I have been riding in the Ride for Roswell for more than 20 years, and was an anesthesiologist at Roswell  from1992-2019. My first ride was with my then 18 month old son and our photo appeared in the Buffalo News the next morning.  A few years later, my daughter replaced my son in the infant’s seat and the tradition continued. As my children got older, they rode independently, often providing me with encouragement as my energy lagged.  We always finished successfully!

I rode in honor of the many amazing and brave patients for whom I was privileged to care when they came to the Operating Room for diagnostic, therapeutic or curative surgery. I was truly blown away by each one’s strength and resiliency as they rolled into the OR after saying their ever optimistic “see you later’s”to their loved ones. I often had to secretly wipe my own tears away.

Like many dedicated riders, I didn’t ride in 2020 or the ensuing years. But my absence was due to a devastating stroke which occurred  in October 2019, leaving me fully paralyzed on my left  side. This tragically cut short my position as Chief of Surgical Anesthesia and turned my life and the lives of my family upside down.

I thought I would never ride again in the R4R, but this year I am back, riding a tandem with  my husband, Michael Collins, as I have worked diligently  to  regain some  function in  my left leg.

Our son, John Collins, now a college graduate will ride as well.

Please consider a donation in support of my ride to help with the outstanding work at Roswell.