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.

Before becoming a Registered Nurse I worked as a CNA at BrightStar Care. BrightStar kick started my career in the medical field. I found myself attending DuPage College of Nursing for 2 years where I graduated as an Registered Nurse with my Associates Degree in May of 2018. After that, I started my career as an RN at Loyola Medicine as a Neurology/Stroke Nurse. Then, in June of 2020, I came back to my home at BrightStar Care where I currently fill the role of Registered Nurse Case Manager and also where I am able to fulfill my true passion for the geriatric and at home caregiving community.

I joined the Dupage-Wheaton office of BrightStar to connect with clients and our people who serve them, our great Caregiving staff. My role is to work with our Nurse Case Managers to match the skills, personalities and availability of our field staff with the needs of each client.  My job 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 and I help meet those needs by sending our field care team to them.

I graduated from Triton College with an associate degree in early childhood education. I also graduated from DeVry University with an associate degree in health information technology. I have worked in daycare for 20 years, then came into the business side of healthcare for about 15 years. My path has led me to Bright Star Care of Central DuPage-Wheaton, as I bring experience with running the front desk and compassion for employees and families. During my time here I am going back to school for my bachelor's degree in social services. I enjoy seeing the bright faces that walk through our doors here at BrightStar and look forward to helping our employees and families in any way that I can.

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 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.