Chicago Bridge has current and past leaders that have been and still are an influential aspect of the group. The Chicago Bridge leadership is flat,  there is no hierarchy. All members have an influence in what the group does and how it moves and grows. The group is member driven, but the leadership helps to lead the group in directions that are shown as an interest by others.

Each program within the Chicago Bridge is run by interested members who desire an experience in leading. Some ongoing opporunities to become involved in include the Social and Support Program, the Blog Team, and the Mentorship Program. If you interested in any of these opportunities, please email chicagobridge@gmail.com

Leadership Core of the Chicago Bridge

Every 2 years new Chicago Bridge members take Leadership Core positions.  Members who are looking to greatly increase their professional skills and connections, add valuable work experience to their resume, and lead a growing group of energetically charged aging professionals should apply. Chicago Bridge has become locally and nationally recognized and new leaders are expected to maintain this established reputation. Listed below are descriptions for each position.

Communications Director: Responsible for maintaining an active online presence through the Google Group, Chicago Bridge website, Facebook, LinkedIN, etc. Works directly with the Website Program and group leaders to produce quality online articles and resources.

Events Director: Manages Event Coordinators and monthly events. Also ensures that monthly programming falls within the organization’s mission and vision and works with Support and Social Program.

Membership Director: Evaluates and processes new member applications. Communicates with new members at events and encourages participation in Bridge programs. Interacts with key individuals within universities and professional organizations to attract quality members. Partners with universities and professional organizations to add value to Chicago Bridge programs.

2011-2013 Leadership Core

Emily Mysel, Communications Director

Emily received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio and her Master’s in Social Work from UIC Jane Addams. Emily has worked in array of settings around the Chicago community including CJE SeniorLife, Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center (CNADC) at Northwestern University and HCR ManorCare. She currently works as a Care Consultant at the Alzheimer’s Association where she provides advice and counsels individuals who contact the association’s Contact Center.

Carmen Wyttenbach, Membership Director

Carmen will complete her Master’s of Social Work degree in June 2011 from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Carmen was a part of the Geriatric Social Work Fellowship program at SSA. Carmen has interned with CJE Senior Life’s Lieberman, and the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.

Maria Soria, Events Director

Maria will be completing the MSW with concentration in Gerontology this spring. Her experience includes Medicaid/Medicare counseling, health promotion, and case management. Maria is currently completing my practicuum at Solutions for Care in their Transitional Care program. She  also volunteers with Age Options and Alivio Medical Center to outreach to the spanish speaking population.

 

Featured Blog Writers 2012

Sharon Belloff is the JHELP ACCESS Suburban Project Coordinator for CJE SeniorLife in Chicago. Assisting those over the age of 60 find resources, linking folks to private and public benefits and providing a myriad services embodies much of Sharon’s work. An L.C.P.C., she graduated with honors from National-Louis University with a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Science and, later, a master’s degree in Human Services. Her work in aging began as an internship with Advocate Health Care, and she has never left the field. Since 9/11, Sharon has been a volunteer with the USO of Illinois and is a regular volunteer with the Highland Park Public Library, both working with its in-house Book Nook resale shop or assisting with summer reading programs for children. The daughter of two writers, she has always sought enjoyment through authoring and editing articles for newsletters, brochures and flyers.

Melissa Buckles-Haley graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and Spanish. She received her Master’s of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago with a concentration in health in May of 2010. Melissa did her Bachelor’s internship at an Access Community Health Network site doing psychosocial assessments and resource referral and she did her Master’s of Social Work internship at Weiss Memorial Hospital doing discharge planning, nursing home placement and securing home health for patients 65 and older.

Megan Golles

Erica Hornthal received her MA in Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling from Columbia College Chicago and her BS in Psychology from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Erica began her work at CJE SeniorLife’s ADS in Evanston, IL. After graduating, Erica worked for Mather Lifeways and HCR ManorCare as an activity coordinator where she was able to incorporate her clinical skills as a dance/movement therapist with programs for her residents. Erica also has experience working in case management for the North Shore Senior Center. In her private practice, Erica works with clients focuses on maintaining the integrity and dignity of each client regardless of the progression of their dementia, through holistic body-based interventions and provides to educate  to families on how to maintain healthy communication and relationships.  Erica believes that our life experiences are held in the body, and that through the use of dance/movement therapy, memories and emotions can be recalled and re-experienced despite cognitive impairment.

Katharine Houpt is an Art Therapist in Chicago, IL. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from The Evergreen State College, and her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After completing an internship working with older adults at an adult day service, Katharine became an art therapist in long-term care at Norwood Crossing, as part of an Expressive Arts team. Katharine is interested in ways aging adults can use the arts for self-expression, empowerment, and meaningful engagement.

Kate Konieczny is the marketing coordinator for Peck Bloom, LLC, an elder law firm in Chicago.  Kate helps promote elder law services such as guardianship, Alzheimer’s disease planning, litigation related to wills and trusts and estate planning services.Kate graduated with honors from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in English and journalism. While a student at Eastern, Kate was an active writer and copy editor for the Daily Eastern News, managing editor of The Warbler yearbook, and a freelance writer for the Southtown Star and the Coles County Newspaper. After graduation, Kate spent a year abroad in Taipei, Taiwan teaching English.Kate is an active member of the Legal Marketing Association, “Muliple Solutions,” the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Illinois’ Junior Board, and an active volunteer with the Lincoln Park Village, a not-for-profit community of resources that helps people 50+ continue to live independently.

