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Board Bios

 Suresh R. Chandra, MD Founder and Chairman

Dr Chandra with patientDr. Suresh R. Chandra is the Founder and Chairman of the Combat Blindness Foundation (CBF).A Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin, he did his Retina Fellowship at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Chandra has been Principal Investigator of DRS, ETDRS, MPS, COMS, CAPT, and AREDS, supported by the National Eye Institute. He has authored 134 publications and 9 book chapters. In addition, Dr. Chandra is a counsel member of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight, a global joint initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

 

Awards and Recognition:

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology “Honor Award” in 1990
  • “Outstanding Humanitarian Award” in 1996.
  • Association of Asian Indians in Ophthalmology “Outstanding Humanitarian Award” in 1996.
  • “Dr. Nataraja Pillai Award” by the Vitreoretinal Society of India in 2003
  • “Syalma Bhaskaran Oration Award” at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad in 2004
  • “P. Shiva Reddy Oration Award” by the Andhra Pradesh Society of Ophthalmology in 2004.
  • He has twice been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Rotary International.
  • Received commendation by Wisconsin Governors Tommy Thompson and Jim Doyle for his dedicated efforts to eliminate blindness in developing countries.

 

Gordon Derzon, MHA - Vice Chairman
Gordon Derzon served as the CEO of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics for 25 years and is currently an emeritus Clinical Professor at the University of Wisconsin. Gordon joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2002.

 

Richard Langer, JD - Treasurer
Rick Langer is a partner at Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP concentrating his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, trusts, and marital property. In addition to his private practice, Rick has extensive teaching experience as a lecturer to the University of Wisconsin Law School and various bar organizations in estate planning topics, including Marital Property Reform.  In 2002, he received the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Volunteer Fund Raiser award. Rick and his wife, Audrey, have traveled to India three times with CBF. An avid photographer, Rick recently started his own photography business. A founding member of the CBF board from 1984-2002, Rick rejoined the CBF Board of Directors in 2008.

 

Kashmira Sheth, MS - Secretary
Kashmira came to the United States from India at the age of 17 to attend college. After receiving a BS from the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and MS in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, she worked for the Wisconsin Agriculture Department for 15 years. Kashmira is now a fiction writer where her first young adult novel, Blue Jasmine, won the Paul Zindel First Novel Award. Kashmira joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2002.

 

John Pinto, MBA
John Pinto operates and runs several businesses in the real estate and vending arenas. He earned his MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Mr. Pinto has been active in politics since 1971 and has managed and helped with numerous local, state, and national campaigns. He joined the CBF Board of Directors in 1988. 

 

Michael Altaweel, MD
Michael Altaweel completed medical school in Canada as well as his internship and residency in ophthalmology. He then came to the University of Wisconsin in 1998 to complete a 2-year fellowship in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. Following his fellowship, Dr. Altaweel joined the UW Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Altaweel joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2002.

 

Ralph M. Cagle, JD
Ralph Cagle is a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin School of Law. Ralph began his tenure with the Law School as a Guest Lecturer in 1978 and joined the faculty in 1990, earning the title of Clinical Professor of Law in 1995. Ralph also serves as the Director of the school’s Lawyering Skills Program. In addition to his work in Wisconsin, Ralph has participated in legal seminars in the United States, Thailand, China, and Japan. Ralph joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2005.

 

Keshav C. Rajpal
Keshav Rajpal is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Currently, he is the Director of the Finance Roadmap for Telephone and Data Systems (TDS). Prior to joining TDS, Keshav was a Management Consultant for nine years in the High Tech, Media, Entertainment and Communications practice for Accenture, an international consulting firm. Keshav was born in New Delhi, India and came to the United States when he was five years old. It is this connection to his homeland that has sparked his interest in volunteer work throughout India. Keshav joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2004.

 

Dhavan Shah, Ph.D.

Dhavan Shah is a Maier-Bascom Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1999.Dhavan’s area of research is in the social psychology of political communication. He has developed research programs examining the capacity of mass and interpersonal communication, particularly the Internet, to encourage civic and political participation; the influence of news framing, cueing, and priming on cognitive complexity, social judgment, and public opinion; and the correspondence between media use and the intersection of consumer and civic culture, particularly the politics of consumption. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin, Dhavan gained professional experience at Leo Burnett Co, Fallon Worldwide, and PBS.  Dhavan joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2009.

 

Molly Walsh
Molly Walsh graduated from the University of Colorado. Currently, she is the Scheduler the office of Governor James E. Doyle.  As a staff member for Governor Doyle’s campaign, she headed the Stem Cell Supporters for the Governor.  She was also an event planner for the President Clinton, Secretary Albright, Michael J. Fox, Elizabeth Edwards and Senator Obama visits. Molly has been involved with a number of charitable organizations including The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Combat Blindness Foundation. Her two brothers have Usher Syndrome which involves hearing loss and retinitis pigmentosis.  Her mother suffers from progressive multiple sclerosis.  Accordingly, Molly is sensitive to those with disabilities and she is determined to make a difference. Molly joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2007.

 

Dan Erdman
Dan Erdman is the new face of neo-urban development in Madison, WI. He has his degree in business and architecture and developed several residential lots. He worked to create neighborhoods with grocery stores and small businesses surrounding them. He is a member of Erdman Enterprises. Dan joined the CBF Board of Directors in 2010.