Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Central DuPage-Wheaton

Prior to arriving at BrightStar in 2013 , I served in multiple management roles both in the hospital and home setting over my 33 years in Nursing. I have previously served as our Director of Compliance, responsible for departmental analysis related to productivity, staff process improvement and client satisfaction resulting in improved patient outcomes.  This required a restructuring of all internal processes and direct involvement in process improvement initiatives to increase Home Health Compare, Staff and Customer Satisfaction Scores.  I then moved into the role of Director of Nursing and Compliance bringing my extensive regulatory knowledge and compliance with process improvement to take positive patient outcomes to the next level of clinical care from BrightStar to home and/or facility.  As of August 2022 I am a proud co-owner of our Wheaton franchise. I am most passionate about family-centered care, Dementia care and the concept of ‘aging in place’ and I love the fact that I am able to make a significant difference in the lives of clients by helping them stay safe and healthy wherever they reside.
 

My personal experience of caring for my father with Dementia and my special son with Autism inspired me to consider a transition from a successful 20+ year high-tech/telecommunications career to join BrightStar Care in mid-2009.

My mission was to expand our impact and brand leadership in the DuPage County communities has resulted in a positive experience for our elderly, children and special-needs ‘Anytime, Anywhere’.  Given my extensive product management/marketing, International Business and management experience, along with a Northwestern Kellogg MBA education, has proven to be wonderful asset in establishing our reputation as a quality and responsive provider-of-care within the DuPage County.  

Graduated from Miami University (OH) with a BS in Biology in 2004.  After college I started my own Senior care business in 2005 and sold the company in 2007 to join a Medicare certified Home Health company. Years later I began working in sales and management and eventually worked my way back to the senior care market as COO for a local home care company in Glen Ellyn. Today, I bring my experience and knowledge to BrightStar Care of Central DuPage-Wheaton taking care of our day-to-day operations, where I have the privilege to oversee the impact we have within our local community.

To be welcomed into the places our clients call home, into situations that are often vulnerable and difficult, is a special honor. My adoption into the BrightStar Care family began in 2014; I have served in a variety of roles at our Central DuPage-Wheaton office over the years: Nurse Case Manager, Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Assistant as boots on the ground field staff. I have flourished in this nurturing environment where respecting the needs of others and enriching the lives of each person we come into contact with is the core focus of our entire team. I have also worked as an inpatient nurse at Northwestern Hospital, Skilled Nursing facilities, Assisted Living homes and as a school nurse. These experiences have enriched who I am with a tremendous amount of knowledge and empathy, so that I may support our clients, their families and my coworkers in broader capacities. I deeply enjoy continuously improving my understanding of what the highest quality of care truly is, and that happens here. BrightStar Care is the passionate place I, and countless clients, consider home.

Healthcare is the cornerstone to life. It embodies all that we are as a whole. I’ve been in healthcare over 15 years, it has taught me so much more than taking care of myself and others. Having gone through just about every healthcare position from caregiver, optician manager, medical assistant to settling in an administrative role, I understand it from both ends. With experience in scheduling, insurance verification and authorization, management, customer support, intake as well as human resource. Holding a bachelor’s in business and having started my own small business in 2015, I take pride in learning from those that have the knowledge and skill to expand my own experience and business management. Holding certifications in creative writing, certified notary, loan signing agent and most recently a CPR instructor. Active board member on several non-profits that support kids, entrepreneurship, and the African American community. Joining Brightstar Care was because of the team, a team that not only offered that art of no limits but also the atmosphere surrounding our team is welcoming and friendly. I look forward to what is to come with our team, employees, and clients.

I initially joined BrightStar Care in 2010 as a field staff employee. The work I did in client’s homes and assisting within a multitude of facilities filled my desire to make a positive difference in every person I could reach. My years of experience in homecare, facility, and clerical work within the healthcare industry inspired me to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Management. I am blessed to return to this organization in an administrative role to improve the quality of life for my patients and uphold a high-quality standard for my employees. BrightStar Care has continued to allow me the opportunity to impact the lives of families in our community for the better and I look forward continuing to serve with the best of my ability.

Healthcare is an industry I’ve always had a deep passion for. Being able to provide patients with not just quality care, but to gain knowledge and support from an administrative standpoint is something that drives and encourages me to be resourceful. I’ve been in the healthcare industry for 14 years as a healthcare administrator. My experience stretches from medical insurance verification, and billing, to experience with patient accounts, verification approvals, and scheduling. With a certificate in Medical Administration Assistant, and an Associate in Applied Science from Rasmussen University. I’ve decided to expand my education and will be graduating this summer with a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management. As I continue to further my education, BrightStar Care has allowed me to obtain and gain professional relationships with not just our clients, but our staff as well by connecting with them, and guiding them as they are the future of the healthcare industry.

Graduated from Western Governor’s University with my bachelor’s in science of nursing in 2018 with a passion to serve and make a difference in people’s lives. Having 5 years of experience in the hospital, nursing home and home health gave me confidence to transfer my skills to the home care setting. I am blessed to be part of the amazing Brightstar team in 2020 as a field staff working one on one with school age children who need medical care while attending school. This experience further strengthened my communication and relational skills with not only my client but with each person who are part of their lives. Although I am no longer working full time in the field, I am grateful to switch my position as a Nurse Case Manager starting this year of 2024 where I get to connect with clients and caregivers in the field. This position enables me to evaluate how our company can work together to provide excellent care for our clients and make our field staff feel supported.

I have always had a passion to help people and do the right thing, being raised by a single mother who has worked with the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center for over 31 years helped me nourish my passion to work in healthcare. I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Environmental Policy and a minor in Political Science. During my academic career, I interned with an emergency relief non-profit organization in their Programs Department, which led to a career as an Administrative Assistant specializing in donor communications. This guided and prepared me for my role of Executive Assistant here at Bright Star Care of Central DuPage-Wheaton, working directly with our clients and employees to ensure the highest quality experience for all.