2026 Board of Directors Election Candidates

*Denotes Incumbent Board Member Running for Re-Election

Mahmoud Aldwake

Mahmoud is honored to be considered for the opportunity to serve on the MBIPC Board and to contribute his leadership, clinical experience, and commitment to advocating for patients with brain and spinal cord injuries.

Mahmoud’s journey began in Gaza, Palestine, where he grew up in a refugee camp called Bureij. He earned his Physical Therapy degree from the Enfants Réfugiés du Monde School of Physical Therapy in Gaza City. Due to his excellence in the French language, Mahmoud received a scholarship at the end of his Physical Therapy program to complete his physical therapy internship in 1992 at Raymond-Poincaré University Hospital in Garches, a suburb of Paris, France. He then moved to the United States in 1994 and earned his Michigan Physical Therapy license in 1995 after passing the U.S. Physical Therapy Board Examination.

After years of diverse experience in several settings, Mahmoud founded three home health care agencies, all of which obtained Medicare certification. Kalamazoo Home Health Care Agency, as founded in 2009. As President and CEO of Kalamazoo Home Health Care, Mahmoud is passionate about helping patients reach their highest potential.

If elected to become a member of the MBIPC Board, Mahmoud will bring leadership, clinical knowledge, professionalism, and compassion to the position, in addition to a deep understanding of the needs of patients with spinal cord and head injuries.

Lori Ambrose

With more than 20 years of experience serving individuals recovering from brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other traumatic injuries as a Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager, Lori Ambrose brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, operational leadership, and advocacy to the rehabilitation community. Her career spans both direct care and administrative leadership across acute and post-acute care settings, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs of clients, families, providers, and interdisciplinary care teams.

As Director of Operations at MI Rehab Solutions, Lori guides clinical program initiatives, program development, and administrative operations. She is responsible for supporting the quality, integrity, and success of services across home and community-based rehabilitation, specialty evaluations / assessments, and residential programming. Her work is grounded in a commitment to person-centered rehabilitation, continuity of care, and empowering individuals to achieve the highest possible level of functional independence within their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Lori has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to advancing the field of brain injury rehabilitation through active involvement with the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council (MBIPC), the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, and the Case Management Society of America Greater Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo Chapter Board. Through these organizations, she has championed collaboration, professional education, and resource sharing among providers and stakeholders dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals impacted by brain injury.

Recognizing that successful rehabilitation depends on a strong continuum of care, Lori values opportunities to strengthen partnerships among attendant care, durable medical equipment, transportation, case management, clinical, residential, and community-based rehabilitation providers. She believes that fostering collaboration across disciplines ultimately enhances the quality and accessibility of services available to individuals and families navigating recovery.

Lori is honored to be considered for board service and is eager to further support MBIPC’s mission. She is committed to helping equip providers with the knowledge, resources, and professional connections needed to deliver exceptional care and improve the lives of those impacted by brain injury.

*Michele Gorski

Michele Gorski has served as President of Community Connections for Independent Living, LLC since 2021, although her journey with the organization began in 2007 as a Rehabilitation Coach before advancing to Assistant Program Director in 2017. She is also a licensed and practicing Physician Assistant in Metro Detroit, specializing in hospital based Internal Medicine. Michele earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Wayne State University.

Michele is deeply committed to advancing high-quality, community-based brain injury rehabilitation. She directed both Community Connections for Independent Living's initial CARF accreditation process and its successful 2024 reaccreditation, resulting in consecutive three-year accreditations in Medical Rehabilitation/Home & Community Services. She remains actively engaged in organizations that promote advocacy, education, and excellence in brain injury rehabilitation, including MBIPC, BIAMI, and CPAN.

Over the past three years, Michele has been honored to serve on the MBIPC Board of Directors, most recently as Vice President. This meaningful experience has strengthened her appreciation for the collaborative work being done across Michigan to improve the lives of individuals with brain injuries and has deepened her commitment to advancing the MBIPC’s mission.

Michele is grateful for the opportunity to seek re-election to the Board of Directors. If re-elected, she looks forward to becoming even more engaged in MBIPC’s initiatives, contributing thoughtfully to advocacy and legislative efforts, supporting fellow providers, and continuing to learn from the exceptional professionals who make up the MBIPC community.

Heather Kluemper

Heather Kluemper is a Nurse of 25+ years, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate dedicated to transforming healthcare for Michigan’s most medically complex children and adults.

