CURRENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Daniel Beam
Dr. Joe Flynn
Margaret Gawthrop
Debbie Hall
Dr. Jessica C. Hume
Brian Kebsch
Laurie Kyger
Dr. Geetha Joseph
*George Lehman
*Rebecca Nash
Father Nick Rice
Andrew Settle
Connie Spalding
Jerry Steinberg
*Dylan Wagner
*Indicates Director
Daniel Beam
After meeting while both attending the University of Louisville, Daniel and Marc became fast friends and then roommates. They shared a love of good bourbon, good music, video games, and getting into just the right amount of trouble. Daniel saw firsthand Marc’s generous heart and willingness to help others in need; it’s these qualities Daniel hopes to bring to the committee in keeping Marc’s spirit alive. After living away for a time, Daniel has been back in Louisville since 2018 and works in the hospitality industry.
Dr. Joe Flynn, D.O.
Joseph M. Flynn, D.O., was named to his current position as Chief Administrative Officer of the Norton Medical Group and Physician-in-Chief of the Norton Cancer Institute on Dec. 15, 2017, after serving as executive director and physician-in-chief for Norton Cancer Institute since October 2015. Prior to that he served at The Ohio State University, Columbus, where he held several positions including co-director, division of hematology; associate physician in chief, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute; medical director, James Cancer Network; and associate professor of medicine of the university’s College of Public Health.
Dr. Flynn earned his undergraduate degree from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, and a master of public health degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. He earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pennsylvania. Dr. Flynn completed his fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda. He is board certified in medical oncology and he is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He has been active in community education on a wide variety of cancer-related topics and has contributed to more than 50 medical publications.
Margaret Gawthrop
Margaret is the proud sister of Marc Lehmann, the young man whose name graces this foundation’s title and heart. She witnessed, firsthand, her brother's noble, superhuman walk through the most daunting journey most of us can imagine - staring down our own mortality. It is both his journey and the journey of all of the beautiful souls that walked along side of Marc, that did their best to help lift his burden, even our burden, that inspire her to bring recognition and praise to those who relentlessly continue that work. It was an aspect of the human spirit that Marc readily recognized and appreciated. It is in his name that we continue to recognize and appreciating this gift with the intention of encouraging that level of treatment until it is considered nearly contagious and entirely common among caregivers. Margaret has talents that lie in the artistic and creative realm that she enjoys utilizing for this foundation.
Debbie Hall
Debbie is currently a Norton Cancer Institute Volunteer, and volunteers at the Pat Harrison Norton Cancer Resource Center.
She attended the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, earning a Marketing Degree, and completed coursework in the IU/IUPUI Executive MBA Program. She is an experienced professional in marketing, sales, marketing research, events and fundraising.
Dr. Jessica C. Hume
Dr. Jessica C. Hume is an Assistant Professor in the College of Health Professions at Bellarmine University. She holds a B.A. in English from Bellarmine University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Spalding University, and a Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Humanities from the University of Louisville, with a focus on health humanities. Her areas of expertise include social experiences of illness (especially breast cancer), the history of medicine and anatomy, intersections between health, illness, and literature, health and social justice, illness and gender, and gender in fairy tales. She has presented papers and led workshops at health humanities conferences in the US and in Europe. Her most recent published works include two book chapters: “Dining Room and Kitchen: Food Related Spaces and Their Interfaces with the Female Body in Purple Hibiscus,” in A Companion to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; and “Learning Communities: More than Just HIP,” in Transformative Student Experiences in Higher Education. She is currently researching the history of tuberculosis in Louisville, KY. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, knitting, reading, writing, collecting vintage and antique items, and spending time with her friends and family, especially her husband and son.
Brian Kebsch
Brian is almost a member of the Lehmann family, having known and loved Marc from the age of 11. They shared all kinds of adventures as kids and especially enjoyed borrowing Mr. Lehmann’s vintage cars and cruising, with music blaring. Brian carries Marc’s memory and spirit for helping others with him always, and is honored to participate in forwarding the mission of this Foundation. Brian lives in Louisville with his wife and children, and is an accomplished musician.
Laurie Kyger
Laurie is a native of Louisville and graduated from Spalding University with a BA in Biology. She has worked for Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals for almost 24 years. During her career at BMS she has held several positions: Territory Business Manager CV, Hospital Territory Manager CV/Diabetes, Associate Manager Region Operations and District Business Manager Diabetes. She is currently working in the Oncology business unit. She has a daughter, Johanna Kyger, who works as an Occupational Therapist in Glasgow Ky. Laurie became aware of the Marc Lehmann Spirit of Service Award Foundation through her work and after two years of participating in the event she was honored to be chosen as a member of the board. She has a passion for helping those in need through additional volunteer activities including Scarlet Hope, Hospice and Soldiers Angels.
Dr. Geetha Joseph
With almost 40 years of professional experience, 21 of which have been in her current position as an oncologist at Baptist Health, Dr. Joseph specializes in oncology and hematology. In addition to acting as a physician in a group private practice, she is a clinical associate professor at the University of Louisville. Her interest in treating people with leukemia and blood disorders inspired her to take up a career in healthcare and she credits her success to her medical education.
Dr. Joseph received her MD from Christian Medical College in India and sits on board of the Leukemia Society for Louisville. She is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Joseph was the inaugural recipient of the Marc Lehmann Spirit of Service Award in 2013.
George Lehmann
George is the cofounder, president, and director of the Marc Lehmann Spirit of Service Award Foundation, Inc. Executive Committee. He is the president of Insured Benefit Plans, Inc. and managing member of Benefit Evolution, LLC.
