Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Central DuPage-Wheaton

Prior to arriving at BrightStar in 2013 , I served in multiple management roles both in the hospital and home setting over my 33 years in Nursing. I have previously served as our Director of Compliance, responsible for departmental analysis related to productivity, staff process improvement and client satisfaction resulting in improved patient outcomes.  This required a restructuring of all internal processes and direct involvement in process improvement initiatives to increase Home Health Compare, Staff and Customer Satisfaction Scores.  I then moved into the role of Director of Nursing and Compliance bringing my extensive regulatory knowledge and compliance with process improvement to take positive patient outcomes to the next level of clinical care from BrightStar to home and/or facility.  As of August 2022 I am a proud co-owner of our Wheaton franchise. I am most passionate about family-centered care, Dementia care and the concept of ‘aging in place’ and I love the fact that I am able to make a significant difference in the lives of clients by helping them stay safe and healthy wherever they reside.
 

My personal experience of caring for my father with Dementia and my special son with Autism inspired me to consider a transition from a successful 20+ year high-tech/telecommunications career to join BrightStar Care in mid-2009.

My mission was to expand our impact and brand leadership in the DuPage County communities has resulted in a positive experience for our elderly, children and special-needs ‘Anytime, Anywhere’.  Given my extensive product management/marketing, International Business and management experience, along with a Northwestern Kellogg MBA education, has proven to be wonderful asset in establishing our reputation as a quality and responsive provider-of-care within the DuPage County.  

Carolyn comes to us from Maryland where she spent the last 5 years being close to her father and working in other fields. She is originally from the Geneva/St. Charles, IL area and raised 5 children here.

Having worked for 3 previous homecare agencies, she brings a wide range of experience in all areas of the homecare business. Carolyn is the Administrative Assistant for BrightStar Care and is learning the best practices for smooth sailing in the office.

When she is not working at BrightStar Care, Carolyn loves to bake and decorate cakes and cookies, read ebooks and sew costumes.

Graduated from Miami University (OH) with a BS in Biology in 2004.  After college I started my own Senior care business in 2005 and sold the company in 2007 to join a Medicare certified Home Health company. Years later I began working in sales and management and eventually worked my way back to the senior care market as COO for a local home care company in Glen Ellyn. Today, I bring my experience and knowledge to BrightStar Care of Central DuPage-Wheaton taking care of our day-to-day operations, where I have the privilege to oversee the impact we have within our local community.

With over five years of experience in Human Resources within the healthcare sector, I transitioned into this field following a deeply personal journey of caring for my brother with Autism. That experience profoundly shaped my perspective and inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, particularly within the healthcare community.

As a Credentialing Specialist, I leverage my background in HR and process management to ensure that healthcare professionals meet all regulatory and compliance standards while maintaining the highest quality of care. I am committed to building efficient, reliable systems that support compliance, strengthen trust between providers and patients, and contribute to a safe and positive healthcare environment.

My passion lies in supporting healthcare teams behind the scenes, knowing that strong compliance and credentialing processes ultimately lead to better care outcomes and an improved experience for the communities we serve.

I graduated from Elgin Community College with a degree in business, but my true passion has always been helping people. Over the years, I’ve worked as a caregiver for older adults, a Direct Support Provider for individuals with disabilities, and an early childhood educator—each role shaping my commitment to making a difference.

Now, as an Inside Sales & Marketing Assistant at BrightStar Care of Wheaton, I’m proud to support families in finding the right care for their loved ones and continuing to do work that truly matters to me.

My path into nursing began long before I ever put on scrubs. I first found myself caring for sick family members, and those early experiences showed me how meaningful it is to support someone through their most vulnerable moments. Seventeen years later, that same sense of purpose still guides me.

Over the years, I’ve worked in hospice, acute rehab, and the cardiac ICU — each setting teaching me something different about presence, resilience, and the human side of healthcare. My most recent experience was in the emergency room, where I learned to stay calm, think clearly, and act quickly in high pressure situations. Moving between these very different environments taught me how to bridge two extremes: the deep, quiet support of hospice and the fast paced urgency of the ER.

