About Us

Nathan R. Jaisingh, N.P.

President & CEO

Bio Coming Soon.

Elaine M. Furjanic, M.S., P.C.

Post Masters Intern | Professional Counselor

Elaine Furjanic's area of concentration is group therapy with a special interest in alcohol and drug rehabilitation. She has earned many credit hours during her Master's degree program in class work and non-for-profit organizations dealing with 12 step programs. Elaine Furjanic's practice modality encourages the enrichment of an individuals' life with cognitive behavior therapy, patient education, and family support services.

The overarching theme of her treatment is the belief that human beings can transform their past errors into a learning experience and go forward in their lives with a renewed sense of self-identity and inner awareness.

Andrew Segovia Kulik, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Segovia Kulik completed his Bachelor's of Science in both Biology and Psychology at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. He proceeded and completed his Medical Degree at Grace University School of Medicine. Dr. Segovia Kulik then completed one year of Family Practice Residency at Jackson Park Hospital (JPH) on the south side of Chicago. During his time at JPH, Dr. Segovia Kulik decided to continue serving an underserved urban population. However, he chose to change to a different medical discipline, Psychiatry.

In January of 2001, Dr. Segovia Kulik began training in the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Department of Psychiatry Residency Program. He completed 3.5 years at the University which ended in the summer of 2006. Dr. Segovia Kulik was honored at the start of his final year at UIC by being elected Chief Resident supervising 46 other M.D's in the department of Psychiatry. This title was an honor due to the democratic process adhered to by the University decided amongst his contemporary peers. Dr. Segovia Kulik graduated from UIC in the summer of 2006.

During Dr. Segovia Kulik's training in general psychiatry he became intrigued with the analytical and adversarial nature of Forensic Psychiatry. He applied and was accepted to one of the premier and most well established Forensic Psychiatric training programs in the country. He attended and trained at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland from the summer of 2006 until the summer of 2007.

During his forensic psychiatric training Dr. Segovia Kulik accepted a Forensic Psychiatric position at Forensic Clinical Service (FCS) of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago, Illinois. This position is one of the foremost full time forensic psychiatric positions in the country regarding experience and breadth of exposure to criminal forensic issues.

Additionally, after working at FCS for almost two years, Dr. Segovia Kulik received a promotion within the Cook County system and he accepted the position of Divisional Chairman of Consult Liaison in the Department of Psychiatry at Stroger Hospital of Cook County (formally Cook County Hospital) in Chicago, Illinois. Lastly, while Dr. Segovia Kulik transitioned to his new full time county position, he also accepted and became Medical Director of Benchmark Psychiatric Services, LTD.

Lucinda J. Clark, N.P.

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Lucinda J. Clark has been a pioneer Nurse Practitioner at both Rush University Medical Center Sleep Center and the University of Illinois Sleep Science Center in Chicago, IL. During her tenure at Rush, she was pivotal in the implementation and operation of the sleep program at Cook County Hospital and was the research coordinator for multiple site studies that developed various medications used in sleep.

During her term at the University of Illinois she was an associate clinical instructor and developed a lecture for Nurse Practitioner students on Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its relation to Atrial Fibrillation and Hypertension. This lecture remains as part of the course work for graduate nursing students. Lucinda J. Clark also offered Nurse Practitioner students at the University of Illinois the opportunity to gain clinical experience in the Nurse Practitioner run sleep clinic.

Over the past 10 years she has been very active in the field of sleep, participating as both a clinician and a clinical research coordinator. Her patient age ranged from four years to the elderly. Specializing in Insomnia, Phase Delay Sleep Syndrome, Shift Work Disorders, Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Respiratory failure, Complex Sleep Apnea, Depression, and compliance problems with the use of CPAP and BiPAP are all conditions she has specialized.

Lucinda J. Clark has specialized training in mask fitting, mask desensitization, downloading CPAP units and is trained to adjust and program numerous types of CPAP units.
Lucinda J. Clark, N.P.

Elizabeth Wengel, N.P.

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Elizabeth Wengel is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, having earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rush University in Chicago. She has a strong interest in working within the field of psychiatric services and thus, obtained a position with Benchmark. In this role, she will be performing psychiatric evaluations and managing medications. In addition, she will be available for family consultations and educational presentations.

