Meet Your COPD Foundation Captains!

COPD Foundation Captains are volunteers with COPD, caregivers, friends and family members or healthcare providers who use their contacts and talents and partner with the COPD Foundation to serve as state and community leaders.

Captains promote the importance of becoming a part of the COPD community. They work to spread COPD awareness in their state and local areas, mentor fellow COPD community members, and participate in online and in-person grassroots advocacy and community building activities focused on health policy issues that are important to those who have COPD. If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers, click here.

If you'd like to speak with a COPD Foundation Captain directly, please email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org and we will connect you with the Captain in your area of interest.


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Emma Goebel

Emma Goebel Profile Photo Hewitt, NJ


I’m incredibly honored to be able to join the COPD Foundation! I am an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, working in Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care with an inpatient and outpatient population. Having the experience in treating these individuals, I hope to use my skills to advocate for further support and education for those living with COPD to improve quality of life and understanding of the disease.

I have 5 years of experience at the bedside as a critical care RN and transitioned to an Acute Care NP about two years ago. I have worked in the pulmonary clinic seeing patients with COPD daily & helping achieve stability of their chronic condition. In addition to this, I also treat the inpatient population with COPD exacerbations and ensure prior to discharge they are stable and ready to return home with quick clinic follow up to prevent hospital readmissions.

As a COPD Foundation Captain, I am interested in being in the loop with the most recent endeavors the COPD Foundation has been taking on. I am hoping that by learning what the COPD Foundation has to offer, I can connect my patients with more resources to help them improve their quality of life and support their chronic condition.

My proudest COPD moment has been recognizing that not all treatments are created equal, and listening to the patient and educating the patient on their condition is KEY to ensuring the correct fit of treatment for the disease and longevity of compliance with treatment.

My favorite inspirational quote is “You’ll always try your best to do the right thing.”

I hope to use the COPD Foundation as an extra resource for my patients & will strive to give the best care I can to them on a daily basis.

Emma Goebel, DNP, ACNPC-AG, CCRN

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Kristen Richards

Kristen Richards Profile Photo Hawesville, KY


Hello Everyone!

I recently accepted a position within my organization as a COPD Clinical Program Specialist with experience as a Respiratory Therapist. Throughout my career, I have cared for numerous COPD patients in the emergency department, critical care, and now as a clinical program specialist. Being able to advocate and bring awareness to these patients is what’s most important to me in this role.

As a COPD Foundation Captain, I look forward to working with others to identify tools and resources that I can utilize with patients I visit throughout the hospital to help them better manage their disease process, hence reducing the risk of readmission.

When I'm not working, I like to go shopping, travel, and spend time with my family. The thing I am most proud of in life is my family; they inspire me and motivate me to reach my full potential.

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”- Ronald Reagan

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Debbie Carter

Debbie Carter Profile Photo NC, Morrisville


It is an honor to be a part of this community. As a COPD Foundation Captain, I will serve as a dedicated advocate, drawing from personal experience as a family member of someone, my father, affected by COPD. My father fought a valiant yet exhaustive fight against this disease until his transition on October 11, 2023.

My father’s passing has become the catalyst and driving force for me to connect with family members and caregivers of those living with COPD to bring awareness and resources to help their loved ones live healthier lives until a cure is found.

I am interested in engaging in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about COPD, its challenges, and the importance of support and resources. I am also interested in participating in advocacy efforts to influence legislation that supports COPD research, access to treatment, and improved healthcare policies.

My proudest moment is answering the call to become active in this community to honor my father.

I have several inspirational quotes that I live by, but this is the one I often lead with, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela.

More about me: I am an avid reader and have been a part of a book club for over ten years. We are known as The Reading Divas! I love to travel and enjoy taking road trips with my travel buddy to visit all 50 states. I have 17 more to go! I find great fulfillment in volunteering and impacting people’s lives for the greater good.

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Loretta Anderson

Loretta Anderson Profile Photo Arkadelphia, AR


I am a passionate respiratory therapist with a decade of experience and excited to volunteer as a COPD Captain. My inspiration for this role comes from watching my grandfather's battle with COPD, which has left me with a deep sense of compassion for those facing similar challenges.

