Jennifer Loop Miller, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

About Lucinda Kil Gillis A passion for helping others shaped the career path of Lucinda Kil Gillis, PMHNP. “While in college I purposely took a job in a nursing home while deciding on my career to gain some background, and found I loved caring for others,” she says. Lucinda’s undergraduate work began at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she majored in Biology & Pre- Nursing. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Loyola University of Chicago. Next, she attended IUPUI – Indianapolis and earned a Nursing Administration Certificate and completed Pre-nurse Practitioner coursework. Advanced degrees included a Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health NP from Purdue University Global, West Lafayette, IN. In her work as a nurse, Lucinda practiced in the NICU and also taught at Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. While working on her graduate studies and staying active in nursing, she completed her doctorate degree in law with the goal of combining the two areas to focus on healthcare law and other needs of clients that intersected legal-medical needs. As a nurse practitioner, Lucinda cares for the mental health needs of patients and can assess, diagnose and address their needs under the supervision of psychiatrists. Lucinda recalls that when she first began working in hospitals, she encountered mental health issues everywhere – on the job and outside of work. “I chose to then focus my nursing practice in the psychiatric area,” she says. “I have the passion to want to help others in their mental health struggles and to do the best I can to help them work toward wellness and happiness.” Lucinda prefers a patient-centered approach to care. “I will also never take an approach claiming as though I know everything, and to the contrary, will recognize when I need to consult with others, and will always consult with others more experienced than me when needed,” she says. In all of her roles, Lucinda has learned from patients that no two people are alike. “This seems even more evident in mental health care than in general medical needs, as every single person’s background, genetics, and experiences have brought them to the place they are today in regard to their mental health,” she says. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? Both my mom and dad, as they instilled strong values in me. They taught me the meaning of hard work, they worked harder in their lives than any other persons I know, they taught me to be optimistic and positive, and that goals are attainable with hard work. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? McDonald’s, and to this day I remember little things I learned there from the employer such as never just sit around but rather always be busy, and that the customer comes first. What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite foods: Spaghetti Favorite movie: Mary Poppins, for it’s wonderful life lessons on values and attitudes What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My best subjects were math and science; my worst were history and economics, but I love history now. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? I would love to speak to any or all of my ancestors, but mostly my great great … grandfather, the Elder William Brewster (1566-1644), who came to our land on the Mayflower. He is represented in artwork in four places in the U.S. Capitol. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I am especially passionate about persons with Special Need and their families, in part because my fifth child of seven has Dual Diagnosis Down Syndrome with Autism, and I am also passionate about my family including my husband, children, and grandchildren, and about my faith. What are your hobbies, interests?I love traveling, computers/technology, cooking, nutrition and wellness, gardening, genealogy, books, reading, news, pets, Hallmark movies, relaxing by water, sports. Do you have pets? We have a Great Dane (an official Service Animal for our daughter), a Golden Doodle, 2 Savannah cats, and fish. What is something most people don’t know about you? Knowledge of construction: My dad and his brothers learned construction from their dad who came from Poland; so I, in turn, learned construction from a very young age and how to build houses.

About Jacqueline Mental health experts are a vital part of health care – because mental wellness affects physical health, too. But stigmas surrounding mental health make it difficult for many people to seek care. Jacqueline Albiez, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, understands this firsthand. “Mental health has always fascinated me,” she says. “I saw an underserved population with a harsh stigma. I wanted to be an advocate for those in need, to help break any stigmas against mental illness and normalize mental health treatment.” To do this, Jacqueline chose a nursing career while in high school. “I was drawn toward the medical field with the desire to help others. I shadowed different professions, and my heart told me to pursue nursing.” Jacqueline earned her master’s degree in nursing in psychiatric mental health at Indiana Wesleyan University and has been part of the Beacon family since 2011. “I saw an organization that works to help patients and see them succeed in their care,” she says. This is incredibly important for mental health patients. In her role, Jacqueline is both a medical professional and an advocate. Jacqueline talks with individuals to understand their symptoms and history, diagnoses them and provides appropriate medications and therapy. She has also learned how important listening to patients is, and how no detail is trivial. “I am flexible to provide the best care possible. Patient safety is a priority. I never make assumptions, and patients always have my support.” In her own words Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? My parents. They both worked hard to provide a loving and supportive home. They taught me that nothing is given to you and that you have to work hard for what you want. They instilled the values of being kind, caring and humble and taught me that I should always apply myself. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Assisting my dad when he was catering for parties. I remember watching how hard he worked, the time and details he put into the food he crafted to provide an excellent experience to those he served. He not only prepared and served elegant meals, but his creations also brought happiness and exceptional experiences to those he cooked for. What are your hobbies, interests? I love reading, music, board games, hiking, gardening, cooking, baking and crafts. I also have a passion for aviation and love attending air shows. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone, alive or deceased, who would it be and why? My father. He passed away last year, and I would do anything to spend a few more precious moments together. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? My family, animals and doing what I can to make the world a better place, even if that’s through small actions.

About Sheryl Vinci The desire to pursue a career in medicine/nursing, was clear to Sheryl Vinci, PMHNP, due to a personal experience with being sick when she was younger. “I knew that I wanted to help people like I had been helped,” she says. Her nursing career began after she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA. Eight years later, Sheryl earned her doctorate degree (Doctor of Nursing Practice with concentration as family nurse practitioner) from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA. Then, five years after that, she went to Wilkes University at Wilkes Barre, PA, and earned her Master’s Certificate as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her work with kids, teenagers and adults focuses on helping them manage their mental health and live the best lives they can. “I want to help people improve their quality of life,” she says. Sheryl also uses the best evidenced-based practices and integrates what she knows to shape the goals established between her and her patients. “I learned to listen to my patients and integrate their goals to their treatment plan.” She would like her patients to know that it isn’t always comfortable to make progress in a mental health journey and that is okay. “My goal is to really work with the patients and their families to come up with a plan of care that will help them improve their quality of life,” Sheryl says. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My mom. She has always worked so hard in her field and with her family and has done so with patience and kindness. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I worked as a babysitter. I remember thinking how hard it was to take care of kids for that short amount of time! What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite food: Chicken alfredo Favorite book/movie: Harry Potter series What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My worst subject was history My best subject was science If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My aunt. She passed away while I was in college of a brain tumor, and I just miss spending time with her. She was the most joyful and the kindest person I have ever met. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Spending time with my family and making memories. What are your hobbies, interests? I love to read and learn new crafts. I taught myself to quilt through YouTube videos during the pandemic. What is something most people don’t know about you? I love traveling and discovering new places.