Bruce A. Suardini, CEO
Bruce Suardini has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Prairie Center Health Systems, Inc. since December 2007. Mr. Suardini has over twenty years experience in the substance abuse field. For ten years he served as Executive Director/CEO of Great Lakes Recovery Center in Marquette, Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Northern Michigan University and has a master's degree in Educational Administration from Ball State University. Mr. Suardini currently serves on numberous civic and state councils and boards including the Illinois Association of Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (IADDA) and the National Association of Addiction Treatment Professionals (NAATP).
Emmanuel Parakati, CFO
Emmanuel Parakati served as Chief Financial Officer at the Center for Children's Services in Danville, IL before joining Prairie Center Health Systems. He received MEd in Hihger Education and MBA in Finance & International Business from Loyola University Chicago. He taught Business classes at Trinity International University and worked as Financial Controller at Kurtzon Lighting Incorporated in Chicago. He has business experience both in Profit and Non-Profit entities, and is involved with many Chicago area businesses as a consultant and partner. He considers serving Prairie Center Health Systems is an honor because of it's mission.
Marlys Buelow, Clinical Director, Champaign
Ms. Buelow holds a Master of Science Degree in Psychology from Western Illinois University and has been an Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for fifteen years. Buelow has twenty plus years of behavioral health clinical and progressive management experience. She has served as the Clinical Director of Residential Services at the Prairie Center since 2006. Expertise includes multi-year program development, planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based practices and grant writing. Clinical expertise includes residential services, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, group and individual counseling, and services for persons with serious mental health disorders.
Susan Perkins, Clinical Director, Danville
With the Prairie Center facility in Danville since the Prairie Center began services in Vermilion County, Susan Perkins has over 15 years of service with the agency. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Illinois and a Master's in Education (Community Counseling) from Eastern Illinois University, Perkins has practiced in the criminal justice field and in substance abuse treatment. Her years of experience have led to special interests in program development, treatment planning, and Drug Court treatment services.
Lisa B. Snider, Prevention Director
Lisa Snider has over 25 years of experience in the prevention field. She began her career with the Prairie Center 20 years ago as a Prevention Specialist. Snider has a bachelor's degree of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois Unversity, and is certified by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Professional Certification Association, Inc. as a Certified Senior Alcohol and Other Drug Preventionist (CSADP). Snider finds her work very meaningful, stating, "By providing substance abuse education, especially to children, I feel I have had the chance to make a difference in their lives, specificially making healthy choices that may have a positive impact in their futures."
Tom DeQuimpaul, Human Resources Specialist
HR Specialist, Tom DeQuimpaul, has worked at the Prairie Center since 2005. He has a Master’s Degree with a dual emphasis in Personnel Work and Community Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. Prior to joining the Prairie Center, he was employed at Danville Area Community College, Lakeview College of Nursing, and at CCL Custom Manufacturing. DeQuimpaul has experience with a diverse spectrum of individuals and situations.
Gail Raney, Assistant Director/CQI Coordinator
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An employee of the Prairie Center since 2002, Assistant Director/CQI Coordinator, Gail Raney has nearly 20 years of experience in the education and substance abuse fields. A certified Change Leader, Ms. Raney works with staff to review and improve clinical processes and services and to implement evidence-based practices. She also serves as the project leader for various change projects within the organization, including management information system software implementation and agency accreditation. Interests include the areas of internal policy development & implementation, staff development/training, technology, and program evaluation/performance measurement.
