Founder
Dr. Marlene Mahipat, President/Board of Director
Dr. Marlene Mahipat was born in Trinidad and moved to the United States in 1990. She came to this country with nothing but $300.00 to her name and two suitcases which contained her entire life and a phone number of an old friend. She had many struggles, which included working three jobs and going to school full time. She received her Associates Degree from Brevard Community College in Florida and a Bachelors’ Degree from Regents College. She received her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2001 from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic and a Master’s Degree in Pharmacological Sciences, in the field of Medical Cannabis, from University of Maryland, school of pharmacy. Dr. Mahipt is part of a pioneering class to earn a Masters degree in Science and Therapeutics of Medical Cannabis and graduated in 2021 with honors and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.
Dr. Marlene Mahipat moved to Maryland in 2002 and started a company called Mediquest in 2004. This company provides patients with cost-effective chiropractic care and physical therapy that meets the needs of the general public as well as those with special needs such as pregnant women and infants. In addition to chiropractic and physical therapy, Dr. Mahipat offers a very holistic and detailed profile of a person’s health by providing genetic testing, hair analysis, stool sampling, and blood work which test for cancer markers as well as chronic diseases before they manifest themselves.
Dr. Marlene Mahipat founded Helping Orphans Prosper Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) in 2006 – a non-profit 501C children’s foundation – that focuses on providing food, clothes, vitamins and educational supplies to underprivileged and displaced children (www.hope-orphans.org). She also started People Letting Every Animal Survive Euthanization (P.L.E.A.S.E.) in 2006 – a non-profit pet foundation that focuses on helping otherwise healthy animals from being put to sleep and on-going projects to help elderly with food and vet bills for their pets (www.please-rescue.org). She does weekly deliveries for Meals-On-Wheels.
Dr. Mahipat is the recipient of many awards for her charitable works.
2023 - Zonta Spirit Award - Building a Better World for Women and Girls
2022 - Influential Marylander Civic Leadership Award
2021 - Daily Record Health Care Heroes Award (2nd time)
2020 - Baltimore County Making A Difference Award
2019 - Daily Record Health Care Heroes Award
Women in Business Trailblazer Award
Fashion Umbrella Impact Award
2018 - CEO Report Mid-Atlantic Women's Leadership Award
CEO Report Velocity Growth Award
2017 - Top 100 MBE Award (3rd time)
Associated Black Charities Women On The Move Award
Smart CEO Baltimore Future 50 Award
2016 - Stevie Awards Lifetime Achievement for Nonprofit Winner
Smart CEO Baltimore Future 50 Award
Let's Talk Success An Empowered Woman Honoree
2015 - Enterprising Women of the Year Award
Maryland Top 100 Women Award (3rd time) Circle of Excellence
Citizen of the Year from the Knights of Columbus
2014 -Broward College Alumni Hall of Distinction Service to the Community Award - finalist
Enterprising Women of the Year - Honorable Mention
2013 - Grandfamilies PTSA Community Partner of the Year (for HOPE)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Content of Character Award
- Maryland Top 100 Women Award (2nd time)
2012 - Top 100 Minority Business Entrepreneurs Award (2nd time)
2011 - Maryland Chiropractor of the Year
- Maryland Health Care Heroes Finalist
- Sherman College of Chiropractic Distinguished Service Award
- Trinidad & Tobago Association of Baltimore Community Service Award
2010 - 100 Black Men Honor WPO Women of Color Award
- Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame
- Top 100 Minority Business Entrepreneurs Award
2009 - Maryland Top 100 Women Award
- Meals on Wheels Volunteer of the Year
2008 - Baltimore County Commission for Women - Women Making a Difference Award
2006 - Smart Women/Smart CEO Bravo Business Achievement Award
2005 - Harlow Fullwood Jr. Service Above Self Award
Memberships & Affiliations
Women Presidents Organization
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland - Board Member
Maryland Chiropractic Association
Florida Chiropractic Association
The International Women's Leadership Association
LifeBridge Health and Fitness - Advisory Committee
Helping Orphans Prosper Everywhere, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) - President and Founder
People Letting Every Animal Survive Euthanization, Inc. (P.L.E.A.S.E.) - President and Founder
Mediquest LLC - President and Founder
Board Members
Dr. Jerry Katz, Vice President/Board of Director is a podiatrist and was born in New York. He has been in private practice for 22 years. He has been involved with PLEASE Foundation since 2006. Dr. Katz is also on the board of Dr. Mahipat's other non-profit, H.O.P.E. Email Dr. Katz at jerry.katz@please-rescue.org.
