Download - Ahs alumni board candidate bios statements instructions[3]

2015

AHS ALUMNI BOARD

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

AHS ALUMNI BOARD OFFICERS Position responsibilities

President

provides leadership and is responsible for the AHS Alumni Board activities and projects

presides at AHS Alumni Board meetings

sets the agenda for AHS Alumni Board meetings

appoints ad hoc committees to carry out the duties of the AHS Alumni Board with consent of the

officers

Vice President

acts as presiding officer in the absence of the President

assists the other officers in carrying out their duties

performs duties that the board may designate

Treasurer

oversees the financial affairs of the AHS Alumni Board in compliance with UIAA guidelines

monitors the financial status of the AHS Alumni Board, and periodically reports to the board on the

financial status of the group

works with board sub-committee on fundraising initiatives


Secretary

sends notices of events and board meetings to all interested parties

keeps and distributes minutes of all meetings

notifies the UIAA of all AHS Alumni Board meetings and activities

maintains list of contact information for all board members and members at-large


2015 AHS Alumni Board Candidate Bio & Statement

Atika Afreen Candidate statement for roles of Vice President or Secretary of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC

It is an honor to have been nominated for the positions of President, Vice President, and Secretary. However, I decline my nomination for President as I do not feel I am prepared to handle such a responsibility. This is why I feel that I would be better suited for the position of Vice President. I think this position is the perfect fit for me as it would allow me to gain experience working with the President while also allowing me to demonstrate my leadership skills. In addition to Vice President, I feel that I am also a great fit for the position of Secretary. Both of these positions require organization, attention to details, and excellent attendance. These are all skills and attributes that I possess. Most importantly, I believe that it is my drive and passion for this college that are my greatest assets. It would be one of my greatest honors to be able to serve for our college as an officer.

Bio

A June 2013 graduate of the college, Afreen was elected president of her class as a junior and senior and also

served as president on the AHS Student Council where she represented the Health Information Management

program. In addition, she represented the college on the Health Professions Students Council and was an

active Fellow of the Urban Allied Health Academy. Garnering the UIC Chancellor's Student Service Award for

two years, Afreen was also awarded the HIM Achievement Award upon graduation, an honor granted to one

student from each program for overall outstanding academic performance and contributions to his or her

field. After being employed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, Afreen recently returned

to the area, to continue her professional career.

Afreen is passionate about all aspects of healthcare. Her purpose for serving on the board is to give back to the

college with gratitude for the support she received while she was a student herself at UIC.


Eric Meredith Candidate statement for role of Treasurer of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC

I am excited to accept the nomination to run for Treasurer. I have been a member of the College of Applied Health Science's (AHS) Alumni Board for fifteen months and have been impressed with the numerous accomplishments of our dedicated leadership. I am particularly motivated to work on supporting our efforts for continued funding of innovative events and programs. The opportunity to be more involved in the AHS Alumni Board by serving as Treasurer would be an honor. Bio

After proudly serving in the U.S. Navy as a Russian Linguist, Eric returned home and obtained a Bachelor of

Information Systems from UIC. He worked in technology and sales for most of his career at Fortune 100

companies such as McDonald's Corporation, IBM, and ARAMARK. In 2007, Eric followed his passion to become

a chef and started a healthy meal delivery service that addressed Chicago’s food deserts. After three years of

serving hundreds of Chicagoans, he decided to close his business and enrolled in UIC's Nutrition program to

hone his skills in food and nutrition. Eric completed UIC's Master of Nutrition program in 2012 and became a

Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer. With over seven years of health education experience, Eric

is currently leveraging his talents to lead a team of Dietitians at UIC’s Chicago Partnership for Health

Promotion who address childhood obesity among underserved populations.


Gideon Ramirez

Candidate statement for role of Vice-President of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC

During the past two years, I have actively participated and involved in the annual AHS Alumni Weekend activities. During my first year as board member, I volunteered to the committee for the 2013 AHS Alumni Awards & Gala Night. I’ve met and established strong connections with other alumni board and the AHS alumni relations office staff. For the 2014 AHS Alumni Weekend activities, I volunteered to be the chairman of the AHS Alumni Weekend Awards & Gala Night. With the unselfish support of the team members and the AHS alumni office director, the event was very successful. I’ve developed my skills in planning alumni events and have widened my alumni network. It is my pleasure to be a part of AHS alumni board and now I am prepared and have the experience to accept a bigger role.

