EMILY BLENDERMANN

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Duquesne University: Physician Assistant Studies
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: The Boxley Building Mentor: Annie Poetker

Emily is a graduate of Duquesne University, where she obtained her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and Master of Physician Assistant Studies in an accelerated five-year program. She graduated as a member of the Honors College, where she was recognized as an Honors College Fellow for her undergraduate research on the intersection of faith and medicine, which was presented at Duquesne’s Undergraduate Research Emporium. Besides her academic pursuits she was actively involved in multiple campus ministries throughout Pittsburgh, the Physician Assistant Student Association, and served as the secretary for Duquesne’s Coalition for Christian Outreach. During her time in Roanoke she is working as a scribe in Carilion’s emergency department while gaining her Physician Assistant certification and licensure.

Joshuana Edmond

Hometown: Hagerstown, MD American University: Biochemistry; Physics minor Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: Brad and Christine Broughton

Joshuana is a graduate of American University, where she majored in Biochemistry with a minor in Physics. While at American, Joshuana worked in various research labs, including an immunology lab that focused on HIV-1 vaccine research. Additionally, she worked as a chemistry supplemental instructor and a physics tutor at American. Joshuana served as president of American's Underrepresented Students in STEM organization and was involved in Cru.  Outside of American, Joshuana served as a worship leader at her local church and volunteered as an EMT with a local rescue squad in Maryland. She is currently employed as  a medical scribe at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Joshuana aspires to be a US Air Force physician and hopes that she will be able to provide primary care to communities in various areas through that role.

Kyle Hoops

Hometown: Phoenixville, PA
West Chester University: Accounting and Finance
Employer: Rockydale Quarries Corporation: Accounting Intern
Host: The Boxley Building
Mentor: Nathan Kerr

While at West Chester University, Kyle was a four-year varsity men’s soccer athlete.  His senior year, he captained the team that advanced to the NCAA National Final and he received honors as both an Academic and Scholar All-American.  Off the soccer field, he was the President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), an active leader in Campus Crusade (Cru), and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business society for the top 10% of business students in accredited programs.  Out of a passion for discipleship, Kyle also invested significantly in mentoring younger students.  He currently works in the accounting department for Rockydale Quarries Corporation in Roanoke.  Kyle plans to obtain his CPA license and enter public accounting before starting a meaningful business with his brother.  Kyle also loves running, hiking, and eating good food. 

Joshua LEe

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ Cornell University: Biological Sciences Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Host: The Boxley Building Mentor: Chris Conrad

Josh is originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, but he spent the last four years in Ithaca, New York at Cornell University where he studied Biological Sciences.  While at Cornell, Josh was actively involved in Cru, an on-campus Christian fellowship, in which he led a Bible study, was on the tech team, and became the President during his senior year.  Throughout college, Josh took on several advisory roles, such as a resident advisor, a biology student advisor, and a teaching assistant.  Josh has been on several spring break and summer missions trips and has also done biotech research and worked as a medical assistant.  He is currently working as a medical scribe at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  Josh is hoping to continue his love of ministry and serving those around him in medical school for the next four years.

ISAAC LINTON

Hometown: West Chester, PA West Chester University: Economics and Finance Employer: Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Host: Brad and Rachel Thompson Mentor: Dan Felton-Petry

Isaac is a graduate of West Chester University, where he majored in Economics and Finance as a member of the Honors College. While at West Chester, Isaac invested consistently in the college ministry of Cru, serving on the Executive Board and worship team, mentoring younger men, and implementing a Community Service Team in Cru as his Honors College capstone project. Isaac balanced academics and ministry while at different times running his own lawn care business, seeking out multiple professional internships, and playing basketball as often as he could. In his current position as an intern for Philadelphia’s Economic Development agency, he supports compliance for transformative Real Estate development projects. Isaac enjoys seeing how Economic tools can inform policy issues, including the opioid epidemic; in fact, his Economics senior research project explored the demographics of opioid prescriptions. A lifelong musician, Isaac loves playing violin and guitar and using his gifts to bring others joy. He has a passion for people, intentional conversation, and helping others understand and experience the grace of God.

WILL MATNEY

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Tech: Political Science Employer: HAWK Advisers Host: Mike and Shenna Massey Mentor: Mike Massey

Will graduated from Virginia Tech where he developed communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills as a Political Science major and member of the honors college.  In addition to his studies, Will served as a volunteer Young Life leader and assistant baseball coach at Eastern Montgomery High School where he cultivated relationships with students through practices, bible studies and after school events.  During this time he had the privilege of leading a team of six volunteers to successfully advance the mission through goal setting and fundraising on a weekly basis throughout the year.  During his time away from school, Will served as a political canvasser for a previous member of the Virginia House of Delegates and entrepreneurial assistant at a housing development company in Virginia Beach, VA.  Despite receiving an offer from Teach for America, Will has decided to enter the insurance industry to further enhance his continual desire to learn, inform and build relationships.  He is presently employed at HAWK Advisers and learning the business of providing feasible risk management solutions. 

BROOKE MERRYMAN

Hometown: Fairfax, VA Virginia Tech: Mechanical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering minor Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Host: The Boxley Building Mentor: Tara Floyd

Brooke is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. While in school, she taught group fitness classes and was a small group leader at Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. She recently worked at the National Scoliosis Center as a lab technician and is passionate about helping people through providing prosthetics and orthotics. Brooke’s senior design project at Tech involved designing a manufacturing system to create affordable prosthetic knees for a health care clinic in Peru. She also volunteered with the non-profit, Hope to Walk, and went on a trip to Honduras with them to provide affordable prosthetic legs to the community there. She is planning to apply for prosthetics and orthotics graduate school in the next year. Here in Roanoke, Brooke is working as a mobility aide at Carilion to assist and educate the staff in using lifts for their patients to provide safe care for both the staff and patients. Outside of work, she enjoys exercise whether it is a hike or fitness class as well as reading and time with friends.

HANNAH WILDING

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Virginia Tech: Clinical Neuroscience; Creative Writing minor
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: Brad and Christine Broughton
Mentor: Mary Beth Sweet

Hannah grew up in Pittsburgh, PA as one of seven children. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she majored in Clinical Neuroscience with a minor in Creative Writing. She attributes her growth as an analytical problem solver and engaging communicator to the support of talented mentors and professors during college. She was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Societies.  Hannah was a four-year member of the Division I Virginia Tech Swimming and Diving Team.  She received the 2019 Skelton Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics based on her academic achievement, leadership skills and community engagement.  Aside from academics and swimming, she was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership Team and Virginia Tech Class of 2020 Leadership Team.  Hannah also worked as a research assistant for the Addiction Recovery Research Center, where she studied the impeded decision-making processes common in addiction.  She also volunteered her time as a medical scribe at the Bradley Free Clinic and a mental wellness advocate for the VT Athletic Department.  This year Hannah is working as an emergency department scribe at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  She hopes to further her education through medical school, which she feels will combine her aspirations to be a lifelong learner and to help people in their most vulnerable situations.