Past Board Members

Sonny Bains

Sandeep “Sonny” Bains, Class of 2010

Board Director 2020 – 2022

North Wales, PA
Sonny was born and raised in the Central Valley, where he began working on the family farm in Fresno, CA at a young age. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, followed by completing a residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Bains is a clinical pharmacist with extensive clinical leadership experience in both acute care and ambulatory healthcare settings with large healthcare systems in the greater Philadelphia area. He is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Bains Rx LLC, a healthcare consulting firm dedicated to improving outcomes while reducing costs. Sonny also serves on the Board of Directors of local community organizations in the greater Philadelphia region. Most notably, his work was on spotlight on the front page of The Washington Post.


Michael Conner

Michael S. Conner, Class of 2012

Board Director 2014 – 2018

Clovis, CA
Dr. Conner currently serves as the ‘Director of Leader Development and Student Relations’ for the California Pharmacists Association. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at University of the Pacific in 2012 and his Global MBA from Fresno Pacific University in 2014. He also graduated from CPhA’s Leader Development Institute in 2013 where he has served as a participant, learning coach, and facilitator in collaboration with the Pharmacy Leadership Education Institute. He is passionate about fitness, global studies, and maximizing his ability to serve others.


Gary DeGuire

Gary L. DeGuire, Class of 1989

Founding Director

Board Director 2008 – 2017

Brentwood, CA
Centralized Pharmacy Supervisor, past Regional Director Northern California Pharmacy Centralized Services and Operations Manager of Pharmacy Call Center for Kaiser Permanente. Previously employed by Longs Drugs as a Pharmacy Manager. Registered Pharmacist in California and Nevada, graduating from University of Pacific, Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree in 1989.


Matthew G. Dunn

Matthew G. Dunn, Class of 2011

Board Director 2013-2019

Fresno, CA
An Inpatient pharmacist for Kaiser Permanente Hospital and Clove Community Medical Center in the Greater Fresno area. Graduated from the University of Pacific School of Pharmacy in 2011 and was the second recipient of the John F. Schlegel Endowed Leadership Scholarship (2011).


Wayne Gohl

Wayne E. Gohl, Class of 1964 (deceased)

Founding Director

Board Director 2008 – 2015

Acampo, CA
Pharmacy Services Manager of Allied Health Services with California Correctional Health Services. Previously Pharmacist Manager at Mule Creek State Prison, and associated with Walgreen’s Drug Store. During his career, has been a pharmacy owner and CEO and Director of various Private and Public companies. Register Pharmacist in California and Nevada, graduating from University of Pacific School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy in 1964.


Rusty Hewitson

Louis “Rusty” F. Hewitson, Class of 1967 (deceased)

Founding Director

Board Director 2008 – 2015

San Francisco, CA
Former president and co-owner of Alisal Drug Stores, Inc. in Pleasanton; he recently sold his interest and is now semi-retired. A registered pharmacist in California and Nevada, he graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1967. In 1968 he attended US Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhodes Island and served on active duty until July 1970. He travels widely and speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.


Annie Ho

Annie Ho, Class of 2012

Board Director 2019 – 2022

Roseville, CA
Annie Ho practices as an oncology pharmacist at Sutter Roseville Medical Center where she also serves as a preceptor for APPE students. She became a board certification oncology pharmacist (BCOP) in 2019. Annie graduated from CPhA’s Leaders Development Institute in 2013 and continued in 2014 to serve as a learning coach. In 2015, Annie was awarded the “Distinguished New Practitioner” award by CPhA. She currently serves on the Pacific Pharmacy Alumni Association Board and has worked with the Alpha Psi Foundation since 2016, providing leadership development workshops to students and new practitioners. Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing, yoga, backpacking, crafting, and traveling.


Jeff Mierczynski

Jeff L. Mierczynski, Class of 1982

Board Director 2013-2019

Elk Grove, CA
Outpatient Pharmacy Manager for 22 years for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Pharmacies. Registered Pharmacist in California and graduated from University of Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1982 with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.


Loan N. Nguyen

Loan N. Nguyen, Class of 2009

Board Director 2013 – 2017

Sunnyvale, CA

Pharmacy Manager with CVS Pharmacy. Registered Pharmacist in California, graduating from University of Pacific, Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2009 with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.