I am immensely grateful to be nominated as Vice president and eager to serve if elected. I am deeply committed to the college and the university in general. As the college moves forward and overcomes the challenges presented by budget shortfalls and shrinking resources, we must always remember those qualities and characteristics that make us strong, including the diversity of AHS programs. It would be an honor to represent this diverse constituency as Vice president of the AHS Alumni Board. My passion for stronger alumni connections will hopefully influence other graduates in giving back to the college.

Bio

Gideon is a graduate of UIC’s College of Applied Health Sciences Health Information Management program. As a highly engaged student leader, Gideon held the position of class treasurer, volunteered to numerous committees in the college and was always available for transfer student orientation sessions at the college. In 2009, he represented his class to the American Health Information Management Association national conference in Texas. He was the recipient of Achievement Award, an award given to one graduate per degree program in 2010. He was the first in his class to pass the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam shortly before graduation. In 2013, Gideon completed his Master of Business Administration at Texas A & M University. He serves on the AHS alumni board with the interest of supporting various collegiate activities that promote the integrity of the academic programs of the college. He also volunteered on the steering committee that worked tirelessly for the success of the 2013 and 2014 AHS Alumni Weekend. He is currently involved in promoting healthcare compliance programs at a local teaching hospital and an adjunct instructor at UIC and City Colleges of Chicago HIM programs.


Joanne Bradna Candidate statement for roles of Vice-President or Treasurer of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC I am honored to be asked to run for office for the AHS Alumni Board. I believe one of the attributes I can bring to a leadership position on the board, is the history I have with AHS. Since 1981 I have actively participated in many alumni activities and have helped to navigate our alumni board through many of the changes and challenges we have faced. Having this historical perspective is very helpful in moving an organization forward. In addition my involvement in the CAAB helps bring a University perspective and institutional knowledge to the AHS board. My experience of running a business brings another set of skills to the table. I have extensive organizational, fund raising and budgeting backgrounds that will transfer well to other activities and projects.

Should I be elected to a board position I will work hard to increase participation by alumni in all board sponsored events including fund raising.

Bio

Joanne Bradna is owner and managing partner of Rochelle Scientific LLC. She received a B.S. degree in

Medicine from Northwestern University and a M.S. degree in Applied Health Sciences from the University of

Illinois. She is an American Society of Clinical Pathologists registered Medical Technologist.

Following her graduation from Northwestern Joanne worked as a technologist in the microbiology laboratories

at Northwestern University Medical School and Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Illinois. After

receiving her MS degree Joanne was appointed to the position of Assistant Professor at the University of

Illinois Chicago, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. She has been a technical sales representative for

Analytab Products and in 1989 became owner of Rochelle Scientific. Rochelle Scientific LLC, a manufacturers’

representative organization that provides technical sales and service representatives for a number of scientific

equipment and laboratory supply manufacturers, has offices in Illinois and Northern California.

In 2003 Joanne co-founded, Operation Support Our Troops – America (OSOT-America), an organization whose

mission is to support the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and

education to them and their families. She retired from the board of OSOT-America in 2008.

An active member of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Campus Alumni Advisory Board, Applied Health

Sciences (UIC) Alumni Board, American Society of Microbiology (ASM), Illinois Society for Microbiology (ISM),

and South Central Association of Clinical Microbiologists (SCACM), she has participated in numerous

workshops and lectures on the national and local level and has authored and co-authored a number of

publications.


