Meet the Volunteers
Every year hundreds of Kaiser Permanente employees and physicians apply to spend a week of their own vacation time volunteering to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. Each of the volunteers selected has their own reason for going; each also has a strong commitment to volunteerism and community service. Read about each of the volunteers below.
New Orleans
2012 Project Managers |
Jonathan Bestwick, Registered Nurse Southern California "I used to live outside of New Orleans in Bayou Vista as a commercial diver, and realize the effects of the weather and the environment on destroying communities and individuals' lives. Rebuilding communities helps to rebuild the lives that can then improve and grow to assist others around them." |
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John Edmiston, National Manager, Community Engagement Program Office "Katrina and Rita were the worst natural disaster to ever strike this country, but the spirit and resilience of the Gulf Coast residents, and the compassion of our volunteers, will continue to help in the recovery we're committed to. Since George Halvorson first gave the green-light in 2006, the response has been overwhelming, with more applications every year. Managing this project has been a gift, and the life-long friendships I've made have enriched my life far more than I ever imagined." |
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Tiffany Gardner, Senior Communications Specialist Southern California "I am excited to return to New Orleans as a project leader. I look forward to seeing the progress that has been made on our projects, and I am really happy that Kaiser Permanente continues to support this program." |
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Alex Mustille, Sr. Data Consultant Northern California "Planet Earth offers us such great bounty, yet all we've gathered can be wiped away in a momentary display of her incredible forces. What can we do in the face of such power but stand together as one people and help to rebuild our communities even stronger?" |
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Ashleigh Rucker, Assistant Production Manager Southern California "Service has always been part of my life. I feel truly fortunate to be able to represent Kaiser Permanente while giving back to a community that is still so affected by such a devastating tragedy." |
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Alan Villatuya, Senior Public Affairs Administrator Northern California "During college, I went to New Orleans and fell in love with the area. The town has such a rich history and great architecture, and once I heard about the Gulf Rebuilding Project, it's something I've always wanted to do. I'm happy to finally have the opportunity to help out any way I can. " |
2012 Volunteers
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Cristina Aguilar, Department Administrator Oxnard, CA "I believe that in times of crisis the most important thing we can do is to reach out and help our neighbors in need, no matter how far away they may be. I know how important that help can be. The small town in which I live was severely impacted by the 1994 Northridge (CA) earthquake. I know how it feels to be isolated and on your own, wondering if anyone cares. Our community has been a recipient of help from others during the aftermath of earthquakes, floods and fires and it is important to me to return the favor and do what I can to help those in need in other communities trying to recover from disaster. I have always been a helper and people person. I enjoy helping others and joining with other like minded volunteers. Not only does it feel like the right thing to do, it's fun!" |
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Maria Alexander (Platt), Medical Assistant Northwest "We can all pick up the paper or watch the news and feel informed, but until you're in the heart of the disaster, you will never truly understand the devastation. I look forward to doing as much as I can to help rebuild and return hope to a community that lost so much. It's good for the soul to be a part of something bigger than yourself. " |
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Jennifer Bach, RN Colorado "I have been combining my love for travel and public health for 6 years. In that time, I have traveled to Nepal, Thailand, Peru and Kenya, providing medical care in areas where health care services are nonexistent. I recently have become a board member with Medical Missions Kenya and look forward to leading others in an immersive global health experience. I am thrilled to represent KP in this service opportunity, and cannot wait to meet everyone in New Orleans for work, fun, and adventure!" |
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Mireille Baril, Account Administration Representative Colorado "Having assisted devastated areas outside the US, my heart was broken when I heard and saw the significant damage that occurred with the hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is a great privilege and honor to serve this area, which is so rich in our country's history and culture. " |
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Erica Browne, Project Manager II Southern California "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be of service to the resilient people of New Orleans, and to find meaningful ways of connecting the stories, triumphs and challenges from the Gulf Rebuilding Project to our continued community development work in Southern California." |
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Karen Buenaventura, Nurse Clinical Systems Project Manager Southern California "I embrace the opportunity to help in any way I can to advance re-building efforts and serve those in need. Serving others is love in action. Let's keep moving!" |
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James Cotter, MD Northern California "I have been to New Orleans eight times as a volunteer since Katrina, working several times with the Acorn group and later with Beacon of Hope. Initially, we spent most of our time stripping houses in the Lakeview and 9th ward down to 2x4s. Later trips were spent building and painting houses, and that was much more rewarding. Both of my children attended Tulane University and my wife's family is from New Orleans; it has long been one of our favorite places to spend time." |
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Glenna Farrington, Desk Top Intermediate Oregon "The reason I am volunteering for this project is, I belive in giving back and helping people out. I love seeing the expressions on people faces when, they are suprised or truly thankful for the help I can give to someone." |
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Antonio Fernandez, National Proposal Consultant Southern California "I have everything I want, and need, so being of service to others is not even a question. I feel I am rewarded tenfold when I can do anything within my power to help someone else ease their burdens. It is much easier to carry a heavy load when two people are lifting it. We are all on this planet together. We should not have to even think about helping out our fellow man. I think it is amazing how Kaiser offers help where it is most needed, like the Gulf Coast, and not just where the media cameras are. It makes me proud to work for such a caring company. " |
