Board of Directors

	Grace L. Butler, Ph.D. Founder and Board Chair – Hope Through Grace, Inc. Grace L. Butler, Ph.D., is the founder and board chair of Hope Through Grace, Inc. and is a Stage III colon cancer survivor.Dr. Butler started Hope Through Grace, Inc. in 2002 to help low income, uninsured and under insured people gain access to a life-saving colonoscopy to prevent colorectal cancer.She earned two music degrees, a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University, and another from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. She also holds a Masters of Music, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from New York University. Her career began as a band and orchestra teacher in New Orleans.She also taught in the New York City public school system.Progressing in her career, she accepted faculty appointments at The Ohio State University, The University of North Texas, Texas A&M and settled in Houston to accept the position of Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs at the University of Houston.Currently, she holds the distinctive honor of Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston. Dr. Butler is currently a member of the NCI Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities (CARRA) program. She most recently served on Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) concept review panels and the NCI Initial Review Group Subcommittee reviewing Cancer Center grant applications. She has also presented testimony at the President’s Cancer Panel. Additionally, Dr. Butler is a founding board member of the Camp For All Foundation, has served on the Advisory Board of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and has recently accepted an invitation to membership on the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Dr. Butler was a panelist at a White House sponsored Roundtable on Advances in Cancer Prevention with President Bush and national health leaders, held at the National Institutes for Health.
	Victor Simms, M.D., M.P.H. Vice President Internal Medicine – Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Dr. Simms specializes in Internal Medicine for the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic at their main campus in Houston, TX. Simms is affiliated with St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and is a member of the Baylor College of Medicine faculty as a Clinical Instructor. Simms is especially interested in counseling disadvantaged youth and in chronic illnesses in African-Americans. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree in 1999 from the Baylor College of Medicine and holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Baylor College of Medicine. (Fellowship: Baylor College of Medicine, Primary Care Research, University of Texas School of Public Health.) He is a member of the American Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society and the American College of Physicians. Dr. Simms is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
	Kenneth Levingston Secretary Senior Pastor - Jones Memorial United Methodist Church Pastor Kenneth R. Levingston grew up in Homer La., a small town of less than four thousand people and moved to 5th Ward Texas when he was 12 years old. His family joined New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where he was nurtured and cared for by the saints of God in this community. He later united with Brooks Chapel United Methodist church where he came to accept the call of God upon his life to preach, teach and pastor God’s people. During the past 24 years Pastor Levingston has been the pastor of congregations in rural, urban, suburban, and multicultural settings. Pastor Levingston believes in and teaches the word of God in a manner that is relevant and challenges the hearer to make decisions concerning their walk and witness for Christ. He is passionate about the teachings of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry, clothed the naked, visit the sick and minister to those who are in prison. Pastor Levingston’s life reflects his belief that living a “Higher Way” is not optional for Christians, it is who we are.
	Brian Herrington Treasurer Tax Professional – Harrington, Carbone & Allison, LLP Mr. Herrington serves as a tax professional at the accounting firm of Harrington, Carbone & Allison, LLP in Pearland, TX. Brian was born and raised in the greater Houston area and attended Texas State University – San Marcos. While at Texas State Brian was a member of the accounting club and received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s of Accountancy. Brian is excited to have returned to the Houston area, to be closer to friends and family, to help people with their financial needs and be a part of the Hope Through Grace organization. Brian is currently pursuing his license to be a certified public accountant (CPA).
	Everett L. Sandles, M.D., F.A.A.P. Pediatrics - Texas Children’s Pediatric Dr. Sandles serves as the Vice President on the Hope Through Grace, Inc. board. Sandles is a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates at the TCPA – North Shore location. He is affiliated with St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Woman’s Hospital and Christus St. Joseph Hospital. Sandles graduated in 1995 with a Doctor of Medicine degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 from Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas. Sandles is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association. Sandles is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.

	Olethia E. Chisolm, M.D., F.A.C.P. Internal Medicine - Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Dr. Chisolm serves as the Fundraising Chairperson on the Hope Through Grace, Inc. board. Dr. Chisolm specializes in Internal Medicine with the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic at their main campus in Houston. She is affiliated with St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and is a member of the Baylor College of Medicine faculty as a Clinical Instructor. Dr. Chisolm is also interested in clinical hypertension. She graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree from the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX in 1996 and from Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in 1993. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, member of the National Medical Association and member of the International Society of Hypertension in Blacks.
	Rick Ngo, M.D.