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Centered Care of Michigan, Heather has helped build one of Michigan’s leading providers of neurorehabilitation, skilled private-duty nursing, and outpatient therapy services. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded to multiple inpatient neurorehabilitation homes, an award-winning outpatient therapy center, and has earned both CARF and Joint Commission accreditation while remaining committed to person-centered, compassionate care.

Driven by her lifelong passion for serving children with life-limiting illnesses, Heather founded The Mitten Pediatric Palliative & Hospice Foundation. Her vision is to establish Michigan’s first dedicated pediatric hospice and respite home, ensuring that every child and family has access to expert, compassionate end-of-life care, symptom management, and unwavering support regardless of their financial circumstances.

Throughout her career, Heather has been recognized for combining clinical expertise with innovative leadership. She believes healthcare should focus not only on treating illness but also on preserving dignity, creating hope, and supporting entire families through life’s most difficult moments.

Heather’s greatest accomplishment, however, is her family. She and her husband, Steven, are the proud parents of four boys. Their shared commitment to serving others continues to inspire Heather’s mission of improving healthcare throughout Michigan—one patient, one family, and one act of compassion at a time.

Jennifer Muckey

Jennifer Muckey is a seasoned healthcare operations executive with more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, specializing in neurorehabilitation and complex care delivery systems. As Director of Operations at Origami Rehabilitation, she provides strategic and operational oversight across four locations of multidisciplinary programs, ensuring high-quality, person-centered care while advancing organizational performance and sustainability.

Jennifer brings a values-driven leadership style grounded in integrity, empathy, honesty, and discipline. She is known for fostering collaborative, inclusive environments where individuals feel valued and empowered. Her commitment to transparency and accountability supports strong organizational governance and informed decision-making, aligning operational excellence with mission and long-term impact.

Her expertise spans operational strategy, financial oversight, and revenue cycle management, with a focus on optimizing reimbursement structures, improving efficiency, and navigating evolving regulatory and payer environments. Jennifer has led key initiatives in quality improvement, program development, and cross-functional alignment, positioning organizations to adapt and thrive within a complex healthcare landscape.

A dedicated advocate for professional development, Jennifer prioritizes mentorship and team engagement, emphasizing strengths-based leadership to cultivate future leaders and enhance workforce stability. She is passionate about advancing care models that improve access, outcomes, and the overall experience for individuals served.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and remains committed to ongoing learning and leadership development. She would bring thoughtful perspective, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to mission-driven service to the board.

*Bob Mlynarek

Co-owner and Chief Marketing Officer of 1st Call Home Healthcare. During his 20 years of experience as a firefighter/paramedic, Bob witnessed a need to help seniors live safely at home. In 2009, Bob and two fellow firefighters/paramedics founded Preferred Care at Home, a dedicated non-medical senior care company.

In 2015, they started 1st Call Home Healthcare, which has become renowned in Michigan for providing skilled medical care at home for catastrophically brain and spinal cord injured patients. They hold CARF and CHAPS accreditation and are Medicare certified.

For the past 5 years, Bob has been a tireless advocate in Lansing to restore and preserve care for those injured in auto accidents. Bob currently serves on the MBIPC Board of Directors and would be honored to be re-elected.

Will Owen

In 2023, Will Owen acquired Wellspring Case Management, stepping into the role of CEO after a 15-year career in the Workforce Development and Training industry. Founded in 2005 by Joyce Mauk, Wellspring had and continues to establish itself as one of Michigan’s most trusted providers of medical case management. Will remains deeply committed to honoring Joyce’s legacy, ensuring the organization stays true to its values by prioritizing compassionate, expert advocacy for accident survivors.

What drew Will to Wellspring was the unique opportunity to directly support those in need. He was excited by the chance to engage a high-level team of professionals and leverage their collective expertise to make a profound, positive impact in the lives of others, reinforcing the firm's commitment to meaningful client advocacy. Will is dedicated to building a high-level case management team and cultivating an industry-leading culture.

Since assuming ownership, Will has led Wellspring through a period of deliberate, strategic growth, including the successful integrations of two additional case management businesses. Under his leadership, the firm has expanded its capacity to serve clients statewide, all while maintaining the high-touch, client-centered care that has been the company’s hallmark for nearly two decades. Will’s operational approach centers on a culture defined by the pillars of "Show Up, Smile, and Support"—principles that guide every interaction within the firm's multidisciplinary team.

With 15 years of leadership experience in human services, Will operates as a servant leader, leveraging his business background to make a meaningful social impact. By continuing to invest in top-tier talent and operational infrastructure, he is positioning Wellspring not only to meet the complex needs of today’s clients but to thrive as a clear, values-aligned leader in case management for years to come.

