About Us

Medical Providers Nursing Physical Therapy Social Work Clinical Support

Rebecca Kruse-Jarres, MD
Executive/Medical Director | Physician

Team Member Since: 2014
Background: Rebecca completed a nursing degree in California and proceeded to attend medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she also completed residency and fellowship training in hematology/oncology. She was faculty at Tulane from 2005 until 2014 and was the Associate Director of the Louisiana Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders. In 2014, she moved to Seattle to become the Medical Director at the Washington Center for Bleeding Disorders. Rebecca is also Professor at the University of Washington in both medicine and pediatrics.
Special Interests: Rebecca has a long-standing interest in the detection, prevention and treatment of antibodies (inhibitors) against clotting factor, both in inherited hemophilia and as an acquired disorder (acquired hemophilia). She also actively supports and researches the role of ultrasound in assessing joints acutely and following joint health over time.
Fun Fact: Rebecca loves to ski and would love to find more time to explore the beautiful Northwest. She enjoys the music and theater scene in Seattle and surrounding areas.

Jill Johnsen, MD
Associate Member | Physician

Team Member Since: 2008, 2013
Background: Jill attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. She was subsequently a hematology/oncology fellow (2000-2003), clinical lecturer and research fellow (2003-2007) and an assistant professor of medicine (2008-2015) at the University of Michigan. Today, Jill is also an associate professor at the University of Washington.
Special Interests: Genetics of bleeding disorders, bleeding disorders in women.
Fun Fact: Outside of work, Jill enjoys birding, camping, playing games and spending time with family and friends.

David Garcia, MD
Hematologist
Professor of Medicine, Hematology, University of Washington

Team Member Since: 2020
Background: David received his MD from the University of Alabama in 1993 and completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1996. After completing his specialty training in hematology later in his career, David was appointed Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2013. David is Assistant Medical Director for Antithrombotic Therapy at the University of Washington Medical Center. Over the past 20 years, David has been involved in numerous clinical trials and clinical guidelines related to the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease.
Special Interests: David has a long-standing interest in disorders where there is a disturbance in the delicate balance between forces that allow the blood to clot in case of injury and the forces that keep the blood flowing in its liquid form under normal circumstances.
Fun Fact: David enjoys riding his bicycle very long distances and listening to a variety of types of music.

Jezzamine Choi, MN, ARNP
Clinical Associate | Nurse Practitioner

Team Member Since: 2008
Background: As a medical provider, Jezzamine evaluates and treats adult patients with bleeding disorders who come in for acute visits, annual assessments and research studies. She collaborates with other members of a patient’s healthcare team within and outside the treatment center to ensure safety during invasive procedures and to optimize the patient’s general health and well-being. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Jezzamine worked extensively in the medical-surgical field including internal medicine, orthopedics, cardio-thoracic, organ transplant, bone marrow and stem cell transplant, gynecology, postpartum, hematology, oncology, rehabilitation and psychiatry. She completed advanced academic and clinical training through the University of Washington’s School of Nursing’s Nurse Practitioner Track and graduated with a Master in Nursing. Jezzamine is board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner and licensed by the state of Washington as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP).
Special Interests: Hemophilia and aging, women with bleeding disorders, care of refugees with bleeding disorders.
Fun Fact: Jezzamine loves spending time with her boisterous family, reading and watching movies.

Barbara Konkle, MD
Research Director | Physician

Team Member Since: 2009
Background: As a hematologist Barbara has provided care for patients with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other bleeding disorders since 1985. She has led many research studies with a goal to improve the diagnosis and care of patients with bleeding disorders. She has held many leadership positions in the fields of bleeding and clotting disorders and she currently serves as a Board member for the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders and the World Federation of Hemophilia.
Special Interests: New treatment for hemophilia, including new blood clotting agents and gene therapy. Diagnosis of bleeding disorders including using genetics of hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Diagnosis, treatment and models of care for women and girls with blood disorders.
Fun Fact: Barbara loves to read, hike and kayak. She also enjoys opera, ballet and spending time with her grandchildren (and their parents).