Dr. Melinda Everhart, DVM is a Baltimore native who received her B.S. from Juniata College in 1989 and went on to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, receiving her veterinary degree in 1994. She started her veterinary career in Ohio and then decided to return home to Maryland to be closer to her family. Dr. Everhart has been a general practice veterinarian for 20 years, developing a special interest in dermatology. Her family includes her two children, a bichon frise named Sophie (rescued 4 years ago), and a cornish red named Princess Fluffy (who is not really fluffy). In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors and being active in the community.
Ali Lopez, Secretary was born in the United States to Puertorican parents, then the family moved to Dorado Puerto Rico at age of 1 year old. He fell in love with animals at the age of 4 and been involved in the care of domestic and exotic animals since then. At age 11 Ali began to work for a local pet store where he quickly became resident "Animal Geek", where he was approached by the owner of Safari Park Zoo to take care of Jaguar and Tiger cubs on my free time. After graduating High School Ali joined the U.S. Army where he served for six and a half year. In 1988 he began to work for Aquarium Center in Randallstown, MD. as a sales/aquarist . In 1996 Ali became the Curator for the Animal department of Rainforest Cafe where he opened the stores in Tyson Corner, VA and Costa Mesa Ca. In 2000, he moved back to Randallstown as a manager for Aquarium Center. In 2008 Ali had the honor of working for the National Zoo in D.C. and is now working with the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center helping to bring back the Whooping Crane from the brink of extinction.
Chris Yates, Executive Director & Treasurer is originally from the Eastern Shore of MD and has lived in the Baltimore area since 2007. He is the treasurer and development director for Dr. Mahipat's other non-profit H.O.P.E. and is also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Chris is active in charity work for the local community. Email Mr. Yates at chris.yates@please-rescue.org.
Dr. Angel Purdy, Director is a native Baltimorean who, since early childhood, has always wanted to be a veterinarian. Unfortunately, her dream of directly affecting to health and welfare of animals was never realized due a serious allergy to felines. Upon graduating from Western Senior High School, Dr. Purdy attended college at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. Before changing her major to Biology, she was a Wildlife and Fisheries Management major. Dr. Purdy has always been interested in caring for all animals regardless of whether they are domesticated or not. Dr. Purdy attended medical school at the University of Kansas where animal research was not a mandatory component of the education process. She went on to complete a five year General Surgery residency at the State University of New York in Buffalo and a one year Burn Surgery fellowship at the Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. She then spent two years at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey to become fully trained in the artistry of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She relocated to the Baltimore area in 2004 and has established herself as being an informative and caring physician. Dr. Angel Purdy is knowledgeable and skilled in all areas of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mark McCabe, Canine Behaviorist & Director has 25 years of experience working with dogs. Mark started his career with animals as a behavioral research assistant at the Walter D. Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA Mark has 25 years of experience working with dogs. His involvement with dogs started when he owned the Lynn Aquarium and Pet Shop and brought a very talented local trainer into his shop who specialized in problem behaviors and training dogs for personal protection as well as a German sport called schutzhund. Mark apprenticed under this trainer for several years. Mark works with owners from all over the country but primarily in the tri-state area of MD, VA and D.C. and can be found at www.myk9fun.com or markmccabek9@gmail.com
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