Rebecca Overbury, MD
University of Utah Health and
Primary Children's Rheumatology
Medical Honoree

Dr. Rebecca Overbury is a provider with University of Utah Health and Primary Children’s Rheumatology. Her primary focus of her care is to improve the quality and access of care for adolescents and young adults who are transition from pediatric rheumatology to adult rheumatology with either a rheumatic disease of childhood onset or disease onset in adolescence. Her and her team are implementing a specialized clinic, the Adult Center for Childhood Onset Rheumatic Diseases, housed in Primary Children’s Hospital. Dr. Overbuy received her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and completed her residency training in rheumatology at the University of Utah. Dr. Overbury is very involved with the Arthritis Foundation. She attends our Juvenile Arthritis Family Days, has a specialized Teen Transition program at our Camp KODA (Kids Out to Defeat Arthritis), attends our Walk to Cure Arthritis and will always been seen in her “ugly” Christmas sweater at our Jingle Bell Run! You can support Dr. Overbury by signing up for either of her teams; Santakinumab – U Health Rheumatology or JIA Jinglers (associated with Primary Children’s). We are very lucky to have Dr. Overbury as a provider in Utah and as our 2019 Medical Honoree!

Stephanie Hegland
Osteoarthritis
Adult Honoree

Stephanie was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knees at the young age of 38. Stephanie has been involved with the Arthritis Foundation for the past 6 years, specifically the Jingle Bell Run. She became involved when she was looking for an organization that she could volunteer for with her kids. She’s always said that she has more time to give than money. Stephanie graduated from Central Michigan University in June, where she earned a Masters in Philanthropy and Fundraising. She is looking forward to working for a nonprofit organization as this is where her passion lies. She also enjoys spending time with her kids and friends, hiking, kayaking/paddle boarding, traveling, and now, fostering kittens for a local cat rescue.

Join Stephanie in her fight against arthritis, register or donate today.

Spencer Hood
Ankylosing Spondylitis &
Reactive Arthritis
Young Adult Honoree

Spencer was diagnosed at age 23 with ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis. A few months after being diagnosed, in 2017, he began volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation. He currently serves as the Volunteer Co-Chair, Lead Counselor at our Camp KODA, leader in our Young Adult group and, along with Ethan Nelson, recruited over 100 volunteers to help with our 2018 Jingle Bell Run. He is very thankful for the amazing kids, teenagers, counselors and Arthritis Foundation staff that make all of these events possible. Since being diagnosed, he strives to keep a balanced life by getting enough rest, exercising (when possible), eating well and staying connected to friends and family. Through all of this, it allows him to live his happiest life despite the struggles!

Join Spencer in his fight against arthritis, register or donate today.

Ethan Nelson
Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Young Adult Honoree

Ethan Nelson was diagnosed with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 4. He has arthritis in his ankles, wrists and neck. At age 7 he was asked to be the poster child for the National Arthritis Foundation. He also traveled to Washington D.C. with his parents to lobby senators and congressmen of Utah to raise funds for the National Arthritis Foundation. As a young teenager, he had both hips replaced and recently had surgery on his ankle. He currently serves as a Volunteer Co-Chair leader in our Young Adult Group alongside Spencer Hood. Ethan volunteered for his second year as a counselor at Camp KODA helping this year with programming and as a key leader. Ethan is currently a Junior at Brigham Young University studying Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business with the hopes of going into sports marketing once he graduates. He is currently working with other Young Adults with Arthritis to start an official club at BYU to help find others who have arthritis his age, letting them know that they are not alone. In his free time, Ethan enjoys competitive cycling with friends and family in Utah Valley. His goal is to do the LotoJa in fall 2020. Ethan plans on working/volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation for as long as he can to help make a difference in the lives of children and young adults with arthritis.

Join Ethan in his fight against arthritis, register or donate today!

Kendall Pogue
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Young Adult Honoree  

Kendall Pogue was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when she was eight years old. Her arthritis is in her knees, ankles, jaw, and hands. Kendall recently got involved with the Arthritis Foundation this past year and has loved her experiences with it so far! She volunteered at Camp KODA this summer and because it was such an amazing experience that she wants to continue to be a part of it in the future. Kendall is currently studying microbiology at Brigham Young University with hopes to one day become a doctor. She wants to make a difference in other's lives the way that her doctors have done for her. Kendall has had to stop doing many things because of her diagnosis, but she works hard to find joy in the things that she is still able to do. She loves spending time with friends and family, doing yoga, playing card games, traveling, and doing anything outdoors! Kendall is excited to be an honoree this year!

Join Kendall in her fight against arthritis, register or donate today.

Aiden Hedgepeth
Takayasu Arteritis
Youth Honoree

Aiden is thirteen years old and lives in Layton, Utah. In June of 2016 he was diagnosed with Takayasu Arteritis, which is a rare rheumatic disease. He was only 10 ½ years old at the time of diagnoses. His disease currently effects his eyes and large vessels. He also experiences occasional joint pain. Aiden stays as active as he can by playing soccer, baseball, basketball and flag football. He also spends a lot of time in the outdoors fishing, hiking and hunting with his family. Aiden has attended Camp KODA (Kids Out to Defeat Arthritis) each of the past three years and looks forward to camp to reconnect with friends that are like him each summer!

Aiden is honored to represent the Arthritis Foundation as our Youth Honoree. His goal is to continue to raise awareness and funds for Camp KODA, JA Days and other Arthritis Foundation Events.

Join Aiden in his fight against arthritis, register or donate today!

Emily Florez
Mistress of Ceremonies

Anchor, ABC 4 Good for Utah