Dr. Simi Jesto Joseph brings over 26 years of diverse experience in nursing and healthcare leadership, driven by her passion for advancing patient care and healthcare delivery through innovation, research, and operational excellence. A board-certified Nurse Executive and Nurse Practitioner, she currently serves as the System Senior Director of the Nursing Innovation and Research Center at Cook County Health in Chicago. Actively engaged in state and national nursing organizations, Dr. Joseph recently served as the President of the Chicago Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates (CSGNA) and the APRN Chair of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA). Her numerous accolades include the ANA-IL 40 Under 40 Nurse Leader Award, the AANP National Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice, and recognition as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.
Dr. Sunina Moncy Chacko is a vibrant leader in the Chicago Malayali community, known for her belief in teamwork, her enjoyment of building positive relationships, and her ability to inspire others to work together toward shared goals. With 30 years of diverse experience in nursing, Dr. Chacko has dedicated her career to helping people in need. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Chamberlain University and serves as the Healthcare Unit Administrator at the Northern Reception and Classification Center, Illinois Department of Corrections, in Crest Hill, Illinois. A lifelong member of INAI, Dr. Chacko previously served as the organization’s Secretary and received the Best APRN award from INAI in 2019. As a nurse leader, she is focused on providing high-quality healthcare to prevent poor health outcomes and avoidable deaths among individuals in custody.
Anu Cyriac is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) fellow currently participating in the APRN Residency/Fellowship Transition Program at the Ambulatory and Community Health Network of Cook County Health. Anu earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in 2022, specializing in the Family Nurse Practitioner track, and she holds national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). A lifelong member of INAI, Anu has previously served as the INAI Membership Chair. As a nurse leader, Anu is committed to championing patient-centered care by leveraging her clinical expertise to drive quality improvements in healthcare systems. She has a particular focus on preventative care and addressing health disparities, with the goal of making a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.
Dr. Benoy George holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Clinical Psychology from NIMHANS in Bangalore, India, and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University, UT, USA. He is certified as a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
