Working together to provide access for all

Ollie Idowu

President + CEO

Ollie joined IPHCA as President + CEO in May 2021 following more than 10 years of continuous leadership as a healthcare business leader and development strategist.

Ollie led growth at a broad range of organizations, from two Fortune 500 managed care companies, to a start-up data-analytics company. He previously served as the Director of State Governmental Affairs at IPHCA. He is excited to be back at IPHCA and hopes to put into practice many of the lessons learned from the last decade of innovation in health care.

The mission and purpose of our members is so vital to improving the health and well-being of communities across our state. Ollie is eager to advocate for Illinois’ community health centers so every person and community across the state can access the cutting-edge, compassionate care they need to thrive.

Chicago born, Ollie grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and lives in Geneva, Illinois with his family. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eureka College, his master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Cheri Hoots, RN

Chief Operating Officer

Cheri has been with IPHCA since 2017 and served first as Senior Vice President of Health Center and Clinical Operations before becoming our Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining IPHCA, she spent one year with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS – Illinois Medicaid Program) Office of Inspector General as a Peer Review Nurse Manager and five years as the Assistant Chronic Disease Division Chief for the Office of Health Promotion Illinois Department of Public Health. Before her work with state government, Cheri spent 17 years at the Springfield Urban League, Inc. (local nonprofit organization) as the Director of Workforce and Community Empowerment. There she was responsible for directing training and technical assistance for all Illinois public health and human services department staff.

Cheri’s career has revolved around improving the health outcomes of Illinoisans as is evident by her extensive clinical experience in both state government and non-profit management.

Cheri has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and is a Registered Professional Nurse. She has worked in the clinical areas of Maternal Child Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Promotion and Home Health throughout her career.

When not at the office, Cheri enjoys spending time with her family, making jewelry and other crafts, binge-watching Netflix series and traveling.

Cyrus Winnett

Senior Vice President of Public Policy + Governmental Affairs

Cyrus joined the IPHCA team in early 2019 as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs. Prior to joining IHPCA, he served as Vice President of Health & Long-Term Care Policy for the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) and Associate Director of the Illinois Association of Medicaid Health Plans (IAMHP).

Cyrus is responsible for effectuating public policy and legislation at both the state and federal levels, advancing the mission of community health centers. He works closely with the state’s Medicaid authority (the Department of Healthcare and Family Services), the Illinois General Assembly, federal health care agencies, Congress and other health care trade and advocacy organizations.

After earning Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Illinois State University, Cyrus has focused his professional career on improving our health care delivery system. He is motivated by the belief that everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable health care.

Cyrus is a proud husband and father of two who enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, golf and St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

Shelley Traylor

Controller

Naila Al Hasni, MPH, PCMH

Senior Manager of Clinical Quality Improvement

Naila began her career at IPHCA as a Grants Program Coordinator in 2017. Prior to officially joining the IPHCA team, she completed an internship with IPHCA as part of her graduate program. During the internship, she assisted in the development of the ‘Performances and Promising Practices Binders’ resource for health centers based on the Uniform Data System’s clinical indicators.

Naila has always been interested in healthcare since working as a certified nursing assistant in high school. Her passion for serving underserved communities strengthened over time through various volunteer and outreach projects in her community.

Naila is a graduate of Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, where she completed her undergraduate degree in biology. She also received a Master of Public Health degree from Benedictine University with a certificate in Epidemiology.

In her free time, Naila enjoys traveling, exploring different cultures, baking, DIY projects and reading.

Staci Ashmore, MA

Behavioral Health Program Manager

Staci has been with IPHCA since 2019. She is the Grants Project Coordinator, providing technical assistance and organizing trainings on behavioral health and substance use disorder. She also assists in recruitment efforts for community health centers. Prior to joining IPHCA, she served as an access clinician at a local community mental health organization, participated in the psychiatric response team, and educated youth and the community about substance use prevention.

In previous jobs, she met many patients who did not understand their diagnoses or the services they qualified for. From these experiences, she became passionate in educating the community about resources and services available to the underserved.

