We are committed to promoting awareness of the different types of holes in the heart and congenital heart defects and how they affect our youth and young adults.
OFFICERS
SANDRA SANCHEZ FAHRLENDER, Founder/President
Over 10+ years in Marketing, Sales and Public Relations. Her determination to help prevent other New Mexico families from experiencing childhood chronic illness has lead her to create Hole in the Heart. She holds a BBA in Marketing Management from The Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico.
BOB FAHRLENDER, Founder/Co-Treasurer
Over 20+ years in Medical & Pharmaceutical Sales. He is a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Biology and earned a MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. He joins his wife in creating Hole in the Heart and is determined to advocate for best-practices for the detection and diagnosis of congenital heart defects.
STEPHANIE AVILA, Secretary
Over 13+ years in Health Care Information Technology. She is committed to promoting heart health awareness and preventive care for future generations.
MARIO AVILA, Treasurer
Over 24+ years in Corporate Finance and is currently in Real Estate Development. He knows personal individuals who have been affected by congenital heart defects and would like to assist in promoting awareness.
MEDICAL ADVISORS & ADVOCATES
DORSEY BEGGS, MD, Medical Advisor
A prominent pediatrician, she is Medical Director at Bebe Care Pediatrics and has over 23+ years as a hospitalist. She specializes in the care of acute and chronically ill children and newborns. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico Medical School, with residency in pediatrics at UNM Children’s Hospital. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).
CHRISTY ESQUIBEL, BSN, RN, Medical Advisor
Over 28+ years in Nursing with 17+ years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, has 2 years in School Nursing and currently in Case Management. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico from the School of Nursing. She is passionate about health advocacy.
MAILE RUGGLES, BSN, RN, CPN, CCRN, Medical Advisor
Over 30+ years as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse, includes caring for children recovering from and those waiting on CHD surgeries. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico from the School of Nursing. She is passionate about patient advocacy and mentoring future nurses in the PICU.
LAURA FALLEN, CHD Patient Advocate
Over 17+ years as a private personal trainer and nutrition manager. She is a competitive cyclist and strength/conditioning coach. She is a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a BS in Exercise Science and Nutrition. She serves as a Congenital Heart Defect Patient Advocate after being recently diagnosed with a CHD and is a stroke survivor. She is dedicated in advocating for CHD detection and diagnosis much earlier in life.
PATRICIA SCOTT, Youth Advocate
Over 10+ years in Accounting Management with an Associates Degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She serves as a Youth Advocate and has the responsibility of being a guardian to the Fahrlenders son’s name and their role in our nonprofit.
YOUTH MEMBERS
KAI FAHRLENDER
He is currently in his gap year before attending college in the Fall of 2022 and is an active member in his community. He is a founding member of a local band in Albuquerque and is a multi-instrumentalist. He is helping with CHD advocacy efforts of changing best-practices and early diagnosis in New Mexico.
LUKE FAHRLENDER
He is currently a student at Menaul School and a member of Menaul Football and Basketball. He is interested in physical fitness, film/acting and is involved with his local community. He is helping with Hole in the Heart Gives Back, a community service program partnering with other local nonprofits during the giving season.
Hole In The Heart 