Tobias J. Roberts

Tobias is a veteran leader in brain injury rehabilitation and care services with 25 years of dedicated industry experience and is presently the President of Community Resource Consultants, Inc. (CRCI) He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan for the last seven years, including six years as Treasurer on the Executive Board. Throughout his career, Tobias has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing quality patient care and driving robust non-profit governance. Honored by this nomination, Tobias looks forward to bringing this wealth of industry insight and leadership experience to the MBIPC Board of Directors.

*Meg Scaling

Meg Scaling, OTR/L, is the Founder and CEO of Galaxy Brain and Therapy Center, where she has led innovative brain injury rehabilitation programs since 2007. With nearly 30 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist, she has built a career focused on advancing access to high-quality, person-centered rehabilitation while balancing the realities of today's evolving healthcare environment.

Her experience spans both home and community-based rehabilitation and outpatient medical rehabilitation, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges providers face across the continuum of care. In addition to her expertise in brain injury rehabilitation, Meg brings firsthand knowledge of commercial health insurance, Medicare reimbursement, claim denials, authorization barriers, and the operational realities of running a sustainable rehabilitation practice. She believes these perspectives are essential as MBIPC continues to advocate for providers and the individuals they serve.

As an active MBIPC Board member, Meg is recognized for her collaborative leadership and commitment to strengthening relationships across Michigan's provider community. She actively works with colleagues to identify payer trends, share resources, solve common challenges, and advocate for meaningful improvements. Her philosophy is simple: providers are colleagues and partners in care. When organizations share knowledge and support one another, the entire field becomes stronger, and people with brain injuries receive better care.

If re-elected, Meg will continue to champion provider collaboration, practical advocacy, and sustainable solutions that strengthen our profession. She is committed to ensuring MBIPC remains a trusted voice for providers while fostering partnerships that improve access to care, influence policy, and support the long-term success of brain injury rehabilitation throughout Michigan.

Christina Shollack

Christina Shollack is an accomplished healthcare executive and clinical leader with over 29 years of progressive medical experience, specializing in navigating traumatic brain injury, catastrophic injuries, Michigan auto-no-fault law, and geriatric case management. As the Owner and Executive Case Manager of Cornerstone Case Management & Consulting, LLC, Christina delivers quality medical case management for catastrophically injured patients while providing expert witness testimony for litigated cases. Her extensive leadership background includes serving as Executive Director for 1st Call Home Healthcare and Preferred Care at Home, where she managed operations for three home care companies and guided teams to achieve prestigious CARF and CHAP certifications. She also served as Clinical Director for Wellspring Case Management, directing care for trauma survivors and mentoring a team of over 20 case managers, following a distinguished early career as a Surgical Trauma ICU and Critical Care Registered Nurse.

A dedicated advocate for the profession, Christina is heavily involved in industry leadership, currently serving as President-Elect for the CMSA Detroit Chapter and Co-Chair for SCAN Wayne. She is also a published author, sharing insights through the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) on navigating the home care caregiver crisis. Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Madonna University and is a board-certified Registered Nurse, Certified Case Manager (CCM), and Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). Deeply committed to protecting the rights of auto-injury survivors and elevating care standards across Michigan, she brings a powerful blend of clinical insight, business acumen, and passionate advocacy to the healthcare community.

Jeffrey Steigerwald

Jeffrey Steigerwald is a dynamic healthcare executive, strategic advisor, and fierce patient advocate with over a decade of leadership across private duty nursing, home rehabilitation, and post-acute care. Driven by his guiding motto, “Create Opportunities,” Jeffrey has dedicated his career to empowering his employees and fighting for the rights of the most profoundly vulnerable patient populations. His steadfast advocacy spans the continuum of complex care, championing both survivors of catastrophic brain and spinal cord injuries, as well as the pediatric private duty nursing community.

A trailblazer in clinical accountability, Jeffrey developed and implemented rigorous quality benchmarking programs that set a new standard for transparency. By rigorously tracking care metrics, he has proven that high-acuity care can be exceptionally safe in the home setting. Under his oversight, Centria vastly outperforms national benchmarks in several key quality indicators.

In the wake of Michigan’s 2021 auto no-fault reform, Jeffrey emerged as a frontline defender of the post-acute continuum of care. Refusing to let balance sheets dictate patient survival, he directly challenged adverse Fee Schedule implementations to protect ventilator-dependent and cognitively impaired accident victims from losing coverage. His relentless advocacy culminated in securing a landmark $9.98 million verdict in 2024 against major insurers, ensuring fair reimbursement rates for round-the-clock home healthcare and safeguarding critical services for catastrophic accident survivors.

