About Us

The History of Beats and Rhythms.

Beats and Rhythms was established and incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2002.  This was accomplished under the direction of Brenda Corsaro, mother of a child with congenital heart disease.  She began the organization with an emphasis on support and education for teens and their families.  In 2008, another mother of a child with CHD, Michelle Jones, spearheaded the organization and implemented the first camp designed for children with CHD in the area. Now Beats and Rhythms Cardiac Camp is an annual event.

Since its inception, Beats and Rhythms has been an organization completely led by volunteers.  All donations and proceeds from fundraising are used to directly serve our patients and families. 

Our Vision and Values

Beats and Rhythms Inc. is a support network for children and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease. Through summer camp and organized support groups, children and families can build meaningful relationships.  Our goal is to create a strong community of people that will connect and share their vision of growing up with similar experiences. We want to make a difference in the world of Congenital Heart Disease, with awareness, support, and a positive attitude. 

What We Value

We want to have a far-reaching and positive impact on the population of families that are affected by Congenital Heart Disease in the Inland Northwest.

Meet the Team

  • Dean Lorimer, Medical Director

  • Nettie Jensen, President and Camp Director

    Nettie has an extensive background in childhood development and we are lucky that she brings to B&R her many special talents.  Nettie loves to connect people together!  Her passion for leading our parties, activities at camp, and other events is evident in everything she does.  She works year-round to produce fun and exciting experiences for young and young-at-heart.

  • Katie Lowderback, Treasurer

  • Shannon Yellin, Secretary

    Shannon is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington Air National Guard and has served, in a variety of roles, for over 18 years. She joined Beats & Rhythms, in 2019. Shannon got involved with B&R because she was born with multiple Congenital Heart Defects and wants to help provide a support system and opportunities for kids growing up with CHD to have fun, grow, and just be kids. Having not met another CHD patient her age until she was in her 30's, Shannon's favorite part of helping with B&R is the bonds created between our kiddos that reassure them that there are kids out there that understand them and have gone through similar experiences.

  • Molly Murphy-Lundberg, Vice President

    Molly Murphy-Lundberg is a retired RN. She worked in open heart surgery and was an integral member of the pediatric open heart team from its inception at SHMC. During her 41 year career, Molly had the privilege of going on 2 mission trips with Healing the Children to Ethiopia assisting with multiple pediatric heart surgery. In addition she volunteers with MOPS and negative split races. Molly's critical job of retirement is her 4 grandchildren!

  • Amy Isakson, Parent Representative, UpBeats Teen Group Leader

    Amy Isakson is currently a Family Resource Coordinator working with Youthful Horizons Therapy. She spent 17 years as an educator with Early Head Start. Beats and Rhythms has been close to Amy’s heart because her daughter was born with Coarctation of the Aorta. Amy loves to see how Beats and Rhythms has supported her daughter and the rest of the family through attending camp and other events. Amy loves to help plan parties and fundraisers in order to see all children with CHD learn confidence and have fun being a kid. 

  • Dan Boyd, Camp Lead Team, UpBeats Teen Group Leader

  • Christina Lederle, Camp Lead Team

    Christina is a Registered Dietitian who works with kids with Congenital Heart Defects both inpatient in the PICU and outpatient in the CHD clinic. Christina joined the Beats and Rhythms board because she has enjoyed building relationships with patients and their families through her work at the hospital and is now happy to be able to support these same families in a different way.

  • Danielle Siekowski, Camp Lead Team, Lead Nurse

  • Barb Pielli, Grandparent Representative

    Barb is a Commercial Real Estate Broker with  Bornhoft Commercial. She has been a licensed real estate broker for over 20 plus years including property management, New Construction and Development, Commercial Sales, Leasing, and Investment. In addition to her successful career, Barb has been involved in the leadership of the Spokane Association of Realtors on several boards and committees. 

    She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Beats and Rhythms.  Her Son is a Mechanical Engineer and Her Daughter is the amazing mother of her two beautiful and smart grandchildren.  Her Granddaughter Cora, is a heart warrior.   In her spare time, she is an active community service volunteer and enjoys spending time with her husband Mike, at their Costa Rican vacation property and exploring the surrounding jungles and abundant wildlife.

  • Kris Acevedo-Clark, Camp Junior Counselor Co Leader