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meet our staff
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Steven became administrator at St. Matthew in December, 2009. His experience includes 10 years in non-profits, working primarily with adults with developmental disabilities in various residential settings. Steven graduated from the University of Wisconsin Parkside with a degree in Psychology, and enjoys spending all of his free time with his wife and his 2- and 4-year-old daughters.
Kelly Fitzgerald is St. Matthew’s Assistant Administrator since 2007. She joined St. Matt’s team in September of 2003, to oversee the recreational services department. Kelly is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and is greatly appreciated at St. Matthew for her clear focus on our residents and their families. She studied at Grand Valley State University and is an active member of the American Recreational Therapists Association.
Gina Watford became Director of Admissions in May 2009. She is in touch with discharge planners from area hospitals almost daily and is always happy to give tours when someone comes in looking for placement for a loved one. After working in several other industries, including banking, Gina Watford made a career change and joined the St. Matthew staff in 2003. Gina is often the first point of contact for families and residents and enjoys getting to know them. She strives to maintain the excellent customer service St. Matthew is known for, and helps out wherever she is needed. Gina was born in Chicago, but as part of an army family spent her childhood living in New York, Hawaii, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Germany. She and her husband live in Park Ridge. When she is away from work she especially enjoys cooking and playing with her twin grandchildren, Hailee and Dominic.
Pastor Eileen came to St. Matthew in February of 2000. Pastor Harris leads worship services in the chapel and on skilled nursing units two times per week and for special holidays and feast days. Eileen does an excellent job of ensuring that people of all faiths feel welcome and participate in her non-denominational services. Offering grief counseling, room blessings and a variety of other counseling services are part of Pastor’s role at St. Matthew. Pastor Harris has a good rapport with other clergy in the area and will contact them to come in upon resident or family request. Pastor Harris also coordinates the resident choir and conducts bible study groups.
Karen became St. Matthew’s Director of Nursing in January, 2009. She joined our staff as nurse liaison in 2007, and brings 24 years of nursing experience to her position. She has worked in hospitals, in a school with medically fragile children, and with seniors in long term care. She received an associate degree in nursing from William Rainer Harper College and a BS in health care leadership from National-Louis University. While growing up, Karen observed her mother being the primary caretaker for her grandmother and great-grandmother. “My mother gave me the gift of appreciating our geriatric population and the desire to care for them. I have such tender memories of living with them and later spending my Saturdays at the nursing home visiting them. No wonder I feel at home here at St. Matthew!”
Dr. Lawlor became the Medical Director at St. Matthew in August of 2004. Dr. Lawlor is part of the Advocate Medical Group, a primary care and multi-specialty group. Dr. Lawlor is a graduate of the Louisiana State University Medical School and specializes in geriatrics. She focuses on quality improvement and process improvement in medical care and has found that being Medical Director enables her to have input into the care of many.
Dr. Sun sees patients at St. Matthew Center for Health who are receiving therapy services, working with patients and their doctors to achieve optimum outcomes. She grew up in Detroit and studied medicine at Wayne State School of Medicine. Her residency was done at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. In addition to her physical medicine and rehabilitation work at Lutheran General Hospital, Dr. Sun works at an out-patient clinic with people with cerebral palsey. She is married and has two sons.
Dr. Oommen joined our medical team in 2009, and his role includes continuing education for our nursing staff and expanding community outreach. He is at St. Matthew each week to do rounds and provide continuity of care to patients at Lutheran General Hospital and Northwest Community Hospital.
During her teen years, Megan spent summers on her grandparents' farm, and was fascinated hearing about their interesting and surprising experiences. Megan says that it was in college she realized she wanted a career working with seniors. "I can't imagine doing anything else!" Her goal is to help the residents at St. Matthew live life as normally as possible, feel comfortable living here, and know that our staff will help in any way we can. She especially enjoys one-on-one time with residents. "Just like when I helped my grandparents - I love hearing their stories and experiences." Megan has worked in both admissions and social services at St. Matthew. A Licensed Social Worker, Megan received her M.S.W. with a health care concentration at Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois - Chicago, and her B.A. in human services with a concentration in gerontology from Kendall College.
Melissa earned a B.A. in English and Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University, and later a 2-year certification in Baking and Pastry from Kendall College. Before coming to St. Matthew she baked and decorated cakes and pastries and managed a Chicago bakery. But when Melissa volunteered with the senior group at her church she found that she preferred working with seniors to working with sweets, so her career took a new direction. She spent five years at St. Matthew as a recreation services assistant and supervisor before becoming Director of Recreation Services and Volunteers in 2008. Melissa says, "My mother recently reminded me that as a young child I spent much time with my grandmother, who had very poor vision. On our weekly trips to the grocery store I spent a lot of time reading food labels to her. I think my years with all of my grandparents taught me that spending time with seniors should be a natural part of our everyday lives." Melissa lives in Villa Park with her husband and son.
Christine became Foodservice Director at St. Matthew in July, 2009, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. During her years of service she has worked as a department director as well as a director of catering. She has worked with the Chicago Public Schools, Southern Illinois University, Midwestern University, Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital and St. Margaret Mercy foodservice programs. She is always willing to work with residents and their families on meal choices, and her main concern is making sure that each resident receives and eats a nutritious well-balanced meal. When Christine is not at work she loves to spend time with her husband camping and fishing.
Patrick worked in contracting and building services in Indiana and Missouri before coming to St. Matthew Center for Health. He has worked in a variety of residential settings, including senior living communities. Patrick says “I like doing this kind of work because I enjoy the problem-solving aspects, and the variety of issues that come up. I also like the fact that, here, my efforts mean helping people, not just helping someone’s bottom line.” He also enjoys golf, fishing, skiing, and woodworking. Patrick and his wife, Joan, live in Rogers Park with their cat, Reggie.
Daisy joined the St. Matthew staff in February, 2004. She loves the residents and is happy spending time around the building greeting people. She has no degrees but receives ongoing education at Alex Brooks Midwest Canine Behavioral & Socialization Center. She is working toward her “Canine Good Citizen” and “Therapy Dog Training” certifications.