Staci is a graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and her Masters in Social Services Administration.

Outside of the office, Staci enjoys spending time with her family, her new puppy Piper, and going to concerts.

Emily Bensko

Executive Assistant

Emily joined the IPHCA team in December 2020 as the Executive Assistant. Emily is responsible for performing various secretarial and support services for the Illinois Primary Health Care Association. Previously Emily worked at the Teachers Retirement System as an Optional Service Assistant. She received her associate’s degree from LLCC in Springfield, Illinois. Outside of the office, Emily enjoys spending time with her two children, coaching her daughter’s school basketball team, and traveling with her sisters.

Paula Campbell

Director of Health Equity + EP Response

Paula has been with IPHCA since 2014. Prior to joining our team, she served as Coordinator of Public Health Education and Community Development with Macoupin County Public Health Department for 16 years. Paula’s career in public health included working with public health issues like HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, substance use and prevention, emergency preparedness, and much more. Paula has always worked toward identifying ways to reach vulnerable populations with the goal of reducing their disparities in access to services and health care.

Paula made a commitment to her community and the greater community when she chose a path in public health. She was raised in a rural community, and still resides there. Paula has seen firsthand what the lack of access to good healthcare means to a community, family, and person.

Paula is a graduate of Illinois State University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in public health.

Outside of the office, Paula enjoys spending time with her family—including her four children, coaching youth sports such as basketball and soccer, supporting community programs such as PTO, Post Prom and church committees. Paula is also the founder of Macoupin Montgomery Addiction and Behavioral Coalition.

Ashley Colwell, MS, PHR

Vice President of Clinical Services
+ Workforce Development

Ashley has been with IPHCA since 2006 and currently serves as the Vice President of Clinical Services and Workforce Development. In this role, Ashley assists community health centers with their clinical workforce needs by administering IPHCA’s Clinician Recruitment Service, supporting the development of a clinician pipeline, serving as a local expert on state and federal loan repayment programs, and overseeing IPHCA’s oral health, behavioral health and chronic disease programming.

With over a decade of experience serving community health centers, Ashley offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise to IPHCA’s members. Growing up in a rural area, she understands the barriers many patients face in accessing care close to home.

Ashley received her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University in Communication Sciences and her Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University. She also holds certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute.

Outside of work, Ashley enjoys home improvement projects, interior design, spending time with her family and attending her children’s many extracurricular activities.

Cassandra Curry

Membership + Training Coordinator

Cassandra joined IPHCA in June 2021 as the Membership and Training Coordinator. Cassandra will assist with coordinating all training, event planning and management of internal and external events. She is also responsible for performing various member service and administrative duties for Illinois Primary Health Care Association.

Previously, Cassandra worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Training Center Department at the Springfield Urban League for 30 years.  Outside of the office, Cassandra enjoys traveling and spending time with her family
and friends.

Katie Doolin

Associate Director of Training + Member Services

Katie has been with IPHCA since 2008 with a year and a half break between 2019 and 2021.

She currently serves as the Associate Director of Training and Member Services. In this role, Katie is responsible for assessing, managing and evaluating the training needs of the Association. She is also responsible for managing logistics, scheduling, and on-site assistance for each training and event.

For member services, Katie is responsible for developing strategies and overseeing implementation of member programming and services, member renewal, engagement, recruitment and retention. She is also responsible for overseeing IPHCA’s database and learning management system.

Katie received her Bachelor’s Degree from Western Illinois University in Instructional Design and Technology and Graphic Communications.

Outside her work, Katie enjoys home improvement projects, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Beth Fox

Director of Communications

Beth joined IPHCA in February 2021. Prior to joining the association, she served as the marketing director at a legal software company for the previous 13 years.

Beth is responsible for developing communications strategies that help advance the association’s mission: to educate, empower and advocate for Illinois’ community health centers so every person and community across the state can access the cutting-edge, compassionate care they need to thrive. She leads a team that produces all internal and external communications for the Association, including the website, social media, press releases, and marketing campaigns. She also assists with event planning for IPHCA’s Annual Leadership Conference.

