Our Members

Hearts Need Art Members

Meet the people who are committed to serving our healthcare communities through arts engagement.

Artists-in-Residence

Hannah is a visual artist living with multiple sclerosis. She used her art experience to help her manage living with a "new normal". Her multimedia works delve into the act of being present and mindful and utilize the idea of art as therapy in mental health self-care. Her work with patients through HNA has only solidified the importance of the role that art-making can play in the healthcare setting.
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Hannah Celeste Garrison

Jordyn is a traditional and digital artist from San Antonio, TX. She specializes in oil painting, colored pencil art, and digital art. Her artistic style incorporates autobiographical elements and surrealist imagery. Jordyn graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2021 with a B.A in Medical Humanities and a M.S in Business. Jodryn joined Hearts Need Art in 2021.
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Jordyn Ruiz

Lisa Abodeely

Hannah is a visual artist from Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her BFA in Fine Arts at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film in 2017, and shortly after moved to San Antonio. Here she has dedicated the last several years to nurturing and expanding her artistic endeavors while building meaningful connections with the city she now calls home. Passionate about the transformative effects of art, she's excited to have found and to contribute to this organization's creative community and witness the profound impact of art on people's lives.
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Hannah Strobel

Izzy has a multi-faceted career as both a professional musician, an award-winning artist, and a published children’s book author/illustrator. Her love of teaching, with over 15 years experience, has culminated in the creation of Izzy’s Artistic & Musical Academy. She teaches a variety of lessons- including piano, ukulele, and various art mediums.
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Izzy Anderson

Jeff Wood is a solo acoustic musician from Kansas City, MO. He has been writing, recording and performing songs for 25 years now. His style ranges from country, blues, rock and pop music. Jeff has been with Hearts Need Art since 2020.
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Jeff Wood

Tracy’s professional life centers around making music with others in duos, chamber music, and orchestral settings. As a pianist, she performs with artists and colleagues across the country, and is active in commissioning, performing, and recording 21st century chamber works. Cowden’s recent work includes performing in health care settings and facilitating interdisciplinary research regarding music and health. Cowden is the Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor in Music and Chair of the Department of Music at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Western Michigan University.
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Tracy Cowden

With a background in art and education, I've always appreciated the joy of learning and being creative. My father was the "artist" in the family while my mother was the "teacher." With their guidance, in addition to all the wonderful wisdom I've gained in life, I continue to pursue a career in a field that satisfies my passion for art, education, and the human connection.
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Adolfo Gonzalez

Izzy Anderson

-CEO

I am a new resident of San Antonio and excited to get a chance to volunteer with Hearts Need Art. I have worked in healthcare as an Emergency Medical Technician for a few years. I am so happy that this organization exists for patients and healthcare workers. I have found that art and music have been incredibly helpful in bringing joy and peace into my life. I look forward to being able to share that same spirit into hospitals in this community.
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Kathleen Garen

- Director of Peer Support and Administrative Assistant

Laurel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education, both from Texas State University. Additionally, Laurel earned a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Seminary in 2011. She is an ordained minister, and board-certified chaplain where she worked for many years as a professional chaplain for both hospitals and hospices. Laurel is a blood cancer survivor. She enjoys cooking, baking, movies, writing, photography, hanging out with friends and even hanging out with her sweet cat, Mabel.

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Laurel Dixon
- Board President

Tracy’s professional life centers around making music with others in duos, chamber music, and orchestral settings. As a pianist, she performs with artists and colleagues across the country, and is active in commissioning, performing, and recording 21st century chamber works. Cowden’s recent work includes performing in health care settings and facilitating interdisciplinary research regarding music and health. Cowden is the Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor in Music and Chair of the Department of Music at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Western Michigan University.
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Tracy Cowden
- Board Secretary

Having grown up in a family of makers and creators, I have witnessed first hand the joys that making art of all forms brings to others. Having used art therapy myself during my own troubles, I want nothing more than to help educate others on how effective and uplifting it is. I am so excited for the opportunity to volunteer with Hearts Need Art and share their mission and vision with the world.

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Amanda Budyach
- Interim Board Treasurer

Deserea Morgan is a 35-year-old native of McGregor, Texas, unmarried and has no children. She is a two-time survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and a 2022 recipient of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Ms. Morgan is currently taking time from her career and her doctoral research studies, to invest in herself and deepen her relationship with God. She has a blessed assurance that her relationship with God will continue to heal her. And, she has the blessed assurance that her story will be a testament to the power of her faith and ignite the fire within others to believe and grow in their faith in God.
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Deserea Morgan

Rob was diagnosed with stage IV Ewing's Sarcoma in 2004 and has had two recurrences since. As a patient and also an artist (music) he believes the healing power of the Arts has played a vital role in his survivorship. As someone who has seen Hearts Need Art from the beginning, he is humbled and honored to be a part of the Advisory Board. Rob loves the outdoors and music.
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Rob Shaver

Jovette Muniz was born in Panama, raised in Brooklyn, NY, traveled the world when she joined the Marine Corps and currently lives in the Schertz/Cibolo area since getting out in 2003. She is a former classroom teacher, former AML patient, empty nester with her husband, David, and is currently slaying being a Domestic Goddess.

It was during her hospital stays that she fell in love with HNA and promised to sing their praises because she knows that EVERY patient needs this nonprofit organization when they are going through a life-threatening ordeal.
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Jovette Muniz

Kara Niles