HEALTHCARE ADVISORY BOARD

BILL STEIN, MD, CHD Healthcare Expert

A leading cardiothoracic surgeon at Presbyterian Heart & Vascular Care specializing in performing surgical procedures on pediatric patients and adult patients with congenital heart disease. He earned his medical degree with honors from George Washington University Medical School in Washington, DC. He completed his general surgery residency at George Washington University and spent two years as a post-doctoral fellow at Stanford University in California. He completed his cardiothoracic surgery residency at Emory University, where he also served as the administrative chief resident. He completed his congenital cardiac surgery fellowship at Emory University/Children’s Hospital of Atlanta.  Dr. Stein is board certified in general, thoracic, and congenital cardiac surgery.

CRYSTAL AVILA SCHROEDER, MD, Healthcare Advisor & CHD Parent Advocate

A prominent pediatrician, she is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and Co-Medical Director for the General Pediatrics ECHO program. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico Medical School, with residency in pediatrics at UNM Children’s Hospital. Her dedication reaches further than her medical profession; as a parent of a child with a congenital heart defect, she has become an CHD parent advocate, actively participating in community efforts to increase CHD awareness through her personal journey.

TAMARA SHANNON, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, Healthcare Education Advisor

With over two decades of pediatric and maternal-child health experience, she currently serves as the Director of the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing, where she has been a faculty member since 2015. She teaches across advanced practice nursing programs, focusing on pediatric care and evidence-informed practice. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a subspecialty in nursing education from the University of South Alabama, a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in pediatric health from Wright State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Oregon Institute of Technology.

CAITLIN KOPP, MSN, RN, CPN, Healthcare Education Advisor & CHD Family Advocate

A dedicated healthcare professional and educator with a strong background in pediatric critical care and nursing education. She currently serves as a Clinical Instructor at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing and works as a pediatric nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Presbyterian Healthcare Services. In both roles, she is deeply committed to advancing the field of nursing—balancing hands-on patient care with the education and mentorship of future nurses. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education from the University of New Mexico, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Texas Christian University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University. In addition to her clinical and academic work, she is a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Family Advocate, inspired by her niece’s diagnosis with a CHD.

KELSEY LEIBENHAUT, MSN, RN, CNEn, Healthcare Advisor & CHD Parent Advocate

A dedicated healthcare professional with over 11 years of experience in providing quality nursing care, patient education, and advocacy. Her diverse background spans acute care, outpatient services, and long-term care settings. Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, she aspires to work in primary care and teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. With a special focus on holistic nursing and nutrition, her passion for patient care goes beyond the clinical setting. As a parent of a child with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), she is a powerful advocate for CHD awareness and the continuum of care. 

APRIL LEWIS-RAMIREZ, LPCC, RPT™, EPT/C™, Mental Health Advisor

A Registered Play Therapist (RPT™) and Supervisor working towards her EMDR Certification, she brings her expertise in Experiential, Client-Centered, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, CBT, and mindfulness for mental health care. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico in Sociology and has her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Southwest. She is a 2023 graduate of the Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy, current President and a board member of the New Mexico Association for Play Therapy, and owner of A Bird’s Nest Therapy in Albuquerque, NM. Her passion lies in advocating for mental health among children and adult patients, as well as their families. Having been diagnosed with a heart condition later in life, she brings personal experience to our cause.