Our People
Our people are our greatest asset. From the full spectrum of adult homecare and elder care to childcare and more, the quality services we provide day in and day out would not be possible without the hard work and passion of our dedicated staff. Each member of our team embodies the core values of our business – compassion, integrity, family, excellence, trustworthiness, accountability, and diversity – and strives to make more possible for those in our care.
If you have any questions about the qualifications of our healthcare staff, please call our BrightStar Care® Oak Brook office at (630) 571-5555. Our Oak Brook office provides home health care services in southeast DuPage County, including Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, and the surrounding suburbs.
For services in the Naperville area, please visit our BrightStar Care Naperville site.
Jim Guzdziol, MBA and Phyllis O’Brien, RN | Owners
Inspiration for opening a BrightStar franchise arose from personal experience for husband and wife Jim Guzdziol, MBA and Phyllis O’Brien, RN, owners of the Naperville office.“We witnessed firsthand Phyllis’ mother’s need for care and the difficulties a family faces when a family member is suffering. The demands of caring for a loved one cause a great deal of stress on the primary decision maker and caregiver. It is very fulfilling to provide such a needed service. Phyllis and I view this as a tremendous opportunity to leverage our career strengths and bring a higher level of service to this community.”
After experiencing Phyl’s mother’s journey toward the end of her life, we were inspired to combine our career strengths and the BrightStar business model to bring a higher level of home care and staffing services to the surrounding communities, help families and create jobs. Jim brings over 25 years of executive-level business experience, holding C-level positions for the past ten years. Phyllis has over 25 years experience as a registered nurse.
Terri Grant | Branch Director
I have been in the healthcare field for over 15 years, starting out as a CNA and an EMT. I managed a Medicare-certified and private duty Home Health Agency in Tucson, Arizona for seven years providing quality care and service to patients and their families. Before joining BrightStar I managed a Chicago-based nurse staffing agency. I am excited to be working with BrightStar where I am able to continue providing quality service to Healthcare providers and our homecare clients, which I truly enjoy and am very passionate about.Maureen Wood | Director – Business Development
My background includes lengthy tenures in business education and professional services management. As a result of my Board service for St. Paul’s House, a Health Care Center near Wrigley Field, I launched my “encore” career into serving this nation’s greatest generation. The last eight years I have focused primarily on marketing continuing care in a community setting.My most recent position as Move Management Coordinator for a new independent / assisted living and memory care community has afforded me firsthand insight into the many challenges and difficulties seniors and their families face when transitioning from their homes to senior communities — the thought of downsizing, preparing to sell your home, the actual sale and physical move — can be daunting to say the least!
I am a strong proponent of the BrightStar model because our focus is to support seniors by providing excellent care and services in the comfort of their own homes. As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said, “There’s no place like home.”
Marilyn Ferro, RN | Care Coordinator
With a wealth of healthcare experience, both hands-on and administrative, my passion is providing each of my clients with the highest level of care possible. As an electro-diagnostic technician at the local community hospital and on weekends in a physician’s private practice performing specialized neurologic testing, I gained a solid neurological knowledge base and learned the value of patient education and compassionate care. Later, while managing a physician’s private specialty practice devoted to children with neurologic challenges, I completed my nursing degree. As a Care Coordinator my role is to assess each patient’s needs and provide recommendations, linkages to services and oversight of medical services to ensure an integrated approach to optimal care. Each client is treated as though they were my mom or dad.Jen Winarski, RN | Care Coordinator
I was a Junior Volunteer at age 13, became passionate about helping others and spent the next 25 years in various areas of healthcare, including hospitals, physician offices, clinics, treatment centers, schools and administrative offices. Being a strong believer in faith and family, I am an active member of the Council of Catholic Women in my parish.I love being a registered nurse because of the positive impact I can make in people’s lives, and truly feel I have been called to be an advocate for patients and their families. This means being committed to listening to the needs of my clients and their families and working proactively with other healthcare disciplines to problem solve and deliver the best solution. You will find that I’m a down-to-earth healthcare provider that sees each client as a person and gets to know each one and their family members on an individual level.
Brittany Ryburn | Scheduling / Staffing Manager
I received my Medical Administrative Assistant Certification from Olympia College and have four years experience in scheduling coordination and medical office administration. My role is to match the skills, personality and availability of our field staff with the needs of each client.My first priority is to be sure that each of our staff members knows where they need to be and when to be there. In the healthcare business, our clients’ needs change with every passing hour. How’s that for job security!
Deanne Ciullo | Recruiter
With over eight years experience in recruiting and staffing in the medical field, my focus is to ensure our employee screening and credentialing meets the high standards of the Joint Commission.Most of my day is spent searching for candidates that would make great BrightStar staff members. I am also attending Lewis University in the evenings to finish my Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management.
Cory Vainowski | Administrative Support
I have a Bachelors of Kinesiology from Eastern Illinois University. I am also a C.N.A. and have worked in a senior living community and home health agency.My role is to provide support to everyone else in the office, and I’m also responsible for billing and accounts receivable. I’m also frequently the first cheerful voice you’ll hear when calling our office!
Our Caregivers
Our caregivers are carefully screened by our staff to ensure they are experienced and meet our rigorous hiring standards. Each new hire is credentialed through online testing, in-depth face-to-face interviews, reference checks, drug tests and background checks. Our field staff receives training in fall prevention, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, infection control, home safety and hospice care, just to name a few. They are also CPR certified and every employee is bonded and insured.
Each month we recognize and reward a caregiver Star of the Month to honor them for excellence in care and their passion for this labor of love. We are proud of our field staff and hold them in the highest regard. Nothing is more important than the quality of care they provide each and every day.
Our entire staff is committed to the community and to each of the residents and businesses we serve. We invite you to experience the passion and professionalism they exude in all of the services we provide.
