Elizabeth Piner, LMSW, ACSW, CCM
President and Executive Director of Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants

Elizabeth Piner has experience working with people with life changing medical and mental health disorders, catastrophic and traumatic brain injuries since 1989. Elizabeth founded Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2005. Prior to Ambrose, Elizabeth worked as a Director of Hope Network Lansing Rehabilitation, Consulting Executive Director of the Michigan office for Coordinated Care Solutions, Director of Emergency Services, Access and Utilization Management for Shiawassee Co. Community Mental Health, Volunteer Coordinator and Social Worker for Visiting Nurse Hospice, Supervisor of Community Services for Montcalm Co. Community Mental Health, Intake and Outpatient Therapist for Family Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In all roles, Elizabeth has worked as case manager and therapist and used her knowledge and skill in her management positions, supervising, directing and mentoring others.

Julie Foltz
Executive Assistant

Julie has been with Ambrose from the inception in 2005 and has been instrumental in developing, organizing and systematizing necessary client service delivery systems and managing key administrative functions as Ambrose develops and grows. Prior to Ambrose, she worked at Hope Network as a coordinator for physician appointments where organizing the details of the client’s care was important for communication with various providers. She works directly with the executive director in managing the daily activity of the executive processes of Ambrose where her attention to detail is an asset to the company quality.

Debra Garcia, RN, CCM
Senior Case Manager

Deb Garcia has been working in nursing since 2003. She joined Ambrose in 2010. Prior to coming to Ambrose, she worked with the Battle Creek Health system in the surgery and pediatric units providing direct nursing care and as a charge nurse overseeing the staff and nursing operations on her shift. She also worked with Aureus Travel Nurse Agency where she worked in different hospitals and in a diversity of medical departments and roles. Debra is the pediatric case manager for Ambrose. Her diversity of skills and specialty in pediatrics gives Debra the ability to navigate the challenging and unexpected situations that occur with case management with excellent problem-solving skills.

Kathleen Bonhaus, MA, CBIS, CCM
Director of Public Relations / Case Manager

Kathleen Bonhaus has experience and dedication in working with people who have sustained life-changing brain and catastrophic injuries since 1985. She joined Ambrose in January of 2012. Prior to joining Ambrose, she worked for Hope Network Rehabilitation Services for 16 years as a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist, Case Manager,  Supervisor of Social Services and oversaw a very busy PM&R clinic. Prior to Hope Network, she worked for Tamarak Brain Injury program for 11 years providing Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy to people with Traumatic Brain Injuries. Kathleen has dedicated her professional life to helping people get back into life after a serious injury.

Rebecca Knieling, BS, CCM, CBIS 
Executive Director / Case Manager

Rebecca Knieling has been serving individuals in case management and clinical services since 1999. She joined Ambrose Rehab Consultants in 2014. Prior to joining Ambrose, Rebecca worked 11 years with Hope Network Rehabilitation Services as a Program Case Manager and PM&R Physician Clinic Coordinator serving individuals with brain injuries and other catastrophic injuries. Prior to Hope Network, Rebecca worked for 6 years with Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center providing direct care, substance abuse counseling, and care management to the clients of the program. Rebecca’s wealth of experience with traumatic injuries, rehabilitation experience, community resources and tenacity are a great value to our clients and case management team.

Dan McCune, BA, CCM
Case Manager

Dan McCune has been serving people with traumatic brain and catastrophic injuries, physical and mental disabilities and emotional and behavioral disorders since 1993. He joined Ambrose in April 2014. Prior to joining Ambrose, Dan worked with Hope Network Rehabilitation Services for 10 years as Program Case Manager and PM&R Physician Clinic Coordinator. Prior to Hope Network, Dan worked 11 years at Rivendell Youth Center with pediatric and youth clients who experience psychiatric and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, and substance abuse. Dan’s long-time experience and dedication in helping adults and children with challenging injuries and disabilities makes him a great asset for our clients and team.

Theresa Bartley, BS, CCM, CBIS
Case Manager

Theresa joined Ambrose in December 2016. Theresa’s passion began as a college student in 2003 providing direct care in home and residential programs for individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and/or spinal cord injuries. Theresa’s passion continued to grow as she worked as a rehabilitation assistant, implementing therapist established rehabilitation programs for a neuro rehabilitation program. Theresa continued her professional career for 6 years at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation as a care coordinator for residential, community and outpatient programs, in addition to coordination of psychiatry and physical medicine and rehabilitation clinical services. Theresa values community awareness and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and has severed as a member of district 1 regional medical coalition for emergency preparedness, speaker presentations for Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine residency program, educational presentations and consultation for educators for implementation of strategies in the classroom when working with students whom sustained brain injuries and other neurological conditions.

