About Us
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, also known as ICAAP, is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization made up of over 2,000 pediatricians in Illinois. As an organization, we work to build stronger communities by improving health care for children in our state.
Investing in Pediatricians to Ensure Stronger Communities
When children are healthy, they spend more time at school, participating in group activities, and building their character. This leads to healthier lifelong habits that contribute to a more stable career, stronger relationships with others, and sets the foundation for their children to become healthy adults as well. When healthy adults are working, contributing to the economy, buying local goods, connecting with local organizations, and engaging with their neighbors, it creates stronger communities that thrive.
ICAAP improves the health and well-being of all children in Illinois through three main functions including the development of better public health programs, the direct support of pediatricians through education and resources, and with state-wide advocacy focusing on creating larger change to health care cost, access, and delivery.
ICAAP Leadership
ICAAP leadership includes five chapter officers, seven elected members, and one appointed executive committee member representing an academic medical center. These 12 members are called the Executive Committee and they serve as the ICAAP board of directors. The Executive Committee of ICAAP are volunteers chosen by their peers to serve the statewide association of Illinois pediatricians.
Officers
President
Michelle M. Barnes, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
President-Elect
Anita Chandra-Puri, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
Secretary
Michele Beekman, MD, FAAP
Peoria, IL
Treasurer
Tomitra Latimer, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
Past President
Margaret Scotellaro, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
Executive Committee Members
Mark Minier, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
(2022-2026)
Veena Ramaiah, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
(2022-2026)
Jennifer Kusma Saper, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
(2022-2026)
Craig E. Batterman, MD, FAAP
Springfield, IL
(2024-2028)
Zohra Moeenuddin, MD, FAAP
Peoria, IL
(2024-2028)
Anna Volerman, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
(2024-2028)
Nominating Committee
Gary Fernando, MD, FAAP
Chicago, IL
2022-2026
Jawad Javed, MD, FAAP Peoria, IL 2024-2026
Daniel Johnson, MD, FAAP Chicago, IL 2024-2028
Jacqueline Korpics, MD, FAAP Chicago, IL 2024-2028
Staff
Chief Executive Officer
312-733-1026, ext 7672
jpinkwater@illinoisaap.com
Jennie Pinkwater has served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2015. She provides strategic direction to support the organization’s 2100 pediatrician members to improve the health and wellbeing of children and families in Illinois. Ms. Pinkwater oversees a dynamic grant funded organization that develops education programs to support optimal pediatric care in Illinois. Since joining the Chapter in 2008 as a Project Director, she has directed the policy and advocacy activities for the chapter including passage of child and family friendly legislation and advocating for policy changes to improve healthcare quality and access for children and families. Previously, Ms. Pinkwater served as the Associate State Director of Program Services and Public Affairs at the Illinois Chapter of the March of Dimes. Ms. Pinkwater received her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Kalamazoo College with a minor in Biology and received a Masters of Non-Profit Management at DePaul University's School of Public Service.
Manager, Immunizations
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6224
aarca@illinoisaap.com
Alexandra Arca joined ICAAP in April of 2023 as the newest member of the immunizations team. Alexandra graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a Master of Public Health in August of 2021 after graduating with a Bachelor of Community Health in 2020. Before coming to ICAAP, Alexandra’s focus was on COVID-19 control. She began working as an Outbreak Specialist in at the Hamilton County Public Health Department in Cincinnati before moving onto Chicago Public Schools’ Contact Tracing team where she had spent the past two years. She is very passionate about delivering quality healthcare for all and for continuing to mitigate infectious disease spread at all levels. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, baking, and watching many movies.
Chief Program Officer
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6199
satella@illinoisaap.com
Stephanie Atella joined in June 2021 as the Project Director for Immunizations and became Chief Program Officer in February 2022. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science in Community Health at Hofstra University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Prior to working at the Chapter, she supported COVID-19 mass vaccination clinics at Northwestern Medicine, was the Program Director for the Chicago Department of Public Health’s tuberculosis program and a Senior Health Educator at Loyola University Chicago. She worked with the organization formally known as CeaseFire while at UIC and was an AmeriCorps member in a school-based health center in New York City. Stephanie is a Certified Health Education Specialist, and a trained domestic violence and sexual assault advocate.
Chief Operating Officer
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6234
hclemenson@illinoisaap.com
Hannah Clemenson joined ICAAP in January 2022. She graduated from American University with a BA in Political Science and Communications, Law, Economics, and Government (CLEG) and has focused her career on nonprofit and advocacy work. Prior to joining at the chapter, she managed operations, finance, and AmeriCorps programs for a capacity building nonprofit in Colorado and conservation programs for an environmental nonprofit in Pennsylvania. In her free time, Hannah enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring Chicago’s restaurants, and playing with her dog, Duke.
