Elise Englert
Patient Education and Mother and Baby Care Unit RN
Elise has a wide variety of nursing experience, and is currently working as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Hutzel Hospital. She has a passion for caring for the underserved in Detroit, and loves teaching infant care classes to help the patients at the Luke Clinic reach their full potential as mothers. Elise is passionate about relationship based education classes, that meet patients during their pregnancy journey and come alongside them to optimize the health and wellness of their families.
Sarah
Clinical Care Nurse Manager
Sarah is our clinical care nurse manager.
Katy Gold
Medical Director
Dr. Gold is a board-certified family medicine physician who has provided prenatal, labor and delivery, and newborn care for more than 15 years. She serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, has a master's degree in social work, and completed two research fellowships. Research interests include obstetrics, health disparities, and mental health. Dr. Gold has volunteered at Luke since the clinic opened in 2016 and is passionate about helping Luke provide the highest quality of care, while ensuring patients are cared for with compassion and acceptance. She loves working with the dedicated team at Luke and is grateful to be able to provide this care.
Dr. Laura Crespo Albiac
Flint Clinic Medical Director
Dr. Crespo Albiac is a board-certified family medicine physician. While living in Chicago, she was blessed to work with very diverse communities and was inspired by how family physicians broke through many barriers, including institutional and economic, to improve health in these underserved communities.
Penny Armbruster
Executive Director
Penny has a background in international business, human resources and ministry start ups. Her lifelong desire is to celebrate and encourage women as they seek to "be all things" to the people they love and care for. Most recently Penny had been blessed to serve women in South West Detroit in her role as Executive Director at the Luke Clinic. She was instrumental in the visioning and initial startup of the clinic 5 years ago and is passionate about serving those who are most vulnerable in our society. By providing a safe and loving environment for women to find support, encouragement, and excellent medical care during their pregnancies she has found her dream vocation.
Jennifer Wall
Medical Office Manager
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in hands-on care in the community which combined with her background in business makes her a great fit for our ministry. Her ability to create lasting relationships with our moms provides the foundation on which our medical team can operate. Jennifer oversees patient relations.
Wendy Dignan
Business Manager
Wendy brings a heart for ministry and a knack for getting things done. She is extremely efficient and fills a key role within our organization bringing together the medical and business teams. She seamlessly runs the organization making everything happen with minimal stress and a joyful heart. She is also responsible for all of our volunteers and coordinating Benjamin’s Closet.
Lori Smalley
Ultrasound Tech
Lori provides ultrasound services to our patients in both clinics and in the Mother and Baby Care Unit.
Meet the Members of Our Team
Staff
Ministry Partners
Rev. Jim Hill
Sr. Pastor, Family of God Mission
Pastor Jim’s heart has been for the people of Southwest Detroit for several decades. He is thrilled to see the growth in ministry partnerships at Family of God and is extremely supportive of the work of the Luke Clinic.
Rev. Tyler Cronkright
Assoc. Pastor, Family of God Mission
Tyler, is committed to support the continuing efforts to make prenatal and infant care available to those living in the surrounding communities. He and his staff are excited to have partnered with this ministry for the last five years and look forward to seeing what God has in store for the next five years.
Rev. Christian Jones
Executive Director, Franklin Ave. Mission & The Flint Mission Network
Christian, a missionary-at-large in Flint, and Father of two, is incredibly honored to partner with The Luke Clinic. He is excited to provide spiritual care at such a critical point in the lives of families.
Rev. Evan Veen
Franklin Ave. Mission Chaplin
Evan is committed to caring for the spiritual needs of those who come to the Luke Clinic. He is excited to partner with the Luke Clinic to be part of the work God is doing to help all those who come through the clinic. He hopes to see this ministry continue to provide the love of God through prenatal and infant care alongside spiritual care for them as well.
Board of Directors
Sam Iaquinto
Chairman of the Board
Sam grew up in the city of Hamtramck and attended Lawrence Technological University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Industrial Engineering. He is an entrepreneur, who has started and run several successful companies. Sam has served Northfield Township for over 20 years on multiple boards including the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees. Sam brings a business perspective to the Luke Clinic.
Carrie Bell, MD
Vice Chair of the Board
Carrie is a clinical associate professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her areas of practice include preventative care, minimally invasive procedures and surgical alternatives. Carrie provides medical expertise to the Board to ensure the clinic follows best practices.
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Cindy Fenske, DNP, RN
Secretary of the Board
Al Kaul
Treasurer of the Board
As a result of deeply held Christian beliefs to serve other people, Al has devoted his entire career working in the non-profit sector and volunteering on various non-profit boards. Working with the Luke Clinic enables Al to be a part of a larger mission of serving the needs of people in our own backyard providing for their physical health as well as providing spiritual support. Every human life has great value in the eyes of God.
Rev. Tyler Cronkright
Detroit Representative
Tyler, is committed to support the continuing efforts to make prenatal and infant care available to those living in the surrounding communities. He and his staff are excited to have partnered with this ministry for the last five years and look forward to seeing what God has in store for the next five years.
Olivia Crutchfield
Patient Representative