Elizabeth is also a Clinical Faculty member for Loyola University's School of Nursing. In this role, she precepts undergraduate nursing students in the clinical environment. Additionally, she conducts Clinical Role Transition seminars where she coordinates clinical experiences for students who are in their final semester of nursing school.

Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Faculty member, Elizabeth had roles as an information systems trainer, a clinical research coordinator, and a critical care nurse. Her critical care positions were in Medical and Surgical Intensive Care.

Charles Preyar, L.C.S.W.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
-Psychotherapist

Charles Preyar received his A.B. from Lincoln University of Missouri and his M.S.W. from the University of Illinois of Chicago. He is a certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of The Academy of Certified Social Workers.

Charles provides services to aid his colleagues in career development, such as clinical supervision for assistant social workers and other counselors.

Clinically, he has a focus and expertise encompassing Depression and Anxiety disorders in the context of the individual, family, and group setting.

Charles has provided services in outpatient clinics, social service agencies, churches, private homes, and currently through Benchmark Psychiatric Services, LTD. in long term care facilities.

Trudi Lewis, L.C.S.W.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Trudi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Kentucky and a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Ohio. She earned her Bachelors of Social Work at the University of Akron and her Masters of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. Over the course of her career, she has worked in nursing homes, a senior citizens center, the Veterans Administration, community mental health centers, homecare, and hospitals. She has particular expertise in geriatric mental health. In the 1980s, Trudi lived and worked first, in Lexington, and later in Louisville, Kentucky. As an information and referral counselor, Trudi got to know the area nursing home ombudsman, and became aware of the gaps in mental health services for seniors, who were sometimes labeled as senile and placed prematurely in nursing homes by well-meaning relatives. Later, in Louisville, Trudi became part of the Geriatrics Unit of Seven Counties Services. During the 1990s, Trudi lived in the Southwest Ohio area near Cincinnati, supervising a social work home care unit and later providing consultant services to nursing homes. For the past decade, Trudi has lived with her educator husband in Morehead, Kentucky, where she has worked primarily as a mental health counselor. In what spare time she can find, Trudi enjoys gardening and is an accomplished watercolorist.

Michelle Pagoria, Psy.D.

Neuropsychologist

Michelle Pagoria, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist specializing in adult neuropsychological assessment, including the treatment of adults with traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease in geriatric populations. Michelle obtained her Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology from Kansas State University before earning her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. Prior appointments include assessment, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic intervention with John H. Stroger, Jr., Cook County Hospital ; University of Chicago Hospital Memory Disorder Clinic; St. James Olympia Fields Hospital, and North Central College Dyson Wellness Clinic.

She completed her Pre Doctoral Internship at the Indiana Neuroscience Institute, where her training emphasized outpatient and inpatient psychological and neuropsychological assessment and consultation across the lifespan. During Post Doctoral Fellowship with Neuropsychological Services, P.C., Michelle worked closely with the Brain Injury Waiver Program through the Department of Human Services' Office of Rehabilitation Services, in treating individuals with both acquired and traumatic brain injuries. Post Doctoral work also included inpatient and outpatient evaluation and differential diagnosis of various psychiatric, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Michelle continues to maintain involvement in clinical research and presents routinely at professional meetings. She is also contributing editor to The Essential Library of Neuropsychology (in press) and contributing author and editor for the Encyclopedia of Neuropsychological Disorders (in press).

Kathryn Cavitt, N.P.

Certified Nurse Practitioner

Kathryn Cavitt is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a particular interest in psychiatric care and long term care. At Benchmark she is a full-time provider, seeing patients for psychiatric evaluations and management of medications. Additionally, Kathryn is available to see patients in the outpatient setting at Benchmark's office in Orland Park.

Kathryn has been a nurse since 1974, having graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois. She then continued on with her education, earning a Bachelors of Science/Nursing Major at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois in 1988, and a Masters in Science/Community Health at St. Xavier University in Chicago in 1997. She holds a Family Nurse Practitioner national board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Ms. Cavitt has held N.P. positions in long-term care, family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and hospice and palliative care. She has also held adjunct and part-time nursing professor positions for Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee Community College, and University of St. Francis in Joliet. Kathryn has also served as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students, providing experience for them in an outpatient internal medicine setting.

Kathryn is very enthused about providing education and is available for educational presentations in many venues. She can be reached by calling her at (800) 461-9533 x 10.

