Hearts Aligned, Inc. has elected Colleen Magee-Sitolini as its board chairperson and Lucy Kohansamad was elected board secretary.
Magee-Sitolini, who previously served as board secretary, has some 30 years of experience in health information management, privacy and security, IT and HR in home health, hospice and acute care. She currently works per diem for VNA Health as a certified coder for Home Health.
Magee-Sitolini joined Hearts Aligned from its founding in 2021. Her youngest daughter had a congenital heart defect requiring surgery.
"Having experienced her own daughter's surgery and hospitalization as a toddler, she can relate to other parents dealing with their child's critical illness. Her leadership skills are an invaluable asset to chair our board," said Vivian Solodkin, founder/executive director.
Lucy Kohansamad was elected board secretary. Born with duplicate kidneys and neurogenic bladder, she spent three years and had seven surgeries in Boston's Floating Hospital for Children from ages three to six.
Kohansamad's young siblings were shuffled between grandparents and friends while her parents were dealing with what at that time was considered a terminal illness in their three-year-old daughter.
"Lucy understands the needs of critically ill children and how it affects the entire family. Her experiences made her passionate about helping families that are going through the heartbreak of a sick child," Solodkin said.
"Lucy is a testament to how impactful a strong support system is for families and children going through the unthinkable," she said.
Heather Sherman was elected as a board member. As head of Pediatric Therapy Services for Cottage Health, Sherman oversees and works with children in the acute care stage to their recovery and rehabilitation once discharged from the hospital. She is able to see firsthand what so many families go through during this critical period of their lives.
Sherman was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She received her doctorate in physical therapy with post doctorate work to become a pediatric specialist and trained at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Her other degrees include Public Health Promotion and Economics & Business Administration, which she hopes can be of assistance being a board member.
"I hope my experience and knowledge of the community in conjunction with my passion for serving children and families will assist Hearts Aligned with their mission to support families with a critically ill child," Sherman said.
Sherman joins board members Solodkin, Shannon Garton, treasurer; Dee Dee Nussmeier, Jonathan Pickert, and Brigitte Welty, vice chairperson.
Hearts Aligned is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving low-income families in Santa Barbara County with critically ill children by providing financial assistance, family support and advocacy.
Since its founding in 2021, it has served more than 125 families. Hearts For more information, visit HeartsAligned.org.