Janice Pyrce and Gary Kagan of River Forest, opened their home in April to recognize several major supporters of Family Service & Mental Health Center of OPRF’s Healthy Minds, Healthy Communities endowment campaign. The reception was an opportunity for CEO Daniel J. Kill and others to say thank you to honorary committee members Ralph and Beta Balgemann, Jordan and Debra Hadelman, Jay and Doris Christopher, Michael and Jana Kelly, Ralph and Bonnie Mandell, Carolyn Poplett, Sherlynn Reid, Joseph and Judith Scully, and Fran and Monroe Sullivan who have devoted much time and support to the campaign. The agency announced the public phase of its $1.2 million campaign at their Annual Spring Benefit on May 4 at the Oak Park Country Club.
On schedule on Capitol Hill
Jennifer Allen, a 2002 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, has been promoted to scheduler for U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf, a Republican congressman for the 10th District of Virginia.
The daughter of Susan and Patrick Allen of River Forest, Allen graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2006 with a double major in French and Foreign Affairs. She started work in the Capitol Hill office of Cong. Wolf as a staff assistant in May 2006.
During her final year of college, Allen was an intern for Rob Bell, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Previously, she interned in Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Joanne Davis, 1st District of Virginia.
Allen resides in Alexandria, Va.
Library board’s new officers
The Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library recently elected new officers for the upcoming 2007-08 year. Jim Egeberg, former finance officer, will take over as the new president. Lane Hart, former president of the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, is vice president. Dee Leonard is the new secretary, while Mila Tellez becomes the finance officer.
Team targets incontinence
Dr. Linda Brubaker of River Forest recently helped write a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The article, published earlier this summer, discussed urinary incontinence, a problem for women of all ages. The study found that of the two traditional ways to surgically treat incontinence, one is clearly more satisfying for the patient. Dr. Brubaker leads a team of young women docs who are helping women with all types of pelvic disorders.
Perla makes partner
Oak Park resident Alicia A. Perla was selected for partnership in the Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP firm on Feb. 6. Perla, who graduated from Columbia University, and received her J.D. from the University of Michigan, works in the Chicago office of BB&L as a partner in the Investment Management and Financial Markets Group.
Perla focuses most of her practice on representing investment companies and their board members, investment advisers, private funds and hedge funds.
Living light
Zoraida Sambolin of NBC Channel 5 was honored during the Sixth Annual Lightbearer Benefit Gala for the Institute for Positive Living on May 6. The Oak Park resident was recognized for continuing support of the Open Book Program, which is a versatile after-school program that engages youth in activities created to enhance their reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills.
Promotion, then relocation
Kara Brinkley, a 1997 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, was promoted in February of this year to vice president at J.P. Morgan Chase. Her career move relocated her to Newark, Del.
Karcher’s commencement
Hannah Elizabeth Karcher of Oak Park recently received her bachelor of arts from Millikin University in Decatur.