Michelle Mannino Purkey, M.S., M.F.T

Marriage & Family Therapist

Michelle Mannino Purkey received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Purdue University and her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University Calumet. Her clinical experience includes working with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Michelle's areas of interest include medical family therapy and bereavement. Specifically, Michelle completed her master's thesis on the effects of cancer on the family. She compiled information about cancer support centers throughout the United States and the types of services they offer to people affected by cancer.

Michelle works from solution-focused approach and believes that people are the experts on their lives. She views her role as someone who can offer support and empathy as well as someone who can challenge and encourage people to find new solutions. Michelle believes that discussing and highlighting a person's strengths and prior successes is a critical part of therapy.

Lauren Pac, L.P.C.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Lauren Pac is a licensed professional counselor, as well as a National Certified Counselor. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Saint Xavier University. Lauren's undergraduate externship was completed at a domestic violence shelter in the Chicago area, where she primarily handled the crisis hotline and resident concerns.

She received her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with a counseling specialization from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Lauren's graduate internship was completed at Bremen Youth Services, where she provided group, individual and family services to children and adolescents. She also helped develop group curricula at this facility.

She practices solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy with her clients. She believes that a person's perspective and understanding of the events in his or her life are an integral component to successful treatment.

Amy Swier-Vosnos, Psy.D.

Neuropsychologist

Amy Swier-Vosnos, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the neuropsychological evaluation of adults. She has a special interest in neurodegenerative disease in geriatric populations as well as traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions. Amy graduated from Calvin College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, then earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. Previous clinical experience includes appointments as John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County; University of Chicago Hospital, Memory Disorders Clinic; Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System; University of Michigan Medical Center; and Rush University Medical Center.

Amy maintains membership in several professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the International Neuropsychological Society, participating in professional conferences and meetings. She also continues to conduct clinical research and contributes to academic books and journals.

Amber Gross, A.R.N.P.

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Amber Gross is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. At Benchmark, she will be seeing patients for psychiatric evaluations and management of medications at a long term care facility in eastern Kentucky.

Amber has been a nurse since 2002, having graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at El Paso. She then continued her education and earned a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner and consulting with Benchmark, Amber had roles as a full time clinical instructor at Morehead State University, District School Health Coordinator for Rowan County Schools, and worked as a registered nurse in critical care and in the post-anesthesia care unit.

Amber currently works full time as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Family Care Clinic in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. She currently provides to care to many individuals of all ages.

Sheryl Ankrom, L.C.P.C.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Sheryl Ankrom is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health services. Sheryl believes that it is imperative to understand each client's uniqueness and uses a collaborative therapeutic approach that is based on the client’s individual needs and perspectives. In a nurturing and supportive environment, Sheryl focuses on identifying and building upon each individual’s strengths and guides clients through the process of modifying problematic issues and attaining personal goals.

In private practice, community non-profit and hospital settings, Sheryl has worked with child/adolescent, adult and geriatric clients with a broad range of emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. She has also received specialized training to work with survivors of domestic violence. Using individual, family and group treatment methods, Sheryl employs empirically supported techniques in her treatment strategies. She has extensive experience in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of psychological difficulties, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, addiction issues, relationship problems, parenting issues, and unhealthy expressions of anger.

Sheryl received her undergraduate degree from St. Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois and received her Master's of Science in Counseling Psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is licensed in the state of Illinois as a clinical professional counselor and also holds the designations of National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors. As a former mental health writer for About.com, a New York Times Company, Sheryl has numerous published articles relating to the symptoms, causes, treatments, and self-help strategies for individuals with anxiety disorders and their families.

Dalia M. Garrett RN, MSN, APRN

Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Dalia Garrett has been an RN since graduating from Northern Illinois University with her BSN in 1991. After working as an RN in the hospital, and then doing home care and hospice work, she went on to graduate, in 1997, with her Master's of Science in Nursing from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. The focus of this curriculum was Advanced Practice Nursing, with a specialty of Geriatrics.

For over 10 years, Dalia has worked as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), working in Primary Care and long-term care settings, providing assessment, diagnosis and treatment of many health problems in older adults such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hyperlipidemia. Her experience includes special consideration of the needs of the geriatric population, both medically and psychologically. She has extensive experience working with older adults (and their families), in the long-term care setting, who are suffering from dementia, psychosis, and depression.