Senior Program Manager, Health Equity Initiatives
(312) 733-1026 ext. 8073
acreek@illinoisaap.com
Abby Creek joined ICAAP in August 2022. She graduated from DePaul University with her BS in Community Health in 2018 and Masters of Public Health in 2021. Before joining ICAAP, she worked at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and as a research assistant on barriers to substance use treatment. In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and cheering on St. Louis sports.
Senior Program Manager, Immunizations
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6186
MDelCiello@illinoisaap.com
Monica joined ICAAP in April 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Ball State University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Monica's prior experience includes planning and implementing substance use prevention programming for youth at a social services non-profit and managing COVID-19 resource coordination and education at a Federally Qualified Health Center. Monica is passionate about positive youth development and in her free time enjoys being outside and spending time with friends and family.
Senior Program Director, Health Equity Initiatives
(312) 733-1026 ext. 3258
melsner@illinoisaap.com
Mary Elsner joined in March 2009 as the Director of Obesity Prevention Projects. She received her BA from Tufts University and her JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She has more than twenty years of health organizational management and health policy experience. As a practicing attorney, she promoted equal access to justice through the representation of the poor in public health benefits' and SSI disability cases. Prior to joining ICAAP, she directed health policy, advocacy, and government affairs for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders - ANAD, where she successfully led efforts to mandate Illinois group insurance coverage for eating disorders and worked to bring about public recognition of mental health and its relationship to the entire spectrum of disordered eating behaviors.
Program Director
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6232
lbarnfield@illinoisaap.com
Lauren Erbach Barnfield joined in March 2023 as Program Director for Mental Health, Oral Health, and Adolescent Health. Lauren received her BA in Elementary & Special Education from Clarke University and taught for three years before making a career shift to the nonprofit sector. She is passionate about providing educational tools, resources, and opportunities for medical professionals, patients, and those who care for them. Prior to joining ICAAP, Lauren worked for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as Senior Manager of Patient & Community Outreach in Illinois and as Education Manager at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. After spending most of her life thinking she didn’t like science, Lauren found herself perusing public health journals for fun in her free time. She is currently embracing her inner science geek and pursuing her MPH at Oklahoma State University.
Lauren is a life-long fan of musical theater and is waiting for Gene Kelly to whisk her away to tap dance in technicolor. When she’s not waiting for Mr. Kelly, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her spouse and children, teaching herself to embroider, and reading.
Program Manager, Reach Out and Read
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6203
oheinzeroth@illinoisaap.com
Olivia Heinzeroth joined the Reach Out and Read team at ICAAP in January of 2024. Prior to joining ICAAP, Olivia received her Bachelor’s of Science from Illinois State University where she majored in Human Development and Family Science and minored in Children’s Studies (with an emphasis on literacy and linguistics). She has previously worked with all ages and stages of development at daycare facilities, after-school programs, summer camps, and libraries. Through her many roles, she was able to see the firsthand benefits that literacy can have in the life of a child. In her role today, she is eager to continue her efforts in promoting both youth and family literacy.
Project Coordinator
312-733-1026, ext 6197
ahernandez@illinoisaap.com
Anelis Hernandez joined ICAAP in July of 2024 as a Project Coordinator. They are a dedicated professional with a strong academic background and extensive experience in adolescent mental health and health education tailored to young folks. They hold a B.A. in Sociology/Global Public Health from New York University, with minors in Spanish and Child/Adolescent Mental Health Studies, and an M.P.H. from the University of Southern California, concentrating in Community Health Promotion. Their previous roles include Residential Counselor and Academic Coordinator at Destinations for Teens and a Community Health Worker with the LADPH's Homeless Outreach Program, engaging with people experiencing homelessness on vaccine education. Additionally, they have experience as a Health Education Intern at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, developing social media content and educational curricula. During her undergraduate studies, she was the co-founder of Fempowered at NYU, where they aimed to make comprehensive health education accessible to young people in NYC. She continues to bring this commitment and passion about adolescent and pediatric well-being and health education to ICAAP. In her free time, she likes to read, cook and watch TV with her cat, Ralph, snuggled up by her side.
Senior Manager, Professional Education
(312) 723-1026 ext. 6952
emoore@illinoisaap.com
Erin Moore joined in September 2020. She graduated from Columbia College of Missouri with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2005. She attended Keller Graduate School of Management and graduated with a Masters degree in Human Resource Management in 2010. Prior to joining, Erin worked with associations for 13 years. She started as a coordinator with Air Movement and Control Association assisting with running their Certification program. She also worked with Veritas Association Management as an Accreditation Manager where she managed the CME accreditation for multiple Healthcare Associations.
