Celebrating Women’s History Month 2026
During Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the power of connection, mentorship and the everyday moments that shape who we become. The stories shared by women across Beacon remind us that leadership isn’t defined only by titles or accomplishments — it’s reflected in the relationships that support us, the women who guide us and the communities we build together. Their reflections highlight the strength, compassion and shared wisdom that continue to move our mission forward.
A heartfelt thank you to all our Beacon leaders who shared their stories and contributed their voices to this year’s Women’s History Month celebration.
Jessica Albar, MSN, RN, CEN, CLSSBB, Regional Director of Nursing for Beacon Allegan, Dowagiac and Plainwell
Who is a woman who has inspired your journey, and what impact has she had on your life?
“The woman who has inspired my journey most is my daughter, Taylor. She motivates me every day to be the best version of myself. I strive to live in a way that shows her that women can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Through hard work, dedication, patience and resilience, I want her to see that challenges can be overcome and goals can be achieved.
My personal and professional decisions are guided by the example I hope to set for her — one of perseverance, confidence and belief in her own abilities. She has shaped my approach to leadership, reminding me to lead with purpose, integrity and determination.”
What do you appreciate most about the women you work alongside, and how do they influence your leadership?
“What I appreciate most about the women I work alongside is their unwavering support and genuine eagerness to help one another succeed. There is a strong sense of teamwork and trust, where everyone feels valued and encouraged to grow.
Working with strong women in leadership is especially impactful. They lead with compassion, confidence and collaboration, setting the tone for a supportive culture. Their example reinforces the importance of lifting others up, working together and continuously strengthening our teams and the care we provide.”
Melissa Clark, MSN, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Nursing and Surgical Services, Elkhart General Hospital
In her role as the Executive Director of Nursing and Surgical Services at Elkhart General, Melissa brings a deep commitment to supporting the nurses and clinical teams who care for the community each day. She says that no two days look the same for her, but her focus never shifts: empowering nursing leaders, ensuring patient safety and driving high‑quality outcomes. Melissa oversees the essential operations that keep care moving like workforce planning, budget stewardship and removing barriers so clinical staff can work confidently and effectively at the top of their license.
Melissa’s work extends beyond her immediate teams, too. She partners closely with physicians, operations, finance, HR and the executive team to align goals with strategic priorities and create the conditions where people can thrive. Her visible, accessible leadership style strengthens culture and fosters connection, ensuring nurses feel supported and equipped to provide exceptional care. At the heart of Melissa’s leadership is her commitment to building an environment where teams can succeed and where the community receives the highest standard of care.
What keeps you inspired and motivated on the challenging days?
“I am motivated by the clinical staff and leaders who work alongside me. Seeing a new leader grow into their confidence, watching a team grow and overcome challenges together, rally after a difficult event, hearing that a change in process or product made a shift easier for the team or safer for the patient is what matters. It reminds me daily that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about impact and that motivates me.”
“On a personal level as a wife and mom, it keeps me centered and reminded that the work we do in health care affects real families like mine. On tough days, I lean into small wins, honest conversations and moments of gratitude as progress in health care is built on one decision, one person at a time. Even when it’s hard, I stay inspired by the belief that how we lead today shapes the care patients receive tomorrow.”
Tammy Haeb, BSN, RN, Manager of Surgical Services at Community Hospital of Bremen
“In the surgery department, every day depends on teamwork, preparation and trust. My role is to make sure our surgeons have what they need, our staff members are supported, our reps are coordinated and every instrument and supply is ready, so patients receive the best care possible.”
What do you appreciate most about the women you work alongside, and how do they influence your approach to leadership or care?
“What I appreciate the most about the women that I work with is the quiet resilience that shows up every single day. Everyone is carrying something — family responsibilities, health challenges, emotional weight, the endless balancing act of life — and yet they still bring intention, compassion and excellence to the work.
“Being surrounded by women who show up with that level of courage and commitment reshapes how I think about leadership. It reminds me that leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. When people show up despite their struggles, it teaches me to lead with empathy rather than expectation.”
Kari Snyder, RN, MSN, Vice President of Nursing at Beacon Kalamazoo
Kari has served as Executive Director of Nursing at Elkhart General Hospital since 2024 and previously served as Executive Director of the Beacon Franciscan Hospital Joint Venture in La Porte. In her new role at Beacon Kalamazoo, she leads nursing strategy, supports clinical excellence and helps foster an environment where care teams feel supported, connected and empowered.
