Please check back regularly as events, news, and information of interest is added. If you have a suggestion for an event to include on this page, please email us at [email protected]
November 2024
The Foundation provided Kaitlin Saenz with $1,000, to attend nursing school at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, adding to her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Kaitlin has experience as a Clinic Director and Clinic Supervisor and as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant she has worked in pain management and urgent care. In 5 years, she has acquired 10,400 patient care hours of experience in the medical field. Kaitlin was the primary caretaker for her grandparents, selflessly caring for them during their battles with cancer & time in hospice. Kaitlin has struggled with Ehlers-Danlo’s Syndrome and wants to help improve the flaws in the medical system that she has personally experienced to unsure that her patients receive the best care and support she can provide.
September 2024
With a will to help anyone in need and a want to heal those around her, Brianna Marie Pedraza has a passion to serve others. Brianna is currently a student at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi, and the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation is delighted to help her endeavor of becoming a registered nurse, giving her a grant of $1,000 to Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi for the fall semester. She is pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing and also has a bachelor’s in science majoring in Biomedical Science with a concentration in Pre-med from Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. In high school Brianna went through an Emergency Medical Services program, from which she gained knowledgeable skills & experience, such as: responding to calls for medical assistance, assessing and rendering first aid or life support, and preparing patients for emergency transport. She also has more than 60 clinical hours shadowing physicians within the Interventional Radiology department at Christus Spohn Shoreline, Corpus Christi, TX. Brianna is hardworking and driven; she works numerous jobs to support herself while being a full-time student. We look forward to seeing Brianna succeed.
September 2024
Saul Olachia has received additional support from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation with a $1,000 grant for the Fall 2024 semester at Texas A & M University towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in psychology. The skills Saul will gain through this program will better prepare him to take part in the medical field as a registered nurse. Saul has 3+ years of medical experience and is also a bilingual Spanish speaker. He is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a prestigious honor society and service organization for students pursuing careers in healthcare. AED requires a 3.2 GPA, completed college coursework, and a commitment to service and leadership in the healthcare field. Saul has EMT state and national certifications (Emergency Medical Technicians) and BLS certification (Basic Life Support). With his EMT certification, Saul moved up from lifeguard to first aid responder at Schlitterbahn, where he had to perform many emergency procedures. Saul further utilized his skills on hundreds of patients during his rounds at Spohn Shoreline Hospital Corpus Christi and ride-outs with firefighters and paramedics; he bandaged, resuscitated, administered Narcan (to reverse opioid overdoses), and performed CPR on patients. Not knowing the signs of a stroke wasted valuable time when Saul’s healthy 70-year-old grandfather suffered a stroke. Experiences such as this one have shaped Saul’s lifelong goal to create a first aid teaching program and mental health program in the small town where his parents were raised. Saul has overcome attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language barriers, and financial challenges, and now he has established himself in the medical field. Thanks to Saul’s hard work coupled with support from the Foundation, he will come that much closer to spreading the knowledge that may save a life.
May 2024
The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation has provided Melissa McFarland with an additional grant of $3017.81 for summer school in her pursuit of a degree in nursing from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. Melissa has prior experience as a medical assistant for Costal Bend Pain Mgmt. and is currently a medical assistant at The Institute of Precision Pain Mgmt. Through her combined experiences as a medical assistant, she has developed skills such as triaging, patient chart mgmt., IVs, C-arm tech, pre-op, and post-op duties, performing these duties on hundreds of patients. We admire Melissa’s tenacity in becoming a registered nurse not only because she is acquiring a second bachelor’s degree (her first in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M University Kingsville), but also because she has supported herself in funding her studies. Accordingly, a grant from the foundation would be essential in her journey to attain a nursing degree as she strives to become a registered nurse.
May 2024
Antonio Palacios has received an additional grant of $4507 from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation for summer school, going towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Galen College of Nursing in Austin, Texas. Antonio has a bachelor’s in general biology from Texas A&M University, has an Emergency Medical Technician certification and license, is CPR certified, and seeks to acquire a registered nurse license. He was a necropsy technician at Texas A&M University and has other experience as a first aid attendant at the Waves Resort. While licensed as an EMT, Antonio gained first aid knowledge, pharmacology knowledge, and how to use an EKG machine. For five years he has practiced these skills on hundreds of patients. This grant will allow Antonio to focus on his studies so that he can become the best nurse practitioner he can be, fulfilling his dream of helping others.
May 2024
The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation is continuing to support Saul Olachia with an additional grant of $2872.27 for summer school towards earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in psychology at Texas A & M University Corpus Christi. The skills Saul will gain through this program will better prepare him to take part in the medical field as a registered nurse. Saul has 3+ years of medical experience and is also a bilingual Spanish speaker. He is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a prestigious honor society and service organization for students pursuing careers in healthcare. AED requires a 3.2 GPA, completed college coursework, and a commitment to service and leadership in the healthcare field. Saul has EMT state and national certifications (Emergency Medical Technicians) and BLS certification (Basic Life Support). With his EMT certification, Saul moved up from lifeguard to first aid responder at Schlitterbahn, where he had to perform many emergency procedures. Saul further utilized his skills on hundreds of patients during his rounds at Spohn Shoreline Hospital Corpus Christi and ride-outs with firefighters and paramedics; he bandaged, resuscitated, administered Narcan (to reverse opioid overdoses), and performed CPR on patients. Not knowing the signs of a stroke wasted valuable time when Saul’s healthy 70-year-old grandfather suffered a stroke. Experiences such as this one have shaped Saul’s lifelong goal to create a first aid teaching program and mental health program in the small town where his parents were raised. Saul has overcome attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language barriers, and financial challenges, and now he has established himself in the medical field. Thanks to Saul’s hard work coupled with support from the Foundation, he will come that much closer to spreading the knowledge that may save a life.
January 2024:
The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation awarded Gabriela Cruz-Mattos an additional grant for the amount of $3,709.55 which continued to provide her with a path to earn a Master of Public Health degree at the Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii; giving Gabriela opportunities in teaching, research, and service as well as making her goal to become a physician possible. Gabriela is currently working at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center as a graduate research assistant. She has had internship experiences in Germany and Costa Rica as well as been a Medical Assistant in San Antonio, Texas. Her credentials range from being on the Dean’s List at Baylor University to being a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). She also was a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), certified in CPR, First Aid, Blood-Borne Pathogens, HIPAA, and PPE. As a CCMA, Gabriela performed functions including taking vitals and performing phlebotomy. As a CNA, her responsibilities included all aspects of patient care in the nursing home. Through her MPH program, Gabriela will acquire a wider knowledge base to draw from in medical school that will enhance her life’s work as a physician with a focus on global health, making her a better community servant. Admirably, she intends to get involved in the Doctors without Borders Program (emergency humanitarian medical aid to more than 70 countries) when she is a physician. Gabriela started her MPH program in August and we are delighted to be involved in her journey to become a physician.