Nam Nguyen, Class of 2008

Board Director 2018 – 2023

Dublin, CA

Nam is currently an outpatient pharmacy manager for Kaiser Permanente in the San Rafael Service Area. He previously worked for Longs Drugs/ CVS Pharmacy as a district pharmacy supervisor and pharmacy manager where he won the CVS Regional Paragon Award. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific in 2008. He also graduated from CPhA’s Leader Development Institute in 2014. Outside of work, he enjoys wine tasting, cooking and traveling.


Flint Pendergraft

Flint Pendergraft, Class of 1981

Founding Director

Board Director 2008 – 2014

Carmichael, CA

Former Vice President, Pharmacy and Healthy Lifestyles Initiatives with Raley’s
Responsible for the operational development, as well as all aspects of Sales, Marketing and Merchandising for the Pharmacy Department within all business units of Raley’s. Responsible for setting and achieving the strategic vision for the Pharmacy Department as well as the development of all healthy initiatives across all departments. Focus is on positioning the Raley’s Family of Stores as the customer preferred pharmacy experience and to create the future of a Wellness program while delivering on the financial and departmental objectives of today.


James E. Santa, Class of 1975 (deceased)

Board Director 2018 – 2020

Sacramento, CA
Currently a Consultant Pharmacist for Consonus Pharmacy; previously General Manager for Consonus Pharmacy. Before his work with Consonus, he was a Pharmacy District Manager at Long’s Drug Stores, and a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Northern Colorado. Graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of the Pacific in 1975.


Chintan D. Shah, Class of 2013

Board Director 2015 – 2021

Porterville, CA
Graduated from the University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2013 with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree. Currently working for Target Pharmacy in Bakersfield, CA as an Executive Team Leader. Active preceptor for Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiential rotations for Loma Linda University and California Northstate University. Past recipient of the John F. Schlegel Endowed Leadership Scholarship (2013).


Jon VanBoening, Class of 1967

Board Director 2018 – 2020

Bakersfield, CA
Jon took his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific, School of Pharmacy, in 1967. He practiced pharmacy for one year in Sheraton, Wyoming before returning to his home town of Bakersfield. After one year of hospital pharmacy he took the position of store manager and pharmacists at Country Club Drug in Bakersfield. In 1972 he established Bakersfield Drug Co. Inc. Prior to the sale of the company to Payless Drug in 1992, he had sole ownership or interest in eight pharmacies. In 1992 he obtained a Master’s of Science, Healthcare Administration from the California State University, Bakersfield, where he earned the honor of receiving the Graduate Deans Award for outstanding graduate for the ’92 graduating masters class of the University. In 1993 he joined the administrative staff at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital (a Dignity Health Hospital), and was named hospital president in 2001, a position he currently holds. In 2010, he was chosen by Dignity Health as the Corporate Senior Vice President Operations, Central California, a position he also remains in today. In this position he is responsible for seven Dignity Health Hospitals from Bakersfield to Stockton.


Angela Vu photo

Angela N. Vu, Class of 2010

Board Director 2013 – 2015

San Francisco, CA
Pharmacy Manager with CVS Pharmacy, graduating from University of the Pacific with a PharmD/MBA 2010 and a BS in Applied Economics. First recipient of the John F. Schlegel Endowed Leadership Scholarship in 2010.


Art Whitney

Arthur C. Whitney, Class of 1973

Founding Director

Board Director 2008 – 2016

Rocklin, CA
Graduated from UOP in 1973, currently president and CEO of Pacific West Pharmacy, Inc., specializing in long term care and president and CEO of Advantage Pharmaceutical’s, a compounding only pharmacy specializing in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and unique veterinary medications.

Alpha Psi Foundation

Creating tomorrow’s leaders through annual leader development programs, scholarships and awards.

MISSION

The Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt public benefit corporation, provides scholarships and leadership development for student pharmacists and new practitioners.

VISION

The Foundation aspires to be widely recognized for creating and developing tomorrow’s leaders in pharmacy, healthcare, and communities across the nation.

VALUES

The Foundation embodies the belief that investing in the development of student pharmacists and new practitioners is an investment in improving the profession of pharmacy and health of our communities.