Who We Are

“Our volunteers work like they have the best paying job in the world!”

All our volunteers are innovative and dynamic, with a commitment to excellence and collaboration with integrity. There are many more volunteers whose names do not appear here, but know that their contributions to Dequenesh have helped us establish a place in our community to meet the needs of the underserved. To all of our volunteers we send a heartfelt “Thank you.”

Brandy McLain, MS

brandy-200x200 Brandy started off designing a 5,000-square-foot, one-stop-shop health clinic for Dequenesh. Since then we’ve gone mobile, but she has been steadfast in her commitment to the board since 2003, currntly serving as the board president. Her undying leadership provides Dequenesh with a firm foundation and forward momentum for progress. A U of A College of Architecture graduate, she holds a Bachelor’s of Architecture and Master’s of Science in Planning. Keep your eyes open for this up-and-coming urban designer.

Joanna Fitzgerald, MBA

“Joey”, our new executive director, believes in ‘getting things done’ and driving results—through collaboration and partnerships. With an enthusiastic and friendly attitude, Fitzgerald radiates a sincere passion for Dequenesh’s vision of “mobilizing health care” and delivering quality care to under-served populations. Throughout her career Joey has worked in many different business sectors, most recently in the Insurance/Healthcare Industry. She has an undergraduate degree in Business Management and recently earned her MBA at the University of Arizona, Eller School of Management. She shares her home with her husband and two children with whom she shares her love of swimming, biking, cooking and reading.

Elisa Rogowitz, BS

Elisa worked as a volunteer and as a volunteer coordinator for Dequenesh. This trilingual student just graduated from the U of A Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Physiology, and this fall starts medical school at the U of A. Besides volunteering at Dequenesh, she enjoys acrylic painting, taking bike rides with her dog and, singing (very) off-key to her favorite songs.

Deanna Lewis, PA-C, MBA

Deanna is the founder of Dequenesh and has been a physician assistant for six years . A graduate of Stanford’s Primary Care Associate Program her emphasis in health care has always been the medically under-served patient populations, with the goal of increasing access to health and wellness services. She completed her MBA at the U of A Eller School of Management, is in her second year as a U of A/NASA Space Grant Fellow for Photovoltaic Outreach & Education and a new doctoral student at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. In her spare time she travels, practices yoga, is an avid runner and soap maker as well as an occasional tree-climber.

Pamela S. Lotke, MD, MPH

Pam is our medical director and supervising physician. A 1996 graduate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, she spent four years at the Beth Israel Medical Center completing her residency, and is currently a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist for University Physicians Healthcare. She speaks fluent Spanish and French, is an Arizona Clinical Research Scholar with interests in family planning and contraception, adolescent health and alternative medicine. In her spare time she hangs out with her family. We look forward to her leadership and guidance as we prepare to expand our services to provide comprehensive well-woman care.

Corky Poster, RA, AICP

Corky is a Registered Architect, a Certified Planner and the Qualifying Party for a General Contractors license (the Madrugada Group, Inc.). Mr. Poster’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna cum laude) from Harvard College (1969) and a Master of Architecture degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (1973). He has practiced architecture, planning and urban design, with a focus on housing and community development, in Tucson since 1973. He is one of three principals at Poster Frost Mirto. After 28 years as a faculty member at The University of Arizona, Mr. Poster is now a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, and has served on Dequenesh’s Advisory board for 5 years.

Theresa Ragsdale

holds a BA in Economics and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Montana and is currently an advisory board member. In her spare time she practices Ving Tsun Kung Fu, crochets and is a genealogy buff.

This is our newest slew of volunteers: Neely, Neeru, Abhishek, Jennifer, Krystal, Vinoo and Ruchi (on the left). They’re either pre-med, medical students or RN’s that have been with us a little over a year. They meet on a weekly basis for trainings, infuse the organization with their vibrant attitudes and energy, and most importantly: they show up so we can keep this “show on the road”. Their dedication, enthusiasm and passion for health care is contagious. It’s a privilege to work beside them and we have fun!