What keeps you inspired and motivated on challenging days?
“Patient stories are at the heart of why I do what I do, and they continually remind me of the incredible impact compassionate care can have. Hearing their journeys and how our staff made a difference inspires me to lead with purpose every day.
“Equally inspiring is watching our staff grow and develop, both professionally and personally. Seeing team members gain confidence, strengthen their skills and discover their passion for caregiving fills me with pride and reinforces my commitment to supporting them.”
Tonya Blomeling, MSN, RN, Surgical Services Nurse Manager, Beacon Allegan and Beacon Dowagiac
“In my role, I support Surgical Services for Beacon Allegan and Beacon Dowagiac. I oversee the OR, pre/post, PACU and sterile processing at both locations, working closely with our teams, surgeons, clinics and the patients and families we serve. Every day is about coordination, preparation and ensuring that every person who touches a patient’s experience feels supported and equipped to provide exceptional care.”
Who has influenced your leadership and your approach to care?
“One of the greatest influences in my life and career is Carol Bieber, CSTFA. Carol became a mentor when I was young and still discovering my path in nursing. Her journey — beginning as a Certified Surgical Tech and later becoming a First Assist — showed me what it looks like to pursue growth with determination, humility and purpose.
“Carol taught me what accountability, integrity, work ethic and respect truly look like in everyday practice. When I transitioned into the role of RN scrub, she invested time in teaching me both inside and outside the OR. She showed me how to be a team player, how to manage‑up those around me and how to set a standard for myself and others that reflects excellence, compassion and professionalism.
“She encouraged both the failures and the successes, reminding me that every stumble is an opportunity to rise stronger. Although she never worked for Beacon, she lived the values of trust, integrity, compassion and respect long before I had a name for them. Her influence continues to guide how I lead my teams through growth, challenge and change.
“Carol is a quiet voice, but a powerful one. She is the type of leader I aspire to be — and if someday I become even half the leader she has been for those around her, I will consider that a true success.”
Debra DeVreese, BSN, NNP-BC, Beacon Medical Group
Deb is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. She serves as the coordinator of the Beacon Medical Group APC Neonatal Nurse Practitioner group as well as the NICU Transport team. She also continues to practice clinically in the Beacon Children’s Hospital NICU.
What is one lesson you’ve learned from another woman at Beacon that you carry with you every day?
“Having worked with the women at Beacon Health for over 40 years, I consider myself truly fortunate. Every interaction has offered a unique lesson, making it difficult to pinpoint just one defining moment. Instead, I’ve built my daily practice on three core principles: following the Golden Rule, taking ownership of my mistakes and remaining a lifelong student of the remarkable women I work alongside.”
Kate Wilhelm, MSN, RN, PCCN, CHCM, Executive Director, Adult Patient Services, Memorial Hospital of South Bend
In her role as Executive Director of Adult Patient Services, Kate’s reasonability spans inpatient floors six through 12 as well as Inpatient Rehabilitation and Inpatient Adult Therapies.
Who is a woman — inside or outside of Beacon — who has inspired your journey, and what impact has she had on your approach to your personal or professional life?
“I have had the honor of being guided by remarkable and influential women throughout my life. It begins with my mother, whose unwavering strength and deep commitment to family shaped my earliest understanding of what leadership looks like. An aunt who served as a nurse became one of my first professional role models, inspiring my passion for nursing long before my career even began.
“Within Beacon, I have been fortunate to learn from exceptional leaders such as Kari Sculati, Sarah Paturalski and Jennifer Kattau — women whose examples continue to influence how I lead and show up for others. Leadership thinkers like Brené Brown, Cy Wakeman and Shari Harley have also played meaningful roles in my development, offering guidance that has carried me from my earliest leadership experiences to the work I do today.
“My journey has also been shaped by the incredible nurses who cared for me during times when I was a patient myself. Their compassion and skill deepened my belief in leading teams through challenges so we can continue providing excellent care to those who rely on us. And, perhaps most importantly, being a mother to two young women pushes me every day to model the same strength, authenticity, and resilience that the women in my life have shared with me.”
