Inspiration for opening a BrightStar franchise arose from a personal experience for husband and wife Jim Guzdziol, MBA and Phyllis O’Brien, RN, owners of the Oak Brook and Naperville offices.
Jim Guzdziol & Phyllis O’Brien- Proud Owners
We witnessed firsthand Phyllis’ mother’s need for care and the difficulties a family faces when a family member is suffering. The demands of caring for a loved one cause a great deal of stress on the primary decision maker and caregiver. It is very fulfilling to provide such a needed service. Phyllis and I view this as a tremendous opportunity to leverage our career strengths and bring a higher level of service to this community.
Recognizing that the key to containing healthcare costs is following a managed care model, we have introduced Care Coordination Services to help clients and families maintain their independence while dealing with the complex issues surrounding age related vulnerabilities.
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From childcare to elder care, the Oak Brook BrightStar team is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Proudly Serving Southeast DuPage County, including Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Hinsdale, Lemont, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Westmont, and Willowbrook.
After experiencing Phyl’s mother’s journey toward the end of her life, we were inspired to combine our career strengths and the BrightStar business model to bring a higher level of home care services to surrounding communities.
Jim brings over 25 years of executive-level business experience, holding C-level positions for the past ten years. Phyllis has over 25 years experience as a registered nurse.
Jim Guzdziol, MBA and Phyllis O’Brien, RN | Owners
I have been in the healthcare field for over 15 years, starting out as a CNA and an EMT. I managed a Medicare-certified and private duty Home Health Agency in Tucson, Arizona for seven years providing quality care and service to patients and their families. Before joining BrightStar I managed a Chicago-based nurse staffing agency. I am excited to be working with BrightStar where I am able to continue providing quality service to Healthcare providers and our homecare clients, which I truly enjoy and am very passionate about.
Terri Grant | Branch Director
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As an MSW social services professional with particular expertise in geriatric care and case management attained in a wide range of social services settings over the past 15 years, I am adept at developing and implementing innovative, client-focused geriatric care programs to ensure clients have the best resources possible.
I specialize in assisting the elderly and their families with long term care options and solutions with a focus on keeping clients in the community. By untangling complex issues, identifying resources and providing options that are safe, smart and appropriate, family systems can regain a sense of control and peace of mind.I am passionate about creating individualized solutions that maximize quality of life so individuals can experience a fuller, richer life.
Anna Skrzypek, MSW/GCM | Director – Care Management
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Maureen Wood | Director - Business Development
My background includes lengthy tenures in business education and professional services management.
As a result of my Board service for St. Paul’s House, a Health Care Center near Wrigley Field, I launched my “encore” career into serving this nation’s greatest generation. The last eight years I have focused primarily on marketing continuing care in a community setting. ”
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Maureen Wood | Director - Business Development
“ My most recent position as Move Management Coordinator for a new independent / assisted living and memory care community has afforded me firsthand insight into the many challenges and difficulties seniors and their families face when transitioning from their homes to senior communities - the thought of downsizing, preparing to sell your home, the actual sale and physical move - can be daunting to say the least!
I am a strong proponent of the BrightStar model because our focus is to support seniors by providing excellent care and services in the comfort of their own homes. As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz said, “There’s no place like home. ”
Melissa Gates, RN | Nurse Manager
From 2001 through 2006 I served our country in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman (Medic); working in the ER, medical ward on board the USS John C. Stennis, and Pediatric Clinic. In the years following the military I worked in a pain clinic setting.
I oversee the clinical aspects of the business which includes making supervisory visits to our private clients and truly enjoy providing one-on-one medical care to each of our patients.
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Marilyn Ferro, RN | Care Coordinator
With a wealth of healthcare experience, both hands-on and administrative, my passion is providing each of my clients with the highest level of care possible. As an electro-diagnostic technician at the local community hospital and on weekends in a physician’s private practice performing specialized neurologic testing, I gained a solid neurological knowledge base and learned the value of patient education and compassionate care.
