Our Staff at BrightStar Care® Chicago

Lenora Alabi graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Millikin University in Decatur, IL with an emphasis in Pharmacy and Business. Prior to joining the BrightStar Care team, Lenora taught pharmacy related courses as the Lead Instructor for the Pharmacy Technician Program at Everest College for six years, helping to prepare students for careers in pharmacy. She was also the Program Manager for the Massage Therapy Program at Everest. Lenora joined the BrightStar Care Family in 2015 as a Client Care Manager where she exceled and made a significant impact on customers and staff through her passion in delivering a higher standard of care. 

Lenora became Branch Manager in 2016, then Director of Operations in 2021, and continues to exhibit that same passion by ensuring that the highest quality care is provided to all clients and families. She also works diligently to ensure that the BrightStar Care core values are a meaningful part of every activity. “The standards are impeccable, and BrightStar Care is a company that works endlessly to ensure that customers are receiving the best care possible.”

Linda has been with BrightStar Care of Chicago and BrightStar Care of La Grange since 2013. She brought her prior experience in healthcare, senior living and elder resources which has made her an asset to our home care agency. Her background includes a lengthy tenure in health care as well as a strong business background. While her primary focus has been management, training and marketing,

Linda has taken on and succeeded at roles in Sales, Human Resources, and Project Management. Every position she’s had has allowed her to fulfil her passion to service others from children to seniors, which gives her joy each day.

Her experience has led her to being the 2022-2025 President after being on the board of the Chicago Chapter of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) for multiple terms and serving on many committees for Aging Care Connections and local Health and Wellness groups. Linda’s pathway to BrightStar began as a medical assistant for a doctor and hospital and being the caregiver for her mother and grandmother. Her personal experience has given her perspective into the growing need for high quality care in our society, from pediatrics to senior citizens. And she takes great pride in the Gold Seal of the Joint Commission Accreditation earned by BrightStar. It confirms her decision to make this company her employer of choice.

Linda has also owned Shetland Sheepdogs aka Shelties most of her life. For many years, she has been involved in activities with Shelties that have guided her to earn championship and performance titles on many of her own dogs and help others do the same.

Linda’s favorite quote, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Zigler

Linda is also an active member of the following associations that focus on healthcare and case management:
CMSA- Case Management Society of America- Chicago Chapter (President December 2022- August 2025, President-Elect 2022, board member 2015-2022)
ACMA – American Case Management Association
SCSCC- Senior Citizens' Services Coordinating Council (Oak Park/River Forest),
SSWLH- Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare, LaGrange Business Association,
Illinios Continuity of Care- Alpha, Chicago Chapters

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Experienced Registered Nurse with a passion for providing compassionate and high-quality patient care.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A NURSE-I have been a nurse for 11 years. I received my ADN Degree from Richard J. Daley College in 2012 and later pursued my BSN Degree at Capella University graduating with honors. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: With over 11 years of experience in the nursing field, I have worked in a variety of healthcare settings. I began my career in Home Health, where I gained valuable experience which involved a wide range of technical and supportive care for patients after discharge from the hospital, with the goal of preventing unnecessary hospital admissions. I later transitioned to worker’s comp nursing, Managed Care Organizations and specialized in patient centered care coordination which is a key tool in improving patient health and satisfaction and controlling healthcare costs. As a care coordinator my exceptional leadership and clinical skills were recognized which led to a promotion and I became the Manager of the Care Coordination Department. As a Manager of Care Coordination, I managed the day-to-day operations of the Medicaid care coordination department which consisted of Registered Nurses, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Licensed Professional Counselors. Additionally, to leading the department I managed the care coordination program activities for various chronic illnesses and specialties including the HIV care coordination program, Special Needs Kids care coordination program and assisted with the coordination of referrals with the Illinois Department of Aging and IDHS Rehabilitation services waivers. The accomplishments achieved in this department was the passing of NCQA High-Risk Case Management Audit and achieved NCQA Healthcare Accreditation for 3 years. As the Manager of Care Coordination, I was the lead clinical preceptor for our department for the Loyola Nursing School BSN Program. 

I PROVIDE A HIGHER STANDARD OF CARE FOR CLIENTS BY: Being quality focused, self-motivated, enthusiastic, strong management/leadership skills with a demonstrated ability in providing patient care as per the individual needs, overseeing patient care at health care clinics, home health companies and managed care organizations. Consulting with clients and guiding them to the correct health professional, contacting insurance companies and determining the exact plan coverage amount and service, and streamlining business operations. I am a detail-oriented professional with a highly professional attitude, advanced problem-solving skills, demonstrator of strong leadership, relationship-building skills, and the ability to perform well in a team. I’m looking forward to the   opportunity with Brightstar organization where my skills will be fully utilized and making our clinical care team the best in the nation.

Wendy joined BrightStar Care of Chicago and La Grange to be our Nurse Educator and fullfill her goal of helping others in their quest to sharpen their skills in healthcare. Wendy will be doing new employee orientation and competency as well as on-going education of our # HHA, #C.N.A. AND #NURSE (#RN & #LPN) field staff.

Wendy brings her experience as a Registered Nurse- RN, CCM- Certified Case Manager her Accredited Case Manager designation in 2000
and her certificate as a Gerontological Nurse to our team. She has worked in private duty home care utilizing her skills to advise patients and their families on the best resources to remain in their home as well as when she was working at UI- University of Illinois-Chicago hospital for 21 years. 

Wendy is also an active member of the following associations that focus on healthcare and case management:
CMSA- Chicago and National (Case Management Society of America)- Wendy has been on the board as well as the Public Policy, Conference and Education committees.
ACMA-Illinois (American Case Management Association)
Continuity of Care- COC Alpha Chapter