In December of 2023:
Gabriela Cruz–Mattos received a grant from the Foundation for $3,592.49, providing her with the opportunity to earn a Master of Public Health degree at the Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii, giving her opportunities in teaching, research, and service as well as making her goal to become a physician possible. Gabriela is currently interning at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. She has had internship experiences in Germany and Costa Rica as well as been a Medical Assistant in San Antonio, Texas. Her credentials range from being on the Dean’s List at Baylor University to being a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). She also was a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), certified in CPR, First Aid, Blood-Borne Pathogens, HIPAA, and PPE. As a CCMA, Gabriela performed functions including taking vitals and performing phlebotomy. As a CNA, her responsibilities included all aspects of patient care in the nursing home. Through her MPH program, Gabriela will acquire a wider knowledge base to draw from in medical school that will enhance her life’s work as a physician with a focus on global health, making her a better community servant. Admirably, she intends to get involved in the Doctors without Borders Program (emergency humanitarian medical aid to more than 70 countries) when she is a physician. Gabriela started her MPH program in August and we are delighted to be involved in her journey to become a physician.
February 2024
The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation is supporting Antonio Palacios with a grant of $5,303 towards his pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Galen College of Nursing in Austin, Texas. Antonio has a bachelor’s degree in general biology from Texas A&M University, has an Emergency Medical Technician certification & license, is CPR certified and seeks to acquire a registered nurse license. He was a necropsy technician at Texas A&M University and has other experience as a first aid attendant at the Waves Resort. While licensed as an EMT, Antonio gained first aid knowledge, pharmacology knowledge, and how to use an EKG machine; for five years he has practiced these skills on hundreds of patients. This grant will allow Antonio to focus on his studies to become the best nurse practitioner he can be, to fulfill his dream of helping others.
January 2024
Courtney Pierce is in partnership with Black Boy Joy to provide the practice of yoga to men of color, men who do not have access to yoga, many of whom are survivors of violence. As the instructor, to do this, she would like to acquire a certification in trauma-informed yoga from Purple Dot, and for the cost of this certification, the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation will be providing her with a $750 grant. Courtney has an Association Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Management, is completing a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and has a Graduate Certificate in Social Work; also, she has Yoga Teacher Training, from Circle Yoga Corporation. Currently, Courtney works at Samaritan House Inc. as an Anti-Trafficking Outreach and Direct Service Coordinator in an anti-trafficking program that focuses on grant coordination, program facilitation, and outreach, as well as coordinates trauma-informed yoga, art enrichment & art therapy groups, and equine therapy. As a Victim Advocate at Samaritan House Inc. and a Victim Advocate and Crisis Counselor, at Y.W.C.A. she has provided crisis intervention counseling to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking and has provided accompaniment to victims during sexual assault forensic exams, hospital exams, as well as securing protective orders and court appearances. In addition, she is a Registered Yoga Teacher teaching trauma-informed, vinyasa, and power yoga classes. During her time working within outreach and education she has provided training for over 5,000 community members and facilitated anti-violence education through a statewide network. With over a decade of experience working with survivors of violence, she has provided direct service support to over 3,000 people. Courtney is very thankful to the Foundation and its donors for providing her this opportunity to support her community through practicing yoga.
January 2024
Saul Olachia has received $5,119.83 from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation for tuition and fees towards earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with a minor in psychology at Texas A & M University Corpus Christi. The skills Saul will gain through this program will better prepare him to take part in the medical field as a registered nurse. Saul has 3+ years of medical experience and is also a bilingual Spanish speaker. He is a member of alpha epsilon delta, a prestigious honor society and service organization for students pursuing careers in healthcare. AED requires: a 3.2 GPA, completed college coursework, and a commitment to service and leadership in the healthcare field. Saul has EMT state & national certifications (Emergency Medical Technicians) and BLS certification (Basic Life Support). With his EMT certification, Saul moved up from lifeguard to first aid responder at Schlitterbahn where he had to preform many emergency procedures. Saul further utilized his skills on hundreds of patients during his rounds at Spohn Shoreline Hospital Corpus Christi and ride outs with firefighters/paramedics; he bandaged, resuscitated, administered Narcan (to reverse opioid overdoses), and performed CPR on patients. A few experiences have shaped Saul’s lifelong goal to create a first aid teaching program and mental health program in the small town where his parents were raised; for example, his healthy 70-year-old grandfather suffered a stroke, and without knowing the signs of a stroke, valuable time was wasted. Saul has overcome attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language barriers, and financial challenges and now he has established himself in the medical field, and thanks to Saul’s hard work coupled with support from the Foundation, he will come that much closer to spreading the knowledge that may save a life.
December 2023
Melissa McFarland has been funded $5,269.32 by the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation, towards a degree in nursing at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, starting Spring Sem. of January 2024. Melissa has prior experience as a medical assistant for Costal Bend Pain Mgmt. and is currently a medical assistant at The Institute of Precision Pain Mgmt. Through her combined experiences as a medical assistant, she has developed skills such as: triaging, patient chart mgmt., IVs, C-arm tech, pre-op, and post-op duties; preforming these duties on hundreds of patients. We admire Melissa’s tenacity in becoming a Registered Nurse not only because she is acquiring a second Bachelor’s degree, (her first in biomedical sciences at Texas A&M Uni Kingsville), but also because she has supported herself in funding her studies. Accordingly, a grant from the foundation would be essential in her journey to attain a nursing degree as she strives to become a Registered Nurse.
August 2023
We are pleased to share that Jeannette Carey has graduated from the University of Boulder, CO, with a graduate degree in Music Education, adding to her bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster, also in Music Education. She has been a high school band/choir director and has taught music for 3rd – 12th grades. As a music educator, through her education and while teaching, Jeannette has learned how much music is an art that truly heals. Jeannette has received a combined contribution of $14,550 from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation; she has expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement that the Foundation has given her. Jeannette is forever grateful, and the Foundation, along with the Ahern Family, are honored to have been a part of her journey. Congratulations Jeannette!
