Board of Directors and Staff

Joanie Reisfeld is the founder of Better BedRest, Inc. (BBR). She is a 34 year veteran teacher of blind children and a part time realtor. After 2 1/2 months on her left side and on bedrest in and out of the hospital Joanie gave birth at 30 weeks to a 2 lb. 10 oz. son. And now her son Zach is almost 21 years old and BBR continues to support women on bedrest due to High Risk Pregancy. Joanie felt that this invisable crisis needed to be addressed so women and their families would not go through this experience without support and understanding. Joanie approached Howard County General Hospital: A Member of John's Hopkins who has donated the helpline since day one and continues to work very closely with BBR.

Diane Dombek has worked for nonprofits since 1989. She works as the executive assistant handling the administrative end of Better BedRest, Inc. since 2001. She has learned a lot about what bedrest mothers go through, and enjoys helping others who are on bedrest themselves.

Grace A. Morris has served as the Executive Director for the Columbia Housing Corporation (CHC) for the past two years Grace. Prior to becoming the ED she was on the CHC Board for five years. In addition to serving as VP for BBR, Grace serves on the Board of First Tee Howard County, on the Policy Committee for the Association of Community Services, on the Committee for The Plan to End Homelessness, and on the Full Spectrum Housing Coalition. Grace, herself was on bed rest for nine weeks so the BBR mission is near and dear to her heart. Grace, her husband John, and daughter Sara live in Elkridge, MD.

Cheryl Rozanski has been treasurer of BBR since 1993. She has been a property management executive almost 25 years. Cheryl's volunteer commitments include Better BedRest (founding member), Rising Stars (inner-city youth basketball); Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Inc.; Trinity Liturgical Committee; and the Elkridge Youth Organization. Cheryl lives in Severna Park, Maryland with her husband and two boys.

Mindy Atlas is the Secretary for Better Bed Rest. She joined the organization in 2006 shortly after relocating to Maryland with her husband, Rob and three grown sons. She worked as a phone volunteer for several years and loves helping with the annual Better Bed Rest Gala. In addition, Mindy is President of her homeowners associations and volunteers with the Ellicott City Rubber Stamp Club to make cards for those serving in our troops. She is also involved with the annual gala for Mercy Medical Center and is an independent consultant for Cookie Lee Jewelry.

Premier Partner

Vic Broccolino
President and CEO
Howard County General Hospital

Honorary Board Members

Jeff Agnor
Attorney-at-Law
Davis, Agnor, Rapaport, Skalny LLC

Robert Atlas, MD
Chairman, Dept. of OB/GYN
Mercy Medical Center

Tuvia Blechman, MD
Chief, Neonatalogy
Howard County General Hospital

Marvin Davis, MD
Capital Women’s Care

Diane DeSantis , MS
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center

Mr. Guy Guzzone
Maryland State Delegate

Bill Hillmuth
Owner
Hillmuth Automotive

Doug Hillmuth
Owner
Hillmuth Automotive

Brad Imler
President
American Pregnancy Association

Mary Jordan
Owner
Bra-La-La

Deborah Kale, RNC, BSN
Account Executive
Alere

Erica Leventhal, MD
St. Agnes Women’s OB/GYN Group

MBlanka McClammer, MS, MA, RN, NEA
Director of Nursing Excellence
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Donna Neale, MD
Director, Center for Maternal & Fetal Medicine
Howard County General Hospital

Brad Sachs, PhD
Psychologist

Dr. Swati Saraiya, M.D.
Esposito, Mayer, Hogan and Associates