Today, as a Nurse Case Manager at BrightStar, I draw on that full spectrum of experience to guide patients and families through complex care with clarity, compassion, and steadiness. Outside of work, I volunteer as the nurse for all three of my sons’ football teams, supporting young athletes and staying connected to the community that means so much to me.

To be welcomed into the places our clients call home, into situations that are often vulnerable and difficult, is a special honor. My adoption into the BrightStar Care family began in 2014; I have served in a variety of roles at our Central DuPage-Wheaton office over the years: Nurse Case Manager, Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Assistant as boots on the ground field staff. I have flourished in this nurturing environment where respecting the needs of others and enriching the lives of each person we come into contact with is the core focus of our entire team. I have also worked as an inpatient nurse at Northwestern Hospital, Skilled Nursing facilities, Assisted Living homes and as a school nurse. These experiences have enriched who I am with a tremendous amount of knowledge and empathy, so that I may support our clients, their families and my coworkers in broader capacities. I deeply enjoy continuously improving my understanding of what the highest quality of care truly is, and that happens here. BrightStar Care is the passionate place I, and countless clients, consider home.

I began working with BrightStar Care in 2017. Bright Star has opened my nursing experience to all ages, and a variety of settings including home care, school nursing, facility staffing, and finally management. My prior experience was in Dementia and Long-Term Care. I started my nursing journey off young when I obtained my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) during my final year of high school in 2008. The decision to pursue nursing came after my grandmother's passing. I lived with her and spent months at home with her on hospice. I began working in long term care in 2009 and continued to work as a CNA until switching roles to caregiver and home care in 2011. I obtained my associate's degree in nursing in 2015 through Morton College. I continued my first nursing job in long-term care and rehab until switching to Bright Star in 2017. I also completed my bachelor's degree in 2017 at Benedictine University. I currently work as part time Nurse Manager at Bright Star Care of Wheaton, primarily on weekends as my full-time position is working with special needs students. My favorite part of my job continues to be understanding my clients and being able to anticipate needs. Home Care offers a unique position to get to know a person on an intimate level. Knowing a person is what is key to helping them achieve the best quality of life possible. I believe that is what we do here and that is why I am happy to be a part of the BrightStar Care Central DuPage-Wheaton Team.

Graduated from Western Governor’s University with my bachelor’s in science of nursing in 2018 with a passion to serve and make a difference in people’s lives. Having 5 years of experience in the hospital, nursing home and home health gave me confidence to transfer my skills to the home care setting. I am blessed to be part of the amazing Brightstar team in 2020 as a field staff working one on one with school age children who need medical care while attending school. This experience further strengthened my communication and relational skills with not only my client but with each person who are part of their lives. Although I am no longer working full time in the field, I am grateful to switch my position as a Nurse Case Manager starting this year of 2024 where I get to connect with clients and caregivers in the field. This position enables me to evaluate how our company can work together to provide excellent care for our clients and make our field staff feel supported.

I initially joined BrightStar Care in 2010 as a field staff employee. The work I did in client’s homes and assisting within a multitude of facilities filled my desire to make a positive difference in every person I could reach. My years of experience in homecare, facility, and clerical work within the healthcare industry inspired me to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Management. I am blessed to return to this organization in an administrative role to improve the quality of life for my patients and uphold a high-quality standard for my employees. BrightStar Care has continued to allow me the opportunity to impact the lives of families in our community for the better and I look forward continuing to serve with the best of my ability.

Prior to joining the amazing team at Brightstar, I spent 22 years in primary care medicine with specialization in triage, case management, and care coordination for geriatric and high-risk patient populations as a registered medical assistant in private practice. I am excited to employ my years of clinical experience to develop long-term, caring, and supportive relationships with our clients to promote wellness within the community. I am proud to represent the mission of Brightstar and its commitment to personalized high-quality care. In my free time, I enjoy reading, camping, hiking, and spending time with my two teenage children.