Beyond his operational leadership, Jeffrey brings a robust background in corporate governance and strategic growth. He serves as an investor and strategic advisor for Townsend Street Capital, as well as for innovative healthcare and technology firms including Luminas Energy, Bluon, and Rimere. This unique intersection of private equity strategy and hands-on patient advocacy equips him to drive operational efficiencies, navigate complex payer landscapes, and leverage new technologies within the neuro-rehabilitation space.

A deeply engaged community leader, Jeffrey serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Michigan and the Inclusively Fit Foundation. He is an active member of the Concerned Association of Patients & Providers (C.A.P.P.) and the American College of Healthcare Executives. His steadfast commitment to community impact has earned him notable accolades, including DBusiness Magazine’s "30 in Their Thirties" and Central Michigan University’s "10 within 10" alumni award. Jeffrey holds a degree in International Business, Spanish, and Leadership from Central Michigan University

Amy Teske

As the Director of Community Relations at CommuniCare, Amy connects the traumatic brain injury community with vital resources and innovative rehabilitation solutions. She is deeply passionate about advocating care, and specializes in designing creative ways to support clients so they can live their best lives in a safe, welcoming environment. Amy believes in community integration and independence as the basis in our rehabilitation process.

Beyond daily rehabilitation, Amy is incredibly passionate about advocating for the rights of clients to ensure they achieve fair insurance and healthcare coverage after experiencing a catastrophic accident. Following CommuniCare's 25+ year history of excellence on the east side of Michigan, Amy was proud to help expand their footprint to West Michigan by assisting in the establishment of their Grand Rapids location in 2023. A central highlight of the West Michigan location is The Care Boutique, an onsite store that functions as a critical pillar for our statewide Vocational Rehabilitation program. In this unique space, clients engage in meaningful work hardening, creating fine finish items for retail sale while developing hands-on business skills within a supportive community storefront.

Amy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leadership Management from Ferris State University and bring a lifelong dedication to public service and collaborative problem-solving. A West Michigan native, Amy loves living in Grand Rapids, traveling the world, and sharing the best parts of life with her husband, family, friends, and cats.

*Brant Wilson

Brant currently serves as a Board member and Treasurer for MBIPC.

Brant serves as the President and CEO of The Lighthouse Neurological Rehabilitation Center. The Lighthouse has over 150 residential beds between two locations in Caro and Traverse City. These beds accommodate a wide range of needs from high medical/behavioral acuity up to semi-independent and community support environments. The Lighthouse has been an integral part of the Michigan rehabilitation community for over 39 years.

Brant obtained his bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State university in 2005 and his Masters degree from Ball State University in 2013. Brant spent 12 years in the educational field before transitioning to a role at The Lighthouse in 2018. He is a member of his local Rotary Club and serves as the Vice Chair on the trustee board at McLaren Caro Region Hospital. Brant grew up connected to the Lighthouse over the last 39 years as his family founded and developed the Lighthouse. He has a longstanding connection with the TBI community through relationships with clients, staff, treatment teams, and families that have surrounded the Lighthouse over those years.

1st Call Home Healthcare

Ambrose Care Management

Associates in Physical Medicine & Rehab P.C.

Behavior Consultants, Inc

CAPS Remodeling

CBI Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

CC Rehabilitation & Consultation Inc

Centered Care of MI

Community Connections for Independent Living

Community Resource Consultants, Inc.

Community Therapeutic Recreation Services

Corewell Health

Dignitas, Inc.

Galaxy Brain & Therapy Center

Higgs & Associates

Home & Community Recreation Therapy

Hope Network Rehabilitation Services

Inspire Home Care

Kalamazoo Home Health Care, Inc.

Lighthouse Neurological Rehabilitation Center

Managed Rehabilitation Consultants, Inc.

MI Rehab Solutions

Miller & Tischler, PC

NeuroCare Home Health

Neurorestorative

Optimal Medical Staffing

Origami Rehabilitation

PharmaScript

NeuLife Rehabilitation of Michigan, Inc.

Progressive Alternatives

Quality Home Medical

Rehab Pathways Group

Resilire Neuro

Riversbend Rehabilitation, Inc.

Seigerman Ph.D., P.C., Charles

Special Tree Rehabilitation System

Therapeutic Rehabilitation -Universal Institute Rehabilitation & Living Centers

Wellspring Case Management

Work Skills Corp.