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Mission: To save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.

ABOUT

Board of Directors

A passionate group of people brought together by a single cause.

President Gary Stein
Gary Stein

President

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President Gary Stein
Joe Lastinger

Treasurer

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President Gary Stein
Amber McCarthy

Co-Secretary

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President Gary Stein
Jessica Richman

Co-Secretary

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Shelle Allen, Board Member
Shelle Allen

Board Member

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Alissa Kanowitz, Board Member
Alissa Kanowitz

Board Member

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Jennifer Pool Miller, Board Member
Jennifer Pool Miller

Board Member

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Doris Stein, Board Member
Doris Stein

Board Member

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Angie Wehrkamp, Board Member
Angie Wehrkamp

Board Member

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Angie Wehrkamp, Board Member
Jeb S. Teichman, M.D.

Board Member

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Board of Directors Emeritus

These honorable individuals helped form this organization and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Their passion and dedication over the years helped save countless lives.

Glen Moise
Glenn Moise
Julie Moise

Julie Moise

Richard Kanowitz
Richard Kanowitz
Jennifer Lastinger
Jennifer Lastinger

In Memoriam

Former Executive Director, Laura Scott

"On March 3, 2015, Families Fighting Flu lost our long-time Executive Director and co-founder, Laura Scott. There are no words to express our sorrow. The Families Fighting Flu Board of Directors can never thank Laura enough for all she did – she was truly the heart and soul of the organization for ten years of our existence. Laura helped launch Families Fighting Flu and it was her tireless hard work, dedication and brilliance that enabled our tremendous success. She spent countless hours educating the public and saving thousands of lives. Even though she did not personally lose a child to influenza, her love and support helped each of our families and even through our darkest days she helped us channel our grief into a meaningful legacy that honored our children and made a difference. Laura truly was a hero who made the world a better place. She was an incredible wife, mother, and friend to us all. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.” - Families Fighting Flu Board of Directors

Page last reviewed: April 2023 

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LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT

You are required to accept all of the terms and conditions in this License Agreement in order to receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU, INC. logo, displayed below (the “FFF Logo”), from Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (“FFF”). In order to accept these terms and conditions, you must click the “I Accept” button below.

  1. FFF hereby grants to you, and you accept, a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FFF Logo, which you may download and use solely in online and print earned media publications for a period of no more than six (6) months in the United States.
  2. You acknowledge that the FFF Logo is a valid trademark; that FFF is the sole owner of the FFF Logo; and that FFF retains all right, title, and interest in and to the FFF Logo. You agree that any and all use that you make of the FFF Logo, and any and all goodwill arising from your use of the FFF Logo, shall inure exclusively to the benefit of FFF.  You also agree that you shall not challenge the validity of the FFF Logo or FFF’s ownership or title thereto during the term of the License Agreement or thereafter.
  3. You agree that you shall use the FFF Logo only in the form shown above, and that you shall not alter, modify, change, or edit the FFF Logo in any manner.
  4. You acknowledge the valuable goodwill and reputation in the FFF Logo, and that it is essential that the high standards and reputation associated with the FFF Logo be maintained. You therefore agree to use the FFF Logo consistent with the highest standards of quality so as to protect and maintain the FFF Logo and FFF’s rights therein.
  5. FFF shall have the right to review and inspect your use of the FFF Logo at any time. FFF, in its sole discretion, may determine that you are not using the FFF Logo in an acceptable manner and require that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo.  To the extent that FFF requires that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo, you agree that you shall remove the FFF Logo from all online and print earned media publications as soon as practicable under the circumstances, and that you shall not use the FFF at any time in the future.
  6. You must include the following notice in connection with any use of the FFF Logo: “The Families Fighting Flu, Inc. logo is the registered trademark of Families Fighting Flu, Inc.”
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Shelle Allen
President
Families Fighting Flu

Shelle Allen is the current President for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Shelle originally came to Families Fighting Flu in 2013 following her daughter’s near-death experience with flu and flu-related complications. Shelle has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2017. Shelle currently works as the Accounts Receivable Manager at Illinois Road Contractors in Jacksonville, Illinois and is very involved in her community and several service clubs. She received her B.A. in Education from MacMurray College. Shelle is devoted to advocating and educating about the importance of vaccination.

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Jennifer Pool Miller
Treasurer
Families Fighting Flu

Jennifer Pool Miller is the current Treasurer for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against flu through education and advocacy. Jennifer joined Families Fighting Flu in 2013 after her daughter Caroline’s frightening battle with the flu. Caroline, who was only five years old at the time, spent three weeks hospitalized due to complications from the flu. A strong advocate for annual flu vaccination, Jennifer continues to reinforce its importance through her work with Families Fighting Flu. Her family also established the Caroline Miller Endowed Fund for Nursing Education and "Katie and Caroline P.I.C. YOU!" Award at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to support continuing education for nurses, a type of healthcare provider that played an integral role in Caroline’s care and recovery.

