Board of Directors
Saint Agnes Board of Directors play a vital role in furthering the Medical Center's healing mission. Our Board members volunteer their time to ensure that the Medical Center delivers the highest quality of care, while making recommendations for Saint Agnes strategic plans and advocating for our community benefits ministry, among other responsibilities. We're grateful for each of their individual contributions and want to give you a glimpse of who they are.
Judge Robert Oliver, Chair
The Honorable Judge Robert Oliver first served on the Saint Agnes Board more than 25 years ago. He remained connected at Saint Agnes through his support of the Saint Agnes Foundation, rejoined the Board in 2018 and was appointed as President in 2020. Judge Oliver is a graduate of California State University, Fresno and Golden Gate University School of Law and has long-term ties to the local community. Judge Oliver retired from the bench in 2015 following 20 years of service. He is an accomplished local attorney with a prestigious firm in Fresno, specializing in business law and estate planning. Judge Oliver was the Vice-President of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California and named Chair Emeritus of California State University, Fresno Foundation after 16 years of service. He continues teaching at local law colleges and holds numerous leadership roles in the community. Judge Oliver served in the Air National Guard for 22 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Ronald J. Wathen, PE, Vice Chair
Ronald Wathen currently serves as the President and CEO of Quad Knopf – a 125-person multi-disciplined professional engineering and consulting firm located in Visalia, California. He has over 30 years of civil engineering and leadership experience. He also is an active member of several professional and community boards and organizations. He is actively involved with the Saint Agnes Foundation and has served as President of the Men’s Club. He joined our Board of Directors in January 2022.
Sister Mary Alice Bowler, CSC
Sister Mary Alice Bowler is currently the Coordinator of the Holy Cross Sisters’ Nonviolent Communication project located in South Central Los Angeles, CA. Joining the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1957, her early years in ministry were primarily in institutional health care in the US. From the early 1980's to 2010, Sister Bowler lived and ministered in Uganda (East Africa) where she was involved in a variety of ministries in health care, religious formation of young sisters, and congregational area leadership for the Area of Africa. She returned to ministry in the US in 2010. Sister Bowler joined the Board of Directors in January 2019.
Susan D. Kuszmar, LMFT
Susan Kuszmar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and former Saint Agnes colleague. While at Saint Agnes, she served in a number of roles, including Vice President of Mission Integration, Director of the Center for Spiritual Care, Expressive Arts Therapy Coordinator and Bereavement Coordinator. Throughout her career, she has provided counseling and support for patients and community members. She played an integral part in developing Saint Agnes’ FOOTSTEPS program – an expressive arts program for children/caregivers affected by significant loss. She joined our Board of Directors in January 2022.
Dalpinder Sandhu, MD
Dr. Dalpinder Sandhu is a well-respected cardiologist and has been on the Saint Agnes Medical Staff for 16 years. He is Past-President of Medical Staff and an active member of the Board of Directors Medical Affairs Council, the Integrated Leadership Team and the Graduate Medical Education Committee. As a medical staff leader, Dr. Sandhu chartered several collaborative projects with the Medical Center, including a sepsis collaborative, a physician recognition program, and improvements in daily operations for the heart and vascular service through physician co-management.
Allen M. Evans, MD
Dr. Allen M. Evans began his local practice as an Otolaryngologist in 1992. He is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and also specializes in disorders of the professional voice. During his past 20 years of practice in the Central Valley, Dr. Evans has served in leadership and faculty roles at UCSF, including Chief of Department of Otolaryngology, Chief of Otolaryngology Division and currently as Assistant Clinical Professor. Prior to joining the Saint Agnes Board of Directors in January 2015, Dr. Evans served on various Saint Agnes Medical Staff committees including the Medical Executive Committee.
P. Terrence O'Rourke, MD
Terrence O'Rourke, MD, is a retired Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Trinity Health. Dr. O'Rourke worked with Trinity Health's clinical leaders to improve care coordination and incorporate evidence-based practices into the care delivery system. Prior to working in healthcare administration, Dr. O'Rourke was a practicing general surgeon. He has served on numerous boards and was recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in America" in 2000. Dr. O'Rourke was appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2013.
Janet L. Young, EdD
Dr. Janet Young served as Superintendent of Clovis Unified School District (CUSD) from 2011-2017. She served CUSD in a variety of capacities throughout her career, starting as a teacher before moving into school site and later district administration. She brings nearly 40 years of experience in instruction and business administration. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions to education. She joined our Board of Directors in January 2022.
Pilar De La Cruz Samoulian, RN, MSN
Before retirement, Pilar De La Cruz Samoulian served as the Faith Community Nurse at the Diocese of Fresno. As a registered nurse for 54 years, she brings an extensive health care career to Saint Agnes, with over four decades of leadership experience in both acute and long term care. Her years of service in executive roles – including Chief Nurse Executive of Fresno Heart Hospital, United States University Dean of Nursing and CSUF Director of Central California Center for Excellence in Nursing – are an asset to the Board of Directors. She also was an active member of the California Board of Registered Nursing for four years. She joined our leadership in January 2019.
Luis Santana
Luis Santana is the Executive Director for the Reading and Beyond program in Fresno. The program provides education to address literacy, after school programs, networks with government and community agencies and schools. Luis was born and raised in Brazil and was also a missionary in Colombia, South America. Luis has served on the Mission and Community Benefit sub-committee of the Board and became a member of the Board of Directors in 2017.