For the Spring Semester of 2023, the Foundation has funded $2,130 to Jeannette Carey for tuition towards a graduate degree in Music Education at the University of Boulder, CO. Adding to her Bachelor of Music Education for grades K-12, from the College of Wooster, OH (with honors, such as scholarships, high GPA, and Cum Laude designations), Jeannette’s graduate degree will enhance her education studies and career. By learning more about the foundations and psychology of music education she will better help her students. Jeannette has been a high school band & choir director and taught grades 6th-12th for many years, she has also taught 3rd-5th grade general music, with her concentration being in getting young children involved in music. As a music educator, while teaching, Jeannette found that music is an art that truly heals. Through music education her students have learned healthy skills and music has also been valuable to her students in dealing with daily stressors, especially during the Covid Pandemic. Jeannette has also practiced yoga for many years and has often seriously considered becoming a massage therapist, but time & time again has come back to music.
The Foundation funded $500 to Kayla Haase for tuition and fees at the University of the Incarnate Word Pharmacy School where she is earning her Doctor of Pharmacy, while acquiring skills to become a caring, knowledgeable, and ethical Pediatric Pharmacist. Prior to Incarnate Word, Kayla received a Foundation grant towards her M.A. Medical Sciences degree with a focus in Molecular Medicine at Liberty University and earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Working towards her Master’s in Molecular Medicine, Kayla’s scientific knowledge continued to grow on subjects such as cancer research, human physiology, and pathobiology. Additionally, Kayla has volunteered in a Pharmacology research lab at UT Health Science Center, she has been a Nurse Assistant at St. George Episcopal School, worked with children as a Senior Kindergarten Assistant, and also has experience at North Central Baptist Hospital in the pediatric Physical Therapy Department. Kayla greatly appreciates her scholarship grants as her Pharmacy School journey will be costly and lengthy.
Veronica Alvarado received another grant from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation to St. Phillips College for $1250 for her Fall semester, towards her prerequisites to become a Registered Nurse. Following her tenure as a medical assistant for 7 years, she has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse for 6 years at the University Health System working in the unit dealing with organ transplants. Currently working for faith-based Health by Design, where they care for retired SA Fire/Police Depts and their families, Veronica has valued her time there as their standards parallel her own, by believing patients come first and are not just a number. During her own personal tragedy, for the first time Veronica experienced being on the other side of care; her nurses, doctors, and technicians were very kind and went above and beyond to make her feel that everything was going to be okay. With her own personal experience as a catalyst, Veronica’s goal is to become an RN to be able to care for patients and children with genetic/ chromosome anomalies or people with mental disabilities, anywhere that she can help someone get better mentally and physically.
The Foundation just funded $6,900 to Jeannette Carey for Summer School 2022 tuition towards a graduate degree in Music Education at the University of Boulder, CO. Adding to her Bachelor of Music Education from the College of Wooster, OH (with honors, such as scholarships, high GPA, and Cum Laude designations), Jeannette’s graduate degree will enhance her education studies and career. As a music educator, while teaching Jeannette found that music is an art that truly heals. Through music education her students have learned healthy skills and music has also been valuable to her students in dealing with daily stressors, especially during the Covid Pandemic.
Carlos DeLeon just received an additional grant for $836.25, from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation, for his studies at Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi, where he is pursuing another associates degree and is enrolled this summer in his last course – a clinical. He is a Registered Respiratory Therapist; while working in the ER and Intensive Care Unit he took care of critically ill patients. Adding to his credentials, Carlos will soon add RN to his name, with an ultimate goal to become an anesthesia nurse. The Foundation’s support is something he is very grateful for; it will continue to extend healing hands.
Veronica Alvarado recently received a grant of $822 from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation to St. Phillips College, towards her prerequisites to become a Registered Nurse. Following her tenure as a medical assistant for 7 years, she has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse for 6 years at the University Health System working in the unit dealing with organ transplants. Currently working for faith-based Health by Design, where they care for retired SA Fire/Police Depts and their families, Veronica has valued her time there as their standards parallel her own, by believing patients come first and are not just a number. During her own personal tragedy, for the first time Veronica experienced being on the other side of care; her nurses, doctors, and technicians were very kind and went above and beyond to make her feel that everything was going to be okay. With her own personal experience as a catalyst, Veronica’s goal is to become an RN to be able to care for patients and children with genetic/ chromosome anomalies or people with mental disabilities, anywhere that she can help someone get better mentally and physically.
The Foundation just funded $6,900 to Jeannette Carey for Summer School 2022 tuition towards a graduate degree in Music Education at the University of Boulder, CO. Adding to her Bachelor of Music Education from the College of Wooster, OH (with honors, such as scholarships, high GPA, and Cum Laude designations), Jeannette’s graduate degree will enhance her education studies and career. As a music educator, while teaching Jeannette found that music is an art that truly heals. Through music education her students have learned healthy skills and music has also been valuable to her students in dealing with daily stressors, especially during the Covid Pandemic.
The Foundation has contributed $7,000 in grants to Maryam Tolentino for her studies at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi Nursing School and we are pleased to share that she has graduated. Following her mother’s 30-year nursing example, Maryam aspires to be a caring, empathetic, and hardworking nurse. Maryam is thankful for the help and consideration the Foundation has given.
The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation provided Goldie Loy with a $3,787 grant towards a degree from the Del Mar Nursing Program, with a focus on anesthesiology. Additionally, she is certified in medical billing & coding and medical assisting. Employed in the medical field for over 8 years (pain management and OBGYN), Goldie is very dedicated to her work and her patients. She has specialized medical skills in phlebotomy, patient education and has office experience, such as prior authorizations, making sure patients get the medications and procedures medically necessary. Being a veteran Operations Specialist of the U.S. Navy, she has acquired the skills of discipline and determination; likewise, through her travels in the Navy, Goldie has benefited from a number of distinct positive influences, like varied cultures. Goldie is grateful for the grant from the Foundation, it will help her in attaining a nursing degree, enhance her healing arts skills, and achieve her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Carlos DeLeon received another grant, $1032.75, from the Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation, for his studies at Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi, where he is pursuing another associates degree. He is a Registered Respiratory Therapist; while working in the ER and Intensive Care Unit he took care of critically ill patients. Adding to his credentials, Carlos will soon add RN to his name, with an ultimate goal to become an anesthesia nurse. The Foundation’s support is something he is very grateful for; it will continue to extend healing hands.