Jenny Lamharzi, BSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

Team Member Since: 2019
Background: Jenny earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Linfield College in Portland, Oregon. She spent time in New York City and New Orleans before returning to her hometown Seattle. Jenny started her career as a pediatric nurse, working in hospital, clinic, school, and home health settings. After seven years, she transitioned to adult oncology where she spent the next 20 years working as an infusion nurse, supervisor then manager.
Special Interests: Community outreach and patient education.
Fun Fact: Jenny has been able to complete 100 hikes/year every year since 2016. She enjoys photography, and spending time with her husband and 3 kids.

Shinu Elizabeth Cherian, BSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

Team Member Since: 2020
Background: Shinu acquired medical-telemetry and surgical nursing experience mostly in Turlock, California followed by oncology hematology experience from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Washington where she was a passionate patient advocate for the sickle cell patients and their community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University, Utah and is currently working on a Master of Nursing in Education from the same university.
Special Interests: Working with the underserved to get them the care they deserve.
Fun Fact: Shinu spends her free time with her family (husband and 2 boys) and also cooking, coloring and making candles.

Bruno Steiner, PT, RMSK
Physical Therapy and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Program Manager

Team Member Since: 2015
Background: Bruno earned a bachelor’s degree in anatomy and histology and a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He went on to earn a doctorate of physical therapy from The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Bruno has specialized and practices manual physical therapy technique since 1989. In 1992, he established and owned the Anatomical Works Physical Therapy Center in New Orleans, before moving to Seattle in 2015.
Special Interests: Manual physical therapy and musculoskeletal ultrasound for people with bleeding disorders.
Fun Fact: Bruno loves to compose and play piano, guitar and bass. He wants to learn Italian and Spanish.

Mark Krimmel, PT, DPT

Physical Therapist

Team Member Since: 2018
Background: Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Shortly after, he joined the spinal cord injury rehab team at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey. For two years, Mark assisted physical therapists in the management and care of patients living with paralysis. Here, Mark was specially trained in “locomotor training,” a team-oriented therapy using a body weight-supported treadmill. Mark earned a doctorate degree in physical therapy from Rutgers University in New Jersey, and has experience in orthopedic practice with ATI Physical Therapy in Seattle, Washington.
Special Interests: Manual therapy, spinal biomechanics, exercise therapy, musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Fun Fact: Mark loves to run, golf, ski and mountain bike. He hopes to travel and improve his Spanish.

Cat Stulik
Licensed Social Worker

Team Member Since: 2008
Background: Cat has a background in mental health and worked for ten years as a rehabilitation counselor for people with chronic mental illness. Prior to that role, she worked with homeless and formerly homeless women at Noel House and Rose of Lima House in Seattle. Cat graduated from the University of Washington in 1999 with a master’s in social work and in 1995 received a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Arizona State University.
Fun Fact: From 1988-1991, Cat was employed with Pan American Airways as a Flight Attendant based out of JFK International in New York City. In this role, she traveled to many countries, developed and undeveloped, at which time she started thinking about social work!

Katrina Santore Hulley
Administrative Support Specialist

Team Member Since: 2008
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Shannon Lynch, MA
Medical Assistant and Clinical Research Coordinator

Team Member Since: 2014, 2017
Background: Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and previously worked as a Bloodworks Northwest phlebotomist for three years.
Special Interests: After working with blood donors and being a regular blood donor for several years, Shannon wanted to work with patients directly and learn how to help people with bleeding disorders, including through currently-available treatments and by contributing to the progress of future treatments.
Fun Fact: Shannon is a big soccer fan. She plays on a rec team and regularly attends matches for Seattle Sounders FC and OL Reign.

Alen Chen
Pharmacy Director

Team Member Since: 2022
Background: Independent pharmacy, FQHC, Long-Term Care, 340B, Specialty Accreditation, Health Tech, Pharmacy Operations
Special Interests: Tennis and Basketball
Fun Fact: Loves to watch wilderness survival shows

Catlin Goodfriend
Pharmacist

Team Member Since:
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Lydia Kim, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist

Team Member Since: 2020
Background: Lydia moved to Washington from South Korea when she was 16 years old. Her first job was an Ice Cream Scooper at Baskin-Robbins which helped her learn English faster in high school. She then graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with 2 bachelor’s degrees in Biochemistry and Biology. She worked as a Pharmaceutical Laboratory Aide at a pharmaceutical corporation and as a Microbiology Clinical Laboratory Assistant II at a hospital prior to earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Washington State University. While in pharmacy school, she worked as a Pharmacy Intern to gain more experience in the pharmacy field.
Special Interests: Lydia is passionate about serving underserved communities and collaboration among healthcare professionals to provide patient-centered care. She hosted numerous immunization clinics for homeless/low-income populations and served over 1000+ patients in Spokane.
Fun Fact: Lydia loves to eat and workout. She started weightlifting during the pandemic and is finally hitting her pull-up goals this year!

