OUR TEAM
Our team at the the Compress and Shock Foundation is deeply passionate about providing free CPR and AED education to everyone with a specific focus on those communities that have barriers to this education. All Board Members serve in a volunteer capacity and are happy to donate their time and expertise to increase neurologically intact survival.
Board of Directors
Dr. Jack Perkins is board-certified in both Emergency and Internal Medicine and has spent the better part of two decades working as an educator. He spent more than a decade as part of the Core Faculty for the Virginia Tech Carilion Emergency Medicine Residency and continues to work as a Clinical Faculty member.
Jack Perkins, MD
Founder and Executive Director
2017 - Current
Dr. Karen Perkins is board-certified in Family Medicine and currently serves as an attending physician in the clinical decision unit (ED observation) at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She is an associate professor in the Virginia Tech Carilion Family Medicine Department and is a clinician and educator.
Karen Perkins, MD
Vice Director and Director of Fundraising
2017 - Current
Faith Quenzer, DO MPH obtained her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology and graduated from the Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in 2015.
Faith Quenzer, DO, MPH
Co-Director, Non-English Language Education
2023 - Current
Paula Pinell-Salles, MD, FACC, is a board-certified cardiologist with Virginia Heart. She has expertise in preventive cardiology, vascular medicine, women’s heart health, and complex cardiovascular care.
Paula Pinell-Salles, MD, FACC
Co-Director, Non-English Language Education
2026 - Current
Richard Lovegrove is a former newspaper and wire service reporter who retired as a university editor and writer at Virginia Tech. His wife, Lisa, is a retired RN and son, Spencer, is an Emergency Medicine physician.
Richard Lovegrove
Director of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victim Family Engagement
2023 - Current
Karen is an Associate Professor and simulation coordinator for Averett University. She also practices part-time as an FNP in various settings, specializing in Advanced Wound Care and home-health visits.
Karen Oaks
Co-Director of Cardiac Arrest Survivor Engagement
2024 - Current
Robert is the Local Health Emergency Coordinator for the Roanoke City Alleghany Health District. Prior to joining RCAHD he served as the Deputy Emergency Coordinator in Henrico County, VA for 3 years and the Emergency Management Coordinator in Rockbridge County for 11 years.
Robert Foresman, M.Ed., VAPEM
Co-Director of Cardiac Arrest Survivor Engagement
2025 - Current
Tyler Lee is a distinguished professional who seamlessly blends a career in private banking with a deep commitment to public service and community health. A native of Alcoa, Tennessee, Tyler found his way to Rocky Mount, Virginia, through his academic and athletic prowess on the tennis court at Ferrum College (2010-2014).
Tyler Lee
Director of Business Engagement
2026 - Current
Seager Wilson has spent his professional career as a CPA in public accounting and is currently an Accounting Manager with Brown Edwards with a focus in the healthcare industry.
Seager Wilson
Director of Finance
2019 - Current
Advisory Board
Dr. Andrew Bouland is the medical director for Wilson County EMS and associate medical director for Pitt County EMS in North Carolina. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University.
Andrew Bouland, MD
Board Member
2017 - Current
Jon Blank has been in Fire and EMS for the last 30 Years. Jon is currently a Fire Captain with the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department, and owner of The CPR Guy, a small local business that teaches CPR and AED instruction.
Jon Blank
Board Member
2023 - Current
Dr. Abraham completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in 2008.
Michael Abraham, MD
Board Member
2018 - Current
Dr. Sammy Zakaria specializes in critical care cardiology, and has cared for many patients that have had cardiac arrest. He is the Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC), and also works in the Cardiac Care Unit at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Sammy Zakaria, MD
Board Member
2018 - Current
Dr. Bob Zemple is currently practicing as both an Emergency Medicine (EM) and local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) physician with Aurora BayCare in Green Bay, WI. He is an avid sports enthusiast, enjoys running, and is both a member of and works with the area's YMCAs.
Robert Zemple, MD
Board Member
2019 - Current
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Dr. O’Brien received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University. He attended the University of Virginia for Medical school, Internship, and Residency training. Dr. O’Brien performed his Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology fellowships at Wake Forest University.
Peter O'Brien, MD
Board Member
2021 - Current
Maxx Steinmann is a current 1st year medical student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He served as the club president of the C&S Virginia Tech student club for 3 years during undergrad, growing the organization to the largest and most active chapter in the entire country.
Maxx Steinmann
Board Member
2026 - Current
Staff
Heather graduated in 2024 with her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology from Virginia Commonwealth University. At VCU, her primary research focuses are on EMS and opioid overdoses.
Heather Liffert, MPH
Foundation Consultant
2024 - Current
Leslie Chavez is a passionate public health professional and aspiring cardiologist with a heart for community. Born and raised in Herndon, Virginia, Leslie has always been driven by a desire to make a difference, especially in communities that are often overlooked.
Leslie Chavez, MPH
Foundation Consultant
2025 - Current
Maha began volunteering with Compress and Shock in 2020 through Virginia Tech, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Neuroscience in May 2023. She aims to become a physician to bridge the gap between healthcare accessibility and the underserved population.
Maha Shoaib
Part-Time Foundation Consultant
2024 - Current
Julia is a student at Virginia Tech studying advertising and will be 2026-2027 Vice President for Compress and Shock at VT.
Julia Bosset
Social Media Intern
2026- Current