Amy Bartley, RN
Triage Case Manager

Amy Bartley has been working as a nurse since 2012 before joining Ambrose Rehab Consultants in 2017. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Baker College, Owosso, Michigan in 2011 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was the President of the Student Nurses Association. Ms. Bartley worked as an RN for the Sparrow Health System in inpatient and outpatient settings In family practice, OB/GYN and on the Mother Baby Unit. Her experience spans across all ages and encompasses initial intakes, assessment and education, coordination of physician orders and plans of care, communication and collaboration among family and team members and facilitating referrals. Ms. Bartley’s experience of the operations and needs of physician offices and hospital units helps provide seamless facilitation of care for Ambrose clients.

Michelle Howe, RN, BSN
Case Manager

Michelle Howe has been working as a nurse since 1999 before joining Ambrose Rehab Consultants in 2017. She received her BSN from Clarkson College in 1999 and completed the Case Management/Care Coordination Certificate Program through the University of Southern Indiana in 2016. Ms. Howe worked in hospital systems in Colorado and California and as a traveling nurse working within a diverse number of communities and hospital settings. Prior to joining Ambrose, she worked in the Pre and Post Op Discharge unit at Sparrow Hospital helping people prepare for surgery and follow-up discharge coordination. From Ms. Howe’s experience in working with a vast diversity of people, communities and systems, she brings compassionate knowledge and resourcefulness to the clients of Ambrose Rehab in their journeys to recovery.

Renee Lawson, RN, CCM
Case Manager

Renee Lawson has been working as a nurse since 2008 before she joined Ambrose Rehab Consultants in 2017. She received her CNA and LPN Certificate from Lansing Community College in 1994 and 2008 and received her RN after obtaining her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences from Excelsior College of Albany 2015. in Her experience spans long-term care settings, home health care, and rehab settings. Before receiving her LPN and RN license, she provided services as a home health aide and CNA for fifteen years giving her that added experience of being close to her patient’s daily care needs. Prior to joining Ambrose, Ms. Lawson worked for AdvisaCare Home Health both where she worked in both clinical care and leadership roles providing and coordinating care. She uses her vast experience toward her patient goals of returning to their lives in their homes and communities after experiencing a life-changing illness or injury. Ms. Lawson brings sound compassion, experience, and resourcefulness to her Ambrose clients.

Sherrie Magnusson, LPN
Case Manager

Sherrie Magnusson has been serving patients as an LPN since 2002 before joining Ambrose Rehab Consultants in 2017. Prior to coming to Ambrose, Ms. Magnusson worked with the Ingham County Care Facility as a staff and triage nurse for five years, Tri-County Office on Aging Home Health Care as a nurse case manager for five years, and with the Crisis Pregnancy Center as a counselor prior to coming to Ambrose. Ms. Magnusson is a tireless advocate for her clients and their needs and brings a strong diversity of knowledge, resourcefulness and experience in direct care, case management, educational counseling and leadership in the compassionate care she provides to Ambrose clients.

Cheryl Beecham, BSN, RN
Case Manager

Cheryl Beecham has been working in the healthcare field since 1989. She received her BSN from Michigan State University in 1992. Prior to joining Ambrose in 2018, Cheryl has worked at Sparrow Hospital since 1989 where she worked for twelve years in Neonatal ICU, the Rehabilitation Unit, Neuro-intensive Care, Cardiac Recovery and the Pain Center. She spent the last seventeen years in the busy positions case and utilization management at Sparrow Hospital. Cheryl has received enthusiastic recognition and awards through her years at Sparrow as a testimony to her patient dedication. Cheryl brings diverse experience working compassionately with patients through their hospital stays. Her long-term connectedness to the mid-Michigan healthcare system, resourcefulness, evaluation and problem-solving skills and commitment to positive patient outcomes are tremendous assets to Ambrose and our clients.

Karen Ogard, LPN
Triage Case Manager

Karen Ogard has been in the healthcare field since 1984 when she received her LPN. Prior to joining Ambrose in 2018, she worked for MSU Family and Community Medical Center, Family Medicine of Michigan and Hope Network Neuro-Rehab Services in triage and case management. Karen brings hands-on experience in Traumatic Brain Injury, Catastrophic and Complex Injuries, and working with an interdisciplinary team in helping clients regain previous independence. Karen’s compassion and dedication to client success, knowledge, experience and resourcefulness are assets to Ambrose and our clients.

