Martha Braun
Director of Operations
Martha Braun
Originally from Alexandria, LA, Martha came to New Orleans (where she also has deep family roots) in 2008 following her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her desire to contribute to the rebuilding, revitalization, and preservation of the community and culture led her in many directions over the years before coming to the New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation in early 2022. Through its mission of supporting the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and providing healthcare access to musicians & culture bearers in the region, Martha finds great fulfillment in her work as Operations Director. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, catching live music, and spending time with her two cats, Rex and Roux.
Cole Williams
Director of Programs and Partnerships
Cole Williams
A Brooklyn, NY native, she has performed on iconic stages including Madison Square Garden and the Blue Note, serves as host of WWOZs New Orleans Music Show, and longtime host of the Big Easy Cruise. A steward and a leader, Cole is a natural at bringing people together for purposeful engagement.
Jacob Maza
Quality Improvement & Impact Analysis Manager
Jacob Maza
Jacob Maza is a New Orleans native serving as the Quality Improvement and Impact Analysis Manager. Jacob began his career in Revenue Cycle Management, where he discovered a passion for process analysis and innovation management. He later earned a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management from UNO, further expanding his expertise in the healthcare industry.
Jacob is dedicated to driving meaningful change in the local healthcare sector by continuously seeking out new tools, systems, and approaches to enhance healthcare delivery in Louisiana. In addition to his professional work, Jacob serves as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana, which strives to create legislative change aimed at eradicating cancer by increasing healthcare access, funding, and education throughout the state.
Bertha O’Neal
Gift Processing & Donations Coordinator
Bertha O’Neal
I am a retired teacher who has continuously worked part-time since retirement in jobs including mentoring new teachers, supporting aspiring National Board Certified Teacher Candidates and training and assessments. My work with the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation processing gifts and donations and as a database coordinator is a bit of a departure from my previous work. However, I have a great appreciation for the work and have enjoyed it since the time I was recruited by the foundation’s cofounder, Bethany Bultman. Having grown up in New Orleans, I have a great love and appreciation for its music. This also engenders in me a great appreciation for NOMA as it provides health care and support to our musicians. Helping to keep our musicians healthy, helps to keep our music and the vitality of the city healthy. Also having been married to an artist and culture bearer of the city has shaped my perspective on artist and culture bearers and the personal sacrifices they make to share their creativity with us all. I am happy to be a part of an organization that is helping to “break down the barriers standing between musicians and access to the health care they deserve.”
Megan McStravick, MSW
Social Worker and Program Access Coordinator
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Megan McStravick, MSW
Megan remains grateful for the continual growth, awareness and opportunities to provide support and build beneficial relationships.
The Board
Dr. Peggy Honoré
Board President
Dr. Peggy Honoré, MHA, DHA
As a native of Treme, where her family operated the iconic restaurant, Hanks, Dr. Honoré understands how the richness of the New Orleans culture is a beacon of inspiration. As a national authority on health systems (healthcare and public health) and equity, she understands the importance of access to medical care and social services to this vibrant eco-system. Her 25-year research portfolio aligns well with NOMAF’s needs for fiscal sustainability, advancing equity, and increasing awareness regarding determinants that influence health.
She received her Doctorate in Health Administration (DHA) with Honors (1st in class) from the Medical University of South Carolina, a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and bachelor’s in accounting from Southern University. Her sister, Big Queen Diane Honore’ Destrehan, serves as one of NOMAF’s Gilead culture bearer breast cancer survivors and health equity advocates. Dr. Honoré is a cancer survivor, mother whose daughter is an Associate Dean at Yale School of Medicine, and proud grandmother.
Dr. Honoré is an invited member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Coalition of Partners for Strengthening Public Health Capacities and Services in Europe. To date, consultancies included missions to Ukraine, Denmark, Greece, Helsinki, and Slovenia. She is also an invited member of the inaugural African & Diaspora Universities Research, Instruction & Engagement (ADURIE) Task Force, working to create opportunities for academic collaborations globally.