Khoa Le
Pharmacist

Team Member Since: 2022
Background: Grew up in Olympia Washington. After attending the University of Washington for undergrad, I pursued my pharmacy degree at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Special Interests: Being active outdoors. Playing basketball and exploring new restaurants
Fun Fact: Visited more countries than states

Erika Verleye, CPhT
Pharmacy Operations Manager

Team Member Since: 2014
Background: Erika prepares pharmacy orders for shipment and assists with daily pharmacy operations as the Lead Technician including the startup of the initial pharmacy at Bloodworks Northwest’s Central Seattle location. She attended Eton College in Port Orchard and is a PTCB Nationally certified Technician and Washington Board of Pharmacy licensed Pharmacy Technician. Erika was also a pharmacy technician instructor at Everest College & is still active in attending college guest speaking events for our local colleges to educate future technicians about the Specialty Pharmacy field.
Special Interests: Erika takes every opportunity given to learn about hemophilia to better serve our patients’ needs.
Fun Fact: Erika loves sharks and swam with them on a shark dive. Erika also likes to collect miniatures such as Mini-Brands and other fun miniature replicas.

Melissa
Nationally Board Certified (PTCB) Pharmacy Technician

Team Member Since: 2021
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Gabriel Guevarra
Pharmacy Technician

Team Member Since: 2015
Background: Gabriel facilitates hemophilia medication prescriptions for new and existing patients, including ordering, organizing and dispensing hemophilia clotting factor and treatment-related supplies. Gabriel has been a pharmacy technician since March 2013. He previously worked in IT in various roles including support analyst and customer service.

Tim Perez
Nationally Board Certified (PTCB) Pharmacy Technician

Team Member Since: 2018
Background: Tim is a graduate of CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Geology. After spending more than a decade in Client Services in the Hi-Tech Industry, Tim made the switch into Pharmacy and received his Certificate at Edmonds Community College.
Special Interests: Tim is takes great pride in improving inefficient dispensing processes and the reduction of waste output by the Pharmacy.
Fun Fact: Tim has several amazing collections and loves to talk about them when asked.

Barbara Konkle, MD
Research Director | Physician

Team Member Since: 2009
Background: As a hematologist Barbara has provided care for patients with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease and other bleeding disorders since 1985. She has led many research studies with a goal to improve the diagnosis and care of patients with bleeding disorders. She has held many leadership positions in the fields of bleeding and clotting disorders and she currently serves as a Board member for the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders and the World Federation of Hemophilia.
Special Interests: New treatment for hemophilia, including new blood clotting agents and gene therapy. Diagnosis of bleeding disorders including using genetics of hemophilia and von Willebrand disease. Diagnosis, treatment and models of care for women and girls with blood disorders.
Fun Fact: Barbara loves to read, hike and kayak. She also enjoys opera, ballet and spending time with her grandchildren (and their parents).

Sarah Ruuska, MPH
Director of Research Administration

Team Member Since: 2010
Background: Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in biological and chemical sciences and a Master of Public Health in epidemiology. Before joining WACBD she managed research projects at the Centers for Disease Control and the University of Washington.
Special Interests: Her professional interests include study design and implementation, process improvement, maternal and child health and inherited disorders.
Fun Fact: Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors with her two rescue dogs, gardening and singing.

Ann Whitney
Research Administrator

Team Member Since: 2010
Background: Ann has enjoyed supporting several non-profits in Washington State since moving here in 1998, but none more than WACBD with its dedicated and compassionate staff.
Special Interests: In winter months, Ann enjoys reading and trying new vegetarian recipes, but Spring through Fall she seeks outdoor adventures of all kinds.
Fun Fact: Ann worked as a laboratory supervisor in Clinical Pharmacology 1979-1982 before pursuing and obtaining a doctorate in Applied Chemistry from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Sophia Beyer, MA
Research Coordinator I

Team Member Since: 2021
Background: Sophia has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in chemistry. She previously worked as a study coordinator at Worldwide Clinical Trials before joining the WACBD team.
Special Interests: Working with patients to develop new blood clotting agents and gene therapies to improve the lives of people with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease.
Fun Fact: Sophia enjoys painting with watercolors, working in the garden, and hiking with family and friends.