Sonja Hoxie, LPN
Case Manager

Sonja Hoxie has been working in the healthcare field since 2001 before joining Ambrose Care Management in 2018. She received her LPN at Jackson Community College in Jackson, Michigan in 2011. Prior to coming to Ambrose, she worked for the Allegiance Health Care system in Jackson, Michigan for eleven years in many capacities including coordinating care, managing patient accounts, and facilitating physician orders. This job required patient and family education and teaching, assisting with a positive discharge from services with an aftercare plan. Since 2012, Ms. Hoxie has worked for Great Lakes Care as a home care nurse and with Priority Rehab Consultants as a field case manager helping people who have been catastrophically injured rehab back to their maximum independence. Ms. Hoxie brings knowledge, resourcefulness, great energy and passion in her quest to help our clients get back to the lives they had prior to their accident.

Shara Curry, BS, RN
Case Manager

Shara Curry has been serving patients as a nurse since 2006 before she joined Ambrose Care Management in 2020. She received her BS in Human and Social Services and then obtained her RN from Jackson College. She is currently working toward her MSN. Since 2006, she has served people in a number of care setting including the hospital, home health care, hospice and as a medical case manager serving people who have been seriously injured. We welcome the vast knowledge, skill and compassion that Shara brings to her Ambrose clients and to the Ambrose team in her role completing initial evaluations for new Ambrose clients. The diversity of her skill set and desire to see people succeed provides a fantastic launch toward recovery for our new clients. 

Stacey Krause, BSN
Case Manager

Stacey Krause joined Ambrose Care Management in 2020 and hit the ground running as a field case manager in the throes of a pandemic. She quickly showed her natural skills in connecting with people and coordinating care with the restrictions of safe distancing. Prior to joining Ambrose, she worked in the medical field since 2004 and received her BSN from Davenport University. She has diverse skills from her work as a hospital nurse covering a number of different populations of people and diagnoses. She has also worked in Urgent Care, in Cancer Care and in Hemodialysis.  Ambrose welcomes Stacey who has demonstrated fantastic leadership,  problem-solving skills, empathy, and collaboration with providers helping her clients meet their goals for recovery. 

Alyssa Bartley
Director’s Assistant

Alyssa Bartley joined Ambrose Care Management in 2019 as the Director’s Assistant and helps with organizing, updating, and managing documents for quality assurance and company processes and also manages Ambrose Care Management’s social media platforms. She is a recent honors graduate of Potterville High School where she was a part of the cheer team, marching band, and was captain of the Quizbowl team. She is currently in her final year at Davenport University majoring in Computer Information Systems, and will be then earning her bachelors in Social Work at Ferris State University. Ms. Bartley brings a fantastic talent and creativity for sizing up company needs and finding ways in meeting them. Ms. Bartley is a welcomed creative member and an asset to the Ambrose team.

Cheryle Zillmer, RN, CRRN (Alumni)
Case Manager

Cheryle Zillmer has been working in the healthcare field since 1990. She joined Ambrose in 2011. Before coming to Ambrose, Cheryle worked as the supervisor of case management for Home Care and Hospice for eight years compassionately overseeing the care coordination for individuals and who face end-of-life.  Prior to Hospice, Cheryle worked in brain injury rehabilitation and obtained her CRRN during that time. Cheryle has a long-term diverse background dedicating her professional career to skilled nursing, case management, and supervision in hospitals, long-term care, rehabilitation and home and community-based settings. She joined Ambrose as a case manager after a long-term job as a supervisor because she values working directly with her clients and helping them with their care and toward their personal achievements.

Sarah Deck (Alumni)
Service Coordinator

Sarah Deck joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2017 in the case management triage department. Prior to coming to Ambrose, she worked for Hope Network Rehabilitation Services for twenty years in a number of different capacities serving people who have sustained traumatic brain and catastrophic injuries. She coordinated the physician clinics for 14 years where she was responsible for managing the daily schedules and follow-up of the Neuro-psychiatry and PM&R physicians and their patients. Ms. Deck brings knowledge of TBI and catastrophic injuries, resources and services, and insurance and benefits and great compassion to Ambrose clients.

