Regional Representatives
| Name | Contact | Region | Area Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Russell | michelle.russell@promedica.org | Northwest | 419, 567 |
| Ellie Hammond | Elizabeth.Hammond@ohiohealth.com | Southeast | 614, 740 |
| Adrianne Ulrich | 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...
Megan Urdiales, MS
President
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.
Kathy Johnson, BS, RRT, RCP, CPFT, NCTTP, CTTS
Past-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.
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.
Bridget Maloney MS, ACSM-CEP
Secretary
Bridget Maloney is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist working at OSU Wexner Medical Center as part of the inpatient cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab team. She received her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology at Miami University and went on to Ohio University to get her Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology and ACSM certification. Bridget loves the fast pace of working inpatient and getting to be apart of such a critical time in the patient’s lives. She’s excited to learn and make new connections as part of the OACVPR board this year!
Paige Lewis, MS
Communications Representative
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
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.
Sharon Noelker, RN, RRT, ACSM CET
Southwest Ohio Representative
Sharon Noelker, RN, RRT, ACSM CET, is currently serving in Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Cancer Wellness Programs at the Drake Outpatient Unit of West Chester Hospital. With 32 years of diverse clinical experience, her background encompasses a wide range of patient care, from floor therapy to specialized, intensive care units at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Over the past seven years, Sharon has found her greatest professional fulfillment in combining her experience in both respiratory therapy and nursing within the field of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. In this role, she is able to make a meaningful impact on patient recovery and wellness. Sharon is a proud graduate of both Cincinnati State and the University of Cincinnati.
Adrianne Ulrich, MS, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR-CCRP
Northeast Ohio Representative
Adrianne Ulrich, MS, ACSM-CEP, AACVPR-CCRP is the lead clinical exercise physiologist at University Hospitals Cardiopulmonary Rehab, where she has worked for the past 8 years. Prior to her work with University Hospitals, Adrianne worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Adrianne is a graduate of Mercyhurst University where she obtained both her Bachelors in Biology and Masters Degree in Exercise Science. Adrianne works directly in patient care with her role in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab, as well as conducting Cardiopulmonary Metabolic Stress Testing (CPET) at UH Cleveland Medical Center. She enjoys working with patients that have complex conditions and watching them improve throughout their dedication to lifestyle modification. Her areas interests with research include advanced heart failure, diabetes management, and substance use recovery. Adrianne is also a graduate of AACVPR's LEAD Academy, where she was able to work through a number of quality improvement projects. She had the opportunity to speak at the 2025 40th Annual AACVPR conference and hopes to continue her work in helping promote positive change through her affiliate role with the OACVPR program.
Michelle Russell
Northwest Ohio Representative
Michelle Russell is an exercise therapist at Promedica Flower Hospital, she works with both inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehab patients. She graduated from Bowling Green State University 2014 with a bachelors in Exercise Science. Has been working in Cardiac Rehab for over 10 years. Favorite part about her job is watching her patients overcome mental barriers and achieve personal goals. Outside of work, she is a mother of two and enjoys golfing.
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