Regional Representatives
| Name | Contact | Region | Area Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janelle Heiden | janelle.heiden@promedica.org | Northwest | 419, 567 |
| Ellie Hammond | Elizabeth.Hammond@ohiohealth.com | Southeast | 614, 740 |
| Jessica Sedlacek | Jessica.Sedlacek@UHhospitals.org | Northeast | 216, 330, 440 |
| Sharon Noelker | sharon.noelker@uchealth.com | Southwest | 513, 937 |
We are your Board Members. Thank you for allowing us to represent you...
Kathy Johnson, BS, RRT, RCP, CPFT, NCTTP, CTTS
President
I am a graduate North Central State College for respiratory therapy/allied science associate degree and Franklin University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration. I have worked in some area of respiratory therapy for 40 years and the team lead in pulmonary rehabilitation for over 30 of those years at OhioHealth Mansfield. I had the honor of being one of the first of 13 programs in Ohio to be AACVPR certified. I have worked with The LVRS and lung transplant programs as a satellite with Ohio State and Cleveland Clinic. I have a passion to teach pulmonary patients how to manage their lung disease and improve their quality of life through exercise and breathing techniques. I look forward to serving on the OACVPR board and the constituents of Ohio’s cardiopulmonary and vascular rehabilitation programs.
Megan Urdiales, MS
President Elect
Megan Urdiales is an exercise physiologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in inpatient cardiopulmonary rehab. She received her Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Ohio University. Megan works with post-operative open-heart patients and loves being a vital part of the initial healing process and watching patients transition to home. She is excited to continue to serve on the OACVPR board and hopes to continue to build on her skills as an Exercise Physiologist.
Malloree Rice, CEP, RCEP, CCRP
Past-President
Malloree is a Master’s prepared Clinical Exercise Physiologist with 5 years of experience in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease. She is currently a Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital conducting cardiopulmonary exercise test and cardiac rehabilitation sessions. Malloree holds the American College of Sports Medicine ACSM -CEP certification with the RCEP distinction, and is a Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional through America Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This is Malloree’s second year on the board. She is excited to meet new people, and make professional connections.
Mike Bichsel, MA
Treasurer
Team lead Cardiac Rehabilitation OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. Background is in Exercise Physiology. I have worked in cardiac rehab for the past 20 years in Long Island, Cleveland and Mansfield. Thrilled to be a part of a fantastic OACVPR board and has served as NE regional rep, President and Treasurer in the past. Greatest accomplishment is being a father of three.
Ellie Hammond MS, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR-CCRP
Southeast Representative
Ellie Hammond, MS, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR-CCRP is the program coordinator and has been a clinical exercise physiologist at HeartWorks Cardiopulmonary Rehab for 7 years. HeartWorks is located at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, OH and operates in conjunction with Ohio University. Ellie is a graduate of Marshall University where she obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Exercise Science. Ellie works hands on with patients in cardiac and pulmonary rehab through their 12 week program and helps them get stronger each day while offering support and encouragement. She is passionate about helping patients see the power of exercise and the benefits it can have in their lives. She strives to make HeartWorks a warm and inviting place so that patients look forward to their rehab appointments. Ellie also works closely with students obtaining their degree at Ohio University, teaching them clinical skills and helping them achieve their goal of becoming a clinician.
Marissa Lechene MS, ACSM-CEP
Pulmonary Representative
Marissa Lechene is a clinical exercise physiologist at OhioHealth McConnell Heart Health Center and has been in the field for over 5 years. She received her master's degree from Ohio University, holds the ACSM-CEP certification, and the pulmonary rehabilitation certificate from AACVPR. Marissa enjoys direct patient care and providing education and tools to patients for better breathing and to improve their overall quality of life through exercise. As a new member of the board, Marissa is excited to learn and grow more in the field and meet other likeminded professionals
Janelle Heiden, RRT
NW Ohio Representative
I am currently working pulmonary rehab at Promedica, Flower hospital. I started my career in-patient general floors and critical care. Over the years I have had some time at the children's hospital and pulmonary disease management. Although I enjoyed all those I feel I have found where I am meant to be. I also enjoy taking the students and showing them this area of respiratory. I look forward to continuing to see all the positive aspects that this career offers, along with continuing my education in the rehab field.
Jessica Sedlacek, MS, ACSM-CEP
Northeast Representative
Jessica Sedlacek, MS, ACSM-CEP, works at University Hospitals St John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio. She has worked in cardiac and pulmonary rehab for 20 years, where she loves to connect with patients and make a difference in their quality of life. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Mount Union and her Masters of Exercise Science from Oakland University. She previously sat on the OACVPR board in 2008-2009, and now that Jessica is involved again, she hopes to gain more professional connections and be a good resource to Northeast Ohio.
Paige Lewis, MS
Communications
Paige Lewis is an exercise physiologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. She received her Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. Her favorite part about cardiac rehab is getting to see patients thrive with new knowledge and tools to help them day to day. As a new member of the board she is excited to learn and grow as an exercise physiologist and meet new professionals in the field
Madeline Blaine
Secretary
I currently work at Cleveland Clinic - Medina in the stress lab and cardiac/pulmonary rehab. I am a certified personal trainer through ACSM. I have received my Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University. Then went on to receive my Masters in Exercise Physiology - Clinical Track from Ohio University. I am excited to continue to pursue this path and make new connections along the way.
Morgan Atherton
Student Representative
Morgan has earned her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences: Wildlife & Conservation at Ohio University. She has practiced and progressed as a certified personal trainer, certified health coach, group fitness instructor, and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention instructor for 5 years cumulatively. She is currently studying for her master's degree in Exercise Physiology (Clinical Track) at Ohio University. She connected to OACVPR through her practicum location, HeartWorks Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. She is also serving as the Graduate Assistant for Well-Being Programming and Outreach through Ohio University Well-Being & Fitness.