Dr. Bauman received her medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1978. For nine years, she served in a variety of teaching, practice, and administrative positions on medical school faculties including Wayne State University, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Oklahoma. In 1991, she joined Baptist Medical Center, which later became INTEGRIS Health Inc. as Medical Director of the Women’s Center. She was Medical Director for Women’s Health and Community Relations until moving to Seattle in 2017.

Dr. Coleman commenced his advocacy work in 2012 after undergoing cardiac bypass surgery, during which the support provided by a Mended Hearts volunteer had a significant impact on him. This experience motivated Dr. Coleman to focus his efforts on assisting men facing cardiac health challenges. Through his personal journey, he gained deeper insight into heart disease and recognized the critical need for enhanced support during recovery. Dr. Coleman is the founder of HeartsAndTheFamily.com, an online resource aimed at supporting families confronting issues related to heart disease. He completed his doctoral dissertation on African American male cardiac peer support volunteers.

Dr. Coleman holds a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Texas Woman’s University (TWU), an MBA from the University of Indianapolis, and a BA in Political Science from Western Illinois University. He is widely recognized as an expert in the fields of domestic violence, human trafficking, human relations, and father and son initiatives.

Denise Castille is a passionate advocate for heart health and CPR education, driven by her own experience as a widow-maker heart attack survivor. She founded the nonprofit organization Fresh Start for Your Heart to raise awareness and support for heart health. Denise is also the founder of Any Day CPR Training, LLC, where she provides crucial CPR training to communities.

A Distinguished Toastmaster, Denise is currently serving as the Program Quality Director for District 50 Toastmasters, where she continues to inspire and lead in the realm of public speaking and leadership development.

She is the best-selling author of I Don't Want to Die Like This: A Survivor's Guide to Thriving After a Heart Attack and a speaker known for her signature talk, Gradually, Then Suddenly. In her free time, Denise enjoys traveling and planning trips for others, and she recently attended a comedy improv class, showcasing her destined talent for humor.

As a an expert in public health, Rev. Leroy Miles is a Mental Health Counselor, Certified Health Coach and Community Health Consultant. Rev. Miles has supported and developed systems that offer education, resources and access for communities in the U.S. and internationally. His work includes leadership over multiple ministries, including as an Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care and Counseling at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church that provides assistance in mental health, HIV/AIDS support, anger management, drug and alcohol recovery, and surviving sexual abuse. The church recently launched a doula ministry program, training more than 40 birth and postpartum doulas to help reduce race related disparities in Black maternal health.

Rev. Miles has overseen city-wide charitable initiatives like walk/runs and multimillion dollar events offering counseling, medical screening and other health resources serving families in the US and throughout the African Diaspora.

A champion for improved health policy, Leroy is a Covid-19 testing/vaccination site lead, and he completed a chaplaincy internship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rev. Miles spends time now serving as a former board member of the AHA, Patient Advisory Board Einstein/Jefferson, and board member of Nephcure. He is a certified anger management educator, a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, an avid cyclist, a martial arts black belt, and a competitor of Masters Track and Field.

Tania is a Cuban-American ischemic stroke survivor who, despite being misdiagnosed and not benefiting from any medical intervention, has had miraculous outcomes. While in ICU doctors found Tania had a congenital heart defect, and shortly after the stroke she underwent surgery to close a PFO and began treatment for ALPS - a clotting disorder. Tania has spent the better part of four years in PT and OT- along with cognitive remediation and vision therapy. She has overcome issues with memory and executive functioning. The strokes affected her left side, leaving her with weakness and no/limited sensation from her shoulder down to her foot, significantly impacting her ability to use her hand.

Before the stroke, Tania had a 22-year career in educational publishing. In 2017, she earned her MA in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. She tried to return to work six months after the stroke, but it became clear that the pace and environment were not compatible with her new operating system. While Tania does not believe the stroke took away her career, it forced her to re-prioritize healthily.

In May of 2023, a mild concussion opened a doorway to creative play and a new career as an artist and advocate for Tania. She is a mom to an amazing 24-year-old daughter who called 911 the morning of the stroke and a dog mom to Stevie Nicks, her service animal, whom she trained with the support of a Colorado-based nonprofit. Tania is an active volunteer who currently serves on the Lay Stakeholder Taskforce and is a member of the 2025 Go Red for Women Class of Survivors.

Justin Wang received a heart transplant on April 27, 2018, at the age of 15. Justin is a senior at NYU majoring in public health, graduating in January 2026, and currently in the stage of writing a senior thesis on post-transplant housing barriers, where Justin partnera with four nonprofits. Outside of school, he is a published cookbook author of Justin’s Hearty Recipes, which was his Make-A-Wish. Justin also blogs on myhearttransplantjournal.com, has been swimming since his transplant for exercise and his latest craze is running. Before the transplant, Justin says, "I couldn’t even run a block. The picture you see here is me running my first 5 miles! On my 21st birthday, I’m going to celebrate by doing my first 10k!"

Rose is a heart failure survivor and native New Yorker. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences focusing on Molecular Biology and a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in school Guidance and Counseling. Rose began her professional life in molecular biology as part of the team that found one of the obesity-related genes. She worked at the Mailman Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, doing early intervention research with infants and as a clinician with children and families. Rose worked in both Clinical and Public- School counseling settings. 

A close friend recommended Pilates as an alternative to medications for dealing with disc herniations, high BMI, stress, and sciatic pain. She came to the Polestar Pilates Head Quarters center in 2006 and found her body more mobile and pain-free after only a few months. Rose found Pilates indispensable in recovery from endometriosis complications. She loves to share the practice with others on their health journey and has become a nationally certified Pilates instructor. She incorporates meditation, a vegan diet, and breathing techniques in her ongoing cardiac, mental, and physical health practice.