Board of Directors

Executive Board

Becky Whittemore, RN, BSN, MN (FNP), MPH, PhD

Becky is a lifelong healthcare professional whose 45‑year career spans military service, public health, clinical practice, academia, and community leadership. A retired U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer, she served in roles ranging from NICU nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner to Chief of Preventive Medicine.
Her passion for education led her to the University of New England, where she directed the Master of Public Health program and helped design and launch its online curriculum. Becky later returned to clinical practice in Oregon as a Nurse Practitioner, caring for newborns with rare metabolic conditions while educating families and providers statewide on the importance of Newborn Screening.
Now residing in Oriental, North Carolina, Becky is deeply committed to the clinic’s mission, having first volunteered as an RN and later as a board member before assuming her current leadership role. She also serves as the Community Engagement Leader for the Imagine Pamlico Health and Wellness Initiative, is an active member of the Prime-Time Board of Directors, and chairs her church’s Finance and Outreach Committees.
Deeply rooted in community, faith, and family, Becky finds her greatest joy in time spent with her spirited young granddaughter, who keeps her grounded.

Dr. Rick MacRae, DDS, FAGD

Board Vice Chair

Rick is a retired general dentist with a long history in dental practice, public health, education, mentoring, hospital dental care and care for persons with special needs.
He served as a commissioned officer in the US Army with a tour as a platoon leader and staff officer in an artillery battalion in Vietnam.
Following his discharge, he opened a general dental practice in upstate NY and has had faculty appointments at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the College of Dental Medicine of Columbia University, Rick has presented papers at national, state and local dental conferences, has published articles and has been an advocate for special needs oral health care. Serving as a Dental Director for United Cerebral Palsy Association of NY, he set up special needs oral health facilities in five locations in NY.
Since moving to NC, he is chair of the Special Needs Action Committee for the School of Dental Medicine at ECU, serves on an advisory Board for a major Children's and Family Services agency in NY and is Vice Chair of the Board of Hope Clinic.

Jay Gates

Treasurer

Jay and his wife Lauri retired and moved to Oriental from New Jersey in 2017. After graduating from Gettysburg College, Jay spent his 40-year career in the areas of accounting and business management for both private and public entities. Jay has a passion for boating, enjoys spending time with family, and traveling the world with his wife.

Kim Stewart

Secretary

Kim Stewart retired from the Cherry Point Naval Aviation Depot after 33 years of distinguished civil service. She completed the Aircraft Engine Repair Program and began her career as an Aircraft Engine Repairer, a role she held for several years. Kim ultimately retired as an Industrial Specialist in Process Improvement. Following her federal service, Kim volunteered at Hope Clinic for two years before joining the staff as Clinic Support Coordinator. She served in that position for a decade, retiring in July 2025. In January 2026, she was elected Secretary of the Board of Directors.
In her spare time, Kim enjoys camping and fishing with her husband. She also treasures time spent with her daughter and grandson, who live in Raleigh.

Board Members

Kevin Bryan, BSME, PE

Kevin Bryan has over 40 years’ experience in the chemical processing industry. He started his career with Dupont before moving to the Phosphate Industry in North Carolina (currently Nutrien). Kevin was Manager of Maintenance and Engineering at the Aurora, NC Phosphate complex. After retirement, Kevin formed Kevin Bryan Consulting PLLC and now offers services to the chemical industry. Ongoing projects include technical oversight for design, fabrication, and construction of a 2250MTPD Sulfuric Acid Plant for Lithium Americas and consultation on design of a next generation Sulfuric Acid Plant for Recalibrate Co.
Kevin is the past Hope Clinic Board Chair and a current Board member. Kevin volunteers at the Pamlico County Council on Aging building wheelchair accessible ramps for homeowners in Pamlico County. Kevin is one of the sponsors of Luby’s Breakfast which is an annual fund raiser for the Pamlico County Rotary Club.
Kevin spends his free time sailing and playing tennis.

