Our Staff
DeAnn Bednowicz
Director of Programs
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 201 Direct: 331-716-7578
DeAnn is inspired by the knowledge that she is making a difference in peoples’ lives by helping them get healthcare they could not access anywhere else. Although every day is different, everything she does revolves around building relationships both inside and outside the Coalition to ensure people in DuPage County are taken care of. DeAnn likes to spend as much time outdoors as possible either with coffee, her family or both if she is lucky. Her family of 5 and two puppies keep her busy and laughing.
Charito Bularzik (Habla Español)
Lead Pandemic Health Navigator/Education Coordinator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 222 Direct: 331-716-7576
Charito is positive, flexible and enjoys being busy. She is successful in helping clients navigate the maze of healthcare because she takes time to get to know them well and is an educator at heart. Charito is especially passionate about woman’s health because typically women put their own health needs after the needs of others. On Sunday morning you will find Charito at church likely followed by a trip to Ann Taylor.
Vanessa Corpus (Habla Español)
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 200 Direct: 331-716-7571
Vanessa starts her day with a cup of coffee, then follows up with her office duties such as making sure the office is organized and running efficiently. Vanessa provides front line customer service and primary support for her co-workers and assists in any way she can. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 3 years and always ensures kind and friendly reception. She is inspired by her coworkers’ compassionate care to every Access DuPage member. Vanessa likes to spend her free time volunteering at her local animal shelter, or you can find her at a museum or listening to live music.
Karen Doyle
Director of Development & Communication
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 206 Direct: 331-716-7566
Karen relishes the opportunity to connect people and organizations to the Coalition’s mission. She firmly believes that there should be no correlation between income and access to high-quality health care and is proud of the role she plays in opening the doors to a healthier community. Karen is often laughing, socializing and figuring out ways to avoid cooking dinner.
Nancy Garcia (Habla Español)
Specialty Care Manager
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 213 Direct: 331-716-7567
As a registered nurse, Nancy is passionate about high-quality healthcare for all in our community. Motivated by her caring nature, Nancy works deliberately to coordinate patient care; achieving a safe and effective specialty care experience. Being a part of a team that positively impacts many lives, further supports Nancy’s desire to enhance patient care. When not at work, you can find Nancy spending time with her very large family and four-legged friends or enjoying some retail therapy.
Samantha Jacobsen
Development and Communications Coordinator VISTA
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 228 Direct: 331-716-7575
Samantha is passionate about intersectional, compassionate, accessible public health practice. Originally from Schaumburg, Illinois, she graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2021 with her B.A. in Biology, Psychology, and Community and Global health. She is thrilled to join the DHC team and work toward making health care more accessible for the DuPage community. Outside of work, Samantha can be found enjoying the outdoors, trying out a new recipe, or taking care of her plants.
Joel Jara (Habla Español)
Community Relationships Coordinator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 207 Direct: 331-716-7579
Joel is personable, enjoys building relationships and is energized by equipping and developing others. For over 15 years he has served in the nonprofit sector driven by the mission to empower the community by making resources accessible to everyone. Joel sees the dignity and value in each person and finds great satisfaction in problem-solving and networking to ensure individual needs are met. In his free time Joel enjoys taking long walks with his wife, tackling home improvement projects, and of course making his famous salsa.
Nathan Kumar
Health Equity Outreach Coordinator VISTA
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 214 Direct: 331-806-3844
Nathan is responsible for helping create and implement programs that remove barriers to healthcare in DuPage. He enjoys connecting with others and is motivated to make healthcare more accessible by serving and supporting the community. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Nathan was interested in learning how he could make a lasting impact on the lives of patients and was excited when he had the opportunity to join the DHC team to do exactly that. Outside of work, Nathan usually spends his time with friends, playing and watching his favorite sports, or practicing photography.
Denise Martinez (Habla Español)
Pharmacy Manager
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 203 Direct: 331-716-7577
If you are familiar with the DuPage Health Coalition, you are familiar with Denise. Compassionate, considerate and empathetic she has been with DHC for 15 years and has performed a variety of roles. She is currently the program manager for our Dispensary of Hope and as the name indicates she loves that her role gives her the chance to provide hope to some of our county’s most vulnerable. Outside of work Denise enjoys taking her puppy Max to the park, being with her family and is known as the ultimate hockey mom.
Kara Murphy
President
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 212 Direct: 331-716-7569
Kara knows she is blessed to work in a community like DuPage, with hundreds of organizations working together, anticipating and adapting to a changing landscape. A history working in small nonprofits and large health systems helps her to understand the assets the community can apply to reducing healthcare barriers, and the challenges patients face connecting to the care they need. Over 14 years at a small nonprofit, she has also become an expert lightbulb changer. Kara maintains balance exploring the forest preserves with two-legged and four-legged friends, visiting the French Market for culinary inspiration, and curling up with a good book.
Gale Patyk
Office Clerk
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 202 Direct: 331-716-7580
Gale is dependable, hardworking, and organized, all necessary traits to keep all of the paper that passes across her desk in order. Gale is an avid quilter and enjoys road trips with her friends to visit quilt shops as well as time spent with her grandchildren. Her coworkers know that the way to her heart is with a good muffin.
Patty Perez (Habla Español)
Access DuPage Enrollment Manager
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 204 Direct: 331-716-7570
Patty begins her morning with a friendly “Hi ”to her teammates and that upbeat attitude remains throughout the day as she tackles enrollment applications. Patty appreciates the opportunity to use her organizational skills to develop systems that work best for her and approaches everything with a caring heart. Patty has a houseful of boys and delights in spending time at their ballgames, playing in the park and cuddling. Patty has been with Access DuPage since 2002, and that experience serves our patients very well, every day.
Luz M Ramirez (Habla Español)
Patient Navigator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 x223
Luz assists clients in obtaining healthcare coverage by finding the benefits that fit them best. She loves this type of work because she can help to provide clients with many community resources that they might have been otherwise unaware of. In her spare time, Luz loves spending time with her family and going shopping with her daughter.
Miguel Romero (Habla Español)
Specialty Care & Education Coordinator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 218 Direct: 331-516-7568
One thing that makes Miguel so effective is the conscientious way he assists both community members and our entire staff. Miguel is compassionate and genuinely enjoys helping people, and it shows in each of his interactions. When not at work, Miguel regularly plays soccer and basketball and is happiest spending time with his friends and family.
Marina Sedory
Silver Access Coordinator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 208 Direct: 331-716-7573
Marina started as an intern and her determination was apparent from the beginning; so we asked her to join us permanently! She appreciates the flexibility of her role and loves that she has worked with Silver Access from its inception – a program that she is passionate about and would like to see continue to grow. Marina comes from a very close-knit family with whom she enjoys spending time with. That, however, does not keep her from spending lazy Sundays napping.
Alex Solis (Habla Español)
Care Coordinator
[email protected]
630-510-8720 ext. 209 Direct: 331-716-7572
After her AmeriCorps VISTA service, DHC invited Alex to join the Care Coordinator team, and she gladly accepted. She is responsible for scheduling, organizing and managing all aspects of a patient’s healthcare maintenance and treatment. It is her fate to work in social services, since she is an older sister and has always looked for the wellbeing of others. Alex loves fixing things, home projects and DIY’s and that is how she spends her weekends. That is if her teen daughters don’t have her driving them around.
