|
|
|
President and
Founder: Mary Kay
Ballasiotes Mary Kay Ballasiotes
started the PACHS support group, now known as CSHC of IL, in April 2002
in hopes of meeting other families in similar situations and to share
resources. The group has
evolved from that point into a valuable resource for families, medical
professionals and researchers. Mary
Kay served on the Illinois State Advisory Council for the
Education of Children with Disabilities from March 2004 to December
2006.
She is also a member of the steering committee for Stroke
Survivors Empowering Each Other, an American Heart Association, Chicago
based advocacy group. Ballasiotes
holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of
Washington in Seattle, Washington. Vice
President: Nicole (Nikki)
O’Dell Nikki
O’Dell has been an active member of CSHC of IL since 2002.
She and her family live in central Illinois, but still participate in person as
much as they can. Nikki is
a former paramedic and firefighter.
She has a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology from University of
Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in
Community Health Education. Nikki’s
background and experience in public health research and grant writing
will
be a valuable asset to our organization. Secretary:
Cindy Bacys Cindy Bacys and her husband Eric were one
of the founding families of CSHS of IL when it started in April 2002.
Both Cindy and Eric have been actively involved in creating
awareness of pediatric stroke. Most recently, Eric ran in the American Stroke
Association’s Train To End Stroke, to raise funds and awareness
for pediatric stroke. Cindy
is a part-time legal secretary with a Chicago law firm. Treasurer:
Mary Jo Taira (Officer, not a Board member) The Taira family
resides in the near west suburbs of Chicago, and has been actively
involved in CSHC of IL since 2002.
From the time of the stroke diagnosis of her son at the age of 1,
and the later related seizure disorder that developed at age 9, Mary Jo
has been his constant advocate for proper care and control of his needs.
In addition, the Taira’s younger daughter also developed an
unrelated seizure disorder and thus Mary Jo is very familiar with all
the issues involved in proper seizure management – school issues and
medication management in particular.
Prior to her current role as a mother of 3 children, Mary Jo was
a Certified Financial Planner with Ernst and Young LLP.
She graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from the University of
Illinois and simultaneously achieved her CPA certificate. Director of
Development: Michelle Dirks Michelle and her family
reside in the near west suburbs of Chicago, and have been a part of CSHC
since its inception as PACHS in 2002.
She has served as a Parent Liaison with IL Early Intervention
Services while her daughter was enrolled in the program.
She is currently the Sales Manager for the Oak Park Area
Convention and Visitor Bureau. Dirks
holds a B.A. in Communications from Loyola University of Chicago and has
professional experience in broadcast promotion, event planning,
marketing and public relations. Gina Detmer,
M.D. Dr.
Gina Detmer is a board-certified general pediatrician who works
part-time at Lawndale Christian Health Center in Chicago. She and her
husband have worked at the clinic since 1999. She graduated from Yale
University and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of
Medicine with honors. She completed pediatric residency training at
Children's Hospital of Cincinnati.
The Detmers have benefited from CSHC of IL since its earliest days and
continue to be encouraged by the professionals and families who are
involved. Together with their three children, they are grateful for the
opportunity to help others whose lives have been affected by stroke or
hemiplegia. Rosemary Kryk Rosemary Kryk has been
involved with CSHC of IL since its inception as PACHS in 2002.
She takes inspiration from her daughter
— a brave, determined stroke survivor.
Because it took more than a year to get her daughter diagnosed,
Rosemary joined the board to help educate parents and the medical
community for earlier diagnosis in others. She also volunteers with a variety of local charities,
including the food pantry and family services, while concentrating on
achieving special education reforms.
Kryk graduated from the University of Wisconsin –Madison with
degrees in Marketing and Administrative Management and holds an MBA from
Northern Illinois University. She
has broad sales and marketing experience with a Fortune 100 company. Amy Kurtz,
MOTR/L Amy Kurtz is a
practicing occupational therapist in the Chicago area. She studied
occupational therapy at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri
where she obtained her masters degree. She has since focused her
practice and expertise in the field of pediatrics. Her treatment
methods encompass the functional abilities and success of children as
well as the specialized area of sensory processing. Ms. Kurtz has also
completed the publication of Occupational Therapy Quick Reference Guide:
For the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injured Patients © in 2005 and is
currently working on a pediatric occupational therapy guide and
co-authoring a book on Asperger Syndrome. For more information,
access her website at www.helpinghandstherapy.net
|
|
Copyright © 2006
Childhood Stroke and Hemiplegia Connections of Illinois.
All Rights Reserved.
|
