About

Scott G. Barnes, D.O., President

Graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1976. Did an internship and residency in Internal Medicine in the Harrisburg health system, followed by a fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology plus research, at the Pennsylvania State University Medical School and hospital at Hershey, PA. Dr. Barnes started practicing Hematology/ Medical Oncology in Harrisburg in 1984 until his retirement in 2012. He has been active in several local and national medical societies, community-based and faith-based projects. He has published eight medical articles concerning research in nationally recognized journals as well as publishing eight research- based abstracts for the American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Physicians. He has also presented research abstracts at these same nation meetings. He continues to live in the Harrisburg area.

Ken Arthur, MD, Immediate Past President

Dr. Arthur is a plastic surgeon practicing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for over 30 years. He became involved with surgical mission work more than a decade ago and has participated in eleven trips including the Philippines, India, Rwanda and Nepal. The opportunity to use his surgical training for those who would otherwise not receive care, along with the chance to experience the culture and people at each mission site are his motivating factors for participating in Operation Medical. Outside the operating room, he enjoys music, playing guitar and traveling.

Mukul Parikh, MD, President-Elect

Dr.Parikh is the Founding member of Operation Medical and served as President from its inception in 2013 to 2019. He has participated in over 20 medical missions in countries such as Thailand, India, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda and the Philippines since 2001. He has organized and coordinated all the missions to India, Nepal, Malawi and Rwanda. He believes strongly in the mission of Operation Medical helping the underserved around the globe. Dr.Parikh has served as Chairman, Department of Anesthesia at UPMC Pinnacle Health System from 2008 to 2015 and as Director of Anesthesia at UPMC Pinnacle Health West Shore Hospital from 2014 to 2019. He was President, Society of Diplomates of Harrisburg in 1997 and President of Dauphin County Medical Society from 2015-2017. He is currently the chair of IMG section at Pa Medical Society and serves on the Pa Med Board.

Dr. Parikh (along with his wife) received the Humanitarian of the year Award from United Way Capital Region in 2016, International Voluntary Service Award from Pennsylvania Medical Society in 2014 and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania in December 2013. He and his wife Dr. Neelima Parikh (also a founding member of Operation Medical with participation in 21 missions)) are involved in community and philanthropic work through Neelima and Mukul Parikh Foundation, both at home and abroad. When he is not working, he enjoys golf, yoga and nature walks.

George Grode, Vice President

George Grode has been active in the health care and insurance fields professionally and as a volunteer in Pennsylvania for over forty years. He served in the Administration of Governor Dick Thornburgh as Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning and as State Insurance Commissioner. He served Pennsylvania Blue Shield and its successor organization Highmark in numerous capacities retiring as Executive Vice President for Government Business and Corporate Affairs. George has been an active volunteer with a dozen health, education and human service organizations including terms as Board Chairman for Pinnacle Health System, American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley, United Way of the Capital Region and Drug Free PA. He lives in Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania with his wife Brigid.

Michael Zelko, CPA/ABV, CFF, Secretary/Treasurer

Mike is a Partner at Boles Metzger Brosius & Walborn PC, a Certified Public Accounting firm. He specializes in business valuation, business and personal income taxes and is certified in financial forensics. Mike is a former board member and treasurer for the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family.

Karmae Amsbaugh, Surgical Technologist

Karmae has been a Surgical Technologist for over 42 years. She became involved with Operation Medical in 2016 when she was part of the surgical team mission to Valsad, India. She has subsequently joined in on 3 additional trips to India and Africa.

During her service on the Warehouse Committee Karmae has provided valuable insights, helped recruit additional volunteers, including her own daughter Laura, and collaborates with the team to make sure everything we need to perform safe surgeries is ready to go on mission trips.

Karmae feels very blessed to be able to share her medical knowledge with others and give what she can to those less fortunate. In her spare time Karmae enjoys family beach escapes and rescuing/fostering multiple dogs and she lives in Carlisle with her husband Roger.

