Compassion, integrity, family, excellence, trustworthiness, accountability, and diversity
Joe P. Duellman - President/Owner
Joe Duellman came to BrightStar Care after a long and successful career in hospitality and resort management, real estate development, and casino development and operations. Mr. Duellman earned his bachelor’s degree in Chicago at Loyola University and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School. Having helped his nephew, an Army veteran and Emergency Room Doctor organize a community clinic in Florida, Mr. Duellman felt that home healthcare would be a worthwhile field to employ his experience and expertise. “I believe that there is great volatility in how health care is provided to our citizens in this country, and this is going to continue into the future. The one thing I am certain of is that people will continue to need high quality care, and I would like to be part of that solution”.
Lenora Alabi- Branch Manager
Lenora Alabi graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Prior to joining the BrightStar Care team, Lenora taught pharmacy related courses as the Lead Instructor for the Pharmacy Technician Program at Everest College for six years, helping to prepare students for careers in pharmacy. She was also the Program Manager for the Massage Therapy Program at Everest. Lenora joined the BrightStar Care Family in 2015 as a Customer Care Manager where she exceled and made a significant impact on customers and staff through her passion in delivering a higher standard of care. Lenora became Branch Manager in 2016 and she continues to exhibit that same passion by ensuring that the highest quality care is provided to all clients and families. She also works diligently to ensure that the BrightStar Care core values are a meaningful part of every activity. “The standards are impeccable, and BrightStar Care is a company that works endlessly to ensure that customers are receiving the best care possible.”
Shruti Patel, RN- Director of Nursing
Shruti initially started her healthcare endeavors as a Certified Nurse’s Aide at Friendship Village of Schaumburg. She then completed my Bachelors at Saint Xavier University and became a registered nurse. Upon graduation, Shruti started working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. There she transitioned between adult and neonatal care in the intensive care unit, antepartum, and postpartum. Through her experiences there Shruti gained a wealth of knowledge and became a competent and compassionate nurse. While working at Northwestern, she also finished her graduate studies at Olivet Nazarene University and became a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Shruti brings a well-rounded nursing experience to BrightStar Care. She has experience working with the pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations making Shruti a great candidate in successfully and efficiently directing the nursing staff at BrightStar Care. Having been in the shoes of both CNAs and Nurses makes Shruti a quality leader for the staff that cares for our clients.
Linda Kunicki- Community Liaison, Marketing Director
Linda has been with BrightStar Care of Chicago and BrightStar Care of La Grange since 2013. She brought her prior experience in healthcare, senior living and elder resources which has made her an asset to our home care agency. Her background includes a lengthy tenure in health care as well as a strong business background.
While her primary focus has been management, training and marketing, Linda has taken on and succeeded at roles in Sales, Human Resources, and Project Management. Every position she’s had has allowed her to fulfil her passion to service others from children to seniors, which gives her joy each day. Her experience has led her to being on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) for multiple terms and serving on many committees for Aging Care Connections and local Health and Wellness groups. Linda’s pathway to BrightStar began as a medical assistant for a doctor and hospital and being the caregiver for her mother and grandmother. Her personal experience has given her perspective into the growing need for high quality care in our society, from pediatrics to senior citizens. And she takes great pride in the Gold Seal of the Joint Commission Accreditation earned by BrightStar. It confirms her decision to make this company her employer of choice. Linda has also owned Shetland Sheepdogs aka Shelties most of her life. For many years, she has been involved in activities with Shelties that have guided her to earn championship and performance titles on many of her own dogs and help others do the same. Linda’s favorite quote, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Zigler
Natalie Distasio - Sales Manager
Natalie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Upon graduation, Nat was introduced to Health Care work as an administrator for a dental office, where she learned the ins and outs of claims management. When she was offered a job at a hospice agency, she was initially worried about how she would deal with the weighty issues of serious illness and end of life care. As she worked with families to provide solutions to their problems, she learned how important it was to help people find correct information on the many options available to them in home care.
Later, as a Private-Duty Supervisor for a home care agency, she had the chance to provide quality home care while relieving the burden of patient care from the shoulders of family members. At BrightStar, she enjoys meeting with families and helping them navigate through the myriad of care options so that they can be secure in the choices they make for themselves and their loved ones.
Natalie is an avid reader and tries to spend as much time with her family as possible. A true fitness afficianado, she'll often bribe her friends and family to participate in SK races with her by finding events that offer the best goodie bags. Natalie regularly travels around the US to find the perfect trail to hike or the ultimate run to ski. Her favorite destination of all time, though, is her family town of Catanzaro in southern Italy. Every year she travels there to visit her cousins, to swim at the spectacular beaches, and to enjoy as much of the local cuisine as possible.
Questions about our care team?
Please contact us online or call our Cook County offices at 312-382-8888 and we'll be happy to answer them