Fisher House Michigan

Fisher House Michigan Directors Emeritus

Brad Chick
FHM Founding President

KATHERINE HAY
USAF Veteran
FHM Director Emerita

Kathy Hay blazed trails throughout her career. She enlisted in the Air Force, not only when women rarely did so, but during a time in US history in which most who served were drafted. Upon completion of her Vietnam-era service in the Air Force, Kathy joined the Ann Arbor Police Department as a Communications Operator. Again, one of few women in the ranks, she was not only competent to do her duty, but she was also instrumental in changing the female duty uniform to include pants, just like her male counterparts. 

Her stories in uniform are many, and she comes by service honestly. She is a military daughter, as both of her parents served. She is a military wife. She is a military mom. While both of her sons served, her youngest returned from covert Cold War operations, changed. He was a patient at the Ann Arbor VA at the time of his death, and she is determined to honor his memory by serving other Veterans.

DR. KAREN KERRY
Co-Founder and Director Emerita

Dr. Karen Kerry is one of Ann Arbor's best-liked dentists and community leaders. Dr. Karen graduated with her undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1980, and she graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1985. She is a general dentist with over thirty five years experience in Washtenaw, Livingston, and Genesee counties. Dr. Karen has worked as a volunteer dentist at Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti, Michigan for seven years. She has lived in Ann Arbor for fifty years and has four daughters. Dr. Karen has served as a Board Member and President of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor (2014-2015). She is a past board member of the Ann Arbor United Soccer Club and the Huron Valley Volleyball Club. She is a past Ann Arbor high school, middle school, and club volleyball coach. Dr. Karen, with her husband, Brad Chick, is the Co-Founder of Fisher House Michigan, a non-profit dedicated to providing free lodging for military families as they seek medical care. The first Fisher House in Michigan opened on the VA campus in Ann Arbor in June of 2020..When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Karen is likely to be reading history, training for a marathon, riding bikes with her husband, Brad, or traveling with her family. She is very excited to have two daughters in their third year at the University of Michigan Dental School. They are getting ready to join her in the family practice as the fourth generation of dentists in the family helping patients with their dental needs in Michigan. She credits her mom, Dr. Gloria Kerry, with being the inspiration for her over 35 years of practicing dentistry in the Ann Arbor area.

MARK LINDKE
US Army Veteran
FHM Director Emeritus

Mark Lindke’s spent his life’s work in service to his fellow Veterans. Mark served in the Army during the Vietnam era, then spent the next 37 years in public service, including as Director of the Washtenaw County Dept of Veterans Affairs, until he retired in 2010.

Soon after his official retirement, he went back to work as volunteer and advisor for several Veterans organizations. Fisher House Michigan was one such organization that greatly benefitted from his dedication, passion, and expertise.

When he stepped down from an active Board seat, into the Emeritus role, his first questions related to how he could stay involved. His kindness and commitment leave an indelible impression on the Michigan Veteran community, and we are grateful to have him on the team.

DR. GUY STERN
US Army & WWII Veteran
FHM Director Emeritus

Günther "Guy" Stern (January 14, 1922 – December 7, 2023) was a German-American decorated member of the secret Ritchie Boys World War II military intelligence interrogation team. As the only person from his Jewish family to flee Nazi Germany, he came to the United States and later served in the US Army conducting frontline interrogations.

After World War II, he graduated from Columbia University and became a scholar, primarily of German and comparative literature. He worked at the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan and was an Advisor to Fisher House Michigan in his last years.