers to them as the donation check writers. In 2021, Norm launched IE Business Edge, the Inland Empire’s most influential business magazine with connection to thousands of business owners and leaders. The Edge encourages readers to learn, expand, and collaborate to grow their business. Professionally, Norm spent nearly three decades in director level leadership including developing and leading sales & marketing divisions and training & development groups for some of the largest financial companies in the country including Bank of America, Countrywide, and IndyMac Bank. In addition, Norm has served as a business consultant building sales models and systems for business owners wanting to improve their sales strategies, tactics, and personnel. Norm has lived in Riverside nearly his entire life and is committed to the continued growth and success of the City he grew up in and loves. He currently serves as board past president of Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars, and sits on several other boards, councils and committees including CBU Jabs Business School Circle, The CARE Project Inc., and the Riverside Philharmonic just to name a few. He is deeply involved in the local chambers of commerce as a board member, 2-year chair of the Business in Action Committee, and incoming president of Magnolia Center Business Council. He is also a city-wide commissioner on the Budget Engagement Commission for the City of Riverside. He has five amazing grandchildren given to him by two beautiful daughters. Norm credits his success to the belief that most of life’s new opportunities happen on the other side of an introduction.
Todd Ridgway
Board Member
As the current Director of Relocation and Branch Manager with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Realty, a veteran, father, and community advocate, Todd knows the importance of working together toward a common goal. A decorated member of the US Army, Todd led an infantry squad in Iraq and has been in leadership positions throughout his career. While he relies heavily on technology, he has hand-chosen the men and women he works with and understands that people matter. Todd takes a “high touch” approach to life and strives to create a community where fairness, empathy, and equality reign. Todd benefits from a ground-up involvement with various local service clubs, regional municipalities, charitable foundations, and homelessness prevention organizations. He currently serves as a City of Riverside Planning Commission Member, was the 2020-2021 Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce Magnolia Center VP of Community Relations and is currently on the Chamber Business Education Partnership and Military Affairs Council. Todd serves as 2021-2022 Riverside East Rotary, President, is on the board of Path of Life Ministries and had the honor of being a “Big” with Big Brother Big Sisters of IE/OC. Sought after for his strategic planning, event organization, and fund development aptitude, Todd is a results-driven leader that takes a personal interest in the people and situations that create needs in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Parkview Legacy Foundation?
A: Parkview Legacy Foundation is a 501c3 dedicated to benefiting its communities in four distinct areas: housing stability, social mobility, whole health accessibility, and integrated solutions.
Q: When was Parkview Legacy Foundation formed?
A: July 2019
Q: How is Parkview Legacy Foundation funded?
A: Parkview Legacy Foundation was initially funded by the sale of Parkview Community Medical Center, a non-profit hospital, to AHMC, a for profit hospital group. With the sale, the state of California required that the proceeds of the non-profit hospital be used for the benefit of the community through the creation of a non-profit public charity or private foundation. Parkview Legacy Foundation is the result of that transaction. With the funds endowed to the organization, we are honored to invest back into the local community with a broad scope of ensuring the equitable probability of wellness through social determinants of health.
Q: Who does Parkview Legacy Foundation benefit?
A: Parkview Legacy Foundation benefits its local community through partnerships with civic and educational institutions and non-profit organizations in four distinct areas: housing stability, social mobility, whole health accessibility, and integrated solutions.
Q: When will the community at large start to see these actions in place?
A: Our actions are ongoing. The dedicated non-profit organizations and initiatives who are the primary beneficiaries of our purpose are beginning to see the impact and benefits of our work now.
Q: How do we partner with Parkview Legacy Foundation?
A: Parkview Legacy Foundation enjoys partnering with local, regional, and national organizations to support and further work in line with our mission and service areas. Those interested in entering into a strategic partnership please contact us at 1-833-943-0003 or submit inquiries to damien@parkviewlegacy.org. Additional details about Parkview Legacy Foundation’s areas of focus and current projects can be found at parkviewlegacy.org.
For more about Parkview Legacy Foundation’s response to the 2020 economic, health, and social crises, please visit https://parkviewlegacy.org/answers-to-recent-questions