Shay Jacobson

Founder, President, Expert Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree , Nursing Administration and Oncology, University of Iowa 

Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of Iowa

National Certified Guardian

Notary Public, Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Has worked at the University of Iowa Hospital, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center, Rush Home Infusion Therapy program, and various other hospital and home care agencies.

Member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Life Service Network, and several estate planning councils and business groups.

Prolific lecturer for local and national organizations including the National Association of Head and Neck Nurses, American Cancer Society, DuPage County Bar Association, Fox Valley Estate Planning, Chicago Bar Association Estate Planning, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Financial Planning Association for Illinois and many more. Over the past 10 years she has spoken on guardianship, elder abuse, animal assisted therapy, hoarding, decisional capacity, lifecare planning, preserving assets for the disabled, and negotiating with third party payers. Ms. Jacobson speaks to both professional groups and lay persons.

Ms. Jacobson has served as expert witness on complex personal injury cases and contested guardianships.

Has developed educational programs for clients and their families for dealing with the complexities of their illnesses, coping with the impact of their illness (for the American Cancer Society), animal assisted therapy, and courses for caregivers of the handicapped. Has been a co-producer of an educational program called “Not Just for Seniors”.

  

Lori Lomahan

Director of Lifecare, Expert Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Bachelor of Science Degree in Allied Health Professions, Northern Illinois University

  

Lauren Sherman

Director of Guardianship, Senior Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago  

Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago  

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Completed graduate school internships working with chronically mentally ill patients at Hines VA Hospital and at Renal Care Group on a dialysis unit. Co-authored two articles published int he American Journal of Mental Retardation.

Served as Social Work Supervisor at Our Lady of the Resurrection, and provided couples’ counseling at the Loyola University Medical Center Sexual Dysfunction Clinic.

Gained valuable experience and insight through case management with chronically mentally ill residents in a long-term facility, and became well-versed in medical social work.

Worked as a volunteer at InTouch Hotline, a crisis line, at the University of Illinois at Chicago

 

Martha Kern

Director of Lifecare Home Solutions

Bachelors of Arts Degree in English, University of Iowa

Notary Public, Illinois  

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Multiply-published writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune Magazine, Florida Magazine, and in two college anthologies. Ms. Kern published a collection of personal essays in 1998.

Twenty years experience in the business world, including twelve years concentrated in market research.

Prior employers include Cahners Publishing, Conway/Milliken and Strategic Research Corporation.

 

Jill Carter

Business Manager

Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration, North Central College

Notary Public, Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Areas of expertise include accounting, human resources, web page development, and IT management.

Has developed training programs for the company involved in orientation and continuing education of new software.

Assists in complicated client accounting’s and manages client checkbooks.

Helped develop LCI’s therapy dog program and is herself a certified handler of two dogs through Therapy Dog International.

 

Karen Leimberer

Home Care Manager, Senior Lifecare Manager 

Registered Nurse

Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, Northern Illinois University

Certificate of Gerontology, University of Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Professional post include Vice President of Nursing, Illinois Director of Community Care, and Regional Manager.

Accomplished in several health care categories, with special emphasis on assisted living, private duty, home care, telephone triage, gerontology, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and the American Society of Aging (Forum on Religion, Spirituality and Aging; Healthcare and Aging Network; and the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network).

 

Troy Kerber

Business Development

Bachelors of Science Degree in Healthcare Leadership, National Lewis University

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Business development background has built expertise in home infusion therapy, pharmaceutical compounding, home medical equipment services, home health nursing, and care management services.

Training at National Lewis University in marketing.communications and healthcare leadership.

Involved in community outreach and has served as a track/field coach for 20 years.

Member of several estate planning councils, chambers of commerce and professional networking groups.

 

Patricia Cline

Expert Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Graduate Certification on Gerontology, University of Illinois

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, DePaul university

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker in Wisconsin

National Certified Guardian

Notary Public, Illinois 

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Expertise attained through work in a wide range of health care settings, including hospital physical rehabilitation, intermediate care, long-term care, home care and psychiatric in-patient environments.

Comprehensive medical social work experience enhanced by training at the Johnson R> Bowman Center of Rush-Presbyterian Hospital, the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, and Marianjoy Hospitals and Clinics.

Specialties encompass individual and family assessments, resource procurement, government entitlements, interdisciplinary care coordination, family and peer education, court testimonies, and public speaking.

Member of the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, and the National Guardianship Association.

 

  

Laurine Tucker

Expert Lifecare Manager

Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology, Loyola University

Certificate in Gerontology, University of Illinois

Licensed Social Worker, Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Expertise encompasses adult and geriatric psychiatric care, discharge planning, medical social services, addictions therapy and group, individual and family therapies.

Twenty years experience and hospital-based medical, psychiatric and addiction treatment.

Ms. Tucker has worked with Illinois Department of Human Services and Child Protective Services for seven years.  

Member of the National Guardianship Association.

 

Jerry Guerrero

Senior Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of Minnesota

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Minnesota

Certificate in Gerontology, Illinois Geriatric Education Center

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Fifteen years experience providing comprehensive psychiatric and medical services.

Wide-ranging professional history includes in-home psychiatric services, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services for children, adolescents, adults, older adults and families.

Well versed in crisis intervention services, homeless adult services and care of chronic disease patients.

Prior employers include Traveler’s and Immigrant’s Aid, Metropolitan Family Services, COR Solutions, Inc., Wilson Care Inc., and Resurrection Pro Care Center.