Together with Paul Resch, George established the aforementioned foundation in 2013 upon the passing of his son, Marc, to recognize and encourage compassionate, sensitive, and understanding caregivers and physicians in the fields of oncology & hematology. With the encouragement, aid, and counsel of these foundation committee members, his daughters Margaret & Rebecca, and spouse Patty, he strives to shine the brightest of lights on those individuals and practices that provide empathetic hope and encouragement to patients in critical need of humanistic support.
Phil Metzger
Knowing Marc and his exuberant smile and presence since high school, Phil Metzger was nominated and voted onto the Marc Lehmann Spirit of Service Award Foundation Board after volunteering as a photographer during the early stages of the Awards ceremony. Inspired by the foundation's mission and a firm understanding of Marc's passion and appreciation for loving care, Phil accepted an offer to serve as one of our foundation's Directors. He now aims to further our mission by producing audio and video representations for our digital platforms.
Rebecca Nash
Rebecca is the secretary & treasurer of the Marc Lehmann Spirit of Service Award Foundation, Inc., and a member of its Executive Committee. She is the middle child of the Lehmann family, and Marc’s older sister. She is honored to have met so many caring and compassionate providers and supporters during her involvement with this foundation and hopes to continue to effect change in the medical community by holding up as examples these generous and empathetic souls. She lives in Louisville with her husband, David, in a blended family that includes five children and two very large dogs.
Father Nick Rice
Father Nick Rice was ordained in 1967 by the Archdiocese of Louisville. His archdiocesan posts have included rector of the college seminary program and pastor of two large suburban parishes, St. Margaret Mary and Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as director of the archdiocesan office for vocations, permanent diaconate, religious education, and communications. Father Rice served two terms as president of the Council of Priests and chair of the College of Consultors for the Archdiocese of Louisville. He has served as president of three national organizations, the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership, the National Directors of the Permanent Diaconate, and the National Federation of Priests’ Councils, with accompanying membership on the respective NCCB/USCC committees. Father Rice is a certified trainer for the Stephen Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He is the founder and executive director of Mass of the Air (1977 to present) and a 20 year panelist on The Moral Side of the News, both on WHAS TV. Father Rice has also served 22 years on the Crusade for Children Allocation Panel. Although officially retired, he continues giving retreats and presentations around the country and helping out in various parishes. He joined the Boys and Girls Haven Board of Trustees in November 2011.
Andrew Settle
Andrew Settle brings both fundraising experience and business acumen to our board. He is currently the Regional Events Manager for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, and for many years was the Light the Night Walk Campaign Manager for Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was through his work with the LLS that he came to know the Lehmann Family. He resides in Southern Indiana with his wife and three children.
Connie Spalding
Connie has been married to Wallace Spalding for 45 years, with six children and nine grandchildren. She is a past President, 13-year member, of the Younger Woman’s Club of Louisville, Inc., a non-profit volunteer organization that raises money for Louisville area charities. Since 2000, she has been a member of The Woman’s Club of Louisville, Inc., a non-profit, civic organization. Connie is a longtime friend of George and Patty Lehmann, who shared the devastating diagnosis of Marc’s leukemia, and the long arduous journey for treatment against this disease. She is a cancer survivor; diagnosed with myelodysplasia, (bone marrow failure), in 2004. The friendship shared with the Lehmann family during Marc’s cancer provided her knowledge on bone marrow treatment. She underwent a bone marrow transplant from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, in 2004. Her transplant was an amazing success. Through this experience, she learned firsthand the importance of the humanity, dedication and compassion in the treatment and care of cancer patients. Connie was a nominee for the Man and Woman of the Year Award from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is also a cancer victim; in a devastating turn, her 37-year son, Stewart, was diagnosed in February 2017, with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumor. Stewart was the father of three precious little girls. Her family struggled through another overwhelming battle in the treatment of her son’s cancer. They lost that battle eight months later, in October, when her son died in herarms surrounded by his family. Like Marc, their family learned the importance of the dedication and compassion provided by our physicians and caregivers. It is a precious and priceless gift for those who need it the most.
Jerry Steinberg
Jerry Steinberg, a native of Louisville, attended the University of Louisville where he obtained his law degree in 1969. His involvement in the world of cancer began when his daughter Meghan was diagnosed with leukemia in January of 2005. While battling cancer for eleven years, they formed a foundation called Meghan’s Mountain which raises funds for organizations that directly touch the lives of cancer patients and their immediate families.
Meghan’s battle ended with her passing in January of 2016. In her memory, Jerry continues with the foundation they started, and also serves on the boards of Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana and Congregation Adath Jeshurun. His past board affiliations included Dismas Charities, Harbor House of Louisville and Keneseth Israel Congregation.
In 2018 Jerry was inducted into the Seneca High School Hall of Fame for his work with cancer patients and cancer organizations. Jerry lives with his fiancé, Leslye Kaplin Dicken and Meghan’s two dogs, Hutch and Miles. His daughter Libby lives in Indianapolis and his son Justin lives in Los Angeles.
Dylan Wagner
Dylan and Marc met in high school on a youth group trip to Paoli Peaks for a night of snow boarding. They attended the University of Louisville together and shared a love of athletics and spending time with friends. Dylan was born and raised in Louisville and graduated from UofL in 2008 with a BS in Actuarial Sciences. He currently lives in Lagrange KY and is employed in the financial industry. His own family being affected by cancer, Dylan has seen the importance of compassion and empathy in healthcare and is excited to be a part of this wonderful organization.
