On any given day, we are providing quality health care and restorative dental care, counseling those recovering from opioid abuse, empowering clients with mental illness, sheltering families from domestic violence, changing the conversation about sexual assault on college campuses and these are just some examples of the work we do, work that is so needed in our communities. At the heart of all of it is our desire to heal, care, and educate; to stand as strong as pillars on behalf of every person who is reaching for a better future; to influence the whole health of the people we serve and bring about a healthier community.

The history of Pillars Community Health can be traced back to 1921 through predecessor agencies. For over 100 years, we have been working to make the vision of a healthy community a reality, by addressing the whole health of individuals and families in the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago. Our compassionate staff is making the vision of a healthy community a reality by empowering individuals and families to pursue health, wellness, and independence.

We have a history of innovating to provide the most current, best practices for our clients and patients. Click below to download our Annual Report, which provides a look back at our past and a look ahead to our future.

We envision communities where all people have equal access to the care they need, when they need it. To that end, we are committed to eliminating barriers to care such as language, income, or stigma. Many of our services are available in both English and Spanish; some services are offered in Arabic. Some services are available free of charge; others are offered on a sliding fee scale (meaning the amount you pay depends on your ability to pay).

Dr. Kisti Catalano, MD, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kisti Catalano is responsible for overall clinical leadership for primary medical care services, ensuring that the mission and health care goals of Pillars Community Health are realized through the professional and effective delivery of integrated health care. Since 2016, Dr. Catalano has worked as Chief Medical Officer for Pillars Community Health and its predecessor agency Community Nurse Health Center. She provides primary care medical services, as well as leading our efforts to proactively address the growing healthcare needs of the community. Dr. Catalano was awarded her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin. She completed her Medical Degree and Internal Medicine/Pediatric residency at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Catalano is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Catalano is fluent in English and medical conversational Spanish.

Dr. Berenice Lopez was inspired to pursue dentistry after participating in an undergraduate summer internship in the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois. Upon completing her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Spanish at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she returned to UIC and completed a Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Lopez has dedicated her career to community service, working as a Clinical Professor at UIC and as a General Dentist at community health centers. In her spare time Dr. Lopez is an outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys hiking and cycling with her husband and two kids. Dr. Lopez is an avidgardener and has a knack for handcrafts such as crochet and sewing.

Dr. Iffath Hussain Dr. Iffath Hussain is a board-certified family medicine physician who strives to provide high quality evidence-based care to patients of all ages. Dr. Hussain received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from DePaul University. She was awarded her Medical Doctorate from Ross University School of Medicine and went on to complete a Family Medicine residency at St. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Hussain strives to deliver high quality evidence-based care while also educating and guiding her patients. She is passionate about preventative health, diabetes management, and empowering her patients with the tools they need to live a healthier life.

Ryan Alderman, LMFT, Chief Behavioral Health Officer (he/him) Ryan Alderman is responsible for clinical leadership of the Health Center Behavioral Health Program, which provides case management and brief therapy for the substance use and mental health treatment needs of Pillars Community Health patients. Ryan has worked at Pillars Community Health and its predecessor organizations since 2011, both as a therapist and administrator of various behavioral health programs. Ryan received his bachelors degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Family Institute at Northwestern University, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame.

Allie Trevino earned her Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She has been providing healthcare to underserved communities with a focus on primary care since 2015. She is bilingual in Spanish and English. Her special interests include diabetes management and weight loss. In her spare time, Allie likes to spend time with her family, garden, and hike nature trails.

Adilene Briceo was born in Mexico and grew up in the Melrose Park, IL area. She joined Pillars Community Health in 2019. She has a passion for dentistry and educating patients about their oral hygiene care. Adi received her dental hygiene degree from Fox College in Bedford Park, she also has an AAS degree in early childhood education from Triton College in River Grove. Adi is fluent in English and Spanish.

Dr. Craig Kestenberg, DO Dr. Kestenberg is a psychiatrist who provides evaluation, counseling, and medication management services to Pillars Community Health patients. Dr. Kestenberg enjoys providing patients and their family members with the most appropriate patient-centered treatment options, based on his medical knowledge from past training, continuing education, and variety of clinical experiences. His clinical interest areas include treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in all populations. Dr. Kestenberg received his Medical Degree from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He is board certified in both adult psychiatry and child and adult psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Jennifer Swoyer, DO Dr. Swoyer is a part-time Family Practice and Obstetrics physician with Pillars Community Health, providing services here since August 2014. In addition to her part-time services at Pillars Community Health, Dr. Swoyer is the Program Director of the AMITA Adventist La Grange Family Medicine Residency Program, and was previously the Director of Medical Education and Osteopathic Program Director from 2008-2016. After receiving her Medical Degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996, Dr. Swoyer graduated from the La Grange Family Medicine Residency Program in 1999.

Dr. Daphne Tessalee, MD Dr. Tessalee is a part-time Family Practice & Obstetrics physician at Pillars Community Health providing patient services here since August 2014. After receiving her medical degree from Rush Medical College in 1994, Dr. Tessalee graduated from Rush-Illinois Masonic Family Medicine Residency in 1997. She continued with the program an additional year as a Fellow, developing more intensive skills in obstetrics and teaching. Dr. Tessalee is also the Center Director at La Grange Family Medicine Center.

Sandra Araiza, NP-C Sandra Araiza, NP-C is a family nurse practitioner at Pillars Community Health. She delivers personalized care as a family nurse practitioner to patients of all ages. Sandra began working as a registered nurse at our predecessor organization Community Nurse Health Center in 2013. In 2018, she received her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and also became board certified as a family nurse practitioner. Sandra is committed to delivering evidence-based, culturally competent care from a trauma-informed approach personally tailored to each one of her patients. Virtually for your convenience and in-person, Sandra is part of a team whose overall goal is to strengthen and promote the health of Chicagos westside communities whom we serve.

Paul Pedersen, LCSW, Behavioral Health Consultant (he/him) Paul Pedersen is responsible for providing brief intervention counseling to patients of all ages who experience symptoms indicating mental health or substance use concerns. Paul has been a therapist with Pillars Community Health since October 2017. He previously worked in substance use treatment programs in Illinois and Texas. Paul received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin and his MSW from the University of Texas at Arlington.

April Kerulis, SBIRT Case Manager (she/her) April Kerulis is responsible for screening health center patients for behavioral health needs and connecting patients with behavioral health services. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Social Work. Her previous professional experience in social services has focused on residential settings, either providing care and resources to pregnant/parenting teenagers or working with/advocating for older adults in skilled nursing/long-term care.

Maria Marquez, SBIRT Case Manager (she/her) Maria Marquez is responsible for screening health center patients for behavioral health needs and connecting patients with behavioral health services. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dominican University. Her previous professional experience involves providing holistic care to children and college-aged adults. Maria is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Our behavioral health services are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We have received the highest level of accreditation at each survey since 1995. We recently received our updated accreditation through 2024. Our Substance Use Disorder Services are licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.

Our programs receive funding and/or are monitored by a variety of federal, state, and local sources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), Cook County Department of Planning and Development, the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), various 708 Boards, various foundations, and our own Board of Directors.