 

Emily Cassidy

Lifecare Manager

Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Northeastern Illinois University

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Specialized training and experience in crisis intervention and management.

Served as a supervisor for a Residential Treatment Center for adolescents with severe behavioral disorders,

Extended training in Forensic Psychology through an international program in Prague, CZ and advanced education in Spanish through a summer program in Mexico.

Gained valuable insight and experience as a social services intern for the Aurora Police Department, collaborated with juvenile detectives to coordinate Youth Court, counseled community members through individual and family therapy and managed crisis situations.

 

Susan Garrison

Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

Licensed Social Worker in Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Garnered valuable experience in health care and discharge planning through and internship at Olympia Fields Osteopathic Hospital & Medical Center. 

Well-versed in nursing home admissions, regulations, and care planning.

Member of Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key National Honors Societies. 

Served as Director of Social Services at Colonial Manor Heathcare Center ad Chateau Village Nursing and Rehabilitative Center and provided social work assessment and referrals for home health care agency.

 

Erin McArdle

Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Professional and Community Counseling, Concordia University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, Illinois State University

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Knowledge base and work experience encompass HIV/AIDS, the homeless and mentally ill, substance abuse, assessment and coordination of care, addiction and recovery therapy and case management.

Well-versed in crisis intervention and day treatment work with the mentally ill.

A Seasoned and sensitive bereavement counselor with experience in both hospice and home care settings.

A specialist with Medicaid and assistance for those seeking state and federal entitlements.

 

  

Julie Peschang

Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Eastern Illinois University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, University of Illinois

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Experiences with multiple populations, including children, teens, and adults.

Trained in crisis intervention, problem-solving and risk assessment, and well versed in insurance and hospital related issues.

Clinical skilled with children experiencing abuse, neglect and other difficult family dynamics.

Facilitated activities for senior residents of McAuley Manor Nursing Home.

  

Roanne Rebenson

Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Aurora University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, University of Saint Francis

Notary Public, Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Certified in CPR/AED by American Heart Association. 

Extensive work in the community, including service with Meal on Wheels, Kendall County Health and Human Services, Trailway Girl Scout Service, Chicago Blaze Rugby Club and Big Brother/Big Sister program.

Member of Phi Alpha Honor Society.

 

Holly Zaborowski

Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Loyola University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, Southern Illinois University

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois

Illinois State Board of Education Type 73 Certification for School Social Work

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Broad spectrum experience in health care field including direct case management and discharge planning services in the hospital setting. 

Specialized background in anticipating and coordinating the home needs of the elderly and medically complex person as they transition home from a health care setting.

Prior employers include Catholic Charities, Lutheran Family Services, Methodist Youth Services, Hephzibah Children’s Association, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and Adventist Hospital.

Recipient of the Aurora University School of Social Work “Field Instructor of the Year” award in 2008.

 

Nicole Barry

Assistant Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development & Family Studies, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Acquired extensive knowledge implementing therapeutic interventions in individual and group treatment through graduate degree internship as a mental health therapist.

Experience and education providing services including therapy, education, referral services, stress management, and symptom maintenance to incarcerated individuals.

In-depth understanding of sibling issues with a concentration of children.

Member of the National Association of Social Work.

 

Marcela Eckles

Assistant Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Presov University, Slovakia

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Served as Resident Psychologist at Children’s Home in Zitavce, Slovakia.

Fluent in English, Slovak, Czech, German and Polish, and has passive understanding of Russian and other Slavik languages.

In-depth understanding of sibling issues with a concentration of children.

Counseled underachieving adolescents and their families at Carlbrook School in Virginia.

Experienced with individual and group therapeutic interventions and crisis intervention.

  

Tracey Olson

Assistant Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois as Chicago

Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Drake University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Iowa State University

Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, Iowa State University

Licensed Social Worker in Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Facilitated two on-going support groups for caregivers and older adults with memory loss.

Previously worked for an homeless prevention program and advocated for adults applying for LINK and LIHEAP programs, assessed appropriate resources and benefits needed by older adults and families.

Held an eighteen year career in marketing with experience in managing and hiring people, creating marketing plans, developing programs, planning events, creating budgets, and operating a successful business.

 

Patricia Ray

Assistant Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Wok, Boston College

Bachelor Degree of Liberal Arts, Major in Social Work, Concordia University

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Broad spectrum expertise with specialty populations including children with special needs, adults with addictions, and elderly with special needs.

An experienced facilitator of individual and group therapy sessions for children with special needs and their families.

Member of Aloha Kappa Delta Honors Society.

 

Amy Switak

Assistant Lifecare Manager

 Master’s Degree in Social Work, Governors State University

Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Governors State University

Licensed Social Worker in Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Experienced gained in children’s issues through counseling of children and adolescents.

In-depth understanding of dementia and other issues afflicting the geriatric population.

Founding member of Governors State National Honors Society for Social Work students.

 

Jennifer Wilkey

Assistant Lifecare Manager

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Aurora University

Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Eastern Illinois University

Licensed Social Worker in Illinois

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Initial career concentration working with chronically mentally ill clients in a outpatient/day treatment setting.

Extended studies in psychology through an international program in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Acquired extensive knowledge of mental illness and issues confronting the elderly by completing graduate school internships working with chronically mentally ill patients at Silver Cross Hospital.

 

Vicky Feyen

Lifecare Associate

Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration, Aurora University

Career Highlights and Achievements:

Skilled in interacting with clients and providing appropriate support in their lives.

Five years experience as a substitute teacher, and ongoing involvement in community organizations.  

Member of the Shalom Board, assisting children with special needs.