Erica Vinyard graduated from the University of Iowa College of Nursing in 2002. She worked for 5 years in the surgical ICU and another 4 years in the surgical ICU, medical ICU and cardiovascular ICU at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Currently, she stays home with her three young boys and also volunteers at the free medical clinic through Waukee Area Christian Services. Through her work in the healthcare field and also because of a personal connection (her uncle and a good friend were both diagnosed with the disease), she has witnessed firsthand the burden and stress that the PAH diagnosis can bring to a person and their family.
Erica is passionate about the Blue Lips Foundation becoming a leading research funding organization in the battle against PAH.