Maureen Sanderson, M.A., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Maureen Sanderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She has experience working with children and adults with significant disabilities such as Down syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, behavioral disorders, ADD/ADHD, Learning disabilities and Fragile X. Maureen was a military wife who has lived on various military bases and can utilize this experience to aid returning veterans and their families.

Maureen practices a clinically eclectic approach with her clients. She believes therapy is a time to explore and to heal. She works hard to understand her client’s perspective and believes together they can work toward a personalized and effective treatment program.

Maureen earned her Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Psychology and Master of Arts in Community Counseling at Governors State University. Maureen’s graduate practicum and professional internship experience include: Kankakee Alterative School, Heritage Manor Nursing Home and Southside Christian Counseling Center, Inc., where Maureen provided vocational, group, individual and family services to children and adolescents.

Jill Hooten, L.P.C, N.C.C

Licensed Professional Counselor

Jill Hooten is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Jill received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University and her Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling at National-Louis University. She also holds her Type 73 certification in school counseling. Her graduate internship was completed at a middle school and an alternative high school where she provided individual and group therapy to adolescents.

Jill has several years of experience working with adults and adolescents in an inpatient setting. Her main focus over the last few years has been working with geriatrics, but she has also provided services to individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse as well as eating disorders. Jill worked with the treatment team at Linden Oaks Hospital to create a specialized program for older adults that focused on the treatment of depression, anxiety, and several other psychological difficulties. She practices solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapy with her clients. She believes that the therapeutic relationship is a teamwork process and provides a non-judgmental and safe environment to share and explore the client’s thoughts and feelings. This process encourages the development of personal strengths and empowerment to reach personal goals.

Mary Fisk, L.C.P.C., N.C.C.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Mary Fisk is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Masters of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Governors State University. Mar's graduate practicum and internship experiences include: Autumn Country Club Adult Day Care in Joliet, IL; Kankakee Terrace Nursing Home; and Oak Lawn Family Service.

Mary has over 16 years experience working in the behavioral health field, with extensive experience in the inpatient adult and adolescent, and partial hospitalization mental health settings. She has worked with clients who have had difficulty coping as a result of past traumas as well as current life stressors, grief and loss issues, relationship difficulties, and life transitional difficulties. She has experience with assessment and treatment of a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, including major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and thought disorders.

Mary utilizes an integrated therapeutic approach with her clients, including person centered, cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapies. Mary draws her philosophy for her treatment approach from the quote by Dr. Martin Luther King: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." She understands that it takes a tremendous amount of courage and faith to enter into treatment and seeks to create a safe, holding environment that allow each client to self-explore and take their steps. She believes it is a therapist's role to partner with the client to help them gain insight into ways to challenge and replace unhealthy core beliefs with more accurate, affirming beliefs.

Kyle Cosentino, M.A., N.C.C., L.P.C.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Kyle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s College and his M.A. degree from Governors State University. His coursework focused on clinical assessment, vocational counseling, individual, group work, and marriage and family therapy.

Kyle completed his internship at Joliet Area Community Hospice. There he was trained in grief counseling and provided bereavement services to the child, teen, adult, and geriatric populations. His particular emphasis involved grief and loss issues, life transitions, suicide and depression, play therapy, and relationship difficulties. He also had the opportunity to work in high schools, retirement homes, a homeless shelter, and in home-based settings.

Kyle utilizes an integrative approach when working with his clients with a particular emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral and Existential Therapy. While Kyle believes that it is important to help clients alter their perceptions that surround their upsets, he also believes that it is essential to assist clients in finding meaning in life and taking responsibility for one’s choices. Kyle believes that these factors together play an integral role in the promotion of mental and emotional well-being.

Stacey Paul

Executive Assistant

Stacey Paul is an Executive Assistant to Nathan R. Jaisingh, President & CEO of Benchmark Psychiatric Services, LTD. Stacey provides administrative support, is tasked with special projects, and aids in fulfilling daily errands. She currently attends Olivet Nazarene University and is completing academic training to become a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master's of Arts in Counseling. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Governor's State University.

Stacey is interested in grief therapy and is particularly interested in counseling people who have cancer or who have been affected by cancer. She will also be doing her internship with Benchmark Psychiatric Services, LTD.