Meet our Staff

Dr. Amelia W. Case
Chiropractic Doctor, Chief of Staff

Dr. Case, the Chief of Staff of Universal Health Institute, is a nationally recognized Chiropractic Physician who has championed drug-free, non-surgical health-care treatment for more than 18 years. Dr. Case is a renowned teacher, having lectured before numerous graduate classes at chiropractic colleges. She has lectured as well at colleges and universities in Belgium, France and Italy. ”Health begins with communication” says Dr. Case. “The doctor has to help patients ask the kind of questions that lead to the resolution of their conditions and problems.” This challenge continues to motivate Dr. Case.  ”When people realize what's possible” she says, “good and bad, and that they have the chance  to effect the outcome, their perspective changes."  That's where healing begins.

"I must admit that I personally measure success in terms of the contributions an individual makes to her or his fellow human beings”
- Margaret Mead

Dr. Case is available for adjusting mornings Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; evenings Monday thru Thursday.  Special longer appointment times are available throughout the week for New and existing patients.

Dr. Raymond Manasia
Chiropractic Doctor

Dr. Manasia attended the City College of New York where he earned a bachelor's of science degree in Medical Technology.  He then continued his studies at National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL, where he completed a bachelor's in Human Biology and his Doctor of Chiropractic.  Dr. Manasia has extensive experience in the chiropractic field having owned his own clinic for ten years. His interests include photography, travel and glass.

Dr. Ray is available Monday thru Thurday, mornings and evenings, Monday, Wednesday, Friday for lunch time, and  Saturday mornings.

Dr. Phranque Wright, DAOM
Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Doctor
Dr. Phranque is the Acupuncturist on staff. He is a 1998 graduate of the Colorado School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  He is NCCAOM Certified and Licensed in the States of Illinois, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia and an Acupuncture Physician (AP) in the State of Florida.  In late 2006 he finished a 500-hour 5- Element certification course. In 2007 Phranque graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine with his Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine degree. 
In addition to acupuncture, Phranque also offers e-stim, cupping, guasha (scraping), Tuina (massage), food therapy,and moxibustion. Phranque considers himself a `relaxed professional'.  He likes to feel he is like the professional medical providers of days gone by; thought of as an extended family member instead of a cold stranger doing business.  Phranque has seen patients with conditions ranging from mild colds to chronic asthma, from aches and pains to MS, from anxiety/depression to bi-polar and multiple personality disorders.  He likes to educate his patients on their abilities to keep themselves healthy with preventative medicine, foods and balance.

Dr. Phranque is available on Monday afternoons and early evenings.

Kelly Jenson, MPT
Lead Physical Therapist

Kelly Jenson is UHI’s licensed physical therapist.  A graduate of Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri, Kelly has nearly 6 years of experience working with a variety of orthopedic and spine related diagnoses.  Kelly is a dedicated physical therapist who strongly believes that health care is multi-dimensional and the holistic approach to medicine is the key to recovery.  “UHI offers something very unique to patients.  We have several experienced clinicians working together to help each patient achieve their goals.  I feel fortunate to be part of such a knowledgeable team.”

Kelly also has a strong interest in Women’s Health Physical Therapy, including education and treatment of pelvic floor pain, incontinence, pre and post-partum disorders, and preventative fitness during pregnancy. 

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”  -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kelly is available Monday thru Thursday, mornings and evenings.

Alan Salmi, LCSW
Life Counselor, Astropsychologist

Alan Salmi holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Michigan, but often puts them down to do other things.  He has further training in hypnosis, mind and body issues, brief solution oriented psychotherapy, and Neuro Linguistic Programming. He has worked in medical areas for over twenty years and brings all that experience to the service of UHI clients who need help with change in their lives. In his spare time, he learns the Finnish language, practices martial arts, and reads too much.
Alan is available for sessions that help UHI clients to deal with the emotional factors in their injuries and other life changes that happen to adults.He is especially interested in integrating people's spiritual viewpoints into their life's challenges.  "UHI gives me a chance to work with a great team that sees the client as a whole person with multiple ways to help people through life's challenges."

“I refuse to tiptoe carefully through life, only to arrive safely at my grave”
- Alan Salmi
Alan is available Monday mornings, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, and Saturday mornings

Rebecca Furlano, LMT
CranioSacral Therapist

Rebecca's philosophy for patient care is that "Each person has a unique pattern and rhythm within his or her own body that holds the key to optimum health. It is through listening, honoring and observing this pattern that individuals are able to reconnect with his or her own potency, which means a rich, pain free life." Rebecca graduated with a degree in English Literature from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI in 2005. By studying the great works of authors such as James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, and William Faulkner, Rebecca became familiar with the power of the human mind to affect the human body. To further this mind body interest, Rebecca chose to complete her Professional Massage Therapy Practitioner degree at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe, Arizona. Within her massage therapy training, she was introduced to Craniosacral Therapy (CST). By practicing CST, Rebecca has been able to express her creativity through connecting the mind and the body. She specialized in CST in 2006 and has been practicing in a medical setting ever since.

