08/08/2026
As I travel home from the ๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ (๐๐๐๐) in Minneapolis, I'm reflecting on what an incredible week it has been.
I'm deeply honored to have received the ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฏ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ. While I'm grateful for the recognition, this award represents something much bigger than meโit reflects a journey rooted in service, resilience, and a passion for making a difference.
As a U.S. Army combat veteran, I've learned that resilience is built through life's challenges. That lesson continues to guide me every day.
As a ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด & ๐๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต, I have the privilege of helping create spaces where healing happens. Through ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ต & ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ป๐ฒ๐๐, I help veterans, first responders, and others build healthier, more resilient lives.
Although those roles may seem different, they share the same mission: improving lives and strengthening communities.
Thank you to ASHE, Region 3, Riverside Health, my mentors, colleagues, family, and friends for your support and encouragement. I'm honored to share this recognition with each of you.
The award is appreciatedโbut the opportunity to serve is what continues to inspire me every day.