Danielle Matia, MPH
Research Coordinator II

Team Member Since: 2021
Background: Danielle has enjoyed working with several non-profits in Washington State since 2000. Her work focuses on access to treatment for patients regardless of where they are from.
Special Interests: In her free time, Danielle enjoys reading, exploring new locations, walking, cooking, and sewing.
Fun Fact: Danielle has a Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University. She is a native of DR Congo. She is multilingual speaking two (2) of the national languages spoken in DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic in addition to English and French.

Tosha White, CPhT, RMA
Research Coordinator II

Team Member Since: 2021
Background: Tosha has worked as a study coordinator since 2016 with a focus on dermatological trials. She joined WIC in 2021 and has enjoyed broadening her knowledge working on hemophilia trials.
Special Interests: When it’s not raining, Tosha enjoys roller skating, hiking, and foraging for mushrooms. On a rainy day, she enjoys going thrifting, painting, and spending time with her family.
Fun Fact: Tosha grew up in Arkansas and swears she makes the best grits in the PNW.

Shannon Lynch, MA
Medical Assistant and Clinical Research Coordinator

Team Member Since: 2014, 2017
Background: Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and previously worked as a Bloodworks Northwest phlebotomist for three years.
Special Interests: After working with blood donors and being a regular blood donor for several years, Shannon wanted to work with patients directly and learn how to help people with bleeding disorders, including through currently-available treatments and by contributing to the progress of future treatments.
Fun Fact: Shannon is a big soccer fan. She plays on a rec team and regularly attends matches for Seattle Sounders FC and OL Reign.

Cassandra Bryan, MPH
Healthcare Data Analyst/Research Coordinator II

Team Member Since: 2022
Background: Cassandra has an MPH in Global Epidemiology from Emory University. Before joining WACBD she worked as a study coordinator in stem cell/solid organ transplant research and conducted epidemiologic research on tuberculosis in the country of Georgia.
Special Interests: Improving mental health and quality of life for people living with chronic conditions, data analysis, using research to address health disparities in the community.
Fun Fact: Cassandra learned how to sew during the pandemic and hopes to eventually have 50% of her wardrobe be handmade.

Teyj Menon, BA PH-GH
Research Assistant

Team Member Since: 2023
Background: Graduated from the University of Washington (2022) with a bachelor’s degree in public health and graduated from Universite Paris Cite with a MPH with a specification in comparative effectiveness in research.
Special Interests: In his free time, Teyj loves to spend his time with his friends, snowboarding, or just enjoying the outdoors.
Fun Fact: Last year Teyj spent 6 months living in Paris, France where he completed his MPH program.

Kim R. Snyder, MBA
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer

Team Member Since: 2022
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Amy Harris, CPA
Controller

Team Member Since: 2023
Background: Amy has extensive experience as a public accountant specializing in not-for-profit audit work as well as being part of the accounting teams for some amazing local not-for-profit organizations. She also spent almost seven years in the government sector, working for King County. Joining WACBD in 2023 brought her back to the not-for-profit realm.
Special Interests: Strengthening the accounting side of not-for-profits so that they can focus on their programmatic duties and be sustainable for many years to come.
Fun Fact: The way to Amy’s heart is through dark chocolate. She also enjoys watching her garden grow and taking lots of walks, rain or shine.

Mary Spisak
Contracting and Program Development Manager

Team Member Since: 2012
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Glen Dodge
Human Resources Manager

Team Member Since: 2022
Background: Glen has a degree in Creative Writing and has been working in Human Resources for more than twenty years.
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Fun Fact: Glen has written nine complete novels and hundreds of poems. He has also studied improv comedy and enjoys making up songs on the spot.

