About Us » Center Staff

Kathleen Burke

Kathleen Burke joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in July 2005, and brought with her an extensive record of accomplishment. Burke built her aptitude for leadership, strategic thinking, program creativity, and partnership development over twenty years in both the health and education fields. Previously, she held senior management positions at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry; the largest science museum in the country. Burke managed the development of new programs, educational exhibits, community partnerships and fundraising.

At the Robert Crown Center, Burke has introduced hands on inquiry based teaching, new media and technology, formative and summative evaluation in an effort to improve the experience and knowledge of the learner. Financial, human resource, marketing and development systems were strengthened, and community partnerships developed to expand the Center's reach in the Chicago metropolitan region. She has introduced an intensive collaborative effort to create a new model of health education that is relevant, sustainable and effective for both children and their influencers. Member of task force for NCPIE, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and representatives from 15 nationally recognized prevention, health professional and child advocacy organizations.

Burke received her B.S. degree from Penn State University in 1980, a M.S. degree from RUSH University Chicago and currently is enrolled in a doctoral program in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jered Pruitt

Jered Pruitt joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in September of 2011 as the Chief Development Officer. In this role he oversees all fundraising operations including individual giving, grants management and special events. Prior to joining the Robert Crown Center, Jered was the Chief Development and Communications Officer and Acting CEO for the Japanese American Service Club. Jered has over 12 years’ experience in non-profit management, fundraising, and capital campaigns raising over $250 million in operating and capital dollars.

Jered received his Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on children and adolescents, from Roosevelt University and his Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Judson University. He is a member and speaker in the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a former rowing coach at Northwestern University.

Nancy Wiersum

Nancy Wiersum joined the RCC team in October of 2011 where she is responsible for earned revenue streams, marketing strategies, and new product launches. In addition, she initiates and stewards collaborations with key constituencies, community influencers, and partners to support strategic initiatives. She also represents the RCC mission as a speaker for community and business groups. Prior to joining RCC, she served as Development Director for Naperville Community Television. During her tenure there, she substantially increased the station’s brand recognition, funding and in-kind contributions by developing multiple sources of sustainable revenue and initiating numerous key partnerships. She has been a columnist for three different publications, and has served as a speaker, moderator, and television host. She is a past Chair of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Network and is a member of the West Suburban Philanthropic Network. She has served in leadership roles on numerous boards including as Chapter Vice-President of Lyric Opera of Chicago. For her work with the non-profit community, she was honored with the Women Who Inspire and Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship Awards. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University; and a Master’s degree from Loyola University.

Joan Drummond Olson

Joan Drummond Olson joined the Robert Crown Center in February of 2011 after two decades as a magazine writer, network television reporter, producer and anchor. At CNN she supervised the first-ever live shots done from the roof of the Sears (now Willis) Tower; coordinated coverage from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago… and in Atlanta Joan anchored evening and early morning newscasts from CNN Center. Joan is an award-winning health reporter, and for six years was a regular contributor to publications of the Radiological Society of North America. She also coordinated media affairs for the American Medical Association, lining up guest appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and coordinating AMA involvement with an HBO documentary and forum on depression. She is a contributor to numerous magazines and online journals including a recent series of essays published by Chicago Parent Magazine. Joan is Director of Communications at RCC and serves on the Youth Commission for the City of Elmhurst.

Andrew Wentling

Andy Wentling joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in August of 2008 as a Health Educator. In this role he was responsible for delivering educational and scientifically accurate program content, new program development, maintaining engaging classroom environments, and developing lasting relationships in the communities that Robert Crown Center serves. In July of 2011, Andy was promoted to Manager of Curriculum and Instruction of the Robert Crown Center. Andy is responsible for evaluation and updates to current curriculum as well as development of new content including staff development and parent education. Andy is also responsible for ensuring our health educators are true experts in their fields. Prior to joining the Robert Crown Center, Andy taught middle school and high school for six years. Andy received his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Kris Adzia

Kris Adzia has been involved in both formal and informal education as well as program and project development throughout her career. She was trained as an elementary educator and holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Learning. Kris taught fourth grade for three years and took part in a Golden Apple Science Summer workshop and received a State of Illinois Museum in the Classroom technology grant.

After leaving the classroom, Kris joined the Education Department at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. She developed, taught, and managed community outreach programs both at the Museum and off site. She taught and updated learning labs (classes inside the Museum exhibits), as well as scheduled and trained facilitators to teach these classes. She also developed and taught teacher workshops.

Barb Thayer

Barb Thayer joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in November 2011 as Special Events Coordinator. Barb manages all aspects of fundraising events and is responsible for supporting the development of new events for RCC.