Beth received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Communications from American University. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, cooking and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.

Susan Gaines

Vice President of Community Development + Financial Services

Susan has been with IPHCA since 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Community Development and Financial Services. Prior to joining IPHCA, she served as Manager of Clinical Systems, Information Technology at a Springfield medical system.

Susan’s interest in health care started with volunteering at the local hospital and has continued throughout her life. While earning a BS in Industrial Engineering at Iowa State University, she learned how to support direct caregivers and their operations by incorporating internships at health care facilities into the engineering curriculum.

Outside of the office, Susan enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Corrinne Jordan

Accounting Manager

Corrinne began working at at IPHCA in February 2021 as the Accounting Manager working on the PHN grant.

Prior to joining the team, she worked as a Finance and Accounting Manager for a transportation company for more than six years and as a Patient Coordinator at Community Health Improvement Center in Decatur, Ill. Corrinne’s background in accounting and finance has included working in all aspects of the financial industry, as well as federally qualified health centers.

Corrinne is a graduate of Keller Graduate School- Devry University of Chicago Illinois where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Accounting and Financial Management and Master of Business Administration in Finance.

Outside of the office, Corrinne enjoys spending time with her family and grandson, traveling, reading and cooking.

Maria Kapantaidaki

Accounting Specialist

Maria has been with IPHCA since May 2019. She was born in Germany and raised in Greece where she obtained her degree in accounting.

Maria has worked as a bookkeeper and accounting specialist where she managed all aspects of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. From eight years, she worked as an accounts receivable clerk for an association management company in Springfield, Illinois. She was responsible for managing the accounts of seven different entities, both for-profit and not-for-profit.
Maria also has experience as a restaurant manager where she handled the finances, payroll, operating expenses, food sales and inventory.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, exercising and traveling.

Emma Kelley, MHA

Recruitment and Workforce Development Specialist

Emma joined the IPHCA team in August, and is responsible for carrying out IPHCA’s efforts in recruitment and retention of clinical providers employed by member organizations. Emma supports the primary care association grant by providing education, training and technical assistance to help health centers respond to the fast-changing health center environment and address current and emerging workforce needs.

Emma is a graduate of McKendree University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications. Emma also holds a master’s degree in Health Care Administration and Management from St. Louis University.

Emma previously served as the Marketing, Outreach, and Recruitment Coordinator for Shawnee Health Service, a member organization located in Carbondale, Illinois.

Amber Kirchhoff

Director of State Public Policy and Governmental Affairs

Amber has a decade of dynamic experience, including work in state government and with health care providers, nonprofit organizations and public research institutions. As a key member of IPHCA’s Government Affairs team, she advances public policy, legislative and budgetary priorities on behalf of Illinois’ community health centers, and serves as a liaison to stakeholders in Chicagoland.

Previously, Amber was Manager of Public Policy at Thresholds, one of Illinois’ largest and longest-serving community mental health centers. There she played a critical role in the development and successful passage of bipartisan legislation including the Children and Young Adult Mental Health Crisis Act and the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. She also helped to launch Healthy Minds Healthy Lives, a diverse statewide coalition of mental health and substance use advocates.

Previously, she served in the Office of the Governor as a policy analyst, after completing the James H. Dunn, Jr. Memorial Fellowship. She is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the Illinois Conference of Women Legislators NEW Leadership Program.

Amber holds a Master of Political Science from the Civic Leadership Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) as well as a Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology from UIUC.

Barry Lacy

Associate Director of Community Development

Barry joined IPHCA in 2010 and is the Associate Director of Community Development. Barry started his career in health care by joining the Navy as a Medical Technician and serving on several submarines as care provider to the ship’s company. After some time in medical sales, Barry continued with health data as a data analyst prior to joining the team at IPHCA.

Working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Barry produces Health Professional Shortage Areas and designates Medical Underserved Areas and Populations for areas and for organizations. He also produces legislative maps along with any specialty maps needed for grant applications.

Barry enjoys the outdoors, particularly mountain hikes and ocean kayaking. He also referees soccer, enjoys cycling and spending time with his family and cats.