“Yield and overcome; bend and be straight.  Empty out and be full; wear out and be renewed.” Verse 22 of the Tao Te Ching

Rebecca is available select Saturday mornings, for current patients only

Mary Shutan LAc, LMT 
CranioSacral Therapist

Mary holds a Master’s degree from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, completing their Massage, Asian Body Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medical programs. She fell in love with CranioSacral therapy in 2004 for its gentle nature and powerful results and has specialized in it ever since. Her interests include painting, writing, and traveling. Her goal is to lead others toward a path of balance and comfort in their bodies and joy in their lives.

“True health is more than the absence of symptoms; it must include the capacity for contentment in life as it unfolds.”- Dr. Fritz Smith

Mary is available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and Tuesday and Friday mornings.

Lillian Irene Lovas
Activated Healing Response and Guided Imagery Therapist

Lillian has been a practitioner of Western and Eastern modalities of healing and thinking for over 30 years. Her experience in a two-year Fellowship at the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern stimulated her thinking in co-creating with the client their desire for health and healing before disease sets in and becomes an identity. With this in mind she has pursued trainings including and not limited to the certifications noted here. She is a certified master practitioner and Health Practitioner of NLP, certified Yoga instructor and certified master practitioner and teacher of the Yuen Method of Chinese Energetic Medicine. Lillian is passionate about helping to develop and evolve her client focused and solution oriented healing practice. The non-touch, non-invasive energy techniques Lillian integrates, work at levels to assist the relief of physical, mental, or emotional pain.
Energy Therapy works well with and supports the other healing modalities provided here at Universal Health Institute. Lillian looks forward to working with you and supporting your goals toward well-being and the life you want to lead.

"You only have to discard the belief that it is impossible"
- Dr. Kam Yuen

Lillian is available afternoons and evenings, Monday and Tuesday

Dr. Milton Chavez
Medical Director

Dr. Chavez earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College and graduated from the Rush-Christ Family Practice Residency program in 1992, where he served as chief resident during his senior year.  After residency, He joined the Rush Faculty as Procedures Coordinator for the Rush-Illinois Masonic Family Practice Residency.  While at Rush, he completed the faculty development fellowship program at UNC Chapel Hill in 1996.  The following year he completed a mini epilepsy fellowship at Bowman Gray School of Medicine.
Dr. Chavez interests include teaching minor surgical procedures, Practice Management and Cross Cultural and Intercultural Communication to resident physicians in family medicine.  His clinical interests include the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, asthma and diabetes with a special interest in the diagnosis and management of skin diseases.
Dr. Chavez received his board certification in family medicine in 1992 and was recertified in 1998 and in 2005. He is currently on staff at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, the University of Illinois Medical Center and Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center where he works as assistant professor of family medicine for Sts. Mary and Elizabeth Family Practice Residency.

Dr. Chavez is available Tuesday and Wednesdays evenings

Colleen Holdener, LMT
Massage Therapist

Colleen is a licensed massage therapist with the state of Illinois. She is nationally certified with the National Certification Board for Massage and Bodywork. Colleen graduated from CenterPoint Massage and Shiatsu School in Minneapolis, having completed both their massage and shiatsu programs. Colleen has also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-professional Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Colleen considers herself very lucky to have found a career that she loves as well as facility that enhances her work. In her practice, Colleen uses an understanding of the body as a whole to help find the source of pain and problems, meaning where it hurts is not always where the problem is. Usually considered to be more heavy-handed, Colleen uses a more specific approach to healing the body, going directly to knotted muscles and congested areas. “I know I can find what is causing you pain. Just give me a chance to find it.”

Colleen is available afternoons and evenings, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

John Maley, LMT
Massage Therapist

John brings with him over fifteen years of massage therapy experience. His extensive knowledge of massage therapy allows him to educate patients interested in maximizing their body and muscle care potential.  He also prides himself on his knowledge and experience in the field of ergonomics both in the home and work environments. "I have found clients extremely receptive in learning how to avoid past behavior that has caused them damage or discomfort."  John is visually impaired and has a service dog named Cash.  If you are allergic to dogs, or would like Cash to remain outside the room, please let the front desk staff know and we will accommodate your requests.

John is available evenings Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and mornings Friday and Saturday.

Robert (Robe) Zelesko, LMT
Massage Therapist

Robe is a graduate of the SOMA institute.  His clinical interests include lymphatic drainage and trigger point massages. 

Robe is available Monday and Thursday evenings, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Administrative Staff

Tricia Mathews
Medical Receptionist


Tricia recently moved to Chicago after completing her degree in Sustainability and Community Design from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.  Her interests include making good food with friends, back-porch botany, and days at the beach.  She loves all the fabulous patients and staff at UHI!

Alex Real
Account Supervisor

Alex has a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Programming from Bellvue University in Bellvue, Nebraska.  Alex loves a challenge, which is why she deals with insurance companies.

"Do what you can to show you care about other people, and you will make our world a better place"
- Rosalynn Carter

Nadia Hare
Practice Manager

Nadia graduated Cum Laude as an Honors Scholar from Colorado State University where she studied Biological Anthropology and Liberal Arts with a Social Sciences Concentration.  Nadia helps the clinic operations run efficiently and keeps the humor level on high.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy"
- Anne Frank