About Us

Our Story

In 2009, moms of children battling CHD wanted to empower their children throughout their CHD journey. They learned by wrapping their child in the simple idea of a superhero cape, their children felt invincible while visiting their cardiologists. In many cases, the children found comfort in their cape amidst a crowd of medical professionals, especially if they couldn’t have the comfort of their parents’ arms during some procedures. 

They found the “superpower” their children gained through the cape is something that should be shared with all CHD children. Heart Heroes was created with the hope that all children will feel these superpowers – and that their parents will be comforted knowing that the arms that always protect them can momentarily be substituted with the superpowers of the Heart Hero cape.

Download our Brochure for more information

Heart Heroes About
Heart Heroes CHD

Our Mission

Provide support to children and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) through the distribution of superhero capes, programs to offer hope and awareness initiatives

Our Vision

That every child and family affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) feels empowered and supported

Our Values

Advocacy, Collaboration, Integrity, Passion

Who is a Heart Hero?

CHD Diagnosis

A Heart Hero is a child with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), an abnormality of the heart present at birth. CHD can be detected prior to birth, at birth, or even later in life.

Exceptional Strength

Heart Heroes possess exceptional strength that carries them through life-saving operations, countless doctors’ appointments, pokes, prods and hospital stays.

Endless Courage

Heart Heroes have endless courage, CHD is life-long. These Heroes will need routine care and follow up in order to maintain their heart health.

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Dr. Erin Bass

Board President
College of Business Administration
at the University of Nebraska Omaha

Brent Shanholtz

Board Treasurer
Ambassador Health

Cori Bumgardner

Board Secretary
Union Pacific Railroad

Trey Jantzen, MD

Children's Hospital Nebraska

Scot Yarpe

CENTER MANAGER
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE

Tony Daniel

PARTNER / FINANCIAL PLANNER NELSON MURPHY INSURANCE & INVESTMENTS

Brandon Hoerstkamp

McMillen Dovali Co., P.C.

Aaron Ostler

Heritage Financial Services

Sondra Dubas

CO-FOUNDER
Our Super Incredible

Heart Heroes Staff

Morgan Boler

Executive Director

Kitty Burton

Founding Director

Jen McMurchie

Office Support Specialist
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Heart Heroes, Inc.
PO Box 340
Boys Town, NE 68010

info@heartheroes.org

Heart Heroes, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Erin Bass

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

Dr. Bass is an Associate Professor in the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She teaches, researches, and consults in the areas of Strategy, Business Ethics, and Leadership. Her expertise lies in strategic planning and execution, leadership development, and ethics training and development. She has been an invited speaker locally, nationally, and internationally, is an active member of the Omaha business and nonprofit communities, and is a Heart Mom. She received her PhD from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and her MBA and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Brent Shanholtz

BOARD TREASURER

Mr. Shanholtz is the CFO for Ambassador Health, a skilled nursing facility and home health provider with campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska City, and Sidney, Iowa. The Omaha campus features a specialized pediatric program providing skilled nursing care to children with medically complex care needs. He is a member of the Reimbursement Committee of the Nebraska Nursing Facility Association, the Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation Board, and the Alumni Advisory Board for the University of Nebraska-Omaha chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He earned an Executive MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Cori Bumgardner

BOARD SECRETARY

Mrs. Bumgardner is a Marketing Manager at Union Pacific Railroad, where she has been employed since 2004 and has held various positions. Mrs. Bumgardner received her Bachelor of Finance degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She serves in the children’s and marriage ministries at church and volunteers at her children’s school.

Mrs. Bumgardner resides in Omaha, Nebraska with her family.

Trey Jantzen

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Jantzen is a Pediatric Cardiologist at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, NE. He completed his medical school and pediatric residency training in Omaha, followed by fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology in Ann Arbor, MI. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of children with Congenital Heart Disease. He is the medical director of the Echocardiography Lab at Children’s Hospital and has additional expertise in fetal cardiology. Dr. Jantzen has a passion for working with his patients and their families throughout their congenital heart journey, and he looks forward to being part of a mission of service outside of the hospital walls. Dr. Jantzen and his wife Melissa have two children, 14 yo daughter Ada and 12 yo son Will.

Scot Yarpe

BOARD MEMBER

Scot Yarpe is a Center Manager at United Parcel Service, where he has been employed since 2002. He oversees the package car delivery and pickup operations in Omaha and surrounding communities. He specializes in logistics, safety, training, and employee relations. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bellevue University. In his free time, Scot serves on St. Columbkille Parish’s Athletic Committee. Scot resides in Papillion, Nebraska with his wife Sarah and their three children, Stella, Sam, and Sylvia. 

Tony Daniel

BOARD MEMBER / CHAD STATE BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Daniel is a Partner at Nelson Murphy Insurance and Investments, where he specializes in Financial Planning and Wealth Management.  He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional dedicated to providing the highest level of hands-on financial planning for individuals and corporations. Tony graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while playing baseball for the Bluejays.  He is married to Karly Jurgensen and together have 3 daughters Phoebe, Aven (Heart Hero), and Elin.  Tony is passionate about helping others and supporting families affected by CHD. 

Brandon Hoerstkamp

BOARD MEMEBER

Brandon Hoerstkamp is a Tax and Audit Manager at McMillen Dovali Co., P.C. in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a Certified Public Accountant and brings experience through a wide range of sectors, such as low-income housing, employee benefit plans, non-profits, agriculture, and rental properties, among others. Mr. Hoerstkamp received his BBS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is married to Kelsey and together they have two daughters – Skyler (Heart Hero) and Mackenzie. Brandon and his family understand the importance of having a support team and community like Heart Heroes, when enduring unknown and unexpected times.

Aaron Ostler

BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Ostler is a financial adviser who joined Heritage Financial Services, a financial planning firm dedicated to providing investment management and strategic wealth management for individuals, families, and small businesses, in 2006. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Resource Management from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Mr. Ostler brings years of board member service where he was responsible for fundraising, event planning and awareness initiatives. He is married to Kristyn and together they have 7 kids. Mr. Ostler has first-hand experience of being a parent of a child with CHD experiencing. Heart Hero Bradly earned his angel wings after a week-long courageous battle with CHD in 2005. In 2015, Heart Hero Megan was born and today is 5 years old.

Sondra Dubas

CO-FOUNDER AND EX OFFICIO BOARD MEMEBER 

Mrs. Dubas graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska and is a co-founder of Heart Heroes. Mrs. Dubas is an author and entrepreneur. She works as an area manager with Arbonne International LLC. and is a certified yoga instructor.