Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) announced the appointment of Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) to the newly created Congressional Regional Leadership Council. The Regional Leadership Council will consist of twelve Members – one from each of the twelve regions of the Democratic Caucus. The group will be chaired by the Honorable Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), the former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
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U.S. Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester[/caption]
“I’m honored to be named to the Regional Leadership Council by Leader Jeffries under the experienced leadership of my friend, Congressman Hoyer,” Rep. Blunt Rochester said in a statement. “After passing historic legislation to lower costs for American families, fix our broken supply chains, bring manufacturing jobs back to America, make our communities safer, and make the largest investment to fight the climate crisis in our history - it’s critical that the implementation of that legislation is carried out effectively and efficiently. The Regional Leadership Council will work hand-in-glove with the Biden-Harris Administration to do just that - realize the full potential of our historic achievements while communicating the impact of those achievements to the American people.”
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s leadership structure named Dr. Katera Moore as the agency’s – and the state’s – first environmental justice coordinator. Dr. Moore will join DNREC’s Office of the Secretary to work with the state’s underserved communities, who historically have experienced disproportionately adverse human health and environmental impacts to their minority and low-income populations.
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Dr. Katera Moore | PHOTO COURTESY OF DNREC[/caption]
An experienced educator who holds a doctorate in Earth and Environmental Sciences with a specialization in geography from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Dr. Moore is an urban geographer who uses an environmental justice lens to focus on and examine how socio-political structures contribute to disparities that impact everyday life.
As DNREC’s environmental justice coordinator, Dr. Moore is responsible for developing and leading the implementation of the agency’s strategic vision of environmental justice while seeing that it aligns with federal guidance on EJ issues. To that end, Dr. Moore also serves as DNREC’s Title VI coordinator.
Prior to joining DNREC last year as ombudsman for the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, Dr. Moore served as the interim associate director of the Einstein Health Network’s “A Better Start” program, building a strategic plan to address community public health, an overarching symptom of broader environmental injustice. For five years Dr. Moore served in a similar role as the director of the Agatston Urban Nutrition Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships. Dr. Moore received her Master of Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Urban Studies degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
Beebe Healthcare announced the appointment of two new inpatient care providers:
Imtiaz Khokhar, MD, FACP, FHM, is a hospitalist who cares for patients during the processes of admission, treatment, radiology, and lab workups, and discharge. He offers consultative support to physicians from various sub-specialties as patients with complex medical issues present for care. Dr. Khokhar has been practicing since 1996 and was initially focused on internal medicine before transitioning his focus to hospitalist-based care.
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Imtiaz Khokhar | PHOTO COURTESY OF BEEBE[/caption]
Throughout his career, he has worked for various well-respected hospitals and healthcare organizations in New York, Georgia, and Florida, before relocating to Sussex County, Delaware. Prior to joining Beebe, he was a member of the Travel Team Hospital group, which gave him opportunities to work with hospitals in various cities in New York, as well as Bayhealth Medical Center.
Dr. Khokhar earned his medical degree at the University of Karachi, Sindh Medical College in Pakistan. He completed an internship and residency training at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine/Flushing Hospital Medical Center, followed by a clinical fellowship focused on geriatric medicine at New York Medical College/Westchester County Medical Center.
Rudolph (Rudy) Ansah, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, is a certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP), new to the Intensive Care Unit at Beebe. He cares for critically ill patients, including those who require intubation, central and arterial lines, and complex treatments such as paracentesis and thoracentesis. Prior to joining Beebe, Ansah served as a pulmonary critical care nurse practitioner at Tidal Health, where he was part of an intensive care team managing a 24-bed unit.
He collaborated with ICU intensivists, cardiothoracic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and trauma specialists to provide comprehensive care for critically ill patients in need of a wide range of medical interventions. Earlier in his career, Ansah worked for Select Specialty Hospital and Riverside Methodist Hospital, both located in Columbus, Ohio.
