Meet our hospital staff

Jeri Srur-Kwaak, LCSW, ACHT and NBCCH
Supervisor

Jeri has over 17 years of experience working within her specialty areas of child/adult trauma and substance use and abuse. She has had the honor and privilege of serving children, adolescents, adults and families in the Behavioral Health field.  She utilizes a holistic perspective of incorporating individual’s emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects into their plan of care.  She considers herself to be a Psycho-Spiritual Therapist.  Her educational background involves receiving an undergraduate degree (minor in Substance Use & Abuse) and graduate degree in social work with honors.  She was in the top two percent of her graduate class with a grade point average of 3.88.  She holds three clinical licenses in the states of Illinois, California and North Dakota.  She is a Wellness Institute Heart Centered Advanced Certified Hypnotherapist and a National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist.   She has been with Advocate Lutheran General for over ten years and Supervisor for the Adult Day Hospital for over eight years.  She is also in private practice and facilitates Personal Transformation Intensive Workshops.

Howard Baitcher

Howard brings over 13 years of experience in supporting our staff.  From initial patient contact to registration, verifying benefits, he does it all. He is trained in many of our hospital’s systems and procedures.  He will be glad to assist you in any way he can.

Kathi Baron, MS, OTR/L, MFA

Kathi holds graduate degrees in Occupational Therapy and in Writing, and has been a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association for over 30 years. She has experience in Behavioral Health with children, adolescents and adults; and also, developed and managed a rehabilitation program for injured workers. She’s written a variety of articles that are published in Occupational Therapy journals and texts. In 2009, WestSide Books published her first novel, Shattered. Kathi has also presented at state and national Occupational Therapy conferences and has guest-lectured in Occupational Therapy programs at: Cleveland State, Boston University, Midwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In the Adult Day Hospital program, Kathi provides therapeutic activity groups focused on assisting patients to improve daily functioning. Specifically, interventions used are: goal-setting to improve productivity in the areas of work, self-care, leisure and sleep hygiene; a project group to explore the stress reduction benefits of leisure activities, as well as ways to boost self esteem through meaningful activities; and a variety of experiential opportunities to build skills such as problem-solving, time management and self-soothing.

Mary Chambers-Foltman, RN

Mary is a registered nurse with degrees in nursing and psychology.  She has worked in institutions in Wisconsin and Illinois during the course of her career.  Mary received her baccalaureate of science degree in psychology in 1992 and went on to obtain an associate degree of science in nursing in 1998 and baccalaureate of science degree in nursing in 2007. She has widely varied experience as a floor nurse in medical, surgical, oncology, orthopedics and dialysis.  She specialized in medical detoxification for seven years and has more than fifteen years experience working in the psychosocial field, including psychiatric units with children, adolescents and adults.  Mary's special interest is in holistic health, integrating the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions, with an emphasis on educating patients on healthy lifestyles.

Michael Carbone, MSW, LCSW

Michael graduated cum laude from Loyola University-Chicago in 2006 with a BSW and in 2007 with an MSW.  While attending Loyola University-Chicago, Michael was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society Loyola Chapter.  Michael also received his Type 73 and has experience working with children with severe learning disabilities, mental impairments, and other developmental disabilities in the public school system as well as in the inpatient mental health setting.   Michael began working for Advocate Lutheran General in 2007 in the inpatient psychiatric department.  Since working at Advocate Lutheran General, Michael has gained a wealth of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with depression and anxiety.  Michael is a huge proponent of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  Cognitive-behavioral therapy stresses the role of how thoughts affect the way we feel and what we do.

Ed O'Hara, LCSW

Ed has had over 12 years of experience over a diverse population including children, adolescents, adults, and families. He received his undergraduate degree from Marquette University and his masters degree from Loyola University. He believes in providing excellent care for the client's he works with.

Cynthia L. Spies, RN, MSN, CADC

Cynthia has over 30 years experience with ten years in Public Health Nursing and fifteen years in Substance Abuse Treatment, working with individuals and families to promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.