Category: Questions with

4 Questions with Bruce Bush





This post is part of a series where we pose questions on issues related to maternal and infant care for vulnerable populations to health professionals, community advocates, mothers, JBLF volunteers and other important voices. 

Bruce Bush is Jenn’s dad and is on the Board of Directors. He’s also an amazing supporter of the Foundation all year round.



1.If you could tell us one thing, what would it be?

To love one another…..thanks to all who knew Jennifer and continue to be genuine friends.   

2. What is your favorite memory of Jenn?

A life well lived. Jennifer’s favorite saying —- DIFFERENT – YET THE SAME. She was very successful in everything she did.

A phrase from one of her work associate’s letter, upon her passing, sums up what many individuals thought about her…..”she left a positive mark on dozens of people with whom she had only passing interactions….she was the kind of person whose kindness in small doses meant a lot, for many.”

3. What has been your best JB-LF moment?

The first 5k Race and Family Day. A beautiful tribute from Neal and the news media plus the Arlington community. Cooper won the first race in his age group.

4.  What are people surprised to find out about you?

That I was a professional musician…….played the drums in combos and large dance bands. 

4 Questions with Elizabeth Ingram


This post is part of a series where we pose questions on issues related to maternal and infant care for vulnerable populations to health professionals, community advocates, mothers, JBLF volunteers and other important voices. 

Elizabeth Ingram is on the Board of Directors and serves as the race director for our annual 5K and Family Fun Day. She’s also an amazing volunteer outside of the 5K.




1.    What do you see as JB-LF’s biggest accomplishment to date?  

The impact of The Telemedicine Program is a huge bright spot for the Foundation. The fact that women can receive care without leaving work or home is so important. In addition, the fact that the Mom’s served by this program saw such a huge reduction in NICU admissions, 61%, and 25% reduction in C-sections is amazing.

2.    Has anything surprised you?

The continued support of this amazing community leaves me in awe each year….7 years later and it feels like the first time. People of all ages and walks of lives support the work of the Foundation through donations of time and money.  I love that for the past few years a young girl has asked friends and family to donate to The JB-LF as their birthday gifts to her.

3.    What is your favorite part of our 5K?

The people!  I love seeing the smiling faces so eager to run what may be the hilliest 5k course in Arlington. I love seeing friends and neighbors come out for the event year after year. I can’t wait for this year’s race!

4.    What are people surprised to find out about you?

I guess people would be surprised to know that I have run 5 marathons and 7 Ragnar relays.  My racing days are behind me, but I love to cheer other runner especially at the JB-LF 5k.

4 Questions with Lindsey Hill

This post is part of a series where we pose questions on issues related to maternal and infant care for vulnerable populations to health professionals, community advocates, mothers, JBLF volunteers and other important voices. 

Lindsey is the summer intern for JB-LF through her college, Marymount University.


1. If you could tell us one thing, what would it be?
So far, one of the best parts about this internship has been researching the many topics I have been charged with writing about. I have learned so much, not only from the research, but also from JB-LF’s Executive Director, Kelly Garrity, and from the various webinars I have virtually attended. There’s a wealth of information out there about maternal health and how systemic changes can be made to improve the lives of pregnant women and new mothers. I’ve become so engrossed with the material I interact with that I sometimes have to stop myself from babbling when talking to others about how awesome this internship is.

2. What has surprised you the most in this internship?
What has surprised me the most in this internship is how many challenges and hurdles many mothers face. So much goes into ensuring our communities and mothers get taken care of, from family planning, to preconception, to prenatal and postnatal care. Yet many mothers are unfortunately not given the access to care that they need and deserve, and it’s organizations like JB-LF that invest in maternal health who are changing the playing field.

3. What are you most excited about for the future of JBLF?
I am most excited for the future of JB-LF as the foundation continues to conduct research and fund cutting-edge programs that will increase access to care. Making an impact in the community through serving families, raising awareness, covering basic needs, and so much more, JB-LF is spearheading important initiatives. Working collaboratively with other organizations, health care providers, and the families of Arlington County, I have the utmost confidence that real change is taking place for the futures of our mothers and their babies.

4. What are people most surprised to find out about you?
Most people I meet are surprised to find out how introverted I am. I can be a social butterfly, but truthfully only recharge my batteries when I’m by myself. At an early age I discovered my love for reading and writing, and always knew I wanted to study literature. My writing background has served me well in this role as an intern for JB-LF and I have enjoyed drafting up blog posts for the foundation.

4 Questions with Colleen Borelli


This post is part of a series where we pose questions on issues related to maternal and infant care for vulnerable populations to health professionals, community advocates, mothers and other important voices. Colleen Borelli joined the JB-LF board in 2019.

1. You are a local OB provider, how did you choose that career path?
 My Master of Public Health focused on Women and Infant Health which has always been a special interest of mine. Then when I went to medical school I found that OBGYN was really my passion within medicine. I love being able to care for women of all different ages and be part of some of the most important moments of their lives. I enjoy both the surgical and medical aspects of this specialty and really could not imagine doing anything else. It was really just a natural fit for me.

2. You joined the JBLF Board in 2019, what has surprised you the most?
What has surprised me most is our ability to accomplish quite a lot within a relatively small non-profit. The community involvement and support is really inspiring. It is great to see how an efficient and well run organization can make a very big impact with relatively less resources than large non-profits.

3. What are you most excited about for 2021?
I am most excited about finally travelling to see my family on the west coast who I have not yet seen in a year and a half. I am very grateful for the science behind the vaccines in getting us to this point.

4. What are people surprised to find out about you?
I may be one of the few Americans who doesn’t like ketchup….my kids always taunt me with it when they are eating their french fries!

5 Questions with: Kelly Garrity

This post is part of a series where we pose five questions on issues related to maternal and infant care for vulnerable populations to health professionals, community advocates, mothers and other important voices. Kelly Garrity joined as JB-LF Executive Director in March 2020.

1. How did you end up in the nonprofit sector and fundraising?

Accidentally! After a brief stint with Tech Start Up and Law Firms, a recruiter sent me a nonprofit position. I got the job and spent the next decade plus working with a nonprofit that focused on systemic health policy issues at the federal level. This ranged from the familiar Affordable Care Act to wonky topics such as value assessment.

I led the team responsible for recruiting nonprofit/business members and administering their associated benefits. In addition, I did fundraising for all of our advocacy and program work, a role that grew organically from the need to expand.

2. Why JBLF?

The intersection of professional growth and personal passions. I knew how important our work was to a vulnernable population from my experience as an infertility patient/advocate, with high-risk pregnancies covered by insurance, and stillbirth. In addition, the position provided me an opportunity to build on my professional experience at the Federal level to benefit my local community.

3. What has surprised you the most in your first year?

The community! After spending so much time focused on federal issues and the larger picture, it was an adjustment transitioning to a more local organization. I have been blown away by the wonderful volunteers, donors, partners, and moms/babies that I’ve gotten to work with this year. The strength of the network that JBLF has developed over just 6 years is amzing.

4. What are you most excited about for 2021?

Holding our 7th annual 5K (and hopefully family fun day) and the research we plan to conduct with the low-income moms we serve. With this research we aim to make long term change by understanding the current process for accessing their care, why barriers may exist to timely initiation of prenatal care, and determining what other obstacles are present during pregnancy for this vulnerable population.

5. What are people surprised to find out about you?

There are a few things that come to mind.
– I am an Air Force child who only moved once.
– I am an ice skater who now coaches the sport.
– I have run a marathon.
– I have 4 tattoos.
– I consider my ADD as a superpower.