Shayla Zost, MSN, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager, Perioperative Services, Beacon Kalamazoo
What keeps you motivated when days are difficult?
“What inspires and motivates me, especially on challenging days, is simple: our patients and my team. They deserve to feel cared for, supported and valued — the way every human should. I am driven by the opportunity to create an environment where voices are heard, growth is encouraged and compassionate care remains at the center of everything we do.
“I stay motivated by the resilience and strength that women in health care have shown for generations. On the hard days, I remind myself that challenges are opportunities — although some days certainly feel easier than others — to grow, to advocate more fiercely and to lead with integrity and grace.
“My passion for nursing, my commitment to excellence and my desire to uplift those around me fuel my perseverance. Every obstacle I overcome shapes me into a stronger leader and reinforces my purpose: to lead with courage, empathy and confidence.”
Alice F. Doe, MD, Beacon Kalamazoo Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Sleep Medicine Specialist
Beacon Kalamazoo, Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic
Medical Director, Beacon Kalamazoo Sleep Lab
As a sleep medicine physician, I diagnose and treat adult and pediatric patients with a wide range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy. In my role as Medical Director of the Sleep Lab, I interpret sleep studies and provide clinical oversight of laboratory operations, ensuring high standards of patient care and diagnostic accuracy.
What keeps you inspired and motivated on challenging days?
On challenging days, I’m sustained by the knowledge that I have a loving family waiting for me at home. Their support helps me decompress and regain perspective. My faith and spirituality ground me and have strengthened my resilience over the years. Above all, my lifelong calling to medicine — and the privilege of serving my patients and mentoring my students and residents — continues to inspire me to grow and give my best each day.
Iman Mohamed, MD, MBA, MPH, Breast Oncologist and Medical Director of the Beacon Kalamazoo Cancer Center
Dr. Iman Mohamed’s distinguished career is a testament to purpose, perseverance and the powerful impact of women supporting women. As medical director of the Beacon Kalamazoo Cancer Center and a clinical professor at Western Michigan University’s Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, she brings deep expertise in patient care, academic leadership and mentorship to her work every day. Having been educated in three continents (Asia, Europe and North America) while not living at all in her parents’ home country (Egypt), has brought a different perspective to how she sees people: More similar than different, especially when we face adversity or a difficult health crisis.
For Dr. Mohamed, caring for patients remains the center of her calling. “The most important thing that makes me look forward to coming to work is all those patients who trust me and my colleagues with their lives. We try our best to make sure that our treatments offer the best options available at this point in time,” she shared.
For most of her career prior to coming to West Michigan, Dr. Mohamed served as an academic oncologist and eventually became Chief of Oncology and Associate Dean of Admissions for the University of Toledo College of Medicine all while earning both an MBA and a Master of Public Health degree. Alongside those milestones, she navigated raising three children during medical training, balancing board exams, residency and fellowship with the realities of family life.
Who is a woman who has inspired your journey, and what impact has she had on your approach to your personal or professional life?
Throughout her journey, influential women helped guide her forward. One of the most impactful was Dr. Amira Gohara, dean emerita and professor and chair in the Department of Pathology at the University of Toledo, who recently celebrated 50 years of service with the institution. Dr. Mohamed describes her as a pivotal early supporter: “She provided multiple opportunities for growth,” she said. Dr. Gohara’s example helped shape Dr. Mohamed’s understanding of the crucial role sponsors play in supporting women in medicine.
Today, Dr. Mohamed carries that legacy forward by uplifting the women around her —physicians, advanced practice clinicians and nursing colleagues alike. She believes women bring essential strengths to healthcare leadership. “We’re nurturers by nature. The level of emotional intelligence and willingness to collaborate in management, leadership, a practice or a committee, are qualities that enrich the work environment and help bring a perspective that may be missed while in survival mode, unfortunately a common reality in health care.”
Dr. Mohamed’s commitment to guiding others, advancing the field of oncology and supporting women in medicine continues to make a meaningful impact across Beacon and the community she serves.
Kara Strang, MPA, Director of Operations, Memorial Hospital
As Director of Operations at Memorial Hospital, Kara provides leadership and oversight for a wide range of services supporting both the patient experience and hospital operations. Her responsibilities span Communications, the Gift Shop, Language Services, the Mailroom, Screening and Parking, Volunteer Services and Memorial Children’s Therapy Center. Kara ensures these teams work seamlessly to create a welcoming, accessible and well‑coordinated environment for patients, families, visitors and staff.
