Carene Hensley began advocating for the PH community after her husband Bryan was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2025. Carene Hensley became Bryan’s full-time caregiver during a critical hospitalization that tested her faith and resilience. As she managed Byran’s complex treatments, she drew strength from the compassionate support of the Loma Linda University Medical Center’s PH team.

Since then, Hensley has immersed herself in education and advocacy, engaging with PHA support groups, connecting with others in the PH and raising PH awareness. Carene and Bryan are developing a nonprofit organization to ease families’ financial and emotional burdens during extended medical care. Their organization would provide affordable lodging for people traveling long distances for care.

Anjali Vaidya exemplifies commitment to quality PH care as director of Temple University Hospital’s PH program. She combines clinical precision with deep compassion and advocacy for patients and their families. Beyond the clinic, Vaidya contributes to PHA through patient-focused programs, awareness efforts and fundraising, especially the Greater Philadelphia O2breathe Walk. Known for her accessibility, empathy and tireless dedication, she consistently goes beyond clinical care to support, educate and empower patients, making a lasting impact on individual lives and the broader PH community.

Susanne “Susie” McDevitt has demonstrated commitment to PH care for three decades through clinical excellence, research, education and advocacy. She began her PH nursing career at Duke University Medical Center in 1997 and now practices at the University of Michigan, where she manages complex PH cases, leads clinical initiatives and supports research. McDevitt developed and leads the Pulmonary Hypertension Inpatient Consult Service and is a passionate educator and mentor. She has created patient education programs, trained healthcare professionals across disciplines and presented extensively at national and international conferences, in addition to publishing dozens of scholarly works.

Deeply engaged in professional service, McDevitt has held leadership roles within key organizations, including the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and PHA’s PH Professional Network. McDevitt has made lasting contributions to improving the lives of PH patients and stands as a role model in the field due to her compassion, expertise and commitment to holistic patient care.

Nicholas “Nick” Herrera has been a passionate advocate for the PH community since his sister Aubrey’s 2017 diagnosis. His own PH diagnosis in 2021 strengthened his commitment to raising awareness.

In honor of his sister’s memory, Herrera founded Running Recycled, a platform to raise money for PH research, inspire hope and educate others about PH. He has supported the PHA community by leading a team at the Houston O2Breathe Walk and sharing his story during the PHA 2024 Journeys lunch.

Herrera also is a committed PH advocate, writing to Congress to improve access to supplemental oxygen. Through his words, actions and unwavering positivity, Herrera lives each day as a powerful example of courage, resilience and possibility.

Eric Borstein transformed his personal PH journey into a powerful force for awareness and support. After his 2020 PAH diagnosis and subsequent 16-day ICU stay, Borstein channeled his recovery into action. He founded Where is EB?, a movement to raise money for PH awareness.

Through extraordinary personal determination — walking more than 14,500 miles between 2022 and 2024 – he has inspired countless others while demonstrating resilience and hope in the face of chronic illness.

Borstein’s commitment extends far beyond his own story. He contributes to several organizations focused on advancing PH research, care and patient support. His unwavering dedication makes a meaningful impact on people affected by PH.

Matt Schusler is a devoted caregiver to his wife Heidi and dedicated advocate for the entire PH community. Since Heidi’s 2017 PAH diagnosis, Matt has attended every medical appointment, provided strength during hospitalizations and procedures and celebrated every milestone with boundless encouragement.

He shows his encouragement by enthusiastically participating in advocacy events in Washington, D.C., volunteering at the Greater Philadelphia O2breathe Walk and helping lead the Heidi’s PHighters Golf Tournament.

Through his generosity, leadership and willingness to give time and resources, Matt Schusler exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding caregiver: selfless, compassionate and dedicated.

As founder of the Ann Arbor PHA Support Group, Beverly “Bev” Lipmyer has provided guidance, education and unwavering encouragement to patients and families for more than 25 years. Lipmyer’s ability to bring together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and partners has fostered a strong, connected community.

Lipmyer founded Michigan’s annual statewide PH luncheon, which has united hundreds of attendees, raised funds for research and promoted PH awareness for 21 years. Known for her warmth and compassion, Lipmyer often is the first to reach out to newly diagnosed patients, offering hope, shared experience and reassurance. She continually inspires others to take control of their disease and live with purpose.

Jessie Kohler has supported the PHA community since her 2004 diagnosis. She has served as a member of the PHA Board of Trustees and chaired the Governance Committee. As a practicing attorney, Kohler lent her legal acumen to PHA to develop board governance education and continues to provide high-level strategic guidance.

Kohler’s dedicated support of the PH Care Center program has been transformational. Driven by the belief that every patient deserves the same life-changing early diagnosis and specialized care she received, Jessie and her husband Rick made an incredible $100,000 pledge in 2012 to support PH centers across the US.

Their gift was made possible through a combination of their personal contributions, a portion of legal fees received by Jessie’s law firm in connection with her work representing patients in litigation involving Fen-Phen – the diet drug linked to PH – along with generous contributions from her law firm, family and friends.

Kohler is a tireless advocate for people with PH. She has acted as a mentor for newly diagnosed patients and has been a Sustainers Circle donor for 15 years. As a member of PHA’s Legacy of Hope, Kohler has ensured support for future generations of patients through her estate plan. As a member of the Kitchen Table Society, Kohler is one of PHA’s most impactful donors.

Ayotunde Omitogun is a dedicated advocate and volunteer leader in the global PH community whose work has transformed awareness and support for patients in Nigeria. After her 2013 diagnosis, she turned to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association for connection and knowledge, which inspired her to give.

In 2020, she founded the Cardiac Community Advocacy and Support Initiative, Nigeria’s first patient-led organization focused on PH. The group provides support networks, raises awareness and helps patients access lifesaving resources.

Through her tireless volunteerism and commitment to building community, Omitogun has amplified the voices of PH patients, fostered meaningful connections and brought hope, visibility and support for patients and families.