Program Manager
(312) 733-1026 ext. 8499
snicholson@illinoisaap.com
Sam Nicholson joined in April 2023 as Program Manager for Mental Health, Oral Health, and Adolescent Health. Sam received her Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from Illinois State University in 2019 and Master of Public Health, Health Service Management from Northern Illinois University in 2022. Prior to joining ICAAP, Sam worked for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a Campaign Development Manager to support fundraising efforts for blood cancer treatment. Sam is passionate about optimizing the health and wellness for all, especially the most vulnerable among us. In her free time, Sam enjoys spending time with her friends and family and being outside with her dog, Leo.
Chief Strategy Officer
(312) 733-1026 ext. 8098
cogrin@illinoisaap.com
Cindy Ogrin joined in July 2019 as the organization's first Director of Marketing and Development. She has worked for over 15 years in fundraising and marketing, and supporting public health initiatives and organizations. Previous to her ICAAP role, she served as the Director of Strategy & Growth for HealthConnect One, a national maternal child health nonprofit, and as a fundraising consultant working for organizations in early childhood such as COFI, Honeycomb Project, and as the Director of Reach Out & Read Illinois, a program of ICAAP. Ms. Ogrin received her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from New School University in New York City. She serves as one of the senior staff members at ICAAP and directs and implements fundraising and marketing initiatives to support ICAAP's leadership in Illinois.
Executive Assistant
312-733-1026 ext. 6228
cranus@illinoisaap.com
Charlene Ranus joined ICAAP in January 2024 as Executive Assistant to the CEO and COO. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) who has spent her career working at the intersection of health and education. Her previous work affiliations include serving as Executive Director of a national professional association and a CDC health scientist. She has a master’s degree in sport administration and bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. In her free time, Charlene enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, reading, and spending time with her young adult kids.
Director, Reach Out and Read Illinois
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6609
krogers@illinoisaap.com
Kristina Rogers has worked in the early childhood sector for over ten years. In 2013, she joined Illinois Action for Children with the North Lawndale team, where she worked directly with children, families, providers, and schools. During this time, she helped develop the North Lawndale Early Childhood Collaboration which led efforts to address chronic absenteeism, early intervention wait lists, low enrollment in early childhood programs, and the transition from home-visiting programs to quality preschool. In 2018, Kristina joined the Community Systems Statewide Supports team, where she assisted Illinois early childhood collaborations to address similar issues. Kristina joined ICAAP in the fall of 2022 as the Associate Director of Reach Out and Read.
Kristina graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with her undergraduate degree and completed her Master of Science degree at DePaul in Public Service Management. In June 2022, she was appointed to the Oak Park Public Library Board, blending her passions for building community and setting policy. Kristina lives in Oak Park with her spouse, toddler, and dog.
Reach Out and Read Program Manager
(312) 733-1026 ext. 6196
vvillivalam@illinoisaap.com
Veena Villivalam joined ICAAP in January 2023. She began her career as a public school teacher in New York City. Prior to joining ICAAP, Veena worked to support funders and non-profits in grantmaking, program evaluation, and program management. Committed to equity in education in informal spaces, Veena has also pursued educator roles within libraries as a Teacher in the Library and an Experiential Learning Specialist in the Chicago Public Libraries and Skokie Library respectively. With over 15 years of experience in the field of education, she is excited to contribute to ICAAP's efforts to promote early childhood and family literacy through the Reach Out and Read program. Veena received her B.A. from Brown University in Providence, RI and her M.Ed. from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.
Program Manager
312-733-1026 ext. 6209
bvogt@illinoisaap.com
Brandi Vogt joined in December 2023 as a Program Manager under the Immunizations team. She has her BS in Public Health from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her Masters of Science in Global Health from Northwestern University. Prior to joining ICAAP, she worked as a Prevention Specialist at OMNI, her focus was on preventing adolescent substance use, risky sexual behaviors, and violence prevention. When she’s not at work, she enjoys trying out new restaurants with her husband, going on walks with her dog, and having game nights with her friends.
Senior Program Manager, Immunizations
(312) 733-1026 ext. 9176
cwerenskjold@illinoisaap.com
Caroline Werenskjold joined ICAAP September 2021. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia and her Master's in Public Health from Tulane University. Prior to ICAAP, Caroline worked as a project coordinator and researcher on a variety of community health and education projects. In her spare time, she likes to read by Lake Michigan and discover new delicious Chicago restaurants.
Office Manager
(312) 733-1026 ext. 8237
pzajac@illinoisaap.com
Paula Zajac joined ICAAP in September 2005 as a Project Coordinator supporting asthma, oral health, immunizations, and developmental projects. Her responsibilities included scheduling office and hospital-based programs, tracking and implementation of CME and CEU guidelines and information, and providing on-site staff support for educational presentations. In recent years Ms. Zajac has held the position of Office Manager where she is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and Director of Operations in all aspects related to the operation of ICAAP.