On September 28, 2021 a grant request of $4,500 was funded from the Foundation to Courtney Morris for 3000 hours of supervised training needed to complete her requirements for obtaining her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at UTSA; Courtney currently has a M.S. in Nutrition and a B.A. in Psychology. Through owning a yoga school, she has gained a deeper experience in working with clients in a healing capacity, this has led her to pursue a masters in clinical mental health counseling. Courtney has worked for the last ten years: in part as a mental health counselor, where for example Courtney has demonstrated an effective approach through counselor/client rapport to understanding concerns such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, intrusive thought patterns; extensively, as a yoga teacher at Hamsa School of Yoga and Ayurveda (where she is co-founder & co-owner) she developed curriculum for teacher training and also teaches yoga classes, nutrition workshops, & continuing ed for yoga professionals; during tenure as a holistic nutritionist she developed all healthy eating programs within a Whole Foods Market store and also specializes in eating disorder recovery and nutritional care for those in substance abuse recovery. Additionally, Courtney has training as an Ayurvedic health coach, Postpartum Doula, and Breathwork Facilitator. We are pleased to provide Courtney with this grant and know Matt would approve.
On, June 25, 2021 the Foundation funded books for $500 to Allis Ozornia. Allis has a full scholarship to Yale University starting this fall. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the History of Science and Public Health. After attaining her Bachelor’s, Allis plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree with a focus on Women’s Health. She knew Matt years ago and he encouraged her to continue her education in healing. Allis believes the support from the foundation will enable her success at Yale University and in her career.
On May 27, 2021 the Foundation funded $2000.00 to Maryam Tolentino for tuition, furthering her studies at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi Nursing School. Much like the example she saw in her mother’s nursing career, Maryam aspires to be the same caring, empathetic, hardworking nurse and understands that in order to get there she needs to succeed as a student first. In her own nursing career, acquired skills involved taking vitals, transferring patients, administering medicines, sterile technique, nasogastric tube insertion care and collection, and Foley catheter insertion care. Maryam is making excellent grades and will graduate soon; she is grateful for the help that the Foundation has given her.
The Foundation funded $1616.50 on May 27, 2021 to Carlos DeLeon for tuition at Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi, where he is pursing another associates degree. Carlos is a Registered Respiratory Therapist at the Christus Spohn Health System, working at the Christus Spohn Shoreline facility for 5 years. While working in the ER and Intensive Care Units, he took care of patients on mechanical ventilators and worked with pulmonologists to help critically ill patients. Carlos has the advanced life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) credentials, and will soon add the RN credential to his name; his ultimate goal is to become a CRNA which is an anesthesia nurse. Carlos asserts that the Foundation’s grant is something he is very grateful for, it will continue to extend healing hands.
On May 4, 2021 the Foundation funded $5,520 to Jeannette Carey for Summer School 2021 tuition towards a graduate degree in Music Education at CU Boulder, CO. Adding to her Bachelor of Music Education from the College of Wooster, OH (with honors, such as scholarships, high GPA, and Cum Laude designations), Jeannette’s graduate degree will enhance her education studies and career. As a music educator, while teaching Jeannette found that music is an art that truly heals. Through music education her students have learned healthy skills and music has also been valuable to her students in dealing with daily stressors, especially during the Covid Pandemic.
January 18, 2021
Today the foundation funded $1500 to Maryam Tolentino for Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi Nursing School, where she is a nursing student. With deep admiration for her mom’s work in nursing, Maryam was greatly influenced early on to choose nursing for her own career. Her mom truly cares about people and wants to give them her utmost best; Maryam aspires to be the same caring, empathetic, hardworking nurse and understands that in order to get there she needs to succeed as a student first. She has learned and practiced varied skills, such as vital signs; one assignment included taking and documenting 50 different individuals’ blood pressures, pulse, and respiration rates. Additional acquired skills involved transferring patients, administering medicines, sterile technique, nasogastric tube insertion and care and collection, and foley catheter insertion care. Maryam completed Therapeutic Communication, a required course in which nursing students are taught to efficiently communicate with patients of all ages ranges alongside what to expect for each age group. Also required is participation in a simulation in which Maryam played the “assessor” one week, assessing the patient’s vitals, level of pain, environment, and “implementor” the second week in which she looked through the patient’s electronic health record, documented the findings, and lastly decided on which medications to give. The program that Maryam is currently in is for 5 semesters, she is making excellent grades, and has one more semester left before she graduates. Maryam is grateful for the help that the foundation has given her.
January 18, 2021
Today the foundation funded $720 to Carlos DeLeon for tuition at Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. Carlos is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, currently employed by the Christus Spohn Health System. Carlos has been working at the Christus Spohn Shoreline facility for 5 plus years; during this time, he has assisted in saving the lives of many patients. He has worked in the ER and Intensive Care units. One of his main duties incudes taking care of patients on mechanical ventilators and working closely with pulmonologists to help improve the outcomes of critically ill patients. Carlos has the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) credentials that has allowed him to be a part of the care team that has revived many patients. Carlos states that the number of patients he has cared for over the years is something he is not able to keep track of, but what he can say is that every day he is at work he is able to make a difference in a person’s life as he helps provide life supporting measures. Carlos is credentialed by the Texas Medical Board, as well as the National Board of Respiratory Care; and also has a two-year associates degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He has been accepted into a competitive Nursing Program at Del Mar College, where he is pursuing another associates degree with an anticipated graduation from nursing school in 2022. Carlos affirms that he is a very responsible individual and an exemplary student, making good grades. He has maintained several credentials for many years, and will soon add the RN credential to his name. His ultimate goal is to become a CRNA which is an anesthesia nurse. Carlos asserts that The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation grant is something he will be very grateful for; it will help him to continue to extend the healing hands.
December 11, 2020
Today the foundation funded $2500 to Kayla Haase for a M.A. Medical Sciences degree with a focus in Molecular Medicine at Liberty University. Having earned her Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Kayla has extensive scientific knowledge regarding how the human body functions from a molecular to an organismal level. Working towards earning her Master’s in Molecular Medicine, Kayla’s knowledge continues to grow on subjects such as cancer research, human physiology, and pathobiology. Additionally, Kayla was volunteering in a Pharmacology research lab at UT Health Science Center for approximately five months examining the effects of anti-depressants on rat models. Through their research, they were attempting to determine the possible elicited side effects of the drugs to provide insight for how to transition from rat models to human use. Unfortunately, Kayla was forced to stop volunteering in the lab due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, Kayla is currently working as a Nurse Assistant at St. George Episcopal School. She is able to work with children on a daily basis, examining their physical well-being. Currently, some of the focus’ of her position are identifying COVID-19 symptoms in the students who visit the nurse’s clinic, contacting parents to explain our COVID-19 protocol, creating and utilizing an illness tracking sheet to identify illnesses throughout the campus and filing immunization paperwork. Currently, Kayla is earning a Master’s degree, and plans on graduating in the Spring of 2021. In furthering her education after earning her Master’s, she plans to earn her Doctor of Medicine degree and become a licensed physician. In earning her Master’s, Kayla will be acquiring knowledge of the human body that will aid in her success in Medical School and as a physician. Kayla expresses that any scholarship granted will be greatly appreciated, as her journey to complete Medical School will be lengthy and costly.