Prior to joining Robert Crown, Barb devoted the past 10 years to raising her growing family. Barb lives in Hinsdale and has been involved in volunteer projects with many local Hinsdale organizations. She is thrilled to be part of the RCC team and is very excited to combine her passion for children and for event planning while working for a local organization. Previously, Barb enjoyed a successful career in the retail industry working as a Department Manager, Buyer and Planning Manager for Marshall Fields, Montgomery Ward and Spiegel. Barb has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Jaclyn Gill

Jaclyn Gill has been a Health Educator at the Robert Crown Center since 2005, when she was hired following her internship at RCC. Jackie is responsible for delivering educational and scientifically accurate program content, new program development, maintaining engaging classroom environments, and developing lasting relationships in the communities that Robert Crown Center serves. Jackie particularly enjoys interacting with older junior high school students through our Family Life programming. She spends much of her teaching time at our Homan Square location in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the west side of Chicago. Jackie received her B.S. in Community Health from Western Illinois University.

David Bedney M.D.

G. David R. Bedney, MD, MPH began his work as a health educator for Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, at the County of Riverside Department of Health, in Riverside California in 1986, after receiving his Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University in the same year. Finding his niche in adolescent health, he has taught scores of elementary and teen youth about relevant health issues, both in California and more recently here in Illinois. Choosing to augment his experience in health prevention and enhance his effectiveness, he received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, The Chicago Medical School, in 2002. He returned to use his skills at the Robert Crown Center in October of 2005. Dr. Bedney has personally taught almost 35,000 Chicagoland youth and their parents. David serves as a valuable resource to RCC’s curriculum development team. Dr. Bedney is married to Marcia Bedney, M.D. They are very proud of their two sons, Gerald, 19, and Gavin, 13.

Lance Williams

Lance Williams received his BS degree in Community Health Education from Illinois State University. After graduating, Lance began working with the Kane County Health Department as a Health Contractor, aiming to lower childhood obesity and tobacco use within the community.

In February of 2011, Lance joined the Robert Crown Center as a Health Educator. In his role, Lance is able to connect with students and create a safe environment where kids feel comfortable discussing information that would generally make them feel otherwise. He is also able to keep the audience entertained with both knowledgeable content and an appropriate amount of humor.

Misha Cadet

Misha Cadet received her BS in Community Health and Health Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2008. As a student, she worked as the Health and Wellness intern for the UIUC Wellness Center. Misha also spent some of her time volunteering with various youth enrichment agencies. After graduating, Misha began working as a Health Educator and Program Facilitator for the CDC’s Illinois WISEWoman Program and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer screening program. After relocating to Chicago in 2010 and encouraged by the work she completed in Champaign, Misha is pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Misha began working at the Robert Crown Center in February 2011 and thoroughly enjoys teaching, particularly about health. Misha’s personable and honest attitude enables her to relate well with students. She is passionate and energetic about encouraging youth to be well-informed and gain a better understanding of how their bodies work; especially in a practical, straightforward, entertaining, and “non-clinical” way.

Phyllis Gorman

Phyllis Gorman joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in March of 1995 as a Health Educator. In this role she is responsible for delivering educational and scientifically accurate program content. Phyllis has spent the past 16 years working on new program content and establishing relationships with teachers, principals, superintendents and the community. She has taught thousands of students and hopes she has made a difference in keeping them healthy, happy and safe. In addition, she teaches at the Hinsdale Hospital.

Prior to joining Robert Crown, Phyllis taught at S.E. Gross Middle School in Brookfield. She graduated from the University of Illinois, in Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. Phyllis enjoyed raising two children, Michael and Kathryn and has been blessed with two grandchildren, Jacksan and Malena.

Roseanne Tenuta

Rosanne Tenuta joined the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in July of 2008 as a Health Educator. In this role she was responsible for delivering educational and scientifically accurate program content, new program development, and maintaining engaging classroom environments.

Rose has also been responsible for developing curriculum for the Robert Crown Center. She has helped revise existing programs and aligned them with the State of Illinois Learning Standards as well as national standards from the CDC and other health organizations. Rose also a valued part of the RCC team creating “Stealth Health” workshops for area teachers that help them learn to incorporate health topics into math and science curricula. She continues to also serve as a Health Educator.

Prior to joining the Robert Crown Center, Rosanne taught Biology and Health Education at Oak Park & River Forest High School for 30+ years. She has a B. S. degree from University of Illinois in Teaching of Biology with a minor in Health Education. She also holds a Master degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in curriculum from Northern Illinois University and an Ed.S. degree from Northern Illinois University in Counseling.

Tara Witt

Tara Witt graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Health Promotion and minors in Spanish and Psychology. After school, she lived Germany where she ran an after- school center for the children of U.S. military personnel. Tara is happy to be at the Robert Crown Center for Health Education where she can combine her interest in health and well-being, with her passion for educating children.

Karime Jimenez

Since joining the Robert Crown Center three years ago, Karime has become the welcoming face and voice for the Center. She is responsible for the reservation system and schedules nearly 85,000 students a year. She also provides the follow-up confirmations and invoicing for the RCC classes. With her mastery of the system and understanding of all of RCC’s offerings, she is able to guide teachers and parents toward the right class. Additionally, she coordinates vendor visits and provides administrative support throughout the Center. Besides playing a key role in the administration of RCC, she always gives a warm first greeting to all the RCC guests.