SIDS of Illinois, Inc.
In the belief that every baby should live...
Meet Our Staff:
They make SIDS of Illinois, Inc. run...
With compassion and professionalism, the staff of SIDS of Illinois, Inc.is made up of individuals who each bring something special to the organization because they have been touched by SIDS. Some of them have lost a child themselves, others became acquainted with SIDS through a friend or relative who suffered a loss. Their work is driven by the unwavering belief that SIDS deaths must be eliminated through education and research while bereavement support must be available to families and caregivers who suffer the sudden and unexpected loss of an infant. As a team, they bring executive managerial skills, nursing and education backgrounds, financial and fundraising stewardship and professional bereavement training to the organization and mission.
Nancy Maruyama, RN, BSN, Executive Director
Nancy has been part of SIDS of Illinois, Inc since her son Brendan, died in 1985. She began volunteering in 1986 with Peer Contact support until 2000, when she was hired as the Director of Education and became Executive Director in 2002. A skilled educator and passionate community advocate, Nancy travels throughout the State of Illinois, presenting hundreds of trainings each year to healthcare professionals, childcare providers, law enforcement officials and parent and family groups. She has worked extensively with Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office on Home Safe Home, a safe shopping guide, to increase awareness concerning safe sleep for baby. She has chaired the Illinois Child Death Review Team from Aurora and served on several regional, national, and international committees for the SIDS organization. Nancy has written and published a number of articles on the topics of Parental Loss of a Child and Safe Sleep for Baby. Nancy was awarded the LORETTA LACEY MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH ADVOCACY AWARD in June of 2013. She and her husband Rod have two subsequent children, daughters Caitlin and Jennifer.
Glendean Burton, RN, BSN, CLC, MPH, Program Coordinator
Glendean has over 40 years of MCH health care experience. She has worked in community (public) health, outpatient/residential behavioral health, adolescent health, hospitals and academic settings. Prior to working at SIDS, Glendean was Chief of Waterval and Child Health Bureau at the IL Department of Human Services and the Associate Director of the Family Health Division. Glendean has been the Program Coordinator of the Special Beginnings Program at SIDS since June of 2016. Glendean loves cooking, traveling, reading and spending time with her beautiful 6 grandchildren and two married children.
Lucy Lachowski, BSW, MS, Administrative Assistant
Lucy is the new Administrative Assistant for SIDS of Illinois as of May 2018. She studied Social Work in the undergrad and Exercise Physiology in graduate school. She is currently active in the body positive community as a holistic health coach. Her passion is helping women of all ages learn how to take care of their bodies and love themselves! Lucy has volunteered for many non-for-profits in the Chicago in the last 10 years teaching nutrition workshops, self-esteem workshops, and dance therapy. Lucy is very excited to join the SIDS team and work with other amazing people in helping to educate and inform. For fun, Lucy loves to dance, take care of her 3 adorable pet bunnies, and organize people’s closets.