Our Members

Hearts Need Art Members

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

Jump to Artists | Musicians | Writers | Staff Members | Board Members | Patient Advisory Board | Volunteers

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.
Button

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.
Button

Jordyn Ruiz

Lisa is a visual artist who enjoys using many different mediums.
Charcoal and oil pastels are some of her favorites.
Her art is inspired by her appreciation of nature.
Spending time outdoors reminds her how small we all are and how deeply we are linked to each other.
She was born in Hawaii but Texas is where she hangs her hat.
Having served as a caregiver as well as being a working artist, she understands how human connection and all art forms positively impact the body, mind, and soul.
Button

Lisa Abodeely

Musicians-in-Residence

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.
Button

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.
Button

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.
Button

Tracy Cowden

Writers-in-Residence

Judy Sheer Watters, a retired English teacher and secondary principal, is an author and teacher of writing. She is part owner of Writing Mentors and Franklin Scribes Publishing Consultants and loves helping new authors to bring their books to life. You can learn more at her website: judywatters.com.
Button

Judy Watters

Andrea“ Vocab” Sanderson is a San Antonio native and the first Black Poet Laureate of San Antonio, 2020-2023. Her dynamic performance style is an originally crafted fusion of spoken word poetry, hip hop and soulful rhythm and blues.

Healing is an ongoing journey and positive affirmation is a vital part of the healing process. Incorporating spoken word and lyrical affirmation is something she feels passionate about facilitating and demonstrating.
Button

Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson

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.
Button

Adolfo Gonzalez

Staff

Richard joined Hearts Need Art in 2018 as a volunteer after meeting the Founder at a San Antonio theater and inviting her to be a
guest on his talk show. Through his award-winning self-titled show and various other
roles as director and producer, Richard brings creativity to life through collaboration,
innovation, and organization. His combined experience with storytelling and arts in
health positions him uniquely as a leader who gives a voice to those we serve: patients
and caregivers experiencing life-altering health challenges.
Button

Richard Wilmore
- Executive Director

Kim has worked in the arts for 15 years focusing primarily on project management, logistics, and customer service. Coming from a musical background, Kim has loved and appreciated the arts her whole life. Her easy-going nature and true love of getting to know people have enabled her to establish an eclectic understanding of the art world.

She surrounds herself with art of
all forms and enjoys enrichment from various disciplines.
Button

Kim Perez

- Program Coordinator

I grew up in the church as a Pastor’s kid where the values of service and community were instilled along with the deep rooted belief that we are here to bless and serve the “whomsoever”. I have worked in the non-profit sector for the last five years and have gained experience in program development, grant management, and servant leadership. I have always found solace in music, visual art, and writing in my own personal life. I’m excited to be a part of an organization that uses the arts as a means of connection and service to those going through difficult health situations.
Button

Tamara Acosta Del Rio

- Philanthropy Director

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.
Button

Kathleen Garen

- Surveyor

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.
Button

Hannah Stroble

- Surveyor

Board of Directors

Cassidy is a proud two-time graduate of Texas Tech University, holding both a BBA in International Business and a JD. She currently serves as legal counsel to TaskUs where she focuses on supporting business growth. When not working, she enjoys reading Scandinavian noir books, traveling both near and far, and going on walks with her husband, Philip, and her pup, Max. As a born and raised San Antonian, Cassidy is passionate about her local community and giving back via her membership as a Hearts Need Art board member.

Button

Cassidy Ross
- Interim Board President

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.

Button

Laurel Dixon
- Interim Board Vice-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.
Button

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.

Button

Amanda Budyach
- Interim Board Treasurer

Cheri is the Associate Vice President of Communications at Methodist Healthcare where she focuses on the corporation’s public relations, media relations and internal communications. Though she was born in Houston, TX, Cheri spent over a decade with MGM Resorts in Las Vegas, overseeing marketing and communication initiatives before returning to Texas in 2014. A life-long animal advocate, artist, wife, and mother of three, Cheri strives to live a life of purpose, but ultimately wants to retire on 20 acres and lay in a field of ponies.
Button

Cheri Love-Moceri
- Board Member

Patient Advisory Board

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.
Button

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.
Button

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.
Button

Jovette Muniz

Button

Kara Niles

Volunteers

Button

Casey is passionate about service and enjoys applying her experience with writing and grant applications to support non-profits. She is particularly enthusiastic about organizations that support the arts, literacy engagement, and animal welfare.
Button

Casey Cornelius

Nonprofit Website by Noble