Sheryl Vinci, NP - Beacon Medical Group Behavioral Health South Bend

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 Jamie Henderson, PMHNP After working in various psychiatry-related roles for more than 10 years – from mental health technician to mental health nurse to psychiatric clinical instructor – Jamie Henderson, PMHNP, has professional experience as an RN in psychiatric care in a hospital, in-patient rehabilitation settings and as a psychiatric clinical instructor at St. Mary’s College. Of her experiences and education, she says, “I learned the magnitude of simply listening and being present especially as a mental health provider – psychiatric patients are not always afforded the luxury of having their story heard.” With these experiences in her toolkit and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Bethel University (Mishawaka), Jamie went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, from IUPUI (Indianapolis). Now she is able to provide direct care to people in the Beacon Health System. “I essentially help to treat those suffering from mental health conditions whether emotional or psychological, which can dramatically affect someone’s quality of life, and present different treatment options,” Jamie says. Her care philosophy is to genuinely meet patients where they are in their mental health journey. She works to provide an environment that is conducive for healing and recovery and to also advise patients on different options to optimize their well-being. “I have personally witnessed the impact of human suffering with mental illness, which has certainly shaped my empathy and I strive to make mental health services more equitable in healthcare,” she says. In treating patients, Jamie has learned about human resiliency. “I have been inspired by the ability of individuals to rise from traumatic circumstances and start toward their journey toward recovery,” Jamie says. “I hope patients learn that I’m passionate and have humility,” she says of her interactions with them. “I’m committed to mental health and provide an open and judgment-free environment that ensures patients feels safe.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? My mother – she is the definition of kindness and has always exemplified what unconditional love looks like. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? My first job was at a local sporting goods store that is sadly out of business today. I remember trying to sort through heaps and heaps of shoes stacked to the ceiling in the back and could never find the right sizes for customers. What is your favorite food? Movie? I enjoy Middle Eastern food. My favorite dishes are probably chicken shawarma, tabouli and falafel – especially from Sultans Market in Chicago. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Best subject was mathematics, worst subject was probably economics. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? I would love to sit down with my baba, maternal grandmother, who immigrated from Ukraine and have her cook borsht and reminisce about life in the old country. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I’m passionate about cooking, conservation, animals and books. What are your hobbies, interests? I consider myself a devoted runner; I have completed the Chicago marathon and have run several half-marathons. You can generally find me outdoors, playing with my children, or snuggling up to a book. I enjoy birding, camping, cultivating native plants and reading. Do you have pets? I have a 12-year-old dachshund named Daphne, and just recently adopted a 3-year-old Bernese mountain dog named Waldo. What is something most people don’t know about you? I did not fly a kite until I was 27 years old.

About Wendi Brandon “I’ve always been interested in being there for others,” says Wendi Brandon, PMHNP. Her interest in helping others in a greater capacity came while she was volunteering within the recovering alcoholic community. After learning and teaching yoga and experiencing some personal medical trauma and then a move to a new state, she eventually pursued a career in nursing. Wendi earned a BA in fine arts from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN. Ten years later, she completed the BSN program at Murray State University, Murray, KY, and then went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing/PMHNP-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified) at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY. She was led to this specialty after observing how a person’s mental well-being greatly affects total well-being. “While I was a cardiac nurse, I noticed people felt better when someone listened to them and expressed genuine concern,” she says, adding, “As an artist, my paintings and poetry were mostly about observing the emotions of others.” Constantly learning is an important part of what Wendi does. “I meet people seeking help improving their well-being. I get to know them and work with them to discover what exactly ails them and we find a way to implement a plan that improves their mental health and overall well-being,” she says. Wendi wants people to know she does not judge anyone, because anything can happen to anyone. She works with them on goal’s and helps them find solutions. Wendi’s philosophy is to work hard, and she expects the same of her clients. Ultimately, Wendi wants patients to know this: “That I believe in them and want them to find their best life.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? I was really inspired reading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I loved lifeguarding at a neighborhood pool. My favorite part was teaching swim lessons, because as a child I never was able to pass advanced beginner swim class. What is your favorite food? I love Lebanese food and borscht. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Literature and math were my favorite. Government was my worst. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Prince. I’m not sure if he was really into dinner, but I’d like to hear him talk about his life; I’m pretty easy to talk to and I do not gossip. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Learning about nature and I love rocks. What are your hobbies, interests? Yoga, Jiu Jitsu, healthy food, running, walking, traveling, writing poetry Do you have pets? Two cats What is something most people don’t know about you? I live really simply and care about the environment.