October 29, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1200 to Justin Morris II for the Del Mar Nursing School; he started level III of their program in October 2020. Justin then plans to attend clinicals for levels 2 and 3 in January 2021, and then take level 4 in the summer. Once Justin is working, he plans on continuing school to earn his BSN and further on to a Nurse Practitioner or Anesthesiologist. Currently as a nursing student, he has not been able to practice the majority of skills he has been taught due to the Covid 19 outbreak. Fortunately, Justin took part in 2 clinicals in which he was able to practice: bathing, changing, taking vital signs, blood glucose, enteral feeding, NG tube feedings, patient repositioning, and moving patients from beds to their wheel chairs. Justin states that he is a person who likes to help others and is looking forward to doing so. He works as a SI leader, which is like a tutor, for Anatomy and Physiology 1 to help students understand the material and succeed. Justin hopes to one day return to Del Mar College and teach future nurses as he works- helping others is what he likes to do. Justin affirms that the assistance he receives will go on to assist others down the road.
September 10, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1747 to Carlos DeLeon for Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. Carlos is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, currently employed by the Christus Spohn Health System. Carlos has been working at the Christus Spohn Shoreline facility for 5 plus years; during this time, he has assisted in saving the lives of many patients. He has worked in the ER and Intensive Care units. One of his main duties incudes taking care of patients on mechanical ventilators and working closely with pulmonologists to help improve the outcomes of critically ill patients. Carlos has the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) credentials that has allowed him to be a part of the care team that has revived many patients. Carlos states that the number of patients he has cared for over the years is something he is not able to keep track of, but what he can say is that every day he is at work he is able to make a difference in a person’s life as he helps provide life supporting measures. Carlos is credentialed by the Texas Medical Board, as well as the National Board of Respiratory Care; and also has a two-year associates degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He has been accepted into a competitive Nursing Program at Del Mar College, where he is pursuing another associates degree. Carlos affirms that he is a very responsible individual and an exemplary student. He has maintained several credentials for many years, and will soon add the RN credential to his name. His ultimate goal is to become a CRNA which is an anesthesia nurse. Carlos asserts that The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation grant is something he will be very grateful for; it will help him to continue to extend the healing hands.
September 2, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1500 to Maryam Tolentino for Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi Nursing School, where she is a first-semester nursing student. With deep admiration for her mom’s work in nursing, Maryam was greatly influenced early on to choose nursing for her own career. Her mom truly cares about people and wants to give them her utmost best; Maryam aspires to be the same caring, empathetic, hardworking nurse and understands that in order to get there she needs to succeed as a student first. She has learned and practiced varied skills, such as vital signs; one assignment included taking and documenting 50 different individuals’ blood pressures, pulse, and respiration rates. Additional acquired skills involved transferring patients, administering medicines, sterile technique, nasogastric tube insertion and care and collection, and foley catheter insertion care. Maryam completed Therapeutic Communication, a required course in which nursing students are taught to efficiently communicate with patients of all ages ranges alongside what to expect for each age group. Also required is participation in a simulation in which Maryam played the “assessor” one week, assessing the patient’s vitals, level of pain, environment, and “implementor” the second week in which she looked through the patient’s electronic health record, documented the findings, and lastly decided on which medications to give. The program that Maryam is currently in is for 5 semesters, and she hopes in that time that she would have completed many hours of clinicals giving her priceless experiences and numerous opportunities to learn.
September 1, 2020
Today the foundation funded $2280 to Ruben Sanchez for Corpus Christi’s Del Mar College School of Nursing Program. Our grant, towards Ruben’s dream of becoming a nurse, will pay for tuition, book bundle, and fees. After high school, Ruben completed courses at Texas A&M Kingsville, and Corpus Christi towards his BSN in Nursing. He started his medical career in 2011 with a position in housekeeping at Spohn Hospital. In 2012 he completed his CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification and began working in that capacity. By 2014 he had advanced to a position in the Cardiac/ Trauma ICU. In 2018 he became an Emergency Room Tech where his responsibilities increased to include taking blood samples, inserting IV’s and Catheters. Ruben loves working in this High Stress/ High Critical Thinking Environment. If you’ve been a patient or visitor in a hospital then you might know what a difference it makes to have a CNA who loves the job; that kind of care enables patients to have positive experiences during such challenging times.
August 31, 2020
Today the foundation funded $2280 to Ruben Sanchez for Corpus Christi’s Del Mar College School of Nursing Program. Our grant, towards Ruben’s dream of becoming a nurse, will pay for tuition, book bundle, and fees. After high school, Ruben completed courses at Texas A&M Kingsville, and Corpus Christi towards his BSN in Nursing. He started his medical career in 2011 with a position in housekeeping at Spohn Hospital. In 2012 he completed his CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification and began working in that capacity. By 2014 he had advanced to a position in the Cardiac/ Trauma ICU. In 2018 he became an Emergency Room Tech where his responsibilities increased to include taking blood samples, inserting IV’s and Catheters. Ruben loves working in this High Stress/ High Critical Thinking Environment. If you’ve been a patient or visitor in a hospital then you might know what a difference it makes to have a CNA who loves the job; that kind of care enables patients to have positive experiences during such challenging times.
June 11, 2020
Today the foundation funded $390 to Carlos DeLeon for Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. Carlos is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, currently employed by the Christus Spohn Health System. Carlos has been working at the Christus Spohn Shoreline facility for 5 plus years; during this time, he has assisted in saving the lives of many patients. He has worked in the ER and Intensive Care units. One of his main duties incudes taking care of patients on mechanical ventilators and working closely with pulmonologists to help improve the outcomes of critically ill patients. Carlos has the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) credentials that has allowed him to be a part of the care team that has revived many patients. Carlos states that the number of patients he has cared for over the years is something he is not able to keep track of, but what he can say is that every day he is at work he is able to make a difference in a person’s life as he helps provide life supporting measures. Carlos is credentialed by the Texas Medical Board, as well as the National Board of Respiratory Care; and also has a two-year associates degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He has been accepted into a competitive Nursing Program at Del Mar College, where he is pursuing another associates degree. Carlos affirms that he is a very responsible individual and an exemplary student. He has maintained several credentials for many years, and will soon add the RN credential to his name. His ultimate goal is to become a CRNA which is an anesthesia nurse. Carlos asserts that The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation grant is something he will be very grateful for; it will help him to continue to extend the healing hands.
