health enews staff
Mike Riopell, health enews contributor, is a media relations coordinator with Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. He previously worked as a reporter and editor covering politics and government for the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and Bloomington Pantagraph, among others. He enjoys bicycles, home repair, flannel shirts and being outside.
Adam Mesirow, health enews managing editor, is director of media relations at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. A media relations specialist with more than seven years of experience securing high-profile media placements, he loves to tell a good story. Adam earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. He lives in Chicago and enjoys playing sports, reading TIME magazine and a little nonsense now and then.
Anna Kohler, health enews contributor, is an external communications specialist at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She received her Bachelor of Science in public relations from Illinois State University and has worked in health care public relations for over three years. In her free time, she enjoys working out, exploring new places with her friends and family and keeping up with the latest trends.
Holly Brenza, health enews contributor, is a public affairs coordinator on the content team at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, Holly enjoys reading, watching the White Sox and Blackhawks, playing with her dog, Bear and running her cats’ Instagram account, @strangefurthings.
Sarah Scroggins, health enews contributor, is director of social media at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has more than 9 years of public relations and marketing experience with a Masters degree in Communications with an emphasis in PR. Sarah loves spending time with her husband and her two pups. She loves keeping up with fitness trends and is training for the Chicago Marathon.
Julie Nakis, health enews contributor, is manager of public affairs and marketing at Advocate Children’s Hospital. She earned her BA in communications from the University of Iowa – Go Hawkeyes! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the city and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks.
Sonja Vojcic, health enews contributor, is a marketing manager at Advocate Health Care. She has several years of international public relations and marketing experience with a Master’s degree in Communications from DePaul University. In her free time, Sonja enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and keeping up with the latest health news and fashion trends.
Johnna Kelly, health enews contributor, is a public affairs and marketing manager at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. She is a former newspaper reporter and spent nearly 10 years as a public relations professional working for state and county government. During her time as a communications staffer for the Illinois General Assembly, she was integral in drafting and passing legislation creating Andrea’s Law, the nation’s first murderer registry. In her spare time, she volunteers at a local homeless shelter, enjoys traveling, photography and watching the Chicago Bulls.
LeeAnn Atwood, health enews contributor, is public affairs manager for nursing at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has more than 20 years of communications and public relations experience centered on nonprofit health care and media publishing throughout the greater-Chicagoland area. LeeAnn is active in the community and sits on several boards, including the McHenry County Community Foundation and the City of Crystal Lake’s Historic Preservation Commission. She is an avid reader, enjoys international travel and spending quality time with friends and family.
Cassie Richardson, health enews contributor, is a manager of affairs and marketing at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago. She has more than 10 years of experience in health care communications, marketing, media and public relations. Cassie is a fan of musical theater and movies. When she’s not spreading the word about health and wellness advancements, she enjoys writing fiction.
Jennifer Benson, health enews contributor, is coordinator of public affairs for Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has 10+ years of community development and communication experience for non-profits in the Elgin area and has a BA in Architecture from Judson University. Outside of work, you can find her planning the next adventure near water or rocks, re-organizing spaces, entertaining two needy cats, defaulting to curry or taco dinners and growing green things wherever she can find room.
Mary Arens, health enews contributor, is a senior content specialist at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. She has 20+ years of experience in communications plus a degree in microbiology. Outside of work, Mary makes healthy happen with hiking, yoga, gardening and walks with her dog, Chester.
Tonya Lucchetti-Hudson, health enews contributor, is public affairs director for Advocate Medical Group and Advocate Physician Partners.