Jewel Cooper

Jewel Cooper is the Director of Business Development for LeTort Trust and Boyer and Ritter, LLC. In December of 2016, she retired from BB&T where she was a Senior Vice President responsible for business development in Dauphin and Cumberland counties. Previously, she was a Regional Executive with Susquehanna Bank and oversaw the Capital Region. She has over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

She is very active in the community. She served as past campaign and board chair of the United Way of the Capital Region. She is also on the boards of the Dixon University Center, Operation Medical, CREDC (past chair) and chair of the LINK Foundation. She is an alumnus of Leadership Harrisburg and a member of the Servant Leadership Society and the Legacy Society of the YWCA. Previously, she was on the board of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (past chair), YWCA and the Shalom House.

Jewel has received several awards including the LHA Platinum Servant Leadership, the Open Stage “Women Who Care” , YWCA’s Women of Excellence , the Volunteer of the Year by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, the Athena Award, the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award in the school of Behavioral Science and the CPBJ ICON award.

Jewel, her husband Woody and their dog Lulu reside in East Hanover Township.

J. Bret DeLone, MD

Bret DeLone, MD, is a board certified general surgeon with the Kunkel Surgical Group – Spirit Physicians Services, Inc. and is Chief of Surgery and a Medical Executive Committee member at Holy Spirit Hospital. As well, he is also an appointed member of the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine. His physician leadership includes past service as Holy Spirit Hospital Medical Staff President, as a member of the Holy Spirit PHO Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Primesource PHO Board. He is an active staff member of PinnacleHealth Hospitals and Grandview Surgery Center, and Associate Professor of Surgical Education at Hershey Medical Center. Dr. DeLone has long been a spokesperson and advocate on physician and patient issues. He co-hosts “Medical Matters,” a news radio program on WHP 580. As well, he often appears as a guest on discussion format television and radio programs, speaks at civic meetings and community events, and has provided health related testimony before the legislature. Dr. Delone resides in Camp Hill with his wife, Dr. Carrie DeLone.

Rise' Enoch

Ms. Enoch is a consultant with a not-for-profit organization and has been working with medical mission efforts for two years. In 2014, Ms. Enoch participated in her first trip abroad to Valsad, India. She feels a sense of giving back when working with others less fortunate. She has contributed many hours of her skills and energies to ready trips for missions.

Suzanne (Sue) Miller, CRNA

Sue Miller has volunteered with Operation Medical since it’s inception. Having had prior experience on medical-surgical missions to the Philippines, Honduras and Thailand she truly hit the ground running upon joining Op Med and has participated in 9 of our missions, including those to India, Africa and Nepal. Sue also plays a vital role as Co-Chair with Rise Enoch of Op Med’s Warehouse Committee procuring, organizing and ensuring all supplies are up-to-date for our surgical mission trips.

Sue recently retired after 42 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) during which time she was a Manager of Anesthesia for 9 years and self-contracted for 10 years. Sue has experience in serving on a board for non-profit organizations. Sue holds an MBA from DeSales University. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel and photography.

Meera Modi, Esq.

Mrs. Modi is a leading M&A attorney and trusted advisor to founders, executives and businesses, navigating them through mergers, acquisitions, sales and other strategic ventures. In the M&A community, Meera is widely-regarded as a premier “deal quarterback” and “closer” who is adept at managing transactions successfully to closing, all while consistently achieving clients’ transaction goals and objectives. Her solutions-based negotiating style is often recognized for being a key driver in getting deals across the finish line. Beyond Meera’s M&A practice, she is generally regarded as a trusted legal advisor to owners/executives, often serving as primary outside general counsel to those companies with limited or no in-house legal capabilities. In doing so, Meera works with business teams to implement legal strategy by negotiating and documenting arrangements involving customers, vendors, strategic partners, employees and owners. Active in the community, Meera has dedicated over 20 years of volunteer service to a variety of charitable organizations. She joined the board because she believes in Operation Medical’s mission of providing access to high quality medical care, which is something that many of us take for granted. In addition to serving on the board of Operation Medical, Meera is a member of the Board of Directors of Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORRF) and its principal subsidiary, Orrstown Bank, and Tres Bonne Annee. In addition, in 2020, Meera was recognized as a Lawyers on the Fast Track by The Legal Intellegencer, in 2022 she received the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s 2022 Tribute to Women of Excellence award, and in 2015, Meera was selected as one of Central Penn Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” award recipients.