May 17, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1,500 to Carlos DeLeon for Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. Carlos is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, currently employed by the Christus Spohn Health System. Carlos has been working at the Christus Spohn Shoreline facility for 5 plus years; during this time, he has assisted in saving the lives of many patients. He has worked in the ER and Intensive Care units. One of his main duties incudes taking care of patients on mechanical ventilators and working closely with pulmonologists to help improve the outcomes of critically ill patients. Carlos has the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) credentials that has allowed him to be a part of the care team that has revived many patients. Carlos states that the number of patients he has cared for over the years is something he is not able to keep track of, but what he can say is that every day he is at work he is able to make a difference in a person’s life as he helps provide life supporting measures. Carlos is credentialed by the Texas Medical Board, as well as the National Board of Respiratory Care; and also has a two-year associates degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He has been accepted into a competitive Nursing Program at Del Mar College, where he is pursuing another associates degree. Carlos affirms that he is a very responsible individual and an exemplary student. He has maintained several credentials for many years, and will soon add the RN credential to his name. His ultimate goal is to become a CRNA which is an anesthesia nurse. Carlos asserts that The Matthew Ahern Healing Arts Foundation grant is something he will be very grateful for; it will help him to continue to extend the healing hands.
May 11, 2020
Today the foundation founded $3,000 to Alexandra Banks, for Unbound Collective School of Yoga and Wellness, a 200 – hour Hatha Flow Yoga Teacher Training. Alexandra is a mental health professional who is passionate about cultural awareness, inclusivity, healing, and holistic wellness. She grew up in a place where those things were not available to people like herself, those who came from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, minority groups, and underrepresented populations. Alexandra strongly believes that all people deserve access to resources that provide healing and wellness. With vast training, learning, and work experiences, Alexandra brings a lot to the foundation: AMA Behavioral Therapy- Intern, Communities in Schools – Site Coordinator, Edgewood ISD – Teacher, Aljon Family Counseling- Graduate School Intern, and Somerset ISD – Teacher. She also has an impressive scholarly background with a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University, a BS in Psychology from University of Houston- Downtown, Texas Board Certified Educator for Generalist, EMDR Trauma Trained, Licensed Professional Counselor-Intern in Texas. Alexandra has been practicing mental health counseling for the last 5 years. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR Trauma Therapy, Multicultural Counseling and Client-Centered Therapy. She has experience in working with clients with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, OCD, Bipolar disorder, and many others. Alexandra currently specializes in Trauma and PTSD; she has utilized a powerful practice called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) that helps clients to reprocess traumatic events in a way that fosters healing and empowerment. During her 5 years in the counseling field, Alexandra has helped over 200 clients; and has helped 20 overcome trauma and PTSD symptoms using EMDR Therapy. In her own words, Alexandra believes that although many may not consider teaching as a healing skill, she feels that the profession often gives teachers an opportunity to love, nurture, and cultivate character in the lives of the children they teach. Alexandra was a teacher for 4 years and loved how learning, creativity, and acceptance in the classroom helped many students heal and grow from the difficult backgrounds they had come from. With this grant Alexandra hopes to act as an advocate and resource for those in underserved populations; her goal and purpose is to help those in need to create positive change for themselves and a lasting impact on those around them.
March 23, 2020
Today the foundation funded $2,000 to Maryam Tolentino for Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi Nursing School, where she is a first-semester nursing student. With deep admiration for her mom’s work in nursing, Maryam was greatly influenced early on to choose nursing for her own career. Her mom truly cares about people and wants to give them her utmost best; Maryam aspires to be the same caring, empathetic, hardworking nurse and understands that in order to get there she needs to succeed as a student first. She has learned and practiced varied skills, such as vital signs; one assignment included taking and documenting 50 different individuals’ blood pressures, pulse, and respiration rates. Additional acquired skills involved transferring patients, administering medicines, sterile technique, nasogastric tube insertion and care and collection, and foley catheter insertion care. Maryam completed Therapeutic Communication, a required course in which nursing students are taught to efficiently communicate with patients of all ages ranges alongside what to expect for each age group. Also required is participation in a simulation in which Maryam played the “assessor” one week, assessing the patient’s vitals, level of pain, environment, and “implementor” the second week in which she looked through the patient’s electronic health record, documented the findings, and lastly decided on which medications to give. The program that Maryam is currently in is for 5 semesters, and she hopes in that time that she would have completed many hours of clinicals giving her priceless experiences and numerous opportunities to learn.
February 9, 2020
Today the foundation funded $950 to Dali Suarez for Hamsa School of Yoga, for levels 1 & 2 of the Healing Breathwork Program. The first level of this program includes hands-on training and guidance with all of David Elliott’s healing tools and extensive discussion about the work, the breath and what it is to heal yourself and others. This level certifies her to work with others and lead breathwork circles. Dali is able to lead her own one-on-one Breathwork sessions following this class. Dali has an undergraduate degree in accounting and 2 years of Law School, but has branched out over the last 10 years and has studied and held certifications, such as Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Spinning Instructor, and Real Estate Agent. After being diagnosed with Lyme disease, Dali quit her corporate career and dove deeper into holistic wellness. Western medicine & traditional mental health counseling were not cutting it. In 2018 she began experimenting with healing arts such as Reiki, Chakra balancing therapy, acupuncture, Arvigo therapy, craniosacral therapy, breathwork, and more; that is when she fell in love with these alternative practices. Dali is currently certified in and practices in healing arts modalities: yoga, Reiki, Thai massage, and Marma Therapy; she has practiced her skills on 20 people, and intends to grow that number into the 200s by the end of 2020. Dali is also a Master Reiki practitioner. Most recently, she graduated from a 500-hour yoga teacher training, and has trained on bodywork techniques Thai Massage and Marma Therapy. After graduating from her first yoga teacher training, Dali founded Karuna Healing Space. Her vision for Karuna is to create a virtual (and eventually brick & mortar) space where women practitioners offer their skillsets and experiences to empower other women to heal and thrive, to learn to listen to their own bodies, to their intuition, and to be their own healers. Dali aspires to teach women to recognize the signs of stress and burnout, which ultimately lead to most mental and physical diseases and as a Latina, Dali believes she has a special calling to bring her toolset to the Latino community, where mental health is hardly spoken about and still mostly considered taboo.
