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LaShawnda High earned her Master of Science in Nursing at Olivet University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and licensed through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. LaShawnda was drawn to community health care because she wanted to provide high quality, patient-centered care to communities that have historically been medically underserved. She prioritizes building strong relationships with her patients and treats each once like family. Outside of work, LaShawnda enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.  

Emily Goodlin earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at West Suburban Medical Center. She is Board certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice. Dr. Goodlin’s philosophy of care is to provide empathetic, patient-centered care and to empower her patients to reach their health goals. She looks forward to making a positive impact on her Chicago community and building strong relationships with her patients. Outside of work, Dr. Goodlin enjoys spending time with her dog, going to concerts, and traveling. She is fluent in Spanish.  

Eleni Marsh attended the University of Chicago and earned a Master of Social Work after completing her practicum in adult psychiatry at University of Chicago hospitals. She is licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Before coming to ACCESS, Eleni worked in supportive housing as a case manager. Eleni’s mission as a licensed clinical social worker is to serve in communities that may not have access to quality mental health care. She believes that each person has a drive to better themselves, and she works with patients to understand their strengths and connect them to resources. Eleni enjoys reading books of all genres, spending time with friends and family, and staying active. Eleni is fluent in French.

Carolina Ayala, P.A.-C. received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Northern Arizona University and is credentialed through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. Carolina enjoys being a part of a multidisciplinary team to provide high quality patient health care in communities that need it most. She strives to deliver compassionate health care and partners with her patients to tackle health problems and goals together. Outside of work, Carolina enjoys traveling, snowboarding and finding new places to eat. She is fluent in Spanish.

Mary Winokur received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at Carroll University and is a certified Physician Assistant by the National Commission On Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants . Mary believes everyone deserves access to quality health care. She delivers care to her patients as if they are family with open communication so that she can build trust and work with them to create better health outcomes. Outside of work, Mary enjoys hiking, baking and spending time with family and friends.

Jenny Lussenhop earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Case Western Reserve University. She is a certified Physician Assistant through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Jenny chooses to work in a community health center because she believes that access to quality, affordable health care is an important step to building vibrant, healthy communities. She is focused on providing patient-centered care and works collaboratively with patients to meet their needs. Outside of work, Jenny enjoys playing with her dog, spending time outside, and trying new recipes.

Nardeen Morkos earned her medical degree at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt and completed her residency at Mount Sinai Hospital here in Chicago. Dr. Morkos is Board-certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. After completing her residency in Chicago, she knew she wanted to give back and work at a community health center to make a difference in her patients’ health and quality of life. It is important to Dr. Morkos to make sure her patients have the agency to make their own health decisions and finds it important to discuss all treatment options and concerns with her patients. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and trying new cuisines. Dr. Morkos is fluent in Arabic.

Amy Lilly earned her Doctor of Nursing at Southern Illinois University and completed her residency in St. Louis and Illinois. She is a certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse through the American Nursing Credentialing Center. Amy values the contributions of community health centers and the critical mental health services they provide to medically underserved communities. She believes that mental health is essential to overall health and takes the time with each of her patients to listen to their concerns and treat them with compassion and dignity. Outside of work, Amy enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Liaht Bauer graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She is credentialed through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Through high-quality, patient-centered care, Liaht is able to positively impact the lives of her patients. She believes in creating strong relationships with her patients by always listening to their concerns and treating them with dignity and respect. Outside of work, Liaht is a classically trained violinist and enjoys listening to music, spending time with friends, and watching movies. Liaht is fluent in French.

Chelsee Uhlar completed her nurse practitioner studies at Frontier Nursing University with a specialization in women’s health. She is accredited through the National Certification Corporation and is a member of Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health. Chelsee sees health care as a human right and is committed to providing high quality patient-centered care to communities with barriers to care. She takes the time to listen to all her patients' concerns and works with them to find solutions that improve their overall health. Outside of work, Chelsee enjoys traveling, hiking, and kayaking.

Lauren Knazze earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed her residency in the Northwestern McGaw Family Medicine Residency Program. She is Board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Academy of HIV Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Knazze uses a collaborative approach to medicine and works with her patients to create a healthier lifestyle. She believes that health care is a human right and that everyone deserves accessible, quality care. Outside of work Dr. Knazze can be found reading fantasy novels, traveling, and spending time with family.

Bridget Adams, PA-C, received her Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant studies at New York Institute of Technology and completed her residency in New York. Bridget is credentialed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is a licensed physician assistant in Illinois. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Bridget believes in providing exceptional, individualized care to her patients and chose community health care to positively impact the lives of patients and communities. Bridget played basketball through college and enjoys spending time with family and exercising.

Dr. Alvarez earned her medical degree from the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala and completed her residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is fluent in both Spanish and French. Dr. Alvarez focuses on community involvement in her practice and outside of work enjoys learning other languages and sports.

Sarah Verbeek completed the Physician Assistant program at Rosalind Franklin University/Chicago Medical School. She is licensed by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. Sarah enjoys working in a community setting because she can offer holistic as well as preventive care to her patients. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys photography, travel, and tennis. She is also fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Benitez is a native of Cebu City Philippines and obtained her medical education at the Southwestern University School of Medicine in the Philippines. Beginning in 1977, Dr. Benitez has practiced community health care in Chicago at Palos Community Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and now at ACCESS South State Family Health Center.