Archives: Staff

Monica Plaxton-Garin is a devoted community advocate with over 14 years of impactful experience in the Las Vegas nonprofit sector. Her extensive leadership background, coupled with her unwavering dedication to community service, has positioned her as a dynamic and effective leader, particularly in her current role as Chair of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation.

Monica’s nonprofit involvement spans a diverse range of organizations focused on childhood development, early education, childhood cancer, and mental health. She has served on numerous boards, including the Sunrise Children’s Foundation, where she progressed from Board Member to Chairperson, and the Tyler Robinson Foundation, where she contributes to fundraising and events. Her work has also extended to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, Candlelighters of Nevada, and the American Heart Association, among others.

Throughout her career, Monica has excelled in organizing strategic planning sessions, guiding board governance, planning fundraising initiatives, and facilitating partnerships that align with shared missions. She has coordinated community events and volunteer initiatives to foster connections and strengthen support networks for families in need.

Monica’s passion for serving others stems from personal experience as the mother of a childhood cancer survivor. This life-changing journey has fueled her commitment to providing hope, advocacy, and resources for families navigating similar challenges. Her vision as PAC Chair is to amplify the voices of Cure 4 The Kids families, address their concerns, and create tools that support them beyond the clinic walls. Monica strives to foster a collaborative environment where families, practitioners, and staff can work together to make a lasting, positive impact in Nevada.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Monica is a proud business owner, devoted wife, and Las Vegas resident. She remains dedicated to ensuring that families in her community have the support, advocacy, and resources they need to thrive.

Nonprofit Involvement Highlights:

• Foster Kinship: Volunteer at Marcie’s Heart (2024 – Present)
• Sunrise Children’s Foundation: Board Member (2010 – Present); Board Chairperson (2014 – 2016)
• Tyler Robinson Foundation: Fundraising/Events Committee Member (2018 – Present)
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada: Volunteer/Fundraiser (2017 – Present)
• Cure 4 The Kids Foundation: Volunteer/Fundraiser (2017 – Present)
• Candlelighters of Nevada: Volunteer/Fundraiser (2017 – Present)
• American Heart Association: Circle of Red Ladies Member and Volunteer (2014 – 2020)
• The Monkey Gym: Executive Board Member (2012 – 2014)

With her deep-rooted passion and wealth of experience, Monica continues to be a driving force in building a brighter future for families across Nevada.

As Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Doyne Pickett oversees the organizations financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, procurement, and revenue cycle. He brings over two decades of accounting and finance experience to his role.

Before joining Cure 4 the Kids in 2017, Doyne served as Chief Financial Officer for Central Recovery, the parent company for a 108-bed inpatient/outpatient medical facility. Prior to private accounting, he held supervisor positions at two public accounting firms, which focused on auditing non-profit and governmental entities. Doyne is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in accounting from California State University San Marcos.

Dr. Aimee Food, DO comes to C4K from Seattle where she practiced at Seattle Children’s Hospital specializing in cancer survivors. Dr Foord graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and finished her postgraduate work at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship in 2016 with a research focus in pediatric bleeding, thrombosis and post bone marrow transplant. She treats all pediatric hematologic and oncologic diseases with a special interest in pediatric hematology including low blood counts, hemoglobinopathies, bleeding and clotting.

Dr. Cruickshank is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. She joined Cure 4 the Kids Foundation in 2021. She attended medical school at Touro University, Vallejo where she earned her Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). She did her pediatric residency at Penn State Hershey. She completed her Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2016. She then moved to the University of New Mexico where she became the Director of Survivorship, Director of the Pediatric Infusion Unit and the leader for chemo safety. Dr. Cruickshank has a special interest in long term follow up and care for patients who have survived pediatric cancer. She enjoys creating mosaic tile projects and spending time with her family.

Dr. Gupta was born and raised in India and completed his medical school at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. He served his Pediatrics residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago from 2015 to 2018. He then relocated to Houston, Texas to complete his Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2018 to 2021.

Dr. Gupta enjoys research and feels it is essential to Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. He dove into basic research along with clinical projects during his fellowship. He worked on Viroimmunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors (DIPG), where he was awarded a grant and ‘Early Career Award’ this year by the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO).