Care For Children
Your Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Team
Your child is the most important thing to you; you are his or her best caregiver. But when serious illness develops, you need help. That is why Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois we’ve assembled a team of professionals and volunteers for its Hope’s Friends pediatric program that is experienced in pediatric care as well as many other specialties. Under the direction of the patient’s physician and our pediatric medical director, and with input from the patient/family/caregivers, the team develops and follows a personalized plan of care and support. The plan is continually reviewed and adapted to meet the patient’s changing needs.
The child and family are at the center of the Hope’s Friends team. Other team members who surround the child with support are:
- Parents and family
- Registered Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Social Worker (if desired)
- Child Life Therapist
- Integrative Therapists
- Chaplain (if desired)
- Physician
- Volunteer
For your comfort and convenience, your team will remain the same throughout the care process.
Dr. Henry H. Mangurten, MD, FAAP
Medical Director Pediatrics Team
Dr. Mangurten joined our agency to advance our highly successful pediatric programs: Hope’s Friends and Hope’s Circle of Friends. While our pediatric services are already among the largest in Illinois, his addition brings more than 40 years of advocating and supporting pediatric care across our region. Currently, Dr. Mangurten is the Chairman Emeritus for the Department of Pediatrics at Lutheran General Hospital after leading that department for fifteen years. Prior to that position, he was their Director of Neonatology with more than 215 documents published or presented throughout his career; in addition, he has even patented a neonatal blood sample collector. As a leading and highly-respected regional authority on intensive pediatric care, Dr. Mangurten will extend and expand the services for vulnerable children.
Our pediatric team also currently includes:
Michelle Johnson, RN, CHPPN, Pediatric Nurse
Michelle Johnson has more than 30 years of nursing experience. She comes to Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois as an RN with specialization in perinatal bereavement and OB. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Rush University. Michelle’s goal through working with HPNI is to help and work with those who are facing terminal illness.
Sheila Gatz, RN, CHPPN, Pediatric Nurse
Sheila Gatz, RN, CHPPN has been a part of the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois team as a Registered Nurse for more than 4 years. Sheila has more than 16 years of RN experience and most recently worked at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Sheila earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. She is also certified as a Pediatric Advanced Life Support Provider.
Kristen Drago, RN, CHPPN, Pediatric Nurse
Kristen Drago, RN, BSN, CHPN is part of the HPNI clinical team as a Registered Nurse for the pediatric team. Kristen has extensive experience as a Registered Nurse in the hospice field, having worked with HPNI for more than 10 years, as well as having worked at Hospice of Integrated Health Services in Schaumburg, IL. Kristen obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Elmhurst College in addition to being a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse.
Jennifer Mangers, MS, CCLS, Child Life Therapist
(see Child Life Therapy page on this website)
Anne Weisblatt, LCSW, Social Worker
Anne Weisblatt comes to HPNI as a social worker with extensive social work training and Spanish language skills. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Masters of Social Work at Loyola University of Chicago, and has earned Licensed Clinical Social Worker Certification. Anne has previous experience as a Bilingual Social Worker for Highland Park High School and as a Pediatric Oncology Social Worker and Spanish Interpreter for Children’s Memorial Medical Center.
Joel Bregman, MAPC, LPC, Pediatric Chaplain
Joel Bregman joined HPNI in 2009 as a Bereavement Counselor and Chaplin for the Pediatric Department. He has past experience as a Bereavement Counselor and Chaplin Intern with Rainbow Hospice. He has been responsible for overseeing discussions and activities with children experiencing loss or separation with a loved one as well as in planning Interfaith and Memorial Services. Bregman also has extensive volunteer experience with Lutheran Social Services and the First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, IL. An Alpha Sigma Nu inductee, Joel received his Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from Bradley University and earned his Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University’s Institute for Pastoral Studies.
Photos courtesy of Sally Roeckell Photography
