Our Team – Open Door Health Center of Illinois

Meet Our Team

We have a passion for helping our patients and community.

Perry Maier

Executive Director

Perry Maier

Executive Director

Perry started working with Open Door in 2001, left the organization in 2019 and returned in 2022. Perry is responsible for the overall operations of Open Door, ensuring the organization has what it needs to run smoothly. In addition, Perry is responsible for informing the community of the services provided by Open Door and being the liaison for the many partnerships and collaborations available in our communities. Perry leads Open Door in carrying out its mission and vision. The best part of his job is interacting with amazing people, whether funder, staff, recipients of services or stakeholders and seeing people live and meeting their healthcare goals. Perry describes himself as determined, compassionate and visionary. On a personal note, Perry likes to plant things and see what comes up. As he says, “Sometimes it goes well and other times not so much.”

Anna Avila

Practice Manager

Anna Avila

Practice Manager

Anna started working with Open Door in 2020. Anna manages the day-to-day operations of the medical department and works alongside the medical team to ensure things operate efficiently and effectively. The best part of Anna’s position is her work with the medical team and assisting patients with their needs. She takes pride in seeing how Open Door’s work makes a difference in the community. Anna describes herself as empathetic, determined and efficient. On a personal note, her hobbies include journaling, reading and yoga.

Marcos Bostho

Outreach and Development Director

Marcos Bostho

Outreach and Development Director

Marcos started working with Open Door in 2003. He coordinates and conducts outreach and testing activities in Kane, Cook, DuPage and DeKalb Counties. Marcos is also responsible for fundraising and marketing. The best part of his job is serving the community, learning about the experiences of so many people and making a difference in someone’s life. Marcos describes himself as reliable, hardworking and friendly. On a personal note, Marcos’ hobbies include exercise, reading and spending quality time with his family.

Anna Sui Y Chu

Accountant

Anna Sui Y Chu

Accountant

Anna started working at Open Door in 2022. Anna manages the flow of finances within Open Door through billing and fiscal record-keeping. The best part of her job is seeing how Open Door’s work makes a positive impact on its clients/patients and the organization as a whole. Anna describes herself as conscientious, independent and enthusiastic. On a personal note, Anna’s hobbies include listening to music, cooking and watching TV.

Josh Lopez

Nurse Practitioner

Josh Lopez

Nurse Practitioner

Josh began working at Open Door in 2020. Josh manages patient care and works with the patients to optimize their health goals. The best part of his job is working with patients and helping people. Josh describes himself as caring, kind and practical. On a personal note, Josh’s hobbies include learning, exercise and travel.

Karina Maksimova

Human Resources Manager

Karina Maksimova

Human Resources Manager

Karina began working with Open Door in 2021. Karina manages the recruitment and hiring of employees, their learning, development and career progression, employee education and workplace policies. The best part about her job is using her creativity while planning staff events and meeting new people in and out of the office. Karina describes herself as responsible, professional and honest. On a personal note, Karina’s hobbies include playing with her daughter, shopping, going to the movies, home decoration and sipping green tea while reading.

Denika McMillen

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Denika McMillen

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Denika McMillen began working as a Licensed Clinical Social Work at Open Door Health Center in February, 2024. Denika offers and coordinates Behavior Health Services for our clients. She provides supportive counseling for the clients of Open Door and acknowledges that her role often changes “based upon the events of the day.” Denika sees the best part of her job as having the ability to “be my authentic self with clients, staff, and the world”, and describes Open Door as feeling like “home.” In describing trends related to Behavioral, Denika notes there have been more people seeking therapy to deal with multiple issues, including becoming "seasoned" (aging) and living with their health status. According to Denika, “The more we deal with our past, the more we change our future for the better.” The 3 words that best describe Denika are calm, supple and “A/great/dancer”. On a personal note, Denika’s hobbies include deejaying.

Joanna Ruiz

Director of Social Services

Joanna Ruiz

Director of Social Services

Joanna started working with Open Door in 2007. Joanna supervises the following programs and services: Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), Medical Case Management, Non-medical Case management, Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), Retention, and Peer Advocate. The best part of her job is knowing that Open Door is making a difference in people’s lives and providing them with quality of life. Joanna describes herself as being caring, determined, and family oriented. On a personal note, Joanna’s hobbies include crafting and baking.

Our Board of Directors

Reynaldo Rodriguez

Board President

Reynaldo Rodriguez

Board President

Since 2017, Rey Rodriguez has served on the Board of Directors for Open Door Health Center of IL. Rey’s life has been one of service. He joined the Board because his life’s purpose is “to save lives.” Rey is devoted to his community and envisions a time when all people will feel safe and secure in their homes and in their neighborhoods. Rey became President of the Board of Directors for Open Door in 2020. Rey’s vision for Open Door includes expanding and offering more services in additional geographic areas and securing a mobile medical clinic whereby Open Door staff can go out to see more clients rather than having clients only come to a brick and mortar building. Rey describes himself as self-educated and is an ardent advocate for those in need. He is currently employed with AID (The Association for Individual Development) and Broadstep. Rey also works with a security company, Illinois State Security , where he conducts anti-terrorist training with temples and synagogues. Rey resides in Plano, IL.

Peter Pinott

Vice President

Peter Pinott

Vice President

Peter Pinott joined the Board of Directors in June of 2020 and currently serves as the Board’s Vice President. He is a remarkable individual who has dedicated his life to caring for others and advocating for his community. As a long-term resident of Bolingbrook, Peter has ingrained himself within the fabric of the town, understanding its needs and working tirelessly to address them. Peter is a devoted single parent, grandparent, and a loving husband. He understands the importance of strong family values and embraces his role as a caregiver wholeheartedly. Peter's commitment to his loved ones extends beyond his own family, as he consistently goes above and beyond to support and uplift those around him. Peter's responsible nature shines through in everything he does. Whether it is organizing local charity events, volunteering at community centers, or spearheading environmental initiatives, he always takes ownership of his commitments. Peter's dedication to making a positive impact on the world around him is truly inspiring. With his compassionate heart and unwavering determination, Peter Pinott continues to be an exceptional advocate for his community. Open Door is fortunate to have Peter who selflessly works towards creating a better tomorrow for everyone.

Mary Love

Secretary

Mary Love

Secretary

Mary's journey with Open Door began in 2020 out of a desire to impact the lives of individuals living with HIV profoundly. She recognized the importance of providing comprehensive support, healthcare access, and stable housing for those in need. Mary has played a pivotal role in advancing Open Door's mission to provide essential services to our community. She has steadfastly advocated for increasing awareness and funding, actively engaging in fundraising, and participating in community outreach initiatives. Open Door's dedication to providing comprehensive healthcare and support aligns perfectly with Mary's beliefs. She envisions a future where Open Door becomes a leading organization in HIV care and support, reaching even more needy communities. With the unwavering dedication of our staff, board members, and volunteers, Mary is confident that we will continue to grow and make a significant difference. One of Mary's most significant accomplishments as a member of the Board of Directors was identifying the need for more oversight and accountability of Open Doors operational activities. This achievement has led to increased access to testing and early intervention, ultimately saving lives in our community. Ms Love is affiliated with the American College of Health Care Executives. Mary resides in Oak Lawn, IL.

James Allen

Member at Large

James Allen

Member at Large

James G. Allen, Jr. joined the Board of Directors of the Open Door Health Center of IL in October 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from his diverse career and community involvement, contributing to its mission of providing comprehensive healthcare services to the communities they serve. He is an active member of his community, serving on various boards and participating in local initiatives. In addition to his 18 year career as a flight attendant with United Airlines, James has been working as a paralegal with the Law Offices of Andrew J. Sosnowski since June 2022, where he has dedicated most of his time to provide Pro Bono legal services alongside Volunteers of America Illinois, supporting their Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. James graduated from Elgin Community College in 2022, earning associate degrees in arts and in Applied Science. Throughout his years at ECC, James served in many significant leadership roles, including as the 2021-2022 President of the Students Who Are Not Silent (SWANS), the LGBQIA +Student Organization. During this same time, James worked with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office—demonstrating his commitment to public service. James currently serves on the Board of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra and in the Bright Futures Campaign Cabinet of the Elgin Community College Foundation. Beyond his role at ODHCIL, James serves as a Board Member and the Vice President of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras, and he is a member of the Bright Futures Campaign Cabinet of the Elgin Community College Foundation. James is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of those in his community, and his broad experience and dedication make him an asset to the team at ODHCIL James lives in Elgin, Illinois, with his partner, Peter, and their nephew, William, whom they've helped raise since he was seven.

