SJMF Staff

Leslie, Brenda, Jane, Micaela, & Audra

Welcome to our website!

We are happy to introduce you to our website. Take a moment to browse. We invite you to join us as a volunteer for one of our annual fundraising events or the Connelly Hospitality House. You will be glad you did. I promise!

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Leslie Fitz, Connelly House Manager

Welcome to the web site for San Juan Medical Foundation and Connelly Hospitality House (CHH).

I am the manager of Connelly House. I love being in a position of creating a warm and caring environment for patients and families who are coping with a medical crisis. They need a place of quiet serenity where they can rediscover hope and grow toward healing. Whether I am making a bed, planting flowers, interacting with the HOST volunteers or receiving a new guest, I am creating a tranquil place for families in medical crisis.

My previous work and personal experiences have uniquely suited me for this position. For fifteen years I worked at Four Corners Home for Children/Navajo Ministries. In that time, I worked for ten years as an assistant to the Director of Development at Navajo Ministries and for three years I was the Director of Development. In addition, our son was physically handicapped and chronically ill so I was a caregiver in the midst of medical challenges.

I came to CHH in the summer of 1999. I am inspired by the courage of the patients and their families and I delight in the dedicated commitment of the HOST volunteers.

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Brenda Shepherd, Annual Giving/Donor Relations Coordinator

Welcome to the San Juan Medical Foundation website. I am Brenda Shepherd, the Annual Giving/Donor Relations Coordinator.

In 2001, I began working full-time for the San Juan Medical Foundation as an Executive Assistant. There were just two of us in the office, so “other duties as assigned” took on a whole new meaning for both of us. The SJMF had grown to the extent that the need for more help became a reality. Hiring an Office Assistant in 2006, freed me to do what I love best… Special Events!

I have three children and two grandchildren.

The Annual Cancer Walk-a-Thon, while the largest event, is not the only one hosted by SJMF. We host, or partner with other organizations and businesses to produce the following:

Thank you for visiting our website. We invite you to be a part of any, or all of our activities.

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Latisha Furtado, Development Assistant

Welcome everyone to the San Juan Medical Foundation website. I am Latisha Furtado, the Development Assistant.

Before coming over to the Medical Foundation team in January of 2012, I worked for Volunteer Services for 8 years. I have had the opportunity to see some of the most amazing and compassionate people volunteering at SJRMC during that time. I am humbled to have been apart of that, to have learned from the best, and seen love in action.

I am excited to be apart of the foundation team, and working with such amazing people. We all have a goal of making things better for those in need and really educating people on the resources available to our great community. It is a feeling of great accomplishment to help a scared woman get funding for treatment, helping a gentleman who does not know where to turn for help paying bills, and helping a parent have the ability to hold their child’s hand during a scary procedure. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of the San Juan Medical Foundation mission.

I am currently working of my degree in Health Care Administration, and hope to further my knowledge in fundraising in the very near future.

I have an amazing 12 year old daughter named Taylor. Taylor and I love to hunt, hike, and camp, shoot our bows, and do anything outdoors.

Enjoy the website!

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Audra Winters, Special Events Coordinator

Thank you for visiting the San Juan Medical Foundation website. My name is Audra Winters, Special Events Coordinator. I started my position in May of 2010. Special Events have always been my favorite thing to do, because I believe every day should be a special event!

I grew up in Farmington and after graduating from high school I moved to Phoenix, AZ where I lived for 15 years. After my husband and I were married we moved back to Farmington to be close to family and to begin a new life together. Before coming to the San Juan Medical Foundation I was a District Manager for Avon Products. Prior to moving to back to Farmington I worked for the Arizona Foundation for Medical Care as an Account Manager and Marketing Coordinator.

I look forward to seeing you at our many events.

Board of Directors | About SJMF