Board Members
Andrea Klein, BS
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.
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.
Stacy Cossette, MS
Vice President, Board Member
Having coordinated research programs for the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) since 2003, Stacy is currently the Congenital Muscle Disease Tissue Repository (CMD-TR) and Congenital Muscle Condition Biorepository (CMCB) manager for MCW. She serves as a Congenital Muscle Disease International Registry (CMDIR) curator and has co-authored a number of medical research publications, a book chapter on neuromuscular disease, and a book on congenital myopathy which is currently available in four languages. Stacy is also the parent of an adult daughter with congenital myopathy.
Vice President, Board Member
Having coordinated research programs for the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) since 2003, Stacy is currently the Congenital Muscle Disease Tissue Repository (CMD-TR) and Congenital Muscle Condition Biorepository (CMCB) manager for MCW. She serves as a Congenital Muscle Disease International Registry (CMDIR) curator and has co-authored a number of medical research publications, a book chapter on neuromuscular disease, and a book on congenital myopathy which is currently available in four languages. Stacy is also the parent of an adult daughter with congenital myopathy.
Beth Fox, MS
Secretary, Board Member
Living with a neuromuscular disease has not stopped Beth from setting and achieving high goals. She currently holds a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Art in Developmental Psychology. She currently works tutoring college students in writing, research methods, and statistics and enjoys traveling around the country sharing her story and advocating for disability rights. Beth has been a non-invasive ventilation user for five years and is passionate about helping others learn to manage and self-advocate for their respiratory care.
Secretary, Board Member
Living with a neuromuscular disease has not stopped Beth from setting and achieving high goals. She currently holds a Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Art in Developmental Psychology. She currently works tutoring college students in writing, research methods, and statistics and enjoys traveling around the country sharing her story and advocating for disability rights. Beth has been a non-invasive ventilation user for five years and is passionate about helping others learn to manage and self-advocate for their respiratory care.
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 25 years. He understands the challenges of living with respiratory involvement in NMD and jokingly refers to himself as the "Chief Respiratory Equipment Mover." When he is not working or volunteering his time with Breathe with MD, 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 25 years. He understands the challenges of living with respiratory involvement in NMD and jokingly refers to himself as the "Chief Respiratory Equipment Mover." When he is not working or volunteering his time with Breathe with MD, he enjoys many hobbies, including designing and printing items on his 3D printers.
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.
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!