Dr. Joel Filmore

Member at Large

Dr. Joel Filmore

Member at Large

Dr. Filmore joined the Board of Directors in June 2023. He has been a client of Open Door since the 1990s and, because he is “living a very different life now”, he is looking to give back. Dr. Filmore’s vision for Open Door is that the organization will be thriving, and that the Aurora location will finally have a beautiful new home to match its sister branch in Elgin! Dr. Filmore intends to utilize all his skills, talents, education, experience, and social capital/resources to help make ODHCIL the leading Queer and Trans-affirming Social Service agency in Illinois. Dr. Filmore wants the public to know his past is one filled with addiction, sex trafficking, forced sex work, homelessness, a plethora of crime and criminal activity, and finally prison but that was not the end of his story. Dr. Filmore currently is a Professor with Antioch University New England (online Master Counseling program), a Clinical Family Therapist with Footprints to Recovery (Elgin), a Clinical Therapist with The Filmore Foundation (online private practice) and a Drag Queen & President, Drag Is Art, LLC. He currently lives in DeKalb, IL.

Liddy Hope

Member at Large

Liddy Hope

Member at Large

Liddy joined the Board of Director’s at Open Door in January 2023. Prompted by her work as an Associate Professor of Human Services at Elgin Community College and recognizing that Open Door and the college have had a long relationship with one another that includes free testing for students, education and internship opportunities, Liddy was eager to be part of Open Door and give back in some way. She is proud of Open Door’s work, and, as a queer woman and sexuality educator, she is thankful for what Open Door brings to her communities. Her vision for Open Door is to see Open Door continue to provide great resources and care for folks in Fox Valley, and to grow the access in terms of online resources. As an educator, she is especially driven to increase the partnerships with area colleges in many ways, including internships. Ms. Hope will be an advocate and champion for Open Door in all that the organization offers and will help increase those educational opportunities. Liddy Hope resides in Manhattan, IL.

Louis Rafti

Member at Large

Louis Rafti

Member at Large

Louis joined Open Door’s Board of Directors in November 2022, to represent the interests of the clients as the Client Advisory Board’s representative on Open Door’s Board of Directors. He supports Open Door because he lies on the organization for his health care, because of his commitment to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and most importantly, because he wants to help Open Door become a model of “recovery” for the non-profit community. His vision for the organization is that Open Door is thriving as a model for AIDS Service Organizations as well as for Non-Profit management. He has dedicated his life to advocacy for disabled persons, especially those who are members of marginalized communities. Louis completed a legal internship with the Los Angeles HIV/ AIDS Legal Services Alliance, then worked as a staff attorney at Public Interest Law organizations. He did outreach on Los Angeles’s Skid Row and developed Fair Housing cases for impact litigation. After moving to Woodstock in 2016, Louis volunteered with Open Door Clinic, an HIV/AIDS Service Organization, administered the McHenry County “A Way Out Program” where he enabled accessible treatment for persons with Alcohol and Substance Use Disorder, became a member of Open Door’s Client Advisory Board, and recently their Board of Directors. His wife Jackie Bulczak assisted him with his many LGBTQ and clients living with HIV/AIDS, until she passed in April 2022. At that time Circle of Hope’s Board of Directors appointed Louis CEO and expanded the organization’s mission to advocate for the rights of all disabled persons, especially those who are members of the LGBTQ community or recovering from Alcohol or Substance Use disorders. Louis currently resides in Woodstock, IL.

Terry Ruggio Ross

Member at Large

Terry Ruggio Ross

Member at Large

After being diagnosed with HIV/AIDs in 2011, Terry became a patient with Open Door Health Center of IL, an organization he credits with saving his life. Terry initially joined the Board of Directors in 2017, took a hiatus from his board work in 2019 and rejoined the Board in June 2023. Terry has been able to bring his unique perspective as a client to creating the framework for the organization’s strategic vision and growth. Terry has led the way in fundraising on behalf of the Open Door Health Center and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago during the annual AIDS Walk and Run events. Terry has walked in AIDS events in New York as well. Splitting his time between Chicagoland and New York, Terry has maintained an active presence in both geographic regions through his art gallery, Ross Contemporary, and his CPR/AED/Lifeguard training company, Second City CPR Training. Terry’s artists frequently donate their work to raise funds for AIDS/HIV and LGBTQ+ causes. In addition to operating both businesses and volunteering with Open Door Health Center of IL, Terry managed to find time to work on the 2020 presidential campaign of then candidate Michael Bloomberg. Terry has been an ardent advocate, making sure that all voices are heard. Terry currently resides in Carol Stream, IL

Meet Our Team

Perry Maier

Anna Avila

Marcos Bostho

Anna Sui Y Chu

Josh Lopez

Karina Maksimova

Denika McMillen

Joanna Ruiz

Our Board of Directors

Reynaldo Rodriguez

Peter Pinott

Mary Love

James Allen

Dr. Joel Filmore

Liddy Hope

Louis Rafti

Terry Ruggio Ross

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Meet Our Team

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Health Assistance For You

Get The Support You Need To Be Your Best

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