MDA Team
Mission Doctors Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for Mission Doctors Association is made up of those who have served in mission, both long and short-term, as well as dedicated members of the community who bring their gifts to make the lifesaving work of MDA possible.
All who serve on the board do so as volunteers, developing and supporting the Strategic Plan of Mission Doctors Association.
President
Ann Marie Raffo, MD
Vice President
Martha Franz, MD
Treasurer
Martin Casaus, CPA
Executive Secretary
Timothy Cavanagh, MD
President Emeritus
Thomas Liautaud
Chaplain
Rev. Ed Benioff
Board of Directors
- Andrew Argle
- Elizabeth Ashforth, PhD
- Eli Ayoub, MD
- Jaime Kapur, MD
- Br. John Kiesler OFM
- Margaret Liautaud
- Mary Lou Malphus
- Ashley Martabano, JD
- Lisa Masterson, MD
- John Nguyen
- Gary Ponterelli, MD
- Henoc Rodriquez, MD
- Patrick Ryan, MD
- Jennifer Thoene, MD
Mission Doctors Staff
The staff of Mission Doctors Association sees to the day-to-day efforts to recruit, train, send and support Catholic Doctors and their families.
Elise Frederick, Executive Director
Elise and her husband Tom and their young family served as in Thailand as lay missionaries from 1978 to 1981, and she left her heart in the missions. Since returning, she has worked for Mission Doctors, working with the doctors who serve long and short term, with the Auxiliary and all the friends of MDA. She has visited the Bishops and Religious, as well as the Mission Doctors in Africa and Latin America. She is often quoted saying that “The best part of my job is working with all the amazing doctors, the dedicated Board of Directors, and all of MDA’s friends and supporters.” In addition to being married to always helpful, husband Tom for 50 years, she is the mother of four adult children, and grandmother of eight. If you are around her very long (more than 5 minutes), know she will find a way to get you involved in the work of Mission Doctors too!
In her free time, Elise enjoys spending time with family, painting watercolors, cooking, and baking. Recently, she has rediscovered her love of all things sourdough!
Jessica Franks, Communications Director
Jessica was born a “mission baby” when her parents were serving with Lay Mission-Helpers (Mission Doctors’ sister organization) in Thailand. Continuing the family tradition, Jessica fell in love with nonprofit work at a young age and started adopting animals, attending demonstrations and sending advocacy letters to elected officials. Jessica did a volunteer year at the White Violet Center at St. Mary of the Woods in Indiana after finishing college. In 2008, Jessica began her work with Mission Doctors. She oversees the website development, and the design of all print material and ensures that MDA is well represented on Social Networking! She and her husband Kevin have two amazing kids. When she is not taking them to the library or park, she is gardening and working on your next email newsletter and marketing plans to move Mission Doctors forward.
Amie Garcia, Program Coordinator
Amie Garcia began her career working at a student-run youth shelter throughout college. She knew that upon graduating she wanted to pursue a career in international service and development, so in 2019 Amie left to serve as a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic. After ending her service a year early due to COVID-19, and travelling back to get her dog to the United States, Amie began working for the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles at the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children as a Case Manager for their Recovery Rehousing Program. Amie has now happily joined Mission Doctors Association as Program Coordinator. In her free time, Amie is usually outdoors hiking with her dog, playing beach volleyball, or currently, learning how to rollerblade.
Bill Torbey, Office Manager and Development Associate
Bill brings a background in hospitality, guest services, and administration to his role as Office Manager / Development Associate at Mission Doctors Association. Through his professional experience and volunteer involvement with the organization’s annual Heart for the World Gala since 2018, he has developed a strong appreciation for service, relationship-building, and supporting a meaningful mission. Bill is excited to contribute his organizational skills and collaborative spirit to Mission Doctors Association’s work supporting missionary physicians and underserved communities. In his free time, Bill enjoys hiking, spending time in nature, traveling, and exploring new places.
Loreto S. Melo, Bookkeeper
Loreto Melo assists Mission Doctors with bookkeeping and financial record keeping. She recently retired from a UCLA affiliated non-profit community health center after 32 years. Loreto is an active parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Atwater Village, Los Angeles.
