Board Directory

Chicago SGNA mission and vision is to bring the benefits of national membership to SGNA members at the local level. Most of you see this first-hand at our Spring and Fall into GI conferences, where we benefit from the expertise of our speakers, and see the latest in technology from our Vendor displays.

Please use the “contact us form”- we are all here to help answer questions. *Unfortunately we are unable to publish our email addresses to protect ourselves and Chicago SGNA from being compromised. There has been an instance of an email scammer. The email is not checked on a daily basis, so please be patient while waiting for a response.

We as a board invite you to think about what you can offer us- we depend on the generosity of our vendors, and the enthusiasm we receive from you all! If you have any talents or willingness to help volunteer with us- we would love to have you. Many hands lessen the load!! If you would like to work with one of the directors, please email us or talk to us at a conference.

We are GI nurses who are dedicated to our field and want to keep the Chicago region connecting and sharing this knowledge with each other.

Meet our 2024 Board of Directors

President – Simi Jesto Joseph, PhD, DNP, RN, APRN, ANP-C, NEA-BC, FNAP

My name is Simi Jesto Joseph, and I have been a nurse for 25 years. I began my GI career as an endoscopy nurse and transitioned into an Advanced Practice Provider in 2008. I received my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Loyola University, Chicago, and PhD from Northern Illinois University. In addition, I did my post-graduate training in clinical research from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and completed training in systematic review through SGNA Scholar’s program. Currently, I work as the Gastroenterology Advanced Practice Nurse at Lakeshore Gastroenterology and Liver Disease Institute and the System Senior Director of the Nursing Innovation and Research program at Cook County Health, Chicago. I have been involved in professional organizations in various capacities such as national speaker, mentor, APRN chair, Education chair, Research co-chair, and currently, the APRN Chair of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America. I joined SGNA in 2008, and SGNA has provided me with endless opportunities for my professional growth. I am one of the SGNA Scholars, a peer-reviewer of GNJ, and also co-authored a chapter in Gastroenterology Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 6th edition.

 

 Past President and Treasurer- Valerie Ricken MSN, RN, CGRN

I have been a nurse for 32 years with experiences in Telemetry, Urgent Care, Day Surgery, Ambulatory Care and the last 13 years have been spent in Endoscopy. Currently, I am the Clinical Manager at Rush Copley Center for Digestive Health. I obtained my CGRN in 2015, and my MSN in 2022. I joined SGNA in 2016 and became a volunteer with the Chicago SGNA in 2018. I served as Secretary and President-Elect from 2019-2021. I then served as President from 2022-2024. I highly encourage anyone interested in becoming more active in growing their professional practice to consider volunteering or becoming more active in CSGNA.

 

Secretary- Griselda Granado, BSN, RN

My name is Griselda Granado and I have been a nurse for 18 years.  My career in the medical field began as a PCT on a telemetry floor where I was influenced and encouraged by many amazing nurses to finish school.  I completed my ADN degree from Morton College in 2006 while balancing work, school, and home which included 3 sons and a supportive husband.  I then completed my BSN degree at Benedictine University in 2016.  My nursing career started in the telemetry/step-down unit for about 4 years, then transferred over to outpatient cardiology. Currently, I have been working as a nurse associate at UChicago Medicine, Centers for Liver Disease for the past 6 years. I’ve been a member of SGNA since 2019, started as a volunteer for the Chicago SGNA chapter in 2023, and now serve on the board as secretary. 

 

Director of Vendors- Kate Healy RN

I have been a nurse for almost 34 years with the last 24 years being in Endoscopy. My GI career began in Tokyo, Japan back in 1990. I worked in an outpatient lab performing procedures and grew to love it. I spent 7 years of my career traveling the world and have seen multiple perspectives of Endoscopy in different cultures. I continued my career in the US and joined SGNA in 2007 and became GI-certified in 2011. In 2012 I became a board member of SGNA that oversaw scholarships and I am currently the Director of Vendors. Endoscopy has been such a great part of my career and I love what I do.

Co-Director of Vendors-Kathy Defer, BSN, RN, CGRN

I started my nursing career 26 years ago working in a Med/Surg/Oncology department. In 2007 I changed my career path and transferred to the Endoscopy department.  I am currently the Advance Team-Clinical Nurse Coordinator at Edward Hospital.  I have a passion for Endoscopy and cannot imagine working in any other department.  This year I joined Chicago SGNA where I currently serve as the Co-Director of Vendors.  I look forward to my continued involvement with the CSGNA.

Director of Programs– Evelyn Kuner BSN, RN, CGRN

I have been a nurse for 31 years and for the last 24 of those years, I have focused on gastroenterology. I am experienced in therapeutic interventional endoscopy and GI care. I have served as a mentor for new nurses in the GI department.  Recently, I assisted in setting up and launching our new endoscopy unit at the University of Chicago Medicine at River East. In 2013 I was featured in the SGNA “eScope” Member Spotlight. Additionally, I will be featured in the SGNA GI Nurses and Associates Week (GINAW) newsletter for 2024 to discuss my proudest moments as a CGRN. I am currently an RN for Digestive Diseases at UC Medicine assisting in endoscopic procedures and supporting our patients in pre and post-care. I also serve as the Director of Programs for the Chicago SGNA and in the Awards Committee for SGNA.

Co-Director of Programs- Lisa Bleichman, BSN, RN

I have been a nurse for 28 years.  I am an Endoscopy Charge Nurse at Ascension Alexian Medical Center.  My career began in Medical Surgical and PACU  I am involved at the hospital and currently sit on several Committees.  I am a representative in multiple hospital committees.  I was named  Endoscopy Nurse of the Year in 2023.  This year I have been named Educator for the Endoscopy Department.  I enjoy precepting the new nurses  and watching them flourish.  I  am currently working on my Clinical Matrix and hope to become ABCGN  certified.  I am excited to be involved with Chicago SGNA and look forward to all that I continue to learn as I embrace the position of Co-Director of Programs.