Board Members
Andrea Klein, BS
Founder & President, Board Member
Having earned a Bachelor of Science in English-Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from Tennessee Technological University in 1996, Andrea works as a business analyst in healthcare IT. She is co-author of a chapter in the textbook “Non-Invasive Ventilation and Weaning: Principles and Practice, Second Edition.” She founded Breathe with MD, Inc. and has a passion for educating others about breathing muscle weakness and the importance of medical self-advocacy. She served as Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2017 and received the Ms. Wheelchair America Lifetime Achievement Award at the national competition. Andrea lives with Intermediate Collagen 6 Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (also classified as Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R22) and has used non-invasive ventilation since 2013.
Founder & President, Board Member
Having earned a Bachelor of Science in English-Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from Tennessee Technological University in 1996, Andrea works as a business analyst in healthcare IT. She is co-author of a chapter in the textbook “Non-Invasive Ventilation and Weaning: Principles and Practice, Second Edition.” She founded Breathe with MD, Inc. and has a passion for educating others about breathing muscle weakness and the importance of medical self-advocacy. She served as Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2017 and received the Ms. Wheelchair America Lifetime Achievement Award at the national competition. Andrea lives with Intermediate Collagen 6 Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (also classified as Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy R22) and has used non-invasive ventilation since 2013.
Anthony Klein, BS
Treasurer, Board Member
Working at a major appliance manufacturer's call center since 2003, Anthony excels at managing a team of customer service agents. His educational background is in business management, and he's been married to Breathe with MD's founder, Andrea, for 26 years. He understands the challenges of living with respiratory involvement in Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) and jokingly refers to himself as the "Chief Respiratory Equipment Mover." When he is not working or volunteering his time with Breathe, he enjoys many hobbies, including designing and printing items on his 3D printers.
Treasurer, Board Member
Working at a major appliance manufacturer's call center since 2003, Anthony excels at managing a team of customer service agents. His educational background is in business management, and he's been married to Breathe with MD's founder, Andrea, for 26 years. He understands the challenges of living with respiratory involvement in Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) and jokingly refers to himself as the "Chief Respiratory Equipment Mover." When he is not working or volunteering his time with Breathe, he enjoys many hobbies, including designing and printing items on his 3D printers.
Ranae Beeker, MSN, RN
Secretary, Board Member
Ranae lives with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy. She has two adult children, Alethea and Gavin. Ranae has been a non-invasive ventilation user for 10 years. She earned a Master's in nursing leadership and health systems management which provided the basis for her nursing career and volunteer roles. In the nursing field for over 40 years, working in quality and also case management, Ranae served in roles involving acute care units, education, urgent care, and nursing administration. She looks at processes, problems, programs, and needs through a nursing lens. She left the paid working world due to her disability in 2020 and now volunteers in many capacities both locally and nationally. She finds helping others in a volunteer capacity very fulfilling as it boils down to the importance of promoting and paying forward the goodness received. Teamwork does make the dream work.
Secretary, Board Member
Ranae lives with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy. She has two adult children, Alethea and Gavin. Ranae has been a non-invasive ventilation user for 10 years. She earned a Master's in nursing leadership and health systems management which provided the basis for her nursing career and volunteer roles. In the nursing field for over 40 years, working in quality and also case management, Ranae served in roles involving acute care units, education, urgent care, and nursing administration. She looks at processes, problems, programs, and needs through a nursing lens. She left the paid working world due to her disability in 2020 and now volunteers in many capacities both locally and nationally. She finds helping others in a volunteer capacity very fulfilling as it boils down to the importance of promoting and paying forward the goodness received. Teamwork does make the dream work.
Karen Bureau, BS
Board Member
Having been diagnosed with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 12, Karen has learned how to effectively navigate the complex system designed to help people with disabilities. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a Specialization in Counseling and Psychology from Lesley University. While working at an Independent Living Center she went on to earn a Graduate Certificate in Human Services Management from Suffolk University. She currently works for a small non-profit organization as a Marketing Analyst and has been a non-invasive ventilator user for 20 years. Karen is involved with the National Council on Independent Living’s Healthcare subcommittee and has been the Vice President of REquipment DME Reuse Program in Massachusetts for six years. Karen loves giving back to the communities she has benefitted from!
Board Member
Having been diagnosed with FSHD Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 12, Karen has learned how to effectively navigate the complex system designed to help people with disabilities. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a Specialization in Counseling and Psychology from Lesley University. While working at an Independent Living Center she went on to earn a Graduate Certificate in Human Services Management from Suffolk University. She currently works for a small non-profit organization as a Marketing Analyst and has been a non-invasive ventilator user for 20 years. Karen is involved with the National Council on Independent Living’s Healthcare subcommittee and has been the Vice President of REquipment DME Reuse Program in Massachusetts for six years. Karen loves giving back to the communities she has benefitted from!
Lena Jackson, AS
Board Member
Having earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2001 from John Tyler Community College, Lena taught for 10 years. She then began having difficulties getting up from a seated position on the floor, experienced a few falls, and decided to consult her primary care provider (PCP) who in 2006 referred her to a neurologist. That’s when she learned she had an unspecified neuromuscular condition. From 2008-2016, she used non-invasive ventilation and in 2017 electively chose to have a tracheostomy. She and her older sister, who was having similar issues, began researching and talking with others with similar symptoms. Lena discovered Breathe with MD on Facebook and got involved by becoming a peer mentor, attending monthly support group meetings, and fundraising. In her spare time, she volunteers her time teaching English and making phone calls to the seniors in her community. Lena also enjoys wheelchair dancing with different genres of music.
Board Member
Having earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2001 from John Tyler Community College, Lena taught for 10 years. She then began having difficulties getting up from a seated position on the floor, experienced a few falls, and decided to consult her primary care provider (PCP) who in 2006 referred her to a neurologist. That’s when she learned she had an unspecified neuromuscular condition. From 2008-2016, she used non-invasive ventilation and in 2017 electively chose to have a tracheostomy. She and her older sister, who was having similar issues, began researching and talking with others with similar symptoms. Lena discovered Breathe with MD on Facebook and got involved by becoming a peer mentor, attending monthly support group meetings, and fundraising. In her spare time, she volunteers her time teaching English and making phone calls to the seniors in her community. Lena also enjoys wheelchair dancing with different genres of music.