About Us
The Utah Hemophilia Foundation offers a wide variety of services to individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders. Since these conditions are rare, many people often feel isolated. UHF fosters networking opportunities, bringing individuals with bleeding disorders together for support and education.
UHF Staff
Jan Western, Executive Director
Jan has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Utah with an emphasis in Public Relations. After working for state government, she wanted to give the non-profit world a try. She worked for the American Diabetes Association for four years 25 years. (That means she likes it).
Jan is the proud mom of two beautiful girls, and a loving wife to Dave – the most handsome man in the world. When not at the UHF, Jan enjoys spending time with her family, reading (which usually results in napping) and singing at the top of her lungs, much to her children’s chagrin.
If money grew on trees, she would use it to cure bleeding disorders, travel extensively around the world, and buy one of those nifty soda machines that has about 100 different flavor choices (but, let’s not kid ourselves, they would all have the same flavor – diet Coke).
Nicole Smith, Program Director
Nicole’s late father, Erik Melde, had hemophilia and was deeply connected with his "blood brothers and sisters" in the bleeding disorders community, which became like an extended family for Nicole. Her father was her hero, and she cherished doing anything with him, particularly activities involving the Utah Hemophilia Foundation.
Nicole spent many happy summers at Camp Valor, both as a camper and serving as a counselor for as long as she could until the birth of her first son. Now a mother of three little boys, she stays busy at home, putting many of her camp counselor skills to good use.
Nicole has a Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer & Human Development. While completing her degree, she interned at the Utah Hemophilia Foundation (UHF) office for a summer. Now, years later, she is fulfilling her dream, serving the community her father loved so deeply, in his memory.
Utah Hemophilia Foundation
772 East 3300 South, Suite 205
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Phone: 801-484-0325
Toll Free: 877-INFO-VWD (877-463-6893)
Fax: 801-746-2488
Email: western@hemophiliautah.org
Board of Trustees
Kari Woolf - President
Kari Woolf is Principal Product Marketing Manager for Adobe Workfront. She has worked in high tech for three decades and has led marketing, strategy, and communications for products ranging from business applications and security solutions to customer success platforms and cloud services. She has a degree in Political Science and enjoys writing, gardening, and current events.
Kari has been a member of the bleeding disorder community for many years as she navigated raising her son with severe Hemophilia.
Angela Kouri
Angela is the physical therapist at the Utah Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders at Primary Children's Hospital. She is also an acute care therapist at Primary Children's Hospital. Prior to moving to UT, Angela worked at the University of New Mexico Hospital as an acute care therapist and at UNM Health's Ted R. Montoya Hemophilia Program and Treatment Center.
Angela is originally from Houston, TX. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology at Rice University in 2010 and graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Duke University in 2013. When she's not at work, you can find her swimming laps at the pool, skiing at Alta, or spending time with her family. Angela is passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle and providing support to this community as a physical therapist. She loves hanging out with the kiddos, especially at Camp Valor!
George Rodgers, MD - Trustee
George M. Rodgers, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. He started at the University of Utah in 1988. He is the senior adult hemophilia and thrombosis expert in the state of Utah, and also serves as a classical hematology expert for - and receives referrals and consultations from - a six state region. His clinical practice is conducted at the University of Utah's Sugarhouse Clinic. He is the chairman of the University Hospital Adverse Drug Reaction Subcommittee. He is also the chair of Department of Medicine Tenure 5-Year Review committee. He is also a principal investigator for clinical trials and the Associate Director of the Utah Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders.
Zac Redford - Trustee
Zac is a people person and has led teams of different sizes for most of his working career. He has a bachelors degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a masters degree in social work.
In his spare time he loves being with his family playing games or watching their favorite shows, or when he has personal down time he can usually be found buried in a novel.
Zac is a member of the bleeding disorder community and has spent many years volunteering at events.
Bonnie Webb - Vice President
Tyler Mertlich, Secretary
Patty Eastin, Industry Advisor
Kim Nmezi, Treasurer
Craig Thurgood - Trustee
David Walsh - Trustee
Shannon Howell - Trustee
Krisdee Nelson - Trustee
Tabitha Allred
Ronald Webb