Before joining Esperanza, Jennifer Weiss practiced as a licensed physical therapist and eventually transitioned into administrative and leadership roles in hospital operations, specifically focusing on rehabilitation. With an entire career dedicated to the Chicagoland area, Jennifer's most recent achievement involved opening a state-of-the-art free-standing rehabilitation hospital in the northern suburbs.
Jennifer was drawn to Esperanza by the alignment of its mission, vision, and values with her own. Committed to reducing health disparities and addressing access to care inequities, she sought an organization that shared these values. The PACE model resonated with her goals and passions as a rehabilitation professional, particularly in her extensive experience working with older adults. Her dedication has always been to ensure their independence and ability to live at home, recognizing the gaps in the traditional healthcare system that hinder these objectives. Jennifer sees PACE as an innovative solution to bridge these gaps and eagerly anticipates the positive impact it will have on the community and the individuals served.
Education-wise, Jennifer attended Northwestern University for her BS in Human Development and Social Policy, pursued her Masters of Physical Therapy at the same institution, and later earned an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
Outside of her professional life, Jennifer is passionate about protecting the environment, supporting social justice causes, and advocating for animal welfare. In her free time, she indulges in her love for travel, exploring new and interesting places, attending live music events, spending time in nature, exploring craft breweries, participating in 5ks, and enjoying card games.