Duncan Davidson (Alumni)
Records Management Assistant

Duncan Davidson joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2016 in the records management department where he was instrumental in transferring and setting up the department in our new location and launching records conversion with our new electronic medical record. He is a graduate of Haslett High School where he was part of the National Honors Society, in the Top Ten of his class, a member of the debate team and a member of the Haslett Choir. Mr. Davidson is attending U of M and is majoring in Economics. Mr. Davidson is a lot of fun and a hard worker. He brings his fun energy and talents to the records department during summer breaks.

Nick Piner
Records Management Assistant

Nick Piner joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2014 as a book keeper before he moved into the position of Records Management Assistant due to the demands of his college education. Mr. Piner was instrumental in developing the records management department of Ambrose. Mr. Piner is a graduate of Haslett High School, where he was a member of the National Honor’s Society, Vice President of Student Council, and a starting defenseman for the Haslett High Varsity Lacrosse team. He graduated in the top ten of his class and never missed a day of high school. He is now in the Honors College at MSU where he attends Lyman Briggs, is majoring in dual majors in human biology and anatomy and is preparing for medical school. Nick brings diligence, hard work and great ideas to the record conversion processes.

Luke Ezzo
Records Management Assistant

Luke Ezzo joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2014 and was instrumental in developing the social media venues for the company before he moved into the records management department due to the demands of college. Mr. Ezzo graduated from Haslett High where he was a member of the National Honor’s Society, the kicker for the Haslett High Varsity team where he kicked the longest field goal in the history of Haslett High and was a starting attackman for the Haslett High Varsity Lacrosse Team. Mr. Ezzo is now attending MSU with a major in business finance. Luke brings energy, creativity and great ideas to our team.

Chris Sweeley
Social Media Coordinator and Lead Records Management Assistant

Chris Sweeley joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2015 in the records management department and was instrumental in the conversion of 10 years of company documents to digital form assisting in bringing Ambrose to the current technological age. Mr. Sweeley graduated Haslett High where he was part of the National Honors Society, a Haslett High News anchor, on the Haslett Bowling Team and volunteer for many school events. He is now attending MSU where he is majoring in business. Mr. Sweeley brings a strong focus in getting the job done, dependability, great team work, and fantastic ideas that have resulted in efficiency changes in our Electronic Medical Record.

Anthony Amoroso
Records Management Assistant

Anthony Amoroso joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2016 in the Records Management Department assisting with the evolution of today’s records department in our new location. Mr. Amoroso graduated from Haslett High School where he was part of the National Honors Society, a Haslett High News anchor and did the school announcements every morning, on the Haslett Bowling Team and a school volunteer. He is now attending MSU Honors College and is majoring in History. Mr. Amoroso is a fantastic team player and someone that can be depended on to keep the records department current.

Nate Magnusson
Records Management Assistant

Nate Magnusson joined Ambrose Rehabilitation Consultants in 2017 in the records management department assisting in the digital conversion, organization and management of incoming medical records. He is a graduating Senior of Haslett High School where he is known as an outstanding 3-sport athlete in football, track, and swimming. He broke the receiving yards record in Haslett High football. He is also a member of the student faith group BEYOND. He plans on furthering his football career at Wheaton College where he also plans on majoring in Business Economics. Mr. Magnusson’s diligent, detailed oriented hard work is an asset in keeping records management current.

Max Hilker
Records Management Assistant

Max Hilker joined the Records Management Department at Ambrose Care Management in 2018 and is instrumental in the daily upkeep of the digital conversion of patient files. He is currently a Senior at Haslett High School, an AP student, member of the National Honor Society, and co-founded the Haslett Fishing Club. He is currently dual-enrolled in Haslett High and Lansing Community College where he is taking business classes. Max is a talented mid-field lacrosse player for the Haslett High Varsity Lacrosse Team and has been part of the team since his Freshman year. Go Vikings! When he graduates from Haslett High, he plans on attending Michigan State University to major in business.

Sean Brady
Digital Marketing Coordinator and Records Management Assistant

Sean Brady joined Ambrose Care Management in 2018 and was instrumental in the implementation of a social media marketing strategy, and the digital conversion of daily patient files. Mr. Brady graduated from Haslett High School in 2017 where he was a member of the National Honor Society, and a record setting goalie on the lacrosse team. Sean is now a Dean’s List student at Michigan State University studying Marketing, with a concentration in Strategic Sales Leadership. Additionally, Mr. Brady is a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. Sean brings energy, hard work, and a positive attitude to the team.