Julie Schwertfeger Candidate statement for role of President of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC:

I am honored to be nominated for President of the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences Alumni Board. Having supported our President, Art Slowinski, for many years, I have learned of the commitment, listening skills and stewardship the role of President demands. If elected, my focus will be to work with the board, the departments and the Dean and his office to grow membership and involvement in the UIC CAHS activities and mission. My strategy to achieve this growth will be enhancing the strategic grass roots communication between board members, the individual departments, students and alumni. There are many successful initiatives led by our college and the departments, which provide a firm foundation for the work of this board. I believe harnessing and promoting this work through program alumni, donors, students and faculty demands passion and strategic timing and communication focus. We will also benefit the college by appointing alumni members from each department, which will continue to develop in the coming year. The excellent work and commitment of this board to date is an inspiration. The newer members bring fresh perspective and added energy that grow our funding and participation opportunities. I would be honored to serve as President during this pivotal and auspicious year in order to lend firm support and leadership as our new executive committee members are elected and take up their respective mantels.

Bio

Schwertfeger earned her BA in German literature with a minor in Psychology and her BS in Physical Therapy

from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration

from Keller Graduate School of Management. Her clinical practice focuses on adult neurologic and complex

medical evidence based practice. Her research interest centers on patient centered care, provider decision

making, health policy and self-efficacy. She was named site investigator on a PCORI contract in partnership

with the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) on the use of patient reported measures. She is

an instructor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, teaching clinical neurology in the DPT

program. Schwertfeger holds elected and appointed roles in the Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA),

and American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Section on Research (SOR), currently serving as the IPTA

Vice President, Chair of the IPTA Research Task Force and Federal Affairs Liaison and Practice Chair for the

APTA SOR. She is a mentor in the Neurology Section and IPTA iMAP programs. She has served UIC College of

Applied Health Sciences for the past 10 years in the role of Vice Chair, and took the role as interim President in

October 2014.


Nina Franklin Candidate statement for role of Vice-President of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC

I would be honored to serve on UIC’s AHS Alumni Board as Vice-‐Present. As a native of the Englewood community on Chicago's South Side obtaining a college degree and making a difference were primary goals that I continued to strive for. After graduating from high school, I attended UIUC (2002) and majored in Kinesiology. Upon completion of my BS, I entered the health and health care workforce, launched a prosperous business, and eventually decided to expand my education by earning a MS (2006) in Movement Science at UIC. It was during this time that I gained a huge appreciation for the UIC system and realized that I wanted to contribute more to my college and field of interest. As such, I became interested in research and ultimately completed my PhD (2012) in Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation in the Department of Physical Therapy where I now serve as a Research Assistant Professor. Although I wasn’t an official AHS Alumni Board member until 2012, I’ve had the privilege of being involved with the board since 2008 during which time I’ve served as a panel member for the inaugural AHS / ASAP Alumni Chat and all subsequent Chats. I am also an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association, and the American Physiological Society. Through my experiences within and outside my profession, I have come to appreciate the many challenges confronting allied health education. I also have come to believe that successfully addressing these challenges will require organizations to join together in developing creative, mutually beneficial solutions—that simultaneously honor the unique interests of each. I see participation of the AHS Alumni Board as critical to this process. I would welcome the opportunity to continue my service to the organization as Vice President. Specifically, I would bring my thoughtful, yet optimistic approach to the role, as well as my commitment to work toward bringing together the many voices of the allied health profession in developing new and innovated approaches for sustained success.

Bio

I hold a BS in Kinesiology from UIUC, a MS in Movement Science from UIC, and am honored to have the

distinction of being the first UIC AHS doctoral student to complete a Physical Therapy-centered PhD in

Kinesiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation. I am also a Certified and Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist and an

ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist. I have over 15 years of academic, clinical and industry experience in

health and wellness promotion and programming with extensive expertise in working with minority and

underserved communities. I am currently a Research Assistant Professor in UIC’s Department of Physical

Therapy with research interests centered on lifestyle strategies for primary prevention of cardiovascular

disease (CVD) and specific focus on technology-driven interventions for addressing health and health care

disparities. I have published numerous manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters and regularly contribute

health content and mentorship support to a variety of mainstream print and digital media publications and

programs. I am chief content creator for a lifestyle-centered blog entitled “You, Your Body & Your Health”, the

sole nutrition health expert and consultant for Answers.com, and a leading health expert for the prominent

web brands eHow and Livestrong. Through these channels I have published over 500 expert articles/blogs,

videos, and podcasts.


