the board of directors

Keith Desserich

Keith Desserich is a father, a parent of a DIPG child and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Cure Starts Now. He is an entrepreneur and President of Coit Services, RestorAid Remodeling and TAGI, LLC. He is also an author of "Notes Left Behind."

Gavin Baumgardner, DO

Gavin Baumgardner, DO completed his education at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine with residency at Doctors Hospital. He is currently with Ohio Health in the capacity of an Internal Medicine Hospitalist. He is Chair of the CSN Medical Advisory Council.

Brooke Desserich

Brooke Desserich is a mother and the parent of a DIPG child. She serves as CFO of two local service companies and former project manager of a software company. She is the President of CSN and Chair of the CSN Strategic Council.

Doug Desserich

Doug Desserich is a board member of The Cure Starts Now and owns several Cincinnati area businesses which he co-founded. He also serves as Treasurer of CSN.

Tamara Ekis

Tamara Ekis, of North Huntingdon, PA, is a kindergarten teacher and the mother of three children: Colin, Garrett and Grace. She was thrust into the DIPG community in January of 2007 when her then four-year-old daughter Grace was diagnosed with the deadly disease. Tamara and her husband, Brian, founded the Reflections Of Grace Foundation in memory of their daughter and have dedicated their lives to the fight against DIPG.

Trent Hummel, MD

Trent Hummel, MD is an instructor of clinical pediatrics with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He assists and advises in family-research relations and the creation of a family relations council.

Kyle McLaughlin

Kyle McLaughlin is the chair of the Investment Advisory Council. He is currently with Raymond James.

Melissa Saladonis

Melissa Saladonis handles governmental advocacy for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Heidi Feyerherm

Heidi is the mother of Chloe who is the inspiration behind the Monkey In My Chair program. She started the Love, Chloe Foundation after Chloe's battle with DIPG.