Who is a woman — inside or outside of Beacon — who has inspired your journey, and what impact has she had on your approach to your personal or professional life?
Without hesitation, the woman who has most inspired my journey is my mother. She dedicated over 20 years to Elkhart General Hospital, first as a Pharmacy Technician and later as an Order Management Liaison in Registration. Throughout her career, she embodied compassion, approachability, and professionalism. She was caring, funny, helpful and always greeted others with a smile — qualities that left a lasting impression not only on those she served, but on me as well.
Watching her work taught me that kindness should always be a top priority, regardless of the situation. She showed me how small acts of compassion and genuine human connection can make a meaningful difference, especially in a healthcare environment where people may be overwhelmed or vulnerable. Her example has strongly influenced my own approach to both my personal and professional life, guiding me to lead with empathy, remain approachable and treat every interaction as an opportunity to positively impact someone’s day. Her legacy of kindness continues to shape how I show up for others every day.
What do you appreciate most about the women you work alongside, and how do they influence your approach to leadership or care?
What I appreciate most about the women I work alongside is their strength, compassion and unwavering commitment to caring for others. They consistently show up with professionalism and empathy, even during the most challenging moments, and they do so while supporting one another. Their ability to balance confidence with kindness creates an environment where collaboration and mutual respect thrive.
These women influence my approach to leadership and care by reminding me that true leadership is rooted in empathy, authenticity and service. They lead by example — advocating for patients, supporting colleagues and remaining resilient under pressure. Because of them, I strive to lead with compassion, listen with intention, and create a space where others feel valued, supported and empowered. Their dedication inspires me to provide care that goes beyond tasks and focuses on meaningful human connection.
Donya VandenBrink, BSN, RN, Manager of Patient Care, Perioperative Services and Birthing Center, Three Rivers Health Hospital
Donya plays a critical leadership role at the hospital, overseeing several highly complex and high‑volume clinical departments. She leads the Birthing Center, which encompasses care across the full continuum, from non‑stress tests and triage to inductions, epidurals, cesarean sections, labor and delivery, postpartum care, lactation and the nursery.
In addition, Donya leads the Surgical Department, including Endoscopy, Pre‑ and Post‑Op, PACU, the Operating Room, Sterile Processing and Sterile Supply. She also oversees the Anesthesia Department, working in close collaboration with the Lead CRNA and the contracted anesthesia group, CCI.
Together, these departments support approximately 2,300 surgical and endoscopy cases each year, as well as 250–300 births annually. Donya manages a team of about 45 staff members and collaborates closely with approximately 20 providers to ensure safe, efficient and high‑quality patient care.
Donya is also deeply engaged in organizational leadership and governance. She participates on multiple committees and collaborates daily with other facility managers. She leads the Perioperative Section Committee, OB Section Committee, and OB/PEDS Section Committee and facilitates monthly staff meetings for each of her teams.
Who is a woman — inside or outside of Beacon — who has inspired your journey, and what impact has she had on your approach to your personal or professional life?
One woman who has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life is my Aunt Brenda. From a very young age, I was captivated by her strength and grace. Spending time with her as a little girl, I instantly aspired to be just like her when I grew up. Her presence was a source of comfort and inspiration, and she became a guiding light in my life.
Aunt Brenda devoted over 30 years of her life to her career at Elkhart General Hospital, where her dedication and compassion shone brightly. Her work was not just a job but a calling, and she approached it with an unwavering commitment. Throughout her career, she made a meaningful difference in the lives of those she served, and her legacy of service and kindness remains.
Aunt Brenda was not only a dedicated professional but also a pillar of strength in our large family. Her life was a testament to the power of compassion and selflessness, as she devoted herself to helping others in every aspect of her life. Her impact on me is indelible, and the lessons she modeled continue to guide me.
Her legacy of kindness, resilience and dedication continues to inspire my journey. I will always aspire to be as great as she was, both professionally and personally. Her influence is a powerful reminder of the kind of person I hope to become — compassionate, dedicated and always striving to make a difference in the lives of others.