February 6, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1000 (training & expenses) to Michelle Coutinho for Leadership Training: Off the Mat and Into the World. This training educates healers about what it takes to be a facilitator and a leader in this world; it is focused on finding your voice, your personal empowerment and authority. Michelle asserts that this program concentrates on how to transform ourselves as our wounds become our medicine. Michelle has a B.A. in Liberal Arts, 200hr RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher), and Power Vingasa 2011 (a form of Yoga). Michelle teaches Yin Yoga and offers sound healing in her classes; voice is one of her strongest healing assets- while guiding meditation, teaching, or singing mantras. Michelle has given many workshops that combine energy work, mantra chanting, voice, yoga, mediation and mindfulness practices – all in service to healing. Her Healing Arts Skills are exhibited by the following, from 2009 until current year: Yoga Teacher (est. 500-1000 people), Energy Healer (est. 50-100 ppl.), Intuitive Counselor (est. 50-100 ppl.), Ceremonial Singer (est. 500 ppl.), Visual Empowerment Coach (10 ppl.). Her gifts have weaved into an offering called, Vocal Empowerment Coaching- where she guides clients through practices that clear stored trauma and emotion using their voice. Michelle uses music and her voice as instruments for healing. She hopes to acquire singing bowls and instruments to offer sound healing more formally, thus her work can continue to evolve. Michelle states, she is ready to receive the Leadership training so she can offer her medicine to the world.
January 13, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1500 to Adam Tutor – for a teacher training scholarship at Hamsa School, led by Matt’s girlfriend, Debby Andersen and business partner Courtney Miller Morris. Adam graduated from Trinity University, with a B.A. in Political Science and completed training for a Certificate in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from the University of Texas, SA. Adam is a mindfulness musician and youth educator here in San Antonio. He has been a musician, mostly a saxophonist, for nearly 20 years. In 2017, Adam had a life changing transformation to become a Servant of Love; this change impacted varied aspects of his life, most especially his music. In the past three years, he has created his first album, toured, and led countless meditations & sound healings, impacting hundreds, while also becoming devoted to his mediation practice. As a meditation practitioner, he has-facilitated mediations at his home, on a weekly basis, and partnered in workshops. Adam lead mediations for the attendees of Circle on Sundays (45-85 people) as well as Wednesdays at the Quaker Meeting House. Adam derives his methods from his yoga practice, communion with God in Nature, and the teachings of Paramahansa. As a musician, educator, and entrepreneur (lead a nonprofit for music), Adam has worked diligently to create a sustainable lifestyle that allows him to fulfill his mission in this world; a mission that he said “is to co-create a colorful world of love by reflecting my Divine inner light, revealing the artist inside us all.” Specifically, with an objective for the year of 2020 of finding his right posture in all areas of life- physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, Adam is confident that the yoga teacher training offered by Hamsa will deeply impact that goal.
January 3, 2020
Today the foundation funded $3538 to Ruben Sanchez for Corpus Christi’s Del Mar College School of Nursing Program. Our grant, towards Ruben’s dream of becoming a nurse, will pay for tuition, book bundle, and fees. After high school, Ruben completed courses at Texas A&M Kingsville, and Corpus Christi towards his BSN in Nursing. He started his medical career in 2011 with a position in housekeeping at Spohn Hospital. In 2012 he completed his CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification and began working in that capacity. By 2014 he had advanced to a position in the Cardiac/ Trauma ICU. In 2018 he became an Emergency Room Tech where his responsibilities increased to include taking blood samples, inserting IV’s and Catheters. Ruben loves working in this High Stress/ High Critical Thinking Environment. If you’ve been a patient or visitor in a hospital then you might know what a difference it makes to have a CNA who loves the job; that kind of care enables patients to have positive experiences during such challenging times.
January 3, 2020
Today the foundation funded $1766 for Spring semester tuition for Cristina Martinez of Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. We first met Cristina when she worked as an aid in the Alzheimer’s unit where Caroll’s mother lived. We were impressed with her dedication as she went above and beyond the call of duty frequently spending her 30-minute breaks comforting Blanche. The Foundation helped fund Cristina’s nursing prerequisites at Del Mar College and has continued to help her through the nursing program. Christina expects to graduate from nursing school after this semester.
January 3, 2020
Today the foundation funded $3,500 to Laura Berrio- for Yoga teacher training. Our grant enabled Laura to participate in the 200-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training at Hamsa School of Yoga and Ayurveda, taught by Matt’s girlfriend, Debby Anderson and Courtney Miller Morris co-founders of Hamsa. Laura graduated from Manizales University, Columbia, with a Master’s Degree in Education and Human Development, a GPA of 3.57. She also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Preforming Arts, with a 3.7 GPA. She has volunteered as a clown care artist at children’s hospitals for several years, drawing from her own experience of having a loved one in the hospital. Laura has been practicing Yoga for 10 years, this year especially pranayama (in Hindu Yoga, the regulation of the breath through certain techniques & exercises) or meditation. During the hardship of her mom being diagnosed with Lung Cancer, Laura returned to Columbia and while there found a training program of 100 hours – Yoga therapy. When her further training is completed, she (her words) “will be able to design therapeutic yoga experiences that will help us connect to our true selves, our bodies and to restore our healing power.” “Sometimes God sends us messages through our hardships…So I would like to serve people at hospitals with Yoga, meditation and arts.”
December 16, 2019
Today the foundation funded $3000 to provide weekly Yoga and Meditation class for patients at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio – Kristen Baggett, Matt’s Bikram (hot) yoga teacher and Director of Yoga Day, an organization that provides yoga classes on a pay-if-you-can basis, teaches the Yoga classes. The mediation classes are taught by Deborah Livingston, who is a certified meditation teacher. The hospital is very supportive of this program as it gets the kids moving and gives them something to look forward to. Although not quite a fit with our mission of helping “Healers” improve their skills, we loved the idea and knew that Matt would approve: he believed in the power of Yoga to help people (especially people who are ill) and he frequently volunteered to lead similar classes without any monetary compensation.
August 16, 2019
Today the foundation funded $6750 for yoga teacher training to Caty Wirth Shelton – Our grant provided tuition to attend the 10 month long, 300 hour, Advanced Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training course taught by Matt’s girlfriend, Debby Andersen, and her business partner Courtney Miller Morris at their studio in San Antonio. Caty attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where she began practicing yoga as a way to relieve back pain caused by a serious car accident She has taken numerous yoga courses including the 200 hour Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training which she completed in the fall of 2019 and has taught yoga on a volunteer basis to gain experience.
June 14, 2019
Today the foundation funded $6750 for yoga teacher training to Monica Sosa – Our grant provided tuition to attend the 10 month long, 300 hour, Advanced Ayurvedic Yoga Teacher Training course taught by Matt’s girlfriend, Debby Andersen, and her business partner Courtney Miller Morris at their studio in San Antonio. Monica graduated from UT Brownsville with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in French. She spent the following year studying Translation at the Universite’ Sorbonne in Paris. Monica completed the Yoga Alliance 200 hour Teacher Training course in 2016 and has taught numerous Yoga classes.