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Diana Graber, Patient Care Coordinator Manteca, California "I have been very blessed in my life and am honored that I have this opportunity to help others. When participating in volunteer programs/events, I feel like I receive more than I give. I am grateful that Kaiser is sponsoring such a great project." |
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Angie Harvey, Project Coordinator Oregon "I've been blessed with many opportunities to give back in my own community and now I am honored to help the people of New Orleans in their continued quest to recover from the devastation of Katrina. To help even one person smile a little easier would be a success. I am so very excited to get to work! As Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give"." |
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Jodie Haslam, Business Services Supervisor Colorado "I want to be a Gulf Coast Volunteer because I enjoy learning new skills, and I enjoy lending a helping hand for communities in need. How awesome to be able to work on behalf of my beloved company!" |
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Ly Ho, RN Manteca, California "Being able to volunteer and make a difference in someone else's life and putting a smile on their face has made volunteering a way of life for me. My goal is to instill the same values in my children and those around me." |
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Kristin Howland, Clinical Scientist Colorado "I want to help people affected by this disaster and to use skills I have gained from other volunteer work. I wish to represent KPCO as well as the clinical part of our organization. I want to experience the devastation caused by hurricanes and participate in restoration efforts. I also look forward to the opportunity to visit New Orleans and learn about its unique culture." |
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Anne Jones, IVF Case Manager Northern California "I have used nearly all my vacation in the last two years volunteering in Haiti. It is time I gave back here in the US. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so!" |
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Rohit Kadambi, PTA Northern California "I initially heard about the NOLA volunteer project through a co-worker and friend of mine, Amanda Forster, who was a volunteer in 2010 and 2011. It was shocking to see the devastation caused by Katrina, and it was heart-wrenching knowing that there are still many who need our help, seven years afterward. I consider myself very lucky to be selected as a volunteer, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve and give my time and effort to those in need." |
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Emily Lowry, Claims Supervisor Mid Atlantic States "I want to participate in the Gulf Coast Project because the opportunity to make a "hands on" difference toward a tragedy such as Hurricane Katrina usually doesn't happen for the average person. Everyone has the power to change the world we live in by extending a hand to someone in need. I'm hoping my hands will help ease a heartache, dry a tear and inspire hope." |
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Robyn Makel, Customer Service Representative Mid Atlantic States "I want to be a Gulf Coast volunteer because I thought it would be a great opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need. Though you may not live in that particular community, we are all still one and the same and should be able to assist when needed. I am very much honored to be amongst those chosen to be a part of such a remarkable volunteer service. " |
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Catherine Nguyen, Social Worker Southern California "I am a social worker at the South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City, CA. I work with bariatric surgery patients on their journey of weight loss and health gains. One of the best parts of my job has been walking 5Ks with our post-op patients who never imagined themselves capable of participating in a 5K! In my time away from work, I am an ardent supporter of Habitat for Humanity and have worked on homes here in Southern California, as well as in Vietnam, Mongolia and Nicaragua. I am looking forward to having the honor of working in New Orleans!" |
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Sawkia Patterson, Registration Representative Oregon "To help a life is to save a life, which in turn heals a life. It has always been my mission to help enrich others' lives. I am so blessed, honored and grateful to be able to serve the people of New Orleans in this capacity and effort. I look forward to this experience and how it will change my life forever and humble me in a way that I have never been humbled before. As Rodney Williams has said, "Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience something and someone new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world". This is my opportunity to change a part of the world and I intend to take full advantage of it. " |
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Jocelyn Sandoval, Administrative Specialist III Southern California "I have always had a passion for giving back to others and my community. I am honored to have been selected to volunteer with KP and an incredibly talented group of volunteers in an effort to make a difference in a community that has been so severely impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I know that there is much to be done and am excited for the opportunity to make a difference and bring hope and joy to those who were affected by these natural disasters. I am excited to see the progress that we will make this year and in the years to come." |
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Jonathan Sandoval, Staff Specialist - Administration Southern California "This is a unique opportunity to help restore hope and faith to those who were immediately affected by the Gulf Coast tragedies. I couldn't be there immediately following the events, but my heart was always pulled by their situation. My hope is that by partaking in this event and hearing the personal stories of perseverance first-hand, it will enable their efforts and feelings to extend beyond their state lines as we return to our local lives." |
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Jamie Taylor, Central Hub Staffing Coordinator Northern California ""I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." - Mahatma Gandhi" |
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Jay Thuneman, Associate Account Manager Illinois "I have worked for KP for 11 years; however, I do not live in a KP region and have always wanted to experience the depth and breadth of KP's mission first-hand. I am honored to be able to participate in this year's project, and while my goal is to help others, I know I will get back tenfold from the people of New Orleans." |
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Dorothy J M Weathers, RN Ohio "I am honored to have been chosen out of the many caring Kaiser employees. As Mahatma Ghandi once said, "A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history", and this is what we at Kaiser are doing." |