Melissa Rau

Melissa Rau is the Director of Operations for Linwood Estate. Previously, she was the Executive Director for The Elegance at Hershey and Drug-Free Pennsylvania. Through her professional work experience of 27 years, 13 being directly in the non-profit industry: she is pleased to be helping Operation Medical as the new chair of the Marketing/PR Committee and raising awareness of Op Med’s life-saving missions.

She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends in her spare time. Melissa resides in Dillsburg with her husband, Chris, and two dogs.

Shawn H. Robinson

Shawn Robinson is a Team Leader in Highmark Blue Shield’s Financial Investigations and Provider Review Department.  His team is tasked with conducting provider audits and recovering claim payments related to fraud, waste and abuse.

Shawn earned a BS in Business Administration and a MBA in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University.  He is also a Certified Professional Coder.  In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Operation Medical, Shawn serves on the Board of Directors of the Case Management Unit.  He enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Adam Weikert

Mr. Weikert works with corporate and institutional clients in Central Pennsylvania to provide payment and treasury management services.  He focuses on payment solutions to maximize cash flow while managing fraud and exchange rate risks for his clients.

Adam earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the St. Francis University and MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University.  He is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP®) and a member of the Mid-Atlantic Association for Financial Professionals.  Adam resides in Harrisburg with his wife and their two daughters.  In his spare time, Adam enjoys traveling and fishing.

Baker Henson, DO

Dr. Henson is a general surgeon and is the founder and a board member of World Camp Inc., a NGO working in Malawi, Africa. He put through the original paperwork to found the organization while he was still in college. He has successfully led more than 200 volunteers through the World Camp program, taking the time to show each one the ups and downs of working in Africa, while looking out for the well-being of all. In addition to his work in Malawi, he has worked in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, India, and Honduras and completed a bike trip through most of eastern Africa. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of North Carolina and recently completed his surgical residency in Harrisburg, PA.

Kiran Patel

Mr. Patel has over 30 years of experience in hospitality/lodging development serving as Chief Investment Officer for the Hersha Group, managing the company’s complex development and financing activities. In 1992, Mr. Patel founded Kunj Inc., a strategic consulting company focusing on structuring commercial transactionsand real estate development. Over the past ten years, he has coordinated and traveled on multiple international medical missions and look forward to participate in many more with Operation Medical. Kiran has served, and continues to serve, as a board member for various community service organizations — Philanthropy and helping the underprivileged are some of his passions, as is spending time with his three grandchildren.

Cheryl A. Arthur, PMP

Cheryl is a Founding Member of Operation Medical, and has previously served on the Board and the Advisory Committee, as well as chairing our Marketing Committee and volunteering with the Warehouse Committee. She has been a regular team member on eleven mission trips including the Philippines and various locations in India, Nepal, and Rwanda and is coordinating and participating in the 2022 Kenya mission, as well as 2023 India mission.

In her role, Cheryl is focusing on administrative efficiency, trip coordination/logistics and volunteer recruitment for upcoming and new mission trips.

Cheryl recently retired from IS Project Management at Penn Medicine / Lancaster General Health. Cheryl brings over forty years of successful business operations, personnel management, customer service and project management experience. Skilled in handling multiple projects and establishing strong internal and external customer relationships. Highly experienced in organizing, directing, and implementing programs and strategic business solutions for significantly increased bottom-line revenues and customer satisfaction.

In her free time she enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking and playing piano. She lives in Lancaster with her husband, Dr. Ken Arthur.