 Jackie & Michael Melinger, Owners Owners Jackie & Michael Melinger both graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign. Their experience includes health care management, human resources, customer service, and quality control. Jackie served as an Illinois Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, holds a Master's Degree in Human Resources from Chicago's Loyola University, and oversees staffing and bookkeeping. Michael oversees client services, and overall administration of the company. Michael is a member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors™, is currently serving a 3 year appointment on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Home Health Advisory Board, spent 7 years on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Chapter of the National Private Duty Association, and serves on the Skokie Health Department's IPLAN Committee. Jackie & Michael became franchise owners in 2001 with Home Instead Senior Care, have 3 children and live in the North Shore. Jackie & Michael also volunteer regularly in various community causes and activities, including nursing home pet therapy, Alzheimer’s support group facilitation, Parent Teacher Association, Youth Athletic Coaching, and the North Shore Senior Center Escorted Transportation Service.   Gina Sheffer, Director of Client Services Gina Sheffer joined Home Instead Senior Care in 2004, and serves as the Director of Client Services. Providing support and communication, and helping families figure out solutions to tough issues are what she does best. Gina has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, and a Master's Degree in Human Services Administration from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Biju Krishnan Biju Krishnan joined Home Instead Senior Care's office team in June 2007. Originally from Calicut, India, Biju has a Master's Degree in Social Work from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. Biju spends most of his time at Home Instead recruiting and screening potential CAREGivers, and administering Home Instead's award winning training programs to the company's CAREGivers. Biju also frequently serves as After Hours Service Manager for Home Instead.  Barbara Belsky, R.N. Barbara Belsky, RN has 25 years of experience in nursing, geriatrics and rehabilitation. Barbara has worked as a Director of Nursing for skilled nursing facilities as well as in home health nursing, and geriatric care management settings. Her duties include training Home Instead's CAREGivers in the proper techniques of personal care and body mechanics, and performing in-home evaluations & quality control visits. Barbara's expertise enhances Home Instead's ability to design and monitor plans of care for complex cases, and to provide technical support to our homecare workers in the field.  Kristina Turk Kristina Turk joined Home Instead Senior Care as a Community Service Representative for the North Side of Chicago in July 2008. Kristina has a BS in Psychology from Illinois State University, and a M.S. in Gerontology from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Kristina's role includes visiting client's as well as maintaining Home Instead's relationships with the healthcare community. Katherine Lee Katherine joined Home Instead Senior Care in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant. Katherine holds a BA in Elementary Education from National-Louis University and was a Chicago Public Schools teacher for six years. She is very happy to be a part of the Home Instead team. Sarah Stortz Sarah Stortz joined Home Instead Senior Care’s team in May 2010. As the Recruiting Manager Sarah spends most of her time at Home Instead recruiting and screening potential CAREGivers. Sarah has a Marketing Degree and has obtained the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification after earning Villanova’s Master Certificate in Human Resources. Brittany Shaler Brittany Shaler joined Home Instead Senior Care in November of 2010. Brittany attended the University of Toledo, and holds a degree in Social Work. She has several years experience working in long term care, and the pharmaceutical industry. Brittany is Home Instead's Community Service Representative for the Northwest Side of Chicago and the North West Suburbs. Ritika Sahni Ritika Sahni joined Home Instead Senior Care in January of 2011. Her background and experience include crisis intervention, career counselling, and healthcare management. She is currently pursuing her MBA. Ritika manages staffing and scheduling for Home Instead. Tessa Silvestri Tessa Silvestri joined the Home Instead Senior Care team in Skokie/Chicago as a Community Service Representative in April 2011. Tessa has a BS in Psychology from Illinois State University with a minor in Gerontology, and recently completed her certificate in Marketing. She has worked in healthcare/long term care for over 6 years. Her previous employers include The Presbyterian Home in Evanston IL & Brookdale Senior Living in Vernon Hills IL. Tessa covers Skokie, Morton Grove, Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Lincolnwood for Home Instead Senior Care. | 