2019 Jingle Bell Run Honorees

Andy Nguyen, Nurse Practitioner
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
Medical Honoree


Andy A. Nguyen is a nurse practitioner in pediatric rheumatology at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. He earned his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Linfield College in Portland, Oregon. Andy spent years as a critical care registered nurse at multiple level-1 trauma hospitals in Oregon and throughout Southern California before attending the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) nurse practitioner program for his advanced practice license and graduate degree.

Along with his professional passion in health care, Andy is also a street dancer. He has worked to merge the two paths of medical care and movement arts. For his Clinical Nurse Level III project, Andy helped to develop and implement the critical care Early Patient Mobility Protocol, which has now expanded hospital wide at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. During his graduate curriculum at UCSF, he authored a research proposal for a program that utilizes current dance styles to improve health outcomes. Andy is also co-founder to the community mobile dance event, Cypher Sundays San Francisco, which has expanded to Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Andy has worked closely with the Arthritis Foundation for many years. He has served as Co-Camp Director, Senior Counselor, and Dance Therapy instructor at Camp Milagros. He has also volunteered as medical staff at the Juvenile Arthritis Teen Retreats. Andy hopes to continue utilizing nursing and movement to help his patients live healthier lives.

Join Andy in the fight against arthritis, register or donate today!


Marisa Chow
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Youth Honoree

Marisa Chow is a 17 year old senior with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). She was diagnosed with JIA at age 13 after experiencing symptoms for several months. Her arthritis is mostly in her wrists but she never lets it stop her from doing the things she loves. She plays flute in jazz band, band, orchestra, and even marching band! She loves math and is interested in studying that in college next year. 

She attended the arthritis convention in Minnesota this summer and had a great time making friends and talking to people who understand her pain. She loves to walk and is excited to raise money and be a part of this year’s Jingle Bell Run!

Join Marisa in the fight against arthritis, register or donate today!