Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Springfield / Bloomington

Chris holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University in Justice Studies, and he also holds a Law Degree. He is deeply committed to the study of justice and has a passion for creating a just society for all.

Chris came to BrightStar Care after a very successful career in higher education teaching and administration. His journey to Health Care is primarily predicted upon his desire to create a service to families deeply committed to excellence at every level with great attention to the details.

Julie brings to BrightStar Care a career deeply grounded in serving the needs of others. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Arizona State University and is a native of Central Illinois. Julie has worked extensively with families and has an unyielding commitment to serving others. She has 20 plus years of experience in case management along with individual and family counseling.

As Chief Operating Officer, Suzanne Cushing brings more than 15 years of leadership experience within the BrightStar Care system. Throughout her career, she has successfully served in multiple executive and operational roles, including Branch Manager, Director of Operations, Multi-Territory Owner, and now COO, giving her a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of home care operations.

Suzanne is recognized for her ability to build strong teams, improve operational performance, and create a culture centered on accountability, compassion, and excellence. She has extensive expertise in strategic planning, financial performance, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, business growth, and leadership development. Her collaborative leadership style focuses on coaching others to achieve their full potential while delivering exceptional care to clients and families.

Throughout her career, Suzanne has received numerous BrightStar Care honors, including the Operations Excellence Award, Employer of Choice, and Provider of Choice. She has also served on multiple corporate committees and pilot programs and has successfully led organizations through Joint Commission accreditation on multiple occasions.

Known for her attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and passion for continuous improvement, Suzanne is committed to helping teams achieve sustainable success while maintaining the highest standards of clinical quality, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement.

Madison Rich, BSN, RN, serves as the Director of Nursing for BrightStar Care of Springfield & Bloomington. She has been a nurse for almost five years, preceded by seven years as a certified nursing assistant.

Madison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021 and brings broad expertise across bariatric surgery, colon rectal surgery, trauma, neurology/neurosurgery, hospice, geriatrics, and general medical-surgical care. Her travel nursing experience exposed her to diverse healthcare settings, which helps her understand and address various client needs. Madison is passionate about designing safe, person-centered plans of care and supporting both clients and caregivers.

Building personal connections with clients and their families is her favorite aspect of nursing, ensuring each client feels valued beyond just the clinical. Her three key strengths are a passion for excellence, attention to detail for tailored care plans, and a creative approach to problem-solving.

Above all, Madison prioritizes safety, quality, and a supportive, collaborative environment at BrightStar Care.

Social Services and Admissions Director in LTC for 3 years
Licensed Long Term Care Administrator for 5 years

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2011 

My favorite thing about my career has been building relationships with clients, their families, and the staff. Its important to me to keep clients in their homes as long as possible and keeping them independent as possible. I enjoy getting to know my staff and colleagues and form great personal and professional relationships with them and providing a good culture within the organization.

I enjoy being camping, reading, music and above all traveling. I have been happily married for 28 years, and we have 2 sons. Enjoying time as a family is near and dear to me and I take every moment I can get with all of us together.

My key strengths are my ability to connect with people, organizational skills, and to problem solve.

Sierra Embree, CNA, serves as the Lead Customer Care Manager at BrightStar Care, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience in healthcare since 2013. Sierra has been with Brightstar Care since 2021. Sierra brings a strong foundation as a Certified Nursing Assistant in facilities, hospitals, and home health settings. Sierra is passionate about delivering exceptional, compassionate care to every client she serves.
 
Her expertise lies in working with geriatric patients and supporting those in long-term care, where she has developed a deep understanding of the importance of dignity, comfort, and trust in caregiving. Transitioning into home care allowed Sierra to focus on building stronger, more personal connections with patients and their families—ensuring each individual receives the attentive, personalized support they deserve.
 
In her current role at BrightStar Care, Sierra oversees customer care operations and leads initiatives focused on caregiver compatibility, client satisfaction, and quality assurance. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, trust, and proactive communication, ensuring that every client-caregiver match supports not just medical needs, but personal comfort and peace of mind.

Sierra’s professional credentials include active certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and current CPR/BLS certification. She continues to stay engaged in professional development, always seeking new ways to improve care delivery and client relations.

Mollie Gossett serves as the Regional Community Liaison for BrightStar Care of Springfield & Bloomington. She has been in the Sales and Marketing field for over a decade and has a passion for Senior Care.

Mollie graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2006 and brings expertise with her experiences in Sales Management and Senior Care. With her involvement and relationships in the local community, she thrives in what she does and excels in helping make a difference to many.

Being able to make a strong positive impact on families in a time of need is one of Mollie's favorite aspects of her position. She enjoys meeting new people daily and connecting with others in the healthcare field.
 
Most importantly, Mollie believes in BrightStar's vision and spends every day trying to help someone new!