Executive positions include Vice President for Finance and Administration in academia, Regional Controller in private industry, COO/CFO in healthcare, and a decade of service as a Director in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From a health systems perspective, Dr. Honoré is leading state-wide collaborations for workforce improvements to include Patient/Health Navigators and Health Coaches woven into medical care teams and public health interventions.
Derrick Muse
Board Treasurer
Derrick Muse, Board Treasurer
Derrick A. Muse serves as the Chief Financial Officer for New Orleans Redevelopment Authority where he is responsible for all financial and compliance matters for the organization. Derrick previously served as the Deputy Director of Finance for the City of New Orleans, with responsibility for the accounting functions, purchasing operations, treasury cash management, tax collection enforcement and accounts receivable billing efforts. Prior to joining the City of New Orleans, Derrick worked as the Executive Director over Budget and Finance for Orleans Parish School Board where he managed the budget operations and preparation of the annual financial audit.
Derrick holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette and received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Dr. Cheryll Bowers-Stephens
Dr. Cheryll Bowers-Stephens, MD, MBA
Dr. Cheryll Bowers-Stephens is qualified for senior-level executive opportunities in the private, nonprofit and public sectors. She has 28 years progressive experience in public administration, public policy, medical administration, quality management and managed care administration. Additionally, she has experience working with state, federal, executive, and legislative branches of government. Her strengths lie in programmatic, fund, and organizational development. She earned her Bachelor of Art (B.A.) in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Louisiana State University, and her Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A) from the University of New Orleans.
She has 25+ years of healthcare work experience in varying roles from Louisiana Department of Health and Hospital’s Assistant Secretary of Mental Health (Government Appointee) to managing Medical Director to Chief Medical Officer. She has 20+ years of direct management experience of staff ranging up to 4,000 reports; 15 + years of fiscal budget management experience overseeing annual budgets ranging from $500,000 to $400,000,000. Other qualifications include: 20+ years of strategy and program development work; 20+ years of serving in forward facing strategic leadership roles. She has 15+ years of experience with quality management, including successfully leading NCQA and JCOH accreditations/reaccreditations. She also has 15+ years of case and utilization management review experience.
Dr. Bowers-Stephens is currently Board Certified in both General and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry with an unrestricted medical license to practice in LA, DC, and PA. She has a strong and vast experience with population health starting early in her career which culminated in her becoming the chief executive officer responsible for the mental health of all citizens in the state of Louisiana. She taught 4 years of organizational behavior and financial management and accounting, the core curriculum for students working on a Master’s in Public health at LSU School of Public Health. As a managed care executive, she is recognized as a subject matter expert on integration of physical and behavioral health. In addition, she has developed and directed a behavioral health medical informatics department responsible for population health and cost containment strategies for members with both somatic and behavioral disorders.
Dr. Charles Burchell
Dr. Charles Burchell, PhD
Charles Burchell, PHD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 41 years of experience in psychotherapy, psychodiagnostic assessment, and psychological consultation.
Dr. Burchell provides psychological services (both in-person and through Telehealth protocols) to individuals, groups, couples, and families, and companies. Professional affiliations include Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA., Laughlin Air Force Base, TX , and Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Since 2003, Dr. Burchell has been show host for Jazz From the French Market on WWOZ Radio.
He received his PhD and Master’s in Psychology from Louisiana State University. He completed a Clinical Psychology Internship from the University of California Medical School-Langley Porter Institute, San Fransisco.
Dr. Vadim Gelman
Dr. Vadim Gelman, MD, MPH, FACOG, MSCP
Dr. Vadim Gelman is a physician Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Society of Clinical Pathology-Diplomate in Laboratory Management, COLA Laboratory Director Certification, and Diplomate in Laboratory Management American Board of Clinical Pathology.
He has extensive experience as a Medical Director with previous appointments in the Department of Ob/Gyn, East Jefferson Hospital and Kenner Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Gelman received his medical degree (MD) and Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He earned an MPH from Yale University in 2022.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Gelman continues to call New Orleans home, sharing his life with his wife and two remarkable daughters.