Ansah earned his master’s degree to become an acute care nurse practitioner at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, he is a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and Central Ohio Technical College, where he completed an associate degree, also in nursing. Ansah is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and was awarded a Certificate of Authority from the Board of Nursing.
Hook PR & Marketing has named partners and co-owners Dora Jane Barwick, chief operating officer, and Jessica Bell, chief marketing officer.
“I’m excited to partner with Dora Jane and Jessica as we lead Hook into our next phase of growth and value-added services for our clients,” Patricia Rivera said. “As a leadership team, we’re committed to executing marketing strategies that honor the depth and diversity of humankind and help our clients achieve their goals.”
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Jessica Bell. Patricia Rivera, Dora Jane Barwick | PHOTO COURTESY OF HPRM[/caption]
Barwick, who has worked with Hook for five years, including in a role as content and operations director, has an extensive background in organizational leadership, administrative management and marketing.
Bell previously ran her own marketing consulting firm, led communications for the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, and worked in marketing, design, writing and client support in the real estate, legal and broadcast industries.
Goldey-Beacom College (GBC) congratulates Beth Kirker, director of career services, as the recipient of a 2023 Visionary Award presented by the Delaware ACE (American Council on Education) Women’s Network (DAWN).
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Beth Kirker | PHOTO COURTESY OF GBC[/caption]
The Visionary Award is presented to one person from each member institution. Criteria for the award includes a strong commitment to any aspect of higher education, community service and the promise of future leadership.
Kirker currently oversees Career Services working with both students and alumni to help them develop professionally and attain their career-related goals. In addition, she is a member of several collegewide committees including the Strategic Planning Committee, Student Success and Retention committee, and co-chairs both the Commencement Committee and Career Services and Business Advisory Board.
Kirker serves as the College’s liaison with the Red Clay School District’s Skyline Middle School AVID program organizing students, faculty and staff to mentor and tutor Skyline students while helping educate them on preparing for college and future careers. Kirker is a mentor for the Fresh Start Scholarship Program, a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers and Delaware ACE Women’s Network.
Kirker joined Goldey-Beacom College in 2012 in Career Services and now holds the position of director. A life-long Delawarean, she is a graduate of the University of Delaware and joined the College after working in several financial services firms. She enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach with her children and practicing yoga. She resides in Hockessin, Del.
J. Michael Riemann, PE, Principal with Becker Morgan Group, was selected by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Delaware to serve as president of the Executive Board for 2023.
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J. Michael Riemann | PHOTO COURTESY OF BMG[/caption]
Riemann has been a member of the BRAD Board of Directors since 2011 and served as Co-Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. Using his vast knowledge of civil site design and Delaware code, he works closely with regulators to advocate for sustainable and beneficial residential development in the First State.
In further recognition of his leadership skills, BRAD also selected Riemann as Associate of the Year for 2022 for his advocacy work on behalf of the residential construction industry. “Developing strong partnerships with approving agencies is key to sustainable growth and economic prosperity,” Riemann said. The award was presented during a ceremony at the organization’s annual Casino Night fundraiser in December.
Chrissy Steele has been named president of the 4,500+ member Delaware Association of REALTORS (DAR) by National Association of REALTORS.
As president, Steele will preside at all meetings of the DAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and will serve as an ex-officio member of all DAR committees and work groups. In her capacity as president, Steele will serve as the official spokesperson for the association on issues related to the real estate industry as well as local residential and commercial markets in Delaware. She also will represent DAR and its members on the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Board of Directors and at local, state, and national functions.
Steele began her real estate career in 2019 and immediately developed a passion for the business. In 2004, she earned her Associate Broker’s license. She takes pride in helping sales agents achieve their goals, and joy in serving the community and the real estate industry. She is a Past President of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS, 2019 REALTOR of the Year, as well as a trained Ombudsman and Mediator. In addition to her new role as President of the Delaware Association of REALTORS, she also serves on the National Association of REALTORS Professional Standards Committee.