Janet Simpson, MSB, MA, BA

Janet Simpson is a bioethicist and educator with more than 30 years of experience in clinical ethics, patient advocacy, and healthcare governance. She served on the Medical Ethics Board of a major regional hospital system on Long Island, advising on complex clinical cases, end of life decision making, and ethical policy development.
With an academic background in philosophy, ethics, and theology and completing doctoral coursework in bioethics; she has taught biomedical ethics, logic, and applied ethics throughout her academic career. Janet has also held leadership roles in curriculum governance, accreditation, and faculty development. She has also held leadership roles in curriculum governance, accreditation, and faculty development.
Her current work includes developing an interactive bioethics text for nursing education and supporting patients navigating Medicare and Medicaid while advocating for equitable access to wellness and healthcare. She continues to be an active member of national organizations in bioethics, research oversight, and philosophy.
Since retiring to Oriental, NC in 2021, Janet has focused on social justice issues, bringing her expertise in medical ethics and fundraising to the Hope Clinic. She also enjoys restoring vintage furniture and art and spending time with friends and family.

Ann Stackhouse, RN, BSN, MSEd

Ann Stackhouse is a dedicated registered nurse with 52 years of experience. Her career began in acute hospital settings where she provided intensive, specialized care to critically ill and unstable patients. Mentoring new hires to help them transition confidently into expert practice led to an offer to teach the next generation of student nurses during their clinical rotations, as well as managing and directing an RN-refresher course. Her commitment to hospital and academic educational programs also extended to outreach initiatives. Her role in organizing Angel Flights for free medical transport missions for patients facing barriers to accessing specialized care ensured timely treatment for those in remote or financially strained situations. She was the recipient of a Nursing Excellence Award in recognition of her contributions to education and innovative approaches to bridging gaps in patient treatment.
After relocating to Oriental in 2008, Ann remained passionate about health equity and preventive care and became involved in community and non-profit work. She became a Board member in the fall of 2025, but she has been a nurse volunteer at Hope Clinic for many years. Ann is honored to contribute to Hope Clinic’s mission of building healthier communities. She also serves on the local boards for Prime Time, Pamlico County Food Bank, and Pamlico Methodist Church; other positions included the Sailing Club of Oriental, the Oriental Woman’s Club, and Master Gardener alumni.
Outside of her volunteer work, Ann enjoys biking and sailing with her friends and family, growing plants and flowers, and reading historical fiction.

Ren Thorne, LCSW

Ren A. Thorne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been working in the mental health field for over thirty years in Georgia, Virginia and now North Carolina. He has worked with multiple populations including hospitalized adolescents and children, youth in the department of juvenile justice, incarcerated adults, formally incarcerated individuals reengaging in the community, and individuals with serious mental illness who are deemed to be at risk to themselves or others.
He and his wife recently relocated to Oriental, North Carolina. He is married with two adult children and a six-month-old grandson that he does not see as often as he would like.

Patricia Tikkala, BBA (Accounting)

Patricia Tikkala has a background in finance and business operations that spans over 40 years, with the last 30 years focused on the wireless industry with executive positions at Nextel, Sprint and T-Mobile. During her career, Patricia was closely involved with public safety throughout the country, the management of a multi-billion wireless spectrum portfolio, the adoption of Sarbanes-Oxley risk management and financial control policies and compliance, and regulatory (FCC and SEC) compliance. She spent her professional career in the Washington, DC area until her retirement to Oriental in 2020.
In addition to her work in the wireless industry, she has pursued advanced courses in Public Health, with a particular interest in health and wellness in rural areas – areas with large, underserved populations. That interest led her to join The Hope Clinic Board of Directors in 2021. She also serves as the Treasurer for the Southeast Pamlico Volunteer Fire Department and is a member of her community POA board.
Patricia and her husband greatly enjoy traveling and exploring other cultures, as well as being outdoors hiking with their dog.

Rizwan Virjee

Rizwan is the founder of Organic Shield Inc., which produces and supplies organic products to retail businesses, promoting healthier everyday living. He also created Serenity Campground, a nature-focused glamping destination that offers peaceful waterfront accommodations designed to help people recharge and reconnect.
His work reflects a strong commitment to wellness, community impact, and supporting healthier lifestyles.

Samuel Dail, MD

Medical Director

Board of Directors (ex-officio)

Samuel Dail, MD is a family physician and native to the service area of the Hope Clinic. He is a proud graduate of The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and completed his residency at Palmetto Health in Columbia, SC.
Dr. Dail practices broadly, spending time in both primary care and urgent care at Coastal Carolina Health Care (CCHC) in New Bern, NC. In addition to full time practice, he is the urgent care medical director and serves on the Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee for CCHC. His clinical interests include primary care procedures, point-of-care ultrasound, health informatics, and value-based care.
He is blessed with wonderful family and friends who keep him recharged from professional work.