Leadership

Brenda Schwab holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration and is nationally certified by the National Association of Medical Staff Services as a Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist and Certified Medical Staff Manager. With over 35 years of experience in healthcare, Brenda brings a unique blend of administrative expertise and passion for community-driven wellness.

Brenda has dedicated much of her life to advocating for children in the foster care system. She was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine in July 1988 in an article titled “Who Speaks for the Lost Children” , recognizing her passionate work and commitment to youth in crisis. Her role as a foster parent and advocate continues to shape her mission to serve the most vulnerable through both her nonprofit work and her healing farm.

In addition to her healthcare and research work, Brenda also founded a nonprofit organization called Emma's Secret Closet. Through this mission, she delivers “First Night Bags” — filled with comfort and hygiene essentials — to children entering foster care during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives

Her background includes extensive work with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in hospital settings, ensuring the rights, safety, and well-being of human subjects participating in clinical research. Brenda’s personal journey took root after purchasing a farm in Robeson County, NC, where she discovered an abundance of Great Mullein growing wild across the land. After contacting Mr. Bill Foote at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and submitting a photo of the plant, he confirmed it was a 'Mullein weed.' Curious to learn more, Brenda joined a Facebook group dedicated to the medicinal uses of mullein. When she posted a photo of the mass of plants growing in her pasture, she received over 400 responses from members across the country, affirming the value and potential of the plants she had unknowingly been nurturing. That discovery inspired her to blend science, legacy, and service—establishing a center to study medicinal plants and serve underserved communities in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Brenda Schawb, CPMSM, CPCS

Executive Director

Virginia Erwin, MS

Secretary/Treasurer

Hailing from more than two decades of health care expertise and leadership, Virginia Erwin continues to make a significant impact in the field of medical laboratory science. As the section head for hematology, coagulation and urinalysis at Aspen Valley Health since 2025, she spearheads critical laboratory operations such as conducting tests for physicians, correlating results with patient conditions and investigating fluctuations in test outcomes. She is also responsible for training employees under her supervision and overseeing quality control measures to ensure that all processes meet industry standards.

Before assuming her current role at Aspen Valley Health, Ms. Erwin served as a full-time medical lab technician for three years. In this capacity, she performed essential diagnostic testing and contributed to the daily operations of the laboratory, supporting physicians in delivering accurate diagnoses and effective patient care.

Ms. Erwin began her tenure at Aspen Valley Health as a travel lab technician, a position she held for four years. During this period, she provided temporary support to the facility, filling critical staffing gaps while performing the same duties as permanent staff members. Her adaptability and commitment ensured continuity of care in a rural setting where staffing challenges were prevalent.

Prior to her work in Aspen, Colorado, Virginia spent 12 years as a travel lab technician on assignments across the United States, working in 13 different hospitals, from 25-bed acute care and critical access hospitals to a 650-bed level 2 trauma center. Working through a travel company that placed her in hospitals facing urgent staffing needs, she delivered high-quality laboratory services and maintained operational standards during periods of transition. Throughout these assignments, she demonstrated her expertise as a generalist in laboratory science, earning recognition for her ability to adapt quickly to new environments and technologies.

To share insights and remain at the forefront of best clinical leadership practices, Virginia is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies.

Virginia has established an equally robust academic background, most recently by earning a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 2024. Combined with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Cincinnati in 2016 and an Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology from Hinds Community College in 2003, she has consistently furthered her expertise in clinical laboratory practices and advanced management skills.

To augment her knowledge gained in the classroom, Virginia in is certified as a medical laboratory scientist and has earned multiple leadership certificates from the National Society of Leadership and Success. Additionally, she holds two certificates in laboratory management from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and is certified as a lean health care professional. Her proficiency is further enhanced by Lean Six Sigma health care yellow belt and green belt credentials, with ongoing pursuit of a black belt as well.