As a COPD Captain, I aim to raise awareness in my community and empower individuals living with COPD. I firmly believe that understanding the disease and learning to self-manage are crucial steps toward improving the quality of life for those affected.

One of my most cherished childhood memories is walking with my grandfather, who took proactive steps to exercise his lungs after his COPD diagnosis. Witnessing his determination and responsibility was truly inspiring.

"Don't forget to breathe! In and out!" – This Sesame Street quote serves as my favorite piece of advice and a guiding principle in my role as a respiratory therapist. I aim to instill this mindfulness in those I assist as a COPD Captain in Arkansas. Leveraging my expertise as a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Critical Care Specialist, I hope to create a sense of community and empowerment among those impacted by COPD in Arkansas. Together, we will face the challenges, one breath at a time.

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Felix Reyes

Felix Reyes Profile Photo Tucson, AZ


Hello everyone, I am a Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, who provides direct patient care to patients suffering from COPD. My interest in COPD began early in my medical training, and throughout different research projects my interest turned into a passion.

Being a companion to many patients in their COPD journey has taught me the multiple difficulties COPD patients face in attempting to live a normal life. As a COPD Foundation Captain, my two main objectives are to raise awareness and advocating for relevant topics for those suffering of COPD. I am also interested in bringing the newest research in the field of COPD to the State of Arizona.

My proudest moment is when I am able to make an impact in the quality of life of my patients.

In my free time, I enjoy working out and reading long novels.

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Laurene (Lauri) Bianchi

Laurene (Lauri) Bianchi Profile Photo River Grove, Illinois


As a State Captain for Illinois and patient advocate, I hope to accomplish with understanding and compassion for those struggling with COPD by passing on valuable information through education and resources... and fellow COPD patients who have learned from others over time, to help improve and adapt to living a better life, living with COPD.

When I was diagnosed, close to 20 years ago I had never heard of COPD and there was very little information available.

After learning about the COPD Foundation and attending pulmonary rehab a new world of knowledge opened up for me... and I wasn’t alone, as there were others just like me. And we continue to move forward since those early days of confusion.

As a COPD advocate I have participated in health fairs and community events promoting COPD awareness.

I have worked and continue to work with PPRN which is, the Patient Powered Research Network which works to one day help us all.

One of our respiratory therapists with the COPD Foundation came up with a terrific and fun way to help us practicing better breathing. We were taught to play a harmonica. It was a great idea and continues to live. I and six others played with a support group a few years ago and actually did a little traveling around to inspire others, even though we didn’t sound so great... we did inspire and had a lot of fun.

I enjoy and learn a lot in our Oxygen360 support group for those of us who use oxygen. We help each other and always learn something new from our leader who is extremely informative.

I have been in training to become a Peer Group Coach to support newly diagnosed COPD patients adjust to pulmonary rehab along with the hope they will understand how valuable exercise and learning how to be an advocate for their own health... and by learning how to help ourselves lead a fuller and purposeful life is my goal for me and others.

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Dr. Rajkumar Ganesan

Dr. Rajkumar Ganesan Profile Photo Tamil Nadu, India


Hi! I am Dr. Rajkumar Ganesan, and I am glad to join a great group of advocates with the COPD Foundation! I was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, India, I am cardiopulmonary physiotherapist with special interest in Pulmonary Rehabilitation. I hope to achieve my goal of raising COPD awareness and improving the daily activities of COPD patients by promoting Pulmonary rehabilitation, which will improve the quality of life in people living with lung disease, and I want to broaden the conversation about COPD.

As a Captain, I am interested in connecting others in the COPD community to the resources available so they can live healthier, fuller lives and to improve their quality of life. I would also like to raise awareness by participating in health fairs and community events via COPD360social.

My favourite quote is “Keep breathing. Just keep doing it. It’s easy. In and out.” - Jenny Downham.

I am very grateful to be a part of this experience.

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Shaamahummed Shaik

Shaamahummed Shaik Profile Photo Eugene, OR


Howdy! My name is Shaamahummed Shaik. I am an energetic, excited, and fun high school student from Eugene Oregon who loves to volunteer, and help others. I have had a family member pass away from COPD in 2011 which has really sparked a passion in me to help other people, family, and friends who go through this horrible illness. Either through advocacy, research, or spreading awareness I am committed to making a difference against COPD. These days I see many youth using vapes and some even nicotine cigarettes leading themselves to a COPD diagnosis. I hope through my role of being a Foundation Captain I can inform my peers and people younger than me as well about the detrimental effects of smoking or vaping along with how it could lead to a COPD diagnosis. If you are even slightly interested in contributing to working against COPD please reach out and we here at the COPD foundation would love to have you collaborate with us!

