The Stage // fueled by choice.

Mary Nguyen, DNP, CRNA knew she needed to be in NYC when the COVID crisis began to develop. As a CRNA, she quickly and effectively manages airways every single day for patients undergoing anesthesia and in need of rescue ventilatory support. When there was a dire need for advanced practice providers to manage airways and assist in caring for COVID patients in the ICU setting, it was clear she needed to be on the frontlines.

Jessica Moore, RN, BSN works in a progressive/intensive care unit (ICU) at a mid-sized hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. She sees patients with a variety of critical illnesses that often stay on her floor until discharging. This extensive and direct involvement with patients has made a profound impact on her life. As a newer nurse, she finds the variability of the patient population to be one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of her job.

Kayla St. Claire, MD, MPH is currently a transitional year internal medicine resident at St. Joseph Ann Arbor Hospital.  Coming from a family of healthcare professionals, including her mother, father and sister, the field of health was a natural calling.  Kayla will soon begin her dermatology residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.

Hamka is newly the Clinical Nurse Manager of POHA/PACU in Dearborn, MI and already he has taken on quite the role during the COVID-19 crisis.  During the peak weeks he helped successfully convert POHA/PACU at his institution into a fully functioning, 24/7 ICU.  This transition allowed for Covid positive patients to be designated to the normal ICU, SICU and CCU units while keeping critical patients without the virus in a safe area.  He values his fellow co-workers and their flexibility, determination, and innovation during these times.  He serves as a great resource for his staff and the love for his profession and new role are apparent in the way he carries himself on a day to day basis.  

Erin Brennan, MD, MPH is an Emergency and EMS physician in Detroit, Michigan.  Dr. Brennan is an integral part of her institution in an area highly impacted by Covid-19.  She promotes teamwork and cohesiveness among her co-workers of all job titles, which is so important in the ER during a crisis.  As one of the first providers to see these patients, she bravely puts herself at risk every shift.

Please welcome Dr. Ben Valdez, trauma surgeon trained in Manila and Israel, with 18 years of practice, to the stage.  Dr. Valdez is one among the pioneers of the 911 service in the city of Davao, Philippines and the first emergency medicine training program in Mindanao (Philippines).  He has performed ENT surgeries on thousands of cleft lip/palate patients, as well as general surgeries, mostly charitable. Dr. Valdez has conducted over 120 major medical missions and established three cleft referral centers, with 45 major partner hospitals throughout the Philippines.

Ricki Friedman helps us Break the Weight // Overcoming obstacles and creating sustainable change When a friend in need asked Ricki to help her lose weight, there was no hesitation in...