Staff

Medical Providers

Beth Walsh, Director, RN, MSN, CPNP

Beth (Maas) Walsh (BS Wheaton '95, BSN '96, MSN Rush University '99) started as a nurse practitioner at Wheaton's Student Health Services in 2006, after working for several years for a private pediatric practice. In 2017, Beth became the director of SHS, and she still has the privilege of seeing patients two days a week. Beth loves teaching students how to care well for themselves, both while they are sick and as they prevent illness through lifestyle choices. She is also passionate about women's health. Beth keeps busy outside of work hours by enjoying life with her husband and four children and going on daily walks.

Lidia Nelkovski, MD

Lidia Nelkovski (BS Loyola University '82, MD '89) completed medical school training with the American University of the Caribbean, which included training in England. Dr. Nelkovski completed her internal medicine residency in '92 through the Sinai Samaritan Medical Center in Milwaukee, and she is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Nelkovski has worked at Wheaton's SHS as a staff affiliate with NM CHD for the past 30 years, and she has also worked in urgent care preventative wellness. She enjoys the privilege of serving the wonderful students at Wheaton College and being part of their growth as young adults.

Sherry Verhasselt, RN, MSN, FNP-C

Sherry Verhasselt (ADN Waubonsee '04, BSN/MSN Chamberlain College of Nursing '17) started as a nurse practitioner at Wheaton's Student Health Services in the fall of 2020. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Sherry worked as a paramedic and ER nurse for many years. Since coming to the SHS, Sherry has enjoyed having more time to educate students on illnesses and health maintenance as a primary care provider. When not spending time with their 8 grandkids, Sherry and her husband enjoy traveling cross-country together on their motorcycles.

 

Steve Hawthorne, MD, FAAFP, Certified ABFM

Steve Hawthorne [BA Wheaton ’81, MD Uni. Illinois ’85, Family Practice Residency ’88 Cook County Hospital, Chicago] worked as a physician among the Quechua people for 33 years in Bolivia, South America, with the mission SIM. He met his wife Mary through Wheaton’s SMP program. He continues his involvement in Global Health as part of SIM’s Health Ministries Team, coming to the SHS one afternoon a week. Outside medicine, he loves singing in the choir of Second Baptist Church of Wheaton. For glimpses of his work in Bolivia, see (rural): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YqB1Pc31Rk; (urban): https://vimeo.com/185587179

Nurses

Rhesa Hansen, RN, BS, MM 

Registered Nurse
Rhesa (Salstrom) Hansen (BS Columbia, RN West Suburban) joined the SHS nursing staff in 2011. She previously worked in a family practice office. She is passionate about disordered eating – especially encouraging students to care for their body and make healthy choices. She loves the students at Wheaton, helping them thrive, and having the freedom to encourage them in their spiritual walk with Christ. She got married last year, loves to sing, teaches private piano lessons, and enjoys being involved in missions (she grew up in the Philippines!).

Amy Samuelson, RN, BSN 

Registered Nurse
Amy (O’Hare) Samuelson (BS Wheaton/ BSN Rush University ’92) joined the SHS staff in 2020 as a staff nurse. She loves working with college students and educating them on caring for themselves mind, body, and soul. Amy enjoys being part of her three adult children's lives as they launch into independence. In her free time, you can find Amy spending time with her family, walking with a friend, or reading a good book.

 

Suzy Yoder, RN, BSN 

Registered Nurse
Suzy (Enstrom) Yoder (BS Wheaton '93, BSN Rush University '95) joined the SHS nursing staff in 2021 after working in a variety of healthcare settings. She sees nursing as a ministry to the spiritual and physical health of students and especially loves to provide support with managing autoimmune issues.  Suzy and her husband John ('92) partnered together for 25 years in pastoral ministry while raising their four children. She loves going on adventures to the National Parks and spending time on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Whitney Woerner, RN, BSN

Registered Nurse
Whitney (Reiman) Woerner (BS Kinesiology ’04, RN/BSN at UIC '10) returned to her alma mater in 2013 to join the nursing staff. She loves working at Wheaton because it allows her to practice nursing holistically, treating the mind, body, and soul. Whit is passionate about mental health as she first began struggling with depression as a sophomore in college. She hopes that students will always feel heard and seen. Whit and her husband Gustave (’04) are both Honey Rock & Honduras Project alums and have 4 great kids along with 1 crazy puppy named Gus.

Deb Farrell, RN, BSN

Registered Nurse
Deb (Missel) Farrell (Wheaton/ Roberts Wesleyan College BSN ‘95) joined Wheaton's SHS team in 2015. Before working at Wheaton, Deb worked primarily in pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia care. Deb's favorite part of being a nurse is welcoming students, providing dignity to patients in crisis, and caring for sick students with warm hospitality. She enjoys connecting with students and coworkers at Wheaton. She also loves to spend time with her husband and daughters, attending their sporting events, going for nature walks, cooking, and gardening.

Juli Painter, RN, BSN

Registered Nurse
Juli (Wick) Painter (RN West Suburban ’75, BSN UIC ’78) first joined the SHS nursing staff in 1976 as a part-time nurse, then stayed home to raise her 3 children. She rejoined the SHS staff as a full-time nurse in 1999 until semi-retiring in 2020. Juli enjoys her job at Wheaton so much that she continues caring for students part-time. Juli loves her 11 grandchildren and observing their many activities. She volunteers at the Corinthian Co-op and spends her free time doing water aerobics, singing, quilting, and attending Wheaton concerts and sports.

Joan Winchell, RN, BSN

Registered Nurse
Joan (Killam) Winchell (RN West Suburban Hospital and College of DuPage '73) worked at Student Health Services from 1992-2004 and served as interim director in 2000. She returned to SHS in 2021 as the "Travel Nurse," working with students doing international programs connected with Wheaton College. She's had the privilege to travel extensively and understands the joys and challenges that accompany international travel. Surprise, surprise... in her spare time, Joan loves to travel, study the Bible, read historical fiction, and try new restaurants.

Administrative Staff

Melissa Pietrzak

Intake Coordinator
Serving as our Intake Coordinator since 2021, Melissa first came to Wheaton College in 2000 and worked as an athletic trainer for the Thunder for seven years.  She has a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology (Athletic Training) and Master’s in Education (Athletic Administration). Melissa loves helping college students with their healthcare needs as the first point of contact at SHS. She is dedicated to working on her pickleball game and is proud to have accomplished a family goal of visiting all 50 states with her husband and two sons.

Amanda Radetski

Billing and Administrative Coordinator
Amanda has served as the Billing and Administrative Coordinator since 2022. She has a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Purdue University and has worked as a Microbiologist and a Quality Assurance Specialist in a clinical laboratory. Amanda enjoys interacting with students at SHS and helping the international students navigate insurance and healthcare needs. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys running and spending time with her husband and 2 sons.

Hayley Han

Office Assistant
Hayley Han (BA Wheaton '18) first came to Wheaton College in 2014 to study Elementary Education, and now she is delighted to return as part of the SHS team. Hayley enjoys being one of the first points of contact for students on their healthcare journey, and she is ready to welcome students to the SHS with a smile. Hayley spends time outside of the office by serving a nonprofit in Zambia and spending time with her husband and 2 dogs.