A quote that I live by is “ If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” - Benjamin Franklin

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Tom Krueger

Tom Krueger Profile Photo Deer Park, WI


Diagnosed with COPD in 2006. Went on O2 in 2009 part time. In 2012 went on O2 full time. I use O2 tanks a 4 liters. Being on O2 limits you from doing things. You just have to learn a different approach. I enjoy helping the ones who are on O2. I can relate to that. If I can help one person with COPD be comfortable and still get around. To me that is successful.

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Amelia Miller

Amelia Miller Profile Photo Charleston, SC


Hi! I am a rising senior at Wando High School in Charleston, currently on the Biomedical and Sports Medicine track. I, myself, suffer from a chronic respiratory disease and I understand what COPD patients are going through.

I am very excited to join this wonderful team of advocates for the COPD Foundation! I am excited to advocate and be able to support patients suffering from COPD. I want to continue to help patients and continue to advocate in my state by spreading awareness for COPD and inspire more people to help with the COPD Foundation. I am very passionate about this topic and hope to help more and more people!

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Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin Profile Photo Surprise, AZ


I am glad to join a great group of advocates with COPD Foundation! I'm originally from Arizona but moved to Nevada for few years and came back to Arizona. As a respiratory therapist I practiced in both states. I hope to educate the public and offer support for those dealing with pulmonary diseases.

There are few thigs I have already done as a COPD advocate volunteer. I sit on the Executive Committe Board of the American Lung Association for many years, volunteered for many events and education conferences, donations, health fairs, community events, walks, climbs and fashion shows. I also volunteered my time Alph-1 Antitrypsin companies for testing in healthfairs. I am still very active, and I want to educate and promote education to provide better quality of life. These were all to promote COPD and respiratory disease awareness. Also, I plan to stay active on COPD360social to support.

As a COPD Foundation Captain, I am interested in connecting and engaging with the COPD community to provide educational resources to improve better quality of life. My plan is to raise awareness and host fundraisers to support the continuity of COPD community. I enjoy participating in advanced research to help facilitate cures.

My favorite inspirational quote is " You are what you eat" everything starts from the food and environment we live in.

I am faith driven. I am an adamant golfer and love staying active. My passion is I love to volunteer my time to people in the community. I worked for many years in the respiratory field from trauma, ICU, ER, homecare, sales, DME, rehab, to now an education Professor and Program Director of Respiratory Care. My heart is really in cardiopulmonary rehab unit. My education is I currently hold a master's degree and all my education emphasizes Human Pathophysiology/ Respiratory Care/ Advanced Patient Care/ Health Care Administration. Working on completing my doctorate degree in health sciences in the next few years.

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Sally Mims

Sally Mims Profile Photo Saginaw, MI


Hello I’m Sally. I’m a retired manager/social worker. My job was working with people who had mental illness and or substance abuse issues. My work was with kids as young as 8 to a 72 year old. It was very difficult, yet rewarding at the same time. I enjoyed advocating for the rights of individuals to be treated no differently than if they had a physical condition.

One day I was working and the next I found myself on disability with breathing difficulties. It was later diagnosed as COPD. I had emphysema I was told. Even though I had smoked for years I had quit for 15. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought I had quit in time to thwart off the consequences of smoking. But, I had not. I went from being physically active to having trouble being short of breath. This was/is my new normal!

Now I advocate for lung health and lung disease especially COPD. I try to educate people about lung disease and how it affects peoples daily life. I try to be an example of living my best life with a disease that has no cure. I have been given many opportunities to learn from others and that’s what I want to achieve with my life as an example of what to do once diagnosed.

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COPD Foundation State Captain Program Informational Video

The COPD Foundation is looking for new State Captains to join our community to be champions for promoting COPD awareness, improving quality of life for those with COPD, to participate in research opportunities, policy, and much more. Email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org for questions and to start the onboarding process today!