Peggy Balboa Candidate statement for role of Secretary of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC I'm honored and happy to accept the nomination for secretary. Should I be elected, I look forward to committing more time to the alumni board in 2015. As secretary, immersing myself in the day-to-day business of the board will allow me to contribute more fully and learn more about the board. My skills for this position include organizational, computer, presentation and customer service abilities (should that need arise). Bio

Peggy is a supermarket dietitian with Mariano's, a Chicago banner under Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc., where

she combines her passion for food and nutrition. Peggy's professional education in nutrition, cooking, and

baking uniquely positions her with customers interested in learning more about preparing and eating healthy

meals. Peggy develops and delivers cooking seminars with nutrition education, and works individually with

Mariano's customers.

She received her bachelor's degree in nutrition science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating in

2010. During her time at UIC, Peggy was awarded the prestigious "Jefferson Award" for community service, a

nationally recognized honor for her active involvement within the community. This was in recognition of her

volunteering efforts providing nutrition education for Bonaventure House, part of Alexian Brothers AIDS

Ministry, and practical grocery shopping guides for incoming refugee populations through Heartland Alliance.

Both are Chicago non-profit organizations.

Peggy's culinary experience included supervising and preparing meals for an active senior citizen community,

where culinary creativity gave way to healthier recipes for this community. Lastly, Peggy believes it is crucial to

be current in the ever advancing healthcare trends and continues to maintain her clinical relationship as a

part-time dietitian at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago.


Yvonne Mlynarczyk Candidate statement for role of Treasurer of CAHS Alumni Board at UIC

I became involved with the UIC AHS alumni board after celebrating a milestone reunion with a hand full of my fellow alumni. It has been encouraging to get involved again, decades after my graduation. The progress the college has made, and the continued progress it is poised to make, is exciting – perhaps amazing. My desire is to see more alumni have the experience I had – to come back to campus, walk our paths of yesteryear, experience the growth and progress of the university, and choose to reconnect.

AHS has a great opportunity to reach out to alumni our via Continuing Education (CE) offerings. In addition to my P.T. degree, I have a Masters of Adult Education. I have experience in planning and coordinating CE programs, along with a passion for lifelong learning. I believe my experience and my beliefs will make me a leadership asset to the AHS Alumni Board and I request your vote for treasurer.

Bio

Yvonne received her physical therapy degree from UIC (at that time UIMC), Master of Adult Education from

National-Louis University, and Fellow of Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute of Functional

Transformation. She has been practicing physical therapy for over thirty years including teaching and direct

patient care and is currently working toward a transitional DPT. After working in a variety of areas within

physical therapy, she specialized in treatment of the spine and a global approach to musculoskeletal structure

and function. Yvonne is certified in Outdoor Emergency Care and is a volunteer member of the National Ski

Patrol. Her personal interests include skiing, yoga, bicycling, silent sports, gardening, and quilting.

Atika Afreen Candidate for Vice-President,

Eric Meredith Candidate for Treasurer

Gideon Ramirez Candidate for Vice-President

Joanne Bradna Candidate for Vice-President,

Secretary Treasurer

Julie Schwertfeger Nina Franklin Peggy Balboa Yvonne Mlynarczyk Candidate for President Candidate for Vice-President Candidate for Secretary Candidate for Treasurer

President Julie Schwertfeger

Vice President Atika Afreen

Joanne Bradna

Nina Franklin

Gideon Ramirez

Treasurer Joanne Bradna

Eric Meredith

Yvonne

Mlynarczyk

Secretary Atika Afreen

Peggy Balboa

Your name: Date:

INSTRUCTIONS

Review candidate bios and statement, then complete ballot selecting one candidate for each officer position. Return your completed ballot electronically no later than Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to Helen Massey [email protected].

Ballots received after this time will not be counted.

NOTE: AHS Alumni Board meeting

Thursday, January 22, 2015

5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

UIC College of Applied Health Sciences

Office of the Dean Conference Room 166 Complimentary parking stamp for WSPS 1100 S Wood Street will be provided (Remember building doors lock automatically at 5:00 p.m.)

mailto:[email protected]

Download - Ahs alumni board candidate bios statements instructions[3]

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