Wellness House CEO, Jeannie Cella Will Retire After 28 years of Service and Leadership
Search has begun for a new executive director to be in place by July 1, 2019
Wellness House CEO, Jeannie Cella, has announced to the board that she will retire as of December 31, 2019. A transition committee made up of board and staff members has been launched to support Jeannie’s retirement and begin the search for an executive director whom will be in place by July 1. This timeline will allow for a six-month period in which Jeannie can support the executive director’s introduction to the role and its responsibilities. The timeline means Wellness House can celebrate the many accomplishments Jeannie Cella helped envision, inspire and bring to fruition throughout her 28 years of service.
Jeannie began with Wellness House as a student intern in August of 1990, right after Wellness House opened its doors. For ten years, she provided direct services to cancer patients and their families, becoming Program Director in 1998. In 2000, she began her tenure as Executive Director and quickly executed a plan to double the size of Wellness House’s home in Hinsdale. Inspired by years of growth in Hinsdale, and knowledge of the ever-growing needs in underserved communities, Jeannie led the charge to expand Wellness House beyond Hinsdale through medical and community partnerships. Wellness House now has 17 partners across the Chicagoland area.
Jeannie’s commitment to the mission, her passionate energy, spirit of inclusiveness and engagement, clinical expertise and strong leadership has been infused throughout Wellness House and will continue to be felt in the future.
About Wellness House
28 years ago, a group of people came together because they saw, first-hand, the impact of cancer on their family and friends. Out of concern and determination, Wellness House was born to lighten cancer’s burden through programs that prepare and empower people to fully live life with cancer and beyond. Wellness House uses a psychosocial approach based on research, addressing the whole person – socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychologically. Since opening their doors in 1980, 40,000 people have been impacted by Wellness House. Offered at no cost, and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate and support participants so they will improve their physical and emotional well-being.