leadership team
Ashish Patel, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Ashish Patel, a seasoned neonatologist with over a decade of experience serving the Valley community, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his work. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Patel has been deeply involved in palliative care and neonatal abstinence care initiatives within the Banner Healthcare System. Currently serving as the Medical Director of the NICU at Banner Gateway Medical Center and holding a position as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, Dr. Patel is committed to advancing the field of neonatology and improving outcomes for newborns and their families.
In his personal life, Dr. Patel finds solace in reading and enjoys staying active through playing basketball. Residing in Phoenix with his wife and daughter, he is deeply rooted in the community he serves.
Looking ahead, Dr. Patel eagerly anticipates joining Jacob’s Team as Medical Director, where he is enthusiastic about meeting the clinical team and collaborating to further the organization’s mission. He is particularly eager to contribute to the growth of the organization, starting with outreach within the medical community to reach more mothers and babies in need. Dr. Patel is well-versed in the Eat, Sleep, and Console program and looks forward to working closely with our moms and babies. With his passion for patient-centered care and commitment to excellence, Dr. Patel is poised to make a significant impact in his new role at Jacob’s Team.
Lyndsey Mathiowetz, BSN, RNC-NICU
Hospital Liaison
Lyndsey has been a NICU nurse since 2001 and brings a wide array of infant and family experiences to Jacob’s Hope. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with the babies, families and staff at Jacob’s Hope.
I have loved babies for as long as I can remember and my only career goal was to become a NICU nurse. I graduated from nursing school in 2001 and I started my first job in a NICU in Denver shortly after. I have worked in several NICUs over the last 20 plus years but the last several years have taken a turn as far as the patient population I have seen. There are many babies that are in the NICU because their drug withdrawal is so severe that they require medication and/or feeding tubes. My heart has been absolutely broken when I am caring for these babies because often I have been assigned 2-3 other patients and I have to leave them to care for my other patients. I had been following facilities like ours over the last few years and in January of 2022, I decided to take the leap by joining the nursing team. I quickly regained the passion for my career again. I felt like I was finally able to give the babies and their families the time and care they deserved. I love our team at Jacob’s Hope and I am so excited for the future!
Samantha Bailey, MC. LPC
Behavioral Health Director
As a Licensed Professional Counselor Samantha has worked with children and adults of all ages in specialized treatment programs including crisis intervention and outpatient services. Samantha holds a Masters degree in Clinical Counseling from Grand Canyon University and has experience in treating complex trauma and PTSD using multiple therapeutic modalities. She has a genuine interest in aiding others and has been dedicated to helping her community through counseling for the last five years. Samantha enjoys reading, traveling, trying new restaurants around town and volunteering at Phoenix Children’s Hospital where she serves as Chair for the Cardiac Patient and Family Advisory Council. Samantha is looking forward to assisting Jacob’s Hope staff utilize their empathetic talents and help our patients and families create long term connections within the community.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Jo Jones, Board President
Executive Director
Jo’s commitment to improve the lives of Arizona’s most fragile stems from her own experience, as a mother of five children—four of which are adopted, including her beloved Jake. She has been involved with foster care and adoption for almost 29 years, serving on the AZ Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board for over 15 years. Determined. Impactful. Jacob’s Hope fuels Jo’s passion for the tiniest infants and families in need of a fresh start.
Cynthia Handy, BS, Vice President
Director of Revenue Cycle Management, MIND 24-7
Cynthia has worked in the mental health field in Arizona for 20 years as a director of claims and billing for several behavioral health agencies. Cynthia served as a founding board member for a local adoption agency. She volunteered as an AZ Supreme Court Foster Care Board member for almost 20 years.
As a foster mother for four years, Cynthia knows firsthand the challenges and rewards of caring for substance exposed infants. It is easy to see how foster care and adoption hold a special place in her heart. Cynthia enjoys reading, hiking, and cooking in her spare time.
William Letizia, CISA, CISSP, Treasurer
Data Analytics Audit Manager- Executive Director, Wells Fargo
Lindsey Augeri, Secretary
Educator
Lindsey is a former Mesa Public School teacher who recently decided to stay at home with her young daughter and infant son. She loves kids and is passionate about working with at-risk children. She and her husband were also foster parents for two years. Lindsey remembers growing up with Jacob and looks back fondly on the way he loved others so well. Lindsey has a desire to see kids grow up with a strong support system. She believes that Jacob’s Hope is a necessary step for that to become a reality in the lives of these infants.
BOARD MEMBERS
Michael J. Lucherini, MD, MS
Physician, Summit Medicine and Pediatrics
Massachusetts born and raised, Dr. Michael Lucherini’s extensive education includes multiple degrees from Brown University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In 1998, he and his wife, Mary Ellen, made their home in Mesa. He began a combined residency in internal medicine and pediatrics in Phoenix hospitals. Dr Lucherini has been in private practice for over 20 years.
In 2013, he launched his Direct Access Medicine® practice, Summit Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Mike and Mary Ellen love life and are very proud of their two beautiful daughters whose education and careers are rising to great success.
Tobin Cookman, BA, MBA
Senior Vice President Human Resources, ON Semiconductor
Tobin is a former Human Resources executive who recently retired from his corporate job to spend time with his wife Jennifer, their children, grandchildren and to give back to the community. Tobin and Jennifer have provided long term foster care and foster respite care for NAS babies the past few years. Tobin has a desire and passion to see NAS babies thrive within a strong and loving support system. The care provided by employees and volunteers at Jacob’s Hope align to Tobin’s passion. He believes that Jacob’s Hope provides the specialized, attentive and compassionate care NAS babies require and deserve. Tobin enjoys running, hiking and spending time in the outdoors with his wife Jennifer.
Angela Pon, CHC
Chief Compliance Officer, MIND 24/7
Angela Pon, MIND 24-7’s Chief Compliance Officer, has dedicated her career to making a difference through mental health services. Angela has served in health care leadership for over 16 years. Prior to joining MIND 24-7, Angela was Director of Quality and Compliance for a multi-state mental health and crisis services organization. Before that, she served as the Administrative Director of an integrated and behavioral health nonprofit organization spanning the state of Arizona. In her current role, Angela oversees the creation of policy, ensures compliance with regulatory bodies and partner requirements, licensing facilities, and overall clinical quality of services. She has extensive experience in working with accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
As the mother of two small children, creating healthy and strong families is near and dear to her heart.
Angela holds a Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and earned her Six Sigma Green Belt in 2017. She also is a former certified youth and adult mental health first aid instructor and former volunteer for Doctors of the World.
Jerome Przystup, BS
Compliance Project Manager, AHCCCS
Working as Case Manager and Crisis Clinician for over 10 years, Jerome has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral health and substance abuse issues. His extensive experience also includes regulatory and compliance management within medical facilities in Arizona. Having served on three previous Board of Directors, Jerome looks forward to serving on the Board at Jacob’s Hope. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family doing outdoor activities like hiking, or watching his son play soccer.
Brian Jones, MA Ed, M Div
Retired Educator
As a resident of Arizona for over 59 years, Brian enjoyed a 28-year career as an elementary school teacher. He retired in 2014 and established an independent painting contracting company. He serves alongside his wife, Jo, on the board for Jacob’s Hope. Brian is Jacob’s father, so this center is near and dear to his heart. Being involved in foster care and adoption has given him the skills needed to help these newborns. He brings a caring heart for babies and a nice warm lap for them, as well. Jacob’s Hope is dedicated to Brian and Jo’s son, and will always be a very important part of their lives.
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Larry Brewer
Change a life today
It doesn’t take much to change a life,
Get in touch today and start making the difference.
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40.
