Board of Directors

Elizabeth Aderoju

Liz is an Internal Medicine physician at Duke Primary Care - Riverview, and the Regional Medical Director. She was drawn to Senior PharmAssist’s mission to improve access to medication as well as improved Medicare literacy for local older adults.

Tom Bacon

Tom is a “repeat” board member because he is so exceptional at blending his public health know-how with community-based efforts to improve the lives of our neighbors. He is the Former Director of the NC Area Health Education Program and a Research Fellow at Sheps Center of Health Services Research at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jeff Baker

Jeff is interested in business strategies to improve health outcomes - including for our older adult participants. He works in Research and Development for BD Technologies - a long-time supporter of our work. Jeff likes having fun with this family, volunteering, baking bread, and taking in the scene at a brewery he co-owns in Graham, NC.

George Bernhardt, Secretary

George served as a nonprofit Business Manager and CFO and brings years of experience with nonprofit management and volunteerism. He is especially interested in the challenging decisions that older adults face when it comes to insurance and medicines.

Cheryl Brewer, President

Cheryl is a pillar in the Durham nursing community, as the former Associate Vice President for Nursing at DukeHealth Private Diagnostic Clinic and is especially passionate about supporting individuals with sickle cell disease. Cheryl is currently the Senior Nurse Scientist for the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses & Professional Associates.

David Bright, Chair - Formulary Committee

David is a recently retired Internal Medicine physician with Durham Internal Medicine and is also trained as a pharmacist. He is most interested in filling in gaps in accessibility and in the delivery of important health services.

Ramonna Cvelich

Ramonna “came back home” to Senior PharmAssist as she began volunteering in 2010 when completing her Geriatrics pharmacy residency training, and she continued volunteering for a few years afterwards. She is pharmacist - Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist - at Duke Regional Hospital and interested in medication use particularly during transitions of care. Her children have her engaged in teaching Sunday School and coaching youth sports.

Lois Deloatch

Lois is a long-time advocate for older adults in Durham. Of course, she is better known at a music artist as an amazing jazz performer and supporter of all things art and culture. She serves on several other boards and has spent much of her career in fundraising for worthy causes at Duke, NCCU, and Self-Help’s Center for Responsible Lending. She was most recently a Senior Fellow at Self-Help.

Meri-Li Douglas

Meri-Li has served for several years on the Participant Advisory Council and has volunteered in our office. She trained as a Presbyterian minister and her positive - can-do - attitude is a wonderful influence. She worked with the UNC-Chapel Hill Program on Aging, which also makes her a valuable asset to Senior PharmAssist.

Karen Dunn

Karen is a physician and clinical researcher. She encountered many patients in her work who participated in clinical trials in order to have medical care and access to medication. She joined the Board of Senior PharmAssist to continue to help people access the care and information they need.

Janet Hortin

A long-time supporter of the program, Janet has used her medical degree to support home-bound older adults. She is excited that we help participants navigate Medicare, afford their medicines, and streamline medication regimens.

Ron Hunter, Chair - Development Committee

Ron was most recently the hotel general manager at the Radisson RTP and Embassy Suites. He is also involved with a number of groups including an international tourism group, and was chair of the Visitors’ Bureau for a number of years. He loves family activities and is passionate about improving the lives of older adults, now that he’s becoming one himself (in his words).

E. Rochelle Jackson

Rochelle is a retired educator who currently works part time as an Exceptional Children’s teacher. She is involved with a number of local nonprofits including Meals on Wheels, the Rescue Mission, and the Food Bank. She is excited about the way Senior PharmAssist is willing and able to assist the economic needs, financial support, medical needs, and Medicare insurance information.

Dementric Matthews

Dementric is a VP of Clinical Operations at Syneos Health. He’s also a food bank volunteer and a mentor to at-risk teens and young professionals from underserved communities. As a native son of the Bull City, Senior PharmAssist’s vision and mission resonates with him. He uses his experience to support our business strategy and development plans, and to give back to the community.

Jeff Potter, Treasurer and Chair - Finance Committee

Jeff worked at Duke University for 40 years from 1979 to 2019, first as an attorney in the Office of General Counsel and, for the majority of the time, as Director of Real Estate Administration. Over the years, in addition to providing legal advice on real estate and related matters, he has had a number of administrative responsibilities at Duke, including  managing and leasing of real estate and cell towers, and accepting and disposing of property acquired by gift. Outside of Duke, he has served on the boards of the Durham YMCA and Durham Habitat for Humanity, and he founded and ran for 12 years the Durham Girls Soccer League. In retirement, he and his wife volunteer at a local food bank.

Rebecca Reyes, Vice-President

Rebecca has lived in North Carolina for the last 30 years. She holds a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, and a Master of Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill.  Ms. Reyes worked at Duke Hospital from 1998-2015, primarily in articulating and prescribing culturally competent organizational strategies for the care of Limited English Proficiency patients and their families. Rebecca is also board member of El Centro Hispano, Durham Parks and Recreation Advisory committee, and NC Humanities Council and for the last 8 years was on the Self Development of People national committee.  

Reatha Rogers

Reatha is a very proud nurse, retired from WakeMed. She is enjoying retirement and finding time to listen to music, read, dance and keep up with other Hillside High graduates. She also serves on our Participant Advisory Council and knows how to get folks to show up for fundraising events!

Lynn Spragens, Chair - Replication Committee

Lynn is also a “returning” Board alumnus. She is Partner and Founder at Spragens & Gualtieri-Reed, a national health care consulting practice with significant expertise in strategic and business planning, new program development, and leadership support. Lynn is also President of Spragens & Associates, LLC a national health care consulting firm focused on business strategy for the spread of innovation in palliative care and geriatrics.

Sherry Spruill, Chair - Nominating & Leadership Development

Sherry is a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry to include Duke University, Moses Cone Hospital, and The Ohio State University Hospitals. She has professional experience as a case manager and employee assistance counselor and has worked both in medical and mental health settings. She is passionate about quality and patient safety. She looks forward to serving the seniors in the Durham community.

Kelly Sullivan

Kelly is an RN and Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services, Ambulatory for Duke University Health System. She loves being active in the community and joined Senior PharmAssist’s Board because of the positive impact she believes the organization has in the community. She discovered her love of working with older adults from her childhood relationships with her grandparents and great grandparents, and from the older patients she serves.

Gina Upchurch, Founding Executive Director

Gina was born in Durham and raised in Reidsville, N.C. Gina earned her Bachelor of Science in pharmacy and her master’s degree in public health at UNC-Chapel Hill. She also completed a residency in geriatric pharmacy practice at UNC-CH. Between degrees, she served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer teaching science in Botswana. For a more complete bio on Gina please look under Staff.