Community Healthcare Forum

State Representative Theresa Mah of Illinois' 24th District is a lifelong advocate for immigrant rights, education, and racial equity. Born in San Francisco’s Chinatown to immigrant parents, she earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and has served as a professor, community organizer, and policy advisor. Mah made history as the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2016. She played a pivotal role in expanding access to bilingual education, public transit, and community resources in Chicago neighborhoods like Pilsen and Chinatown. Now in her fifth term, Mah is a key leader on several legislative committees and co-chairs the House Progressive Caucus.

Rep. Dagmara Avelar, representing Illinois' 85th District, is a former undocumented DREAMer and civic organizer who now champions legislation for low-income, immigrant, and limited English proficient communities. A leader in the New Americans Initiative before taking office in 2020, she has since advanced bills on healthcare, opioid treatment, and infrastructure, securing over $100 million in funding. Avelar holds leadership roles on the R3 Board and Latino Caucus Foundation and is pursuing a Master’s in Urban Planning at UIC. Her passion for public service is deeply rooted in her lived experiences and commitment to underserved populations.

Dana Kelly serves as Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, following impactful leadership roles at IDHS, where she shaped programs in disability, mental health, and violence prevention. With a background in strategic healthcare development and policy, Dana has guided statewide responses to COVID-19 and poverty alleviation. Her career includes leadership at Chicago’s health centers and federal policy work in D.C. She holds an MBA from Notre Dame and a Political Science degree from Western Washington University and remains committed to dismantling disparities in healthcare and social services.

Mark Angelini is President of Mercy Housing Lakefront, one of the Midwest’s largest providers of affordable and supportive housing, serving over 7,000 people annually across 48 properties. With more than 30 years of experience in community and economic development, Angelini drives initiatives that tackle poverty, housing instability, and systemic inequities. His work bridges sectors—from health to criminal justice—to create scalable, inclusive housing strategies that empower residents to achieve long-term success.

Jose R. Sanchez, President and CEO of Humboldt Park Health since 2010, is a veteran healthcare leader with over four decades of experience. His mission is to combat health disparities and structural racism, particularly in underserved communities. Having worked in both New York and Chicago, Sanchez brings a deep understanding of health equity and innovation, continually advancing community-focused care models tailored to diverse populations.

Dan Fulwiler is CEO of Esperanza Health Centers, where he has transformed the organization from a small clinic into a leading Federally Qualified Health Center with five sites across Chicago. Since 2008, he has led efforts to break down healthcare barriers in underserved Latino communities, focusing on culturally responsive, community-based care. Fulwiler has dedicated his entire career to advancing equitable health access in Chicago.

Stephanie Noriea is Managing Director of Mercury Public Affairs in Nashville, with over 15 years of experience in healthcare strategy, government relations, and litigation. She brings particular expertise in Medicaid and Medicare value-based care, having previously led policy efforts in healthcare startups. Noriea has worked with regulators, health systems, and lawmakers to achieve both business growth and policy innovation aimed at expanding equitable care.

Jillian Bridgette Cohen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Virtual Health Partners, a digital wellness platform launched in 2015. With a career rooted in the medical and wellness industry, she helped scale three startups in the non-invasive weight loss space and started out at Johnson & Johnson. A Rutgers graduate, Jillian blends innovation, business development, and team leadership to make wellness accessible anywhere, anytime.

Sam Mulroe is Executive Vice President at A Safe Haven and leads Open Roads Behavioral Health, serving Medicaid-eligible youth. With prior roles in healthcare operations at Oak Street Health and UChicago Medicine, he brings deep experience in value-based care and behavioral health. Mulroe holds master’s degrees in Biomedical Informatics and Psychology and is pursuing a doctorate, all while leading teams that restore hope and stability for individuals in crisis.

Crissy Turino is Chief Plan Officer at CountyCare and Cook County Health, managing strategy, growth, and member experience for a Medicaid plan serving over 417,000 residents. Since 2017, she’s focused on improving health equity through roles in public health advocacy, strategic planning, and maternal-child health. Turino holds dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Business Administration from UIC and is a driving force behind innovative, equity-focused healthcare initiatives in Cook County.