“We give children and families the chance to build memories as a family, outside of the rigidity and constraints of a hospital setting.”
Nurse
George Mark Children’s House
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Kathy Nicholson Hull, Psy.D, MA
Founder
Kathy is the staff psychologist and serves on the Board of Directors of the George Mark Children’s House. She has been active in clinical psychology for more than 30 years. She has devoted the last 15 years of her professional life to developing and sustaining the house, as well as working with our children and their families. Kathy is also an adjunct staff member of Children’s Hospital Oakland, where she spent five years as part of an interdisciplinary team that treated young oncology patients and their families. She has been a staff member at the Ann Martin Children’s Center, a local non-profit organization that offers low-fee counseling services to the culturally diverse Oakland community.
Kathy is a member of several professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, the Northern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and the Association of Transpersonal Psychology. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a Master of Arts in marriage, family and child counseling from Santa Clara University; and a Doctor of Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Kathy is married to Bill Gisvold and has seven daughters, one son, and eight grandchildren. Life is never dull at the Hull/Gisvold house!
Contact by emailCall 510-346-1270
Joan Fisher, MD, PhD
Medical Director
Dr. Joan Fisher, the George Mark Children’s House Medical Director, is a graduate of the Stanford University School of Medicine with post-graduate training in pediatric hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant. She received additional training in pediatric palliative care from the Center for Palliative Care at Harvard Medical School.
In addition to serving as Medical Director for George Mark, Dr. Fisher is a Clinician and Professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology for Stanford University. Her work takes her to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, where she cares for children and adolescents with cancer and other illnesses. Wherever she goes, she takes the opportunity to integrate the principles of palliative care into the practice of pediatric medicine.
She also spreads the good word about what happens here at George Mark. While most feel that this is only important at end of life, families understand the importance of good palliative care from the beginning of any journey that threatens the welfare of their child. For Joan, taking care of children with medical needs—and their families—while making every day their best day, is what makes the practice of pediatrics worthwhile.
Joan has lived in many places, yet the Bay Area is her home. She is honored to be able to serve this community in a capacity that she loves, and looks forward to many years of memories with the George Mark family. Joan and her husband, Allen Eskenazi, a pediatric physician, reside in San Carlos.
Contact by emailCall 510-345-1263
Salina Patel, RN, BSN
Director of Nursing and Compliance Manager
Jenny Rhodes, RN, CNS
Nursing Recruiter and Educator
Anallanci Cardneas-Barragan
Clinical Admin Assistant and Medical Interpreter
Our Staff
Shekinah Eliassen
Chief Executive Officer
Shekinah has over 20 years of experience in Business Strategy, Brand Management, and& eCommerce. She is passionate about building brands and organizations with purpose. She has lived in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and London, where she developed teams to build brands and digital disruption at Unilever and Clorox.
She increased her involvement in philanthropy and service focused organizations since 2012 when she and her husband, Peter, lost their first son, Lars, at three weeks old to a terminal brain condition. Shekinah and Peter savored the days they had with Lars at the heartwarming George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, CA. Shekinah continued her professional career while always staying connected to GMCH, including joining as a Board Member in August 2020.
In October 2022, Shekinah was named CEO of GMCH, where she’ll lead the organization in providing respite and palliative care for children and families in the Bay Area. Shekinah is blessed with an incredible husband and two energetic children, Finley (8) and Isak (6).
Barry Slivinsky, MST, CPA
CFO and Board Member
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Ricky Resurreccion
Marketing, Communication, & Events Coordinator
Katie Peña
Volunteer and House Systems Coordinator
Barbara Sardella, CDM, CFPP
Dietary and Housekeeping Manager
Cynthia Luy
Dietary Aide and Housekeeper
Maira Marsh
Housekeeper
Breanna Wright
Housekeeper