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Angie Wehrkamp
Secretary
Families Fighting Flu

Angie Wehrkamp is the current Secretary for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Angie originally came to Families Fighting Flu as an advocate after her 2 ½-year-old daughter, Gianna, passed away in January 2015 from influenza. Angie has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2018. Angie is also an active member of the Sioux Falls Area Immunization Coalition. She advocates for flu awareness in many ways, including interviews with local and national media outlets and donating infant hats with Gianna’s story across the United States. In addition to advocacy, Angie has motivated her friends and family to plant trees across the nation in Gianna’s memory. Angie is currently employed at Home Depot as an Office Associate.

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Alissa Kanowitz
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Alissa Kanowitz is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Alissa helped found the organization following the death of her daughter, Amanda Kanowitz, in 2004. She has a background in marketing and advertising and currently works as a realtor for Glasser Lipton Group.

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Joe Lastinger
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Joe Lastinger is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against influenza through education and advocacy. Joe helped found the organization following the loss of his 3-year-old daughter, Emily, to the flu in 2004. Joe has served on the Board since 2004. Joe has more than 20 years of senior executive leadership experience in healthcare and currently serves as President and CEO of the Health Plan Alliance, a member owned and led joint venture comprised of 48 regional health plans.

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Amber McCarthy
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Amber McCarthy is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Amber originally came to Families Fighting Flu in 2015 following the passing of her 3-year-old daughter, Ayzlee. Amber has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2019. She is a respiratory therapist and health coach who lives in Iowa with her husband Jim and children, Easton and Irelynd. Amber is also a member of her Church’s Parish Education committee and is active in school activities to help support her children. Amber and her family sponsor flu clinics in their surrounding communities to honor Ayzlee and to help those that cannot afford flu vaccination to receive one at no cost. They also work with the local public health offices and school districts, along with supportive businesses in the area, to help promote flu vaccination to people of all ages.

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Jessica Richman
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Jessica Richman is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children and their families against influenza through education and advocacy. Jessica originally came to Families Fighting Flu following the loss of her 3- year-old daughter, Cayden, to the flu in 2014. Jessica wants everyone to realize how devastating the flu can be, even for healthy individuals, and how quickly it can take the life of a loved one. Jessica is the Office Manager for Southern Structural Steel in Newport News, Virginia.

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Doris Stein
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Doris Stein is a current Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Doris helped found the organization following the death of her daughter, Jessica Stein, in 2002. Doris has served on the Board of Directors for the organization since 2004. Doris currently works as a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal in the greater Washington, D.C. area.

doris stein

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Gary Stein
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Gary Stein is a Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Gary's daughter, Jessica, died from influenza in 2002. In 2004, he helped create Families Fighting Flu with his wife and others that lost their children to flu. Gary has served on FFF's Board since its inception. Professionally, Gary's career has focused in banking and consumer financial services. He most recently served as the Chief Product & Compliance Officer for point of sale lender, Opy USA Inc.

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Richard Kanowitz
Board Member Emeritus
Families Fighting Flu

Richard Kanowitz is a past Board Member for Families Fighting Flu, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza through education and advocacy. Richard helped found the organization following the death of his daughter, Amanda Kanowitz, in 2004. Richard served on the Board of Directors for the organization from 2004 to 2020 and served as its President from 2005 to 2018. Richard is a lawyer practicing in New York City.

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Jeb S. Teichman, M.D.
Board Member
Families Fighting Flu

Dr. Jeb S. Teichman received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Adelphi University and a Masters degree in Anatomy from the University of Louisville where he also received his medical degree. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo.

Dr. Teichman began his medical career as a pediatric hospitalist at Humana Hospital Audubon in Louisville, Kentucky in 1986. He transitioned into private practice pediatrics in 1993 when he founded Jeffersonville Pediatrics in Jeffersonville, Indiana where he practiced for the next 19 years. In 2012, Dr. Teichman made the leap to full time managed care practicing as a Medical Director for Aetna and eventually as Chief Medical Officer for United Healthcare Community Plan of Kentucky, a managed Medicaid plan where he is today.   

Dr. Teichman lost his 29-year-old son, Brent, to influenza in 2019 and his story is featured here on the FFF website.

Dr. Teichman has been a medical advisor for Families Fighting Flu since January 2021.

Dr. Jeb Teichman

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