Savannah Simmons
Compliance Coordinator

Team Member Since: 2021
Background: Savannah graduated from Keiser University with a degree in Psychology and most recently from Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s in Health Law. She has almost a 10-year history in healthcare and with the completion of her Masters, has transitioned into the compliance side of healthcare.
Special Interests: Cooking, reading, finding new restaurants, and exploring around Washington State.
Fun Fact: Savannah didn’t see snow until she was 27!

Marcie Headen
System Administrator

Team Member Since: 2018
Background: Marcie enjoys helping the people who help the patients. For over 20 years, she’s administered EHR systems for large healthcare organizations.
Special Interests: Making software work for users, not the other way around!
Fun Fact: Marcie loves Seattle, vegan food, reading, and the serial comma.

Angela Dove
Data Coordinator

Team Member Since: 2019
Background: Angela worked as part of the coordinating center for the My Life, Our Future study, a nation-wide genotyping initiative for patients and family members with FVIII and FIX deficiencies before joining WACBD as the data manager.
Special Interests: After more than a decade of working in research focused on type 1 diabetes and bleeding disorders, Angela wanted to put her data management skills to work helping the clinic to care for people with bleeding disorders.
Fun Fact: In her free time Angela dabbles in arts and crafts including knitting, crochet, painting, drawing, and just about anything else that looks fun and involves exciting colors or textures.

Albee Lei
AP Staff Accountant

Team Member Since: 2022
Background: Albee earned a mathematics bachelor’s degree from University of Washington and certification of accountancy from North Seattle College.
Special Interests: Accounts payable & process improvement.
Fun Fact: Albee loves outdoor exercises and travel.

Christine Sellers, CPC
Medical Billing Manager

Team Member Since: 2020
Background: Christine is a Certified Professional Coder and has worked in healthcare and billing for over 16 years at a variety of clinics in the greater Tacoma area. She has primarily worked in naturopathic and chiropractic clinics as she has a deep appreciation for a holistic, comprehensive, and individualized approach to healthcare.
Special Interests: Christine loves interacting with patients and is dedicated to helping patients receive the healthcare they need. She takes pride in developing great relationships with the providers and clinics she works with. Christine believes by helping providers better understand the business side of healthcare, they can in turn provide better care to their patients.
Fun Fact: When not in the office, Christine can often be found exploring the great outdoors, working out, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, or spending time/chauffeuring her boys to their many different sports activities. She is also a doula-in-training and delights in helping bring babies “top-side.”

Connie Huss
Prior Authorizations Coordinator

Team Member Since: 2019
Background: Connie has worked in the healthcare industry for approximately 20 years. She first learned about hemophilia in 2019 when she worked at Bloodworks Northwest before joining the team at WACBD. She loves the way both companies care more about their patients than the bottom line and truly enjoys working with co-workers and patients.
Special Interests: Cooking for other people whenever the opportunity arises.
Fun Fact: In her free time, Connie enjoys leisurely walks with her Yorkie, Sherri.

Christine Baer
Medical Billing A/R Specialist

Team Member Since: 2021
Background: I have worked in healthcare administration for 23 years. Billing and working with insurance companies is where I have spent most of my time.
Special Interests: I enjoy helping people get the most out of their insurance coverage and also finding additional funding to help with any out of pocket expenses they may incur.
Fun Fact: In my spare time, I enjoy shopping, camping, and spending time with my grandchildren.

Hiwot Lema, CPB
Medical Billing Specialist

Team Member Since: 2016
Background: Certified Professional Biller, graduated from Renton Technical College with an Associates degree in Applied Science, Medical Billing and Coding-Physician Based and has been working in the medical billing industry over 10 years.
Special Interests: Hiwot takes every opportunity to learn about hemophilia/factor billing.
Fun Fact: Loves spending time with family – cooking, and baking with her 2 girls and taking them to their sports activities. Also loves working in the yard – especially in Spring – and loves to organize and decorate her home.

Daphne Sanders
Executive Assistant

Team Member Since: 1975
Background: Daphne is the assistant to the director and medical staff of the Washington Center for Bleeding Disorders. Her experience as a secretary/assistant to our program began over 40 years ago.
Special Interests: My interest is in serving the dedicated staff and patients I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing over these past decades.
Fun Fact: I enjoy the outdoors, attending concerts, the symphony and rooting for our sports teams here in Seattle. Go Seahawks and Mariners!

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