Staff & Steering Committee Profiles

Margaret Leahr Office Assistant Margaret Leahr was hired as Project Assistant in June 2008. She assisted in all areas related to implementation of the HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant. She currently provides clerical support for PCCHP. Margaret is a Pike County native and lives in Chambersburg with her family. She brings a wealth of skills and enthusiasm to the Partnership!   Email Margaret at info@pikehealthpartnership.org

Patricia McIntosh Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County Patricia currently serves the Steering Committee Treasurer. Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County (HWFPC) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization incorporated into the State of Illinois in January 2003. HWFPC supports health and human services organizations or entities that enhance the quality of life and well-being in Pike County by awarding grant funding toward health related projects, services, and educational endeavors. The Foundation recognizes that health encompasses overall quality of life, mental and physical well-being and is directly impacted by access to services and programs regardless of stage of life, economic circumstances and physical limitations. HWFPC is the only foundation dedicated to serving the health and wellness needs of Pike County. Patricia is the Executive Director of the HWFPC which has a current operating budget of approximately $160,000.  Patricia brings over 25 years of experience in organizational management (for profit and non-profit), grant management, fund development, and foundation related programs. HWFPC currently provides a dual service to the Partnership.  Along with being one of the Partnership Steering Committee organizations, the Foundation also serves as fiscal sponsor for the Partnership. As fiscal sponsor for PCCHP, HWFPC will insure that the Partnership follows best practices in financial administration and that grant funds are used according to the grant guidelines and accounted for accurately. Email Patricia at ichcf@aol.com

Kathy Hull Illini Community Hospital Illini Community Hospital is licensed as a Critical Access Hospital with 25 beds and an array of inpatient and outpatient services. It employs a majority of health care professionals in the area and is the second largest employer in the county. Kathy is President and CEO of Illini Community Hospital. She has a bachelor's degree in laboratory medicine and a master's degree in Health Administration with 10 years experience in health care administration and 29 years experience in healthcare. Email Kathy at Kathy.Hull@blessinghealthsystem.org

Jennifer Mowen Illini Community Hospital Jennifer is Administrative Coordinator of Quality and Education for Illini Community Hospital.  She has a Masters Degree in Economics.  Jennifer has ten years experience in education, data analysis, and planning.  She currently serves as the Chair of the PCCHP Steering Committee. Email Jennifer at jmowen2@illinihospital.org.

Anita Andress Pike County Health Department The Pike County Health Department (PCHD) is the local public health agency. PCHD provides basic and safety net programs in public health: WIC. Family Case Management. Family Planning. Diabetes Prevention and Control. numerous other health promotion programs. In addition, PCHD provides the only Medicare certified Home Health Agency located in Pike County. The following mandated public health programs area also provided by PCHD: Environmental Health programs (potable water, food safety and nuisance control) Communicable Disease Surveillance, Prevention and Control Anita is Administrator of the PCHD.  She is a registered nurse with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and 20 years experience in public health. Email Anita at aandress@pikecoilhealth.org

Jan Bleich Pike County Health Department Jan was the Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Need (IPLAN) Coordinator for Pike County Health Department when the idea for establishing the Pike County Community Health Partnership first evolved. Jan was the first PCCHP "coordinator" and the first Chair of the PCCHP Steering Committee. Currently, Jan is the Assistant Director of Nursing and Community Health Promotion Coordinator for Pike County Health Department. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and over 30 years experience working in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, schools, home health and public health. In her current role, Jan has developed extensive grant writing and grant management abilities, as well as, development, promotion, and marketing of various health initiatives. Email Jan at jbleich@pikecoilhealth.org

Katie Wilson Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois Katie currently serves as Secretary of the Steering Committee. Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois (MHCWI), Pike County site, provides mental health services for the residents of Pike County. Services include a sheltered workshop for developmentally disabled adults, substance abuse and prevention treatment programs, and other mental health services. Katie is Associate Director of MHCWI.  She has a Master of Science Degree, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and has 12 years experience in mental health. Email Katie at kwilson@mhcwi.org

Karen Epley Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois  Karen is the Developmental Training Supervisor for the MCHWI-Pike West site.  She has a Master's Degree in counseling, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has 10 years experience in mental health. Email Karen at kepley@mhcwi.org

Brenda Middendorf Two Rivers RC&D

Brenda currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee. Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Area (RC&D) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to bring about economic improvement through the development of the natural resources, provide for environmental protection and help solve the social concerns of the area. In the past year, Two Rivers RC&D has completed 19 projects for a total cost of $608,816. Since 1972, the Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Board of Directors has completed over 360 projects, totaling a value of more than $45 million dollars. These funds were obtained from federal, state, and local units of governments, as well as private sources. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, the Two Rivers RC&D has leveraged an average of $14 from other sources to support economic development in our home communities. The Two Rivers RC&D Area provides service to Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Pike and Schuyler Counties. Brenda Middendorf, Program Manager, has over 30 years experience in non-profit management and is responsible for grant writing, grant oversight and fund management for the Two Rivers RC&D Area. Email Brenda at bmiddendorf@2riversrcd.org

Christa Perkins Pike County Economic Development Corporation  The Pike County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private economic development organization in Pike County, Illinois. The PCEDC’s mission is to support and expand business and employment by improving the quality of life, utilizing our human and natural resources, and by promoting communication and partnerships throughout Pike County.  The organization provides economic development support in the following areas: ·       Business Retention & Expansion ·       Business Attraction ·       Small Business Development ·       Community Development Planning Christa Perkins, Executive Director, has over ten-year’s experience in non-profit management and economic development.  Throughout her career she has been instrumental in fostering rural economic development activities, capacity building volunteer organizations, and facilitating fundraising activities for project initiatives that improve the overall quality of life in rural communities. Email Christa at cperkins@pikeedc.org.

Becky Niewohner PACT Headstart Becky Niewohner is the Health Coordinator for Parent and Child Together (PACT) for West Central Illinois. PACT is a local not-for-profit corporation providing health and human services to young children and their families. It is the permanent Grantee for Head Start and Early Head Start programs Brown, Pike, Hancock, Schuyler, Cass Scott, McDonough and rural Adams counties. The mission of the agency is to provide a comprehensive program of educational, health, and social services to children and their families which promotes self esteem and self sufficiency. PACT serves approximately 90 children and families in Pike County.  As Health Coordinator Becky is responsible for assisting direct service staff in assessing, planning and delivery of health services to PACT families. She carries the overall responsibility for compliance with Health, Mental Health, and Nutrition performance standards. Email Becky at bniewohner@pactheadstart.com.

Kristin Huls University of Illinois Extension, Pike County Unit Kristin Huls is the County Director for University of Illinois Extension in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler Counties.  She received her bachelor's degree in Ag Business and her master's degree in Education from Western Illinois University and has held several different positions with University of Illinois Extension for the past 13 years.  Kristin currently resides near Carthage, IL. The University of Illinois Extension, Pike County Unit offers educational programs in five broad areas: Healthy Society Food Security and Safety Environmental Stewardship Sustainable and Profitable Food Production and Marketing Systems Enhancing Youth, Family, and Community Well-being Email Kristin at khuls@illinois.edu.