Later, while managing a physician’s private specialty practice devoted to children with neurologic challenges, I completed my nursing degree. As a Care Coordinator my role is to assess each patient’s needs and provide recommendations, linkages to services and oversight of medical services to ensure an integrated approach to optimal care. Each client is treated as though they were my mom or dad.
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Brittany Ryburn | Scheduling / Staffing Manager
I received my Medical Administrative Assistant Certification from Olympia College and have four years experience in scheduling coordination and medical office administration. My role is to match the skills, personality and availability of our field staff with the needs of each client. Job #1 is to be sure that each of our staff members knows where they need to be and when to be there. In the healthcare business, our clients’ needs change with every passing hour. How’s that for job security!
Deanne Ciullo | Human Resources Manager
With over eight years experience in recruiting and staffing in the medical field, my focus is to ensure our employee screening and credentialing meets the high standards of the Joint Commission. I am also attending Lewis University in the evenings to finish my Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management.
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Services
As a leading Home Care provider, BrightStar Naperville / Oak Brook is now introducing Care Coordination to help clients and families maintain their independence while dealing with the complex issues surrounding age related vulnerabilities.
BrightStar’s professional approach uses registered nurses and social workers to assist elderly clients and their family members with recommendations, linkages to services and coordination of care based on individual needs and preferences.
Our Home Care Coordinators can help clients and families cope with the challenges of aging by:
• Offering education, support, and advocacy to individuals and families transitioning between care settings
• Writing a care plan and ensuring it is being followed• Monitoring and coaching in-home help• Identifying unmet needs• Making sure things are going well and alerting families of problems
Benefits of these Services
• Managed health outcomes and costs• Reduced hospitalizations / re-hospitalizations• Smoother transitions between different medical settings
Homecare and Medical Staffing Services Provided:
Skilled (Medical) Care
• 24-Hour High-Tech Care for Adults, Children and Infants• In-Home Blood Draws and Injections• Medication Set-Ups and Medication Reminders• Home Infusion• Wound Care• I.V. Therapy• Physical Therapy• Speech Therapy• Occupational Therapy• Social Services
Personal Care / Companion Care
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care• Personal Care Services• Bath Visits• CNA Caregivers• Companion Caregivers• Respite Care• Shopping and Transportation Services• Companion Services• Transportation• Live-In Arrangements• Nanny, Baby Sitting, Childcare Services• Newborn/Multiples Care• Light Housekeeping/Meal Prep
Staffing Solutions:
• RN/LPN/CNA/MA/MSW Staffing• Medical Office/Clinic/Lab Personnel• Mobile Phlebotomy• School/Corporate Campus Nurses• School Social Workers• Eval-to-Perm, Temp-to-Perm• Direct Hire
Ask about our additional professional geriatric care management services:
• Objective, comprehensive evaluations and plans• A single point of access to a wide range of eldercare options• Expert help in determining proper placement when homecare is no
longer an option• Liaison service for families living at a distance• Time and money saving expertise• Assistance/mediation at times of crisis• Counseling and support
VISIT OUR GERIATRIC CARE
MANAGEMENT SERVICES WEBSITE
“All of your CNAs and nurses providing continuous care hospice staffing for my father are first-rate and genuinely care about their patients as well as family members. Everyone I met from BrightStar acted as though they were members of the hospice team and I believe it’s a testament to your organization. I wanted to reach out to you to applaud you for your great work and to ensure that all the staff at BrightStar receive the recognition they deserve.”
“During a difficult transition period in caring for my mother, I was fortunate to be referred to BrightStar. I found the people at BrightStar to be immediately accessible, flexible in their scheduling and accommodating to our specific needs. I would not hesitate to recommend BrightStar to a friend.”
Testimonials
For More Testimonials
– Judith, April 2010
– John, May 2010
For more information please visit
BrightStar Care of Oak Brook, Illinois
Jim Guzdziol & Phyllis O'Brien1415 W. 22nd Street
Tower FloorOak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 571-5555Fax: (630) 571-5556
Web: http://www.brightstarcare.com/oak-brook-brightstar/
Blog: http://www.brightstarcare.com/oak-brook-brightstar/blog/