Julie Resnik

Christy Schoenwald graduated from the Adler School of Professional Psychology and has spent the past seven years working with older adults in varying capacities from directing a dementia unit to volunteering for hospice programs. She has lead support groups for families of people with dementia and has given numerous skill building presentations on working with this population. She currently works as an Art Therapist for Rush Hospital at the Alzheimer’s Family Care Center.

 

The Chicago Bridge Blog Editors 2012

Elyse (Heyman) Baylis, MSSA, LSW, recently got married and moved to Chicago from Pittsburgh, where she had worked as a Care Manager for a non-profit sub-contractor of the local Area Agency on Aging providing care management services via phone calls and home visits. She earned her MSSA from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in 2005. She is currently looking for a more permanent full-time position working with older adults or people with disabilities. She loves to network and learn about new communityresources. Please feel free to email her at socialworker05@gmail.com.

Renee Bober

 

Bridget Murtha  is a Client Service Manager with Home Instead Senior Care. She ensures that Home Instead CAREGivers meet clients’ in-home needs, allowing seniors to remain safe and independent in the setting of their choice. She also maintains Home Instead’s relationships within the healthcare community. Bridget received her BSSW from The Ohio State University and her MSW from Loyola University Chicago. After graduation, she received a fellowship with Senior Service America where she completed a program assessment of a local Senior Community Service Employment Program. Her recent experiences include coordinating services for adults with developmental disabilities and providing medical social services to seniors receiving home health services. Bridget is an active Visiting Volunteer for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly as well.

Emily Mysel

Kristen Pavle is an advocate for health justice, currently serving as the Associate Director of the Center for Long-Term Care Reform at Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Through strategic health policy analysis and consensus building among diverse stakeholders, Kristen successfully informs the development of a more accessible, affordable and high quality health care system. Kristen has a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

Jaimie Robinson  is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL and received her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. After working at the Alzheimer’s Association, National Office in Family Programs, Jaimie now works as the Resource Navigator at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center of Northwestern University. As the Resource Navigator, Jaimie works with patients and families living with a diagnosis of dementia in the Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic. Jaimie is a Manager of the Chicago Bridge blog and is a member of the board of directors for Chicago’s Society of Social Work Leadership in Health Care.

Scott Talans

Arlene Wanetick is currently studying gerontology at The Adler School of Professional Psychology. Arlene attended the University of Michigan for her undergraduated work. After a long, successful career in advertising, Arlene is dedicating her energies now to working with aging adults and their families.

The Mentorship Program Committee

Read more about the Mentorship Program

Lyndsey Anton began her career in the field of aging after receiving a MSW from Loyola University Chicago in 2011. She is currently pursuing her LSW and recently accepted a position as an Aging Resource Specialist/Bridge Care Coordiantor at Aging Care Connections in La Grange, IL.

Kristen Pavle is an advocate for health justice, currently serving as the Associate Director of the Center for Long-Term Care Reform at Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Through strategic health policy analysis and consensus building among diverse stakeholders, Kristen successfully informs the development of a more accessible, affordable and high quality health care system. Kristen has a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan.

Gayle Shier MSW, attended the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She has experience in non-profit management, grant writing, policy analysis, and research. Gayle is currently working at Rush University Medical Center’s Older Adult Programs. Gayle was the Student Outreach Director of the Chicago Bridge from 2009-2011. Currently Gayle is a co-coordinator of the Chicago Bridge Mentorship Program.

Emily Shubeck, MSW began her career in the field of aging after receiving a MSW from Loyola University in 2010. Since that time, she has garnered experience in both clinical and administrative roles. Emily currently holds the position of Specialist for the Early-Stage Initiatives Department at the Alzheimer’s Association. In this role, Emily oversees a team of early-stage advisors who act of spokespersons for the Association to raise awareness, promote advocacy and inform the development of the most appropriate products and services for individuals living in the early-stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

2009-2011 Chicago Bridge Core Leaders

 Alix Burns, Events Director
Alixandra Burns is a licensed social worker in Chicago, Illinois. Alix attended the University of Michigan with a specialization in working with older adults. She has experience in hospitals, long term care, and hospice as well as nonprofit management and research. She is currently working at Saint Anthony Hospital. Alix is also an Editor for the Chicago Bridge Blog. Alix was the Events Director for the Chicago Bridge from 2009-2011.

 Michael Kocher, Operations Director
Michael Kocher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL and  attended the Jane Addams College of Social Work. He has worked in a variety of settings including hospice, long term care, homeless services, and bereavement. After working at CJE SeniorLife, Lieberman Center, Michael now works as a Team Lead in the Contact Center of the Alzheimer’s Assocaition National Office.

Jaimie Robinson, Communications Director
is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, IL and received her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. After working at the Alzheimer’s Association, National Office in Family Programs, Jaimie now works as the Resource Navigator at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center of Northwestern University. As the Resource Navigator, Jaimie works with patients and families living with a diagnosis of dementia in the Neurobehavior and Memory Clinic. Jaimie is a Manager of the Chicago Bridge blog and is a member of the board of directors for Chicago’s Society of Social Work Leadership in Health Care.

Gayle Shier, Student Outreach Director
Gayle Shier, MSW, attended the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She has experience in non-profit management, grant writing, policy analysis, and research. Gayle is currently working at Rush University Medical Center’s Older Adult Programs.