Cristina McKay, MPH, PCMH

Senior Manager of Clinical Integration

Cristina has been with IPHCA since 2016 and previously served as our Grants Program Coordinator. She is a PCMH Certified Content Expert and provides technical assistance to federally qualified health centers during their transformation to becoming recognized as a patient-centered medical home. She also works with the DentaQuest Foundation and the Midwest Network for Oral Health Integration (MNOHI), focusing specifically on oral health integration.

Cristina received a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, Springfield. Her passion is to improve the health of individuals and communities by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing chronic diseases and providing education on overall health.

Outside of the office, Cristina enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, traveling and playing sports such as basketball, soccer and volleyball.

Alexis Ramay

Communications Manager

Alexis joined the IPHCA team in August as the Communications Manager. Alexis manages all internal and external communications for the Association, including the website, social media, press releases, and marketing campaigns. She also assists with event planning for IPHCA’s Annual Leadership Conference.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication with a focus in Media Advertising and minors in Creative Writing and Geography from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. 

With a passion for writing and creative design, Alexis enjoys crafting meaningful messages that tell a story and help make a difference. Alexis has a strong background in communications, having worked for companies including Hall’s Harley Davidson, Chick-fil-A, and SCHEELS.

Grecia Rodriguez, MPH, MHI

Health IT Project Director

Grecia has been with IPHCA since January 2018 and previously served as our Grants Program Coordinator. Prior to joining IPHCA, Grecia worked with the Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. There, she implemented and sustained a coordinated system of care that integrated clinical and community-based programs to improve patient outcomes for childhood obesity in health center sites.

Grecia has worked closely to support health centers with data collection and analysis to improve program outcomes. Her background in clinical quality improvement, operational workflows, clinical outcomes and regulatory compliance allows her to leverage technology tools and data for efficient, patient-centered health care delivery and improved population health.

Grecia graduated from Benedictine University with a Master of Public Health and certificates in Epidemiology, Health Management and Policy, and Health Education and Promotion. She also holds a second Master’s in Health Informatics, specializing in Health Technology, from Northwestern University.

Outside of the office, Grecia enjoys being active, seeing movies, spending time with loved ones and being a mom to a shih-poo.

Raj Savalia, MBA, MPH

Practice Transformation Coordinator

Raj began his career at IPHCA as a contractual employee in 2018 working on multiple programs, such as social determinants of health and the pandemic health navigator program. Before officially joining the IPHCA team he completed an internship with IPHCA as part of his graduate program. During the internship, he assisted in updating best clinical practices for providers and developed patient resources for asthma control care to support physical care and disease management functions.

Raj is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago where he completed his undergraduate degree in biology. He also received a Master of Public Health and MBA degree from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Outside of the office, Raj enjoys creative writing, watching movies, traveling, cooking, reading, and being active.

Riley Wilkins

Facilities Manager

Riley joined the IPHCA team in late 2012 as Facility Manager. He is responsible for the IPHCA headquarters in Springfield, IL ensuring the building is in compliance with state and local building codes. Riley’s career in Facility Management began working for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ main church, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, for twelve years. Prior to joining IPHCA, he served as Facilities Manager for Security Bank in Springfield, IL for over ten years and was responsible for four bank branches.

Riley is also a military veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged after four years of service. He also served two years of reserve status.

Riley is a graduate of Indiana Vocational Technical College where he received his Associate’s Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology. Riley also earned a Certificate in Heating and Air Conditioning Technology while attending Indiana Vocational Technical College.

Outside of the office, Riley likes spending time with his family, traveling, and listening to and studying music.

Megan Williams, MS

Public Health Initiatives Manager

Megan’s career in public health began as an AmeriCorps team member in the inner city of Miami, FL. Working with Americorps, she quickly realized that one of the biggest barriers to health was education. Megan is passionate about helping underserved populations better understand their health, with the goal of improving overall health outcomes.

Megan is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where she received her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and community health. She also holds a Master of Science in health sciences with a focus in public health from Western Illinois University.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and cooking.