The Stroke Resource Center of Southern Arizona (SRCSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the lives of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) survivors and their caregivers a little easier by providing information about some of the resources that are available to them. Regional and Internet resources are provided.

SRCSA is classified as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code 170.  Donations made to SRCSA are tax deductible.

IRS Form 1023EZ

SRCSA in a registered non-profit corporation in the State of Arizona. This corporation is in good standing.

Our Mission

Leadership

Leslie Ritter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA – Founder and Director

Dr. Ritter began her career as a cardiac intensive care nurse in Tucson, Arizona. During her time as a bedside nurse, she received her Master of Science in Nursing and Exercise Physiology and a PhD in Physiology from the University of Arizona.  Over the next years she became a Professor at the College of Nursing and Dept. of Neurology at the University of Arizona.  She led a research team that was funded by the NIH and American Heart Association, among others, to examine the brain injury caused by inflammation after a stroke. Over 30 publications describe her research team’s work. Dr. Ritter retired from the University of Arizona in 2022, achieving her current position as Professor Emerita.  During her time as faculty at the University of Arizona she helped develop University Medical Center’s Primary Stroke Center, the first in Southern Arizona.  In was in this role that she observed the great need for post-hospital care for stroke survivors and their caregivers.  In response to this need, in 2012 Dr. Ritter and her colleague Diane Wolsk founded the Stroke Resource Center of Southern Arizona (SRCSA). Dr. Ritter continues to serve as the Director of the SRCSA.  She remains passionate about supporting stroke survivors and caregivers as they learn to live with stroke and connecting them with the resources they need.  Dr. Ritter is the Director of the Stroke Resource Center of Southern Arizona, facilitates the monthly stroke survivor support group and is actively engaged in educating healthcare professionals and the community about all facets of stroke.  Dr. Ritter enjoys playing music (French Horn and Upright Bass), cycling, spending time with her grandchildren and glamping with her husband and two dogs all over the US.

Geneva Kaplan – Board Member

Geneva received her Bachelor of Athletic Training Education degree from New Mexico State University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.  She is certified in Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation (Neuro-IFRAH). 

Geneva is a licensed Physical Therapist and Pilates instructor at Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. She is an ABPTS Board Certified Clinical Specialist of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Geneva is a comprehensively trained Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation professional and Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher.  She integrates contemporary pilates into functional movements for example walking and getting up from the floor. Geneva specializes in treating patients with a wide range of neurological impairments, dysautonomia, hypermobility spectrum disorders, osteoporosis and orthopedics. She is a PWR! certified therapist for Parkinson disease and retired certified Athletic Trainer.

Geneva swam competitively for two decades and enjoys working with clients of all ages.

Jennifer Bunger – Board Member

Jennifer received a Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University. As a student clinician, she led aphasia groups at Portland State and the University of Arizona Speech and Language Clinics. As an events coordinator with the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, she provided administrative support for Dr. Leslie Ritter’s stroke prevention lectures and stroke support groups in Tucson and Green Valley, Arizona. Since her first experience as a counselor at a Stroke Camp in 2004, she has had a passion to help facilitate a supportive community for stroke survivors and their caregivers.  She occasionally serves as a facilitator of the Stroke Resource Center monthly stroke support group.

Maya Luria – Board Member

Maya Luria currently serves as Director of Community Partnerships & Outreach with TMC Health. In this role, she oversees initiatives, programs—including TMC for Seniors—and services designed to enhance the quality of life for older adults throughout Southern Arizona. A native Tucsonan, Maya deeply appreciates the region’s rich and unique culture. She is also the founder of the Bald Beauties Project; she dedicates her time and efforts to supporting causes that uplift individuals and communities in need.

Diane Henrickson

Diane was a former British Army Nurse, Germany and then spent 16 Years in Administration at NATO Headquarters,  Brussels, Belgium.  She volunteered with groups within US Diplomatic Community in Ankara, Turkey and with the International Rescue Committee, Washington DC.  Diane currently holds leadership and instructor positions in the sport of Badminton in Tucson and Arizona.

Kim Wolfarth – Board Member

Kim is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Architecture and an avid UA football and basketball fan. He is now a retired architect with over forty years’ experience in healthcare architecture. While preparing to retire in January 2022 he experienced a minor stroke; not the optimal way begin retirement!  Shortly afterward he began attending the Stroke Resource Center monthly Stroke Support Group meetings and occasionally serves as a group facilitator.  In 2026 he became a SRCSA board member. He enjoys spending as much time as possible with his two grandchildren Hunter and Abby here in Tucson.