April 16, 2019
Today the foundation funded $3924 for the final semester of Nurse Practitioner school for Colette Davis- Colette was Matt’s Cardiac ICU nurse at University Hospital in Lubbock. We were impressed with her compassion and commitment to nursing as she skipped her day off, after several grueling 12 hour days in the ICU, to stay on Matt’s case. Colette got a BS in Nursing from Texas Tech. Our grant paid for her tuition for the last of four clinical semesters of the Family Nurse Practitioner School at the University of Texas at Arlington. With the help of the foundation’s 6 grants totaling over $10,000 Colette graduated this summer, passed her exams and is now a Certified Nurse Practitioner. Colette recently accepted a Nurse Practitioner position assisting a doctor at Baylor All Saints Hospital in Forth Worth.
January 1, 2019
Today the foundation funded $2851 for nursing school for Cristina Martinez – Our grants paid for Cristina’s tuition for the spring and fall terms at Del Mar School of Nursing in Corpus Christi. We first met Cristina when she worked as an aid in the Alzheimer’s unit where Caroll’s mother lived. We were impressed with her dedication as she went above and beyond the call of duty frequently spending her 30 minute breaks comforting Blanche. The Foundation helped fund Cristina’s nursing prerequisites at Del Mar College and has continued to help her through the nursing program.
September 14, 2018
Today the Foundation funded $7480 for Ayurvedic medicine training for Debby Andersen. Debby, who was Matt’s girlfriend and partner in yoga ventures, is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner. Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of holistic medicine dating back over 5000 years. It is based on the premise that the body is naturally inclined toward health and wholeness and offers therapies for supporting the body‘s natural inclination to heal. Our grant paid for Debby‘s tuition to attend a six week program in India to study with Dr. Vasant Lad, the leading Ayurvedic scholar and practitioner in the world.
August 1, 2018
Today the Foundation funded $1962 for Nurse Practitioner school for Colette Davis. Colette was Matt’s Cardiac ICU nurse at University Hospital in Lubbock. We were impressed with her compassion and commitment to nursing as she skipped her day off, after several grueling 12 hour days in the ICU, to stay on Matt’s case. Colette got a BS in Nursing from Texas Tech and is currently working in the Cardiovascular ICU at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth. Our grant paid for her tuition for the first of three clinical semesters of the Family Nurse Practitioner School at the University of Texas at Arlington. Previous grants by the Foundation helped Colette with the academic portion of her Nurse Practitioner Training.
June 12, 2018
Today the Foundation funded $3188 for nursing school for Cristina Martinez. Our grant paid for Cristina‘s tuition for the summer and fall terms as well as for her books for the entire nursing program. We first met Cristina when she worked as an aid in the Alzheimer’s unit where Caroll’s mother lived. We were impressed with her dedication as she went above and beyond the call of duty frequently spending her 30 minute breaks comforting Blanche. The Foundation helped fund Cristina‘s nursing prerequisites at Del Mar College and we hope to continue to help her through her nursing program.
May 12, 2018
Today the Foundation funded $1000 to Yoga Day to help provide weekly yoga classes at Methodist Metropolitan hospital in downtown San Antonio. Yoga Day provides yoga classes on a pay-if-you-can basis. The Director of Yoga Day is Kristen Bagget who was Matt’s Bikram (hot!) yoga teacher. Last year we provided $3000 to fund a similar program at the Medical Center Methodist Hospital. The classes have been so popular that the yoga teacher, Bari Melker, who is a registered nurse at in the maternity ward at Metropolitan, wanted to duplicate the program at Metropolitan. The remaining $2000 was raised by Bari with a Go Fund Me page featuring her trip to South Africa to run her second Comrades Ultra Marathon. Not only did Bari complete the race 30 minutes ahead of her 10 hour goal, she raised an extra $7,000 to be split between 2 programs she has been involved with, the Angel Home for abandoned children in Cape Town, South Africa, and Girls On The Run, an after school program, with chapters in every state of the U.S., that teaches self-esteem to middle school girls through running.
December 20, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $1,071 to Cristina Martinez for the tuition at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. Cristina is completing the prerequisites needed to attend Texas A&M School of Nursing to obtain a BS in Nursing Science.
December 20, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $1,962 to Colette for the tuition at University of Texas at Arlington. Colette is continuing her studies for Family Nurse Practitioner during the 2018 Spring Semester.
September 21, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $665 to Lauren Aubrey for Breath Work Yoga training. Lauren was a friend of Matt’s and learned Breath Work Meditation from him. Our grant provided Lauren with airfare from California and tuition to attend to Healer Training Level I, taught by Matt’s girlfriend, Debby Andersen, at her Yoga studio on San Antonio. Lauren, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of San Francisco State, has an extensive background teaching Yoga, many times on a volunteer basis, over the last seven years.
August 30, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $3,000 to Kristen Baggett providing a weekly Yoga class for cancer patients at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. Kristen was Matt’s Bikram (hot) Yoga teacher and is the Director of Yoga Day, an organization that provides Yoga classes on a pay-if-you-can basis contacted us about funding this project. Although not quite a fit with our mission of helping “Healers” improve their skills, we loved the idea and knew that Matt would approve; he believed in the power of Yoga to help people (specially people who are ill) and he frequently volunteered to lead similar classes without monetary compensation.
May 19, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $1,801 to Cristina Martinez for Nursing School prerequisites. Cristina was an aid at the Alzheimer’s unit where Caroll’s mother resided the last four years of her life. We were impressed with her dedication as she went above and beyond the call of duty, frequently spending her 30 minute breaks comforting Blanche. Cristina is currently working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Cardiac Unit of Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital in Corpus Christi. Our grant was used to pay her tuition at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi; where she is finishing up prerequisites after which she will attend Texas A&M School of Nursing to obtain a BS in Nursing Science.
May 5, 2017
Today the Foundation funded $1,962 to Colette Davis for Nurse Practitioner studies. Colette was Matt’s Cardiac ICU Nurse at University Hospital in Lubbock. We were impressed with her compassion and commitment to nursing as she skipped her day off, after several grueling 12 hour days in the ICU, to stay on Matt’s case/ Colette got a BS in Nursing from Texas Tech and is currently working in the Cardiovascular ICU at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Hospital in Forth Worth. Our grant paid for her tuition for the fall semester of the Family Nurse Practitioner School at the University of Texas at Arlington.