Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana is led by a team of highly experienced healthcare professionals who are passionate about providing the highest level of care available to the hospital’s patients.
We invite you to learn more about us below:
Meet Our Leaders
John Day, Chief Executive Officer
John brings to the organization more than 26 years of experience and leadership in the healthcare field, with the past 23 years spent in executive roles. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and then obtained his Master of Science in Administration with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration.
John believes that patient safety and exceptional patient outcomes are the standards that separates RHNI from other rehabilitation facilities within the community. He believes that each patient encounter is a story that each staff member at the hospital is blessed to be a part of. By understanding that each patient’s story is unique, he believes that the multidisciplinary care team can develop and build a plan of care that is tailored to the specific needs of that patient.
He also believes that it is imperative that the organization gives back to the community through volunteerism, being attentive to those organizations that serve others in need.
John feels that it is the ultimate responsibility of the hospital to ensure each person who enters its building, whether employee, patient, family, or guest, is treated with dignity and respect, and comes away with a positive story about their experience.
When not busy with his work, John enjoys spending time with his wife, three children.
Brian Armstrong, Director of Facilities Management
Brian is a healthcare professional with 30+ years’ experience in facility plant operations and systems management. He has a passion for learning new technologies and strives to achieve excellence in infection control and prevention practices. Brian joined the Ernest family in January 2020 and will put his many years’ experience to work for the organization.
As a certified Fire Inspector Level I, Brian will commit his expertise in Life Safety and Fire Prevention to the safety and wellbeing of patients, visitors, and staff of RHNI.
Jenna Bell, Director of Compliance/Quality Management/Infection Control
Jenna brings over 14 years of experience as a registered nurse to her role as Director of Compliance, Quality Management, and Infection Control. Her diverse background includes oncology nursing, quality management, and healthcare administration. She has been an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) for eight years. She has had two abstracts published in the Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation journal related to quality and process improvement.
Jenna obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Grand Valley State University and her Master in Jurisprudence (MJ) in Health Law and Compliance from Loyola University Chicago.
Jenna stays busy outside of work with her family consisting of her husband, four children, and black lab named Charlie. She enjoys watching her kids participate in band, choir and many sports, as well as coaching USTA Junior tennis.
Connie Bratton, Director of Marketing & Business Development
Possessing more than 20 years of experience in laboratory medicine, healthcare management, and marketing, Connie’s passion for education and service comes through in everything she does. Connie is responsible for managing the admissions department and coordinating marketing and public relations activities to educate the community.
A certified medical laboratory technologist, Connie earned her A.S. from Indiana University, her B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana Tech, and an Executive Management Certificate from the University of Notre Dame. A native of Indiana, Connie enjoys yoga, anything outdoors, and traveling to places near and far with her family.
Larry Flickinger, Food Service Manager
Licensed as a (CDM/CFPP) Certified Dietary Manager and a Certified Food Protection Professional. Graduated from the University of Florida. His 10 years of service in Healthcare has been extremely rewarding working in a Long-Term Care Facility and an Orthopedic Surgery Hospital. He believes healing and recovery comes faster to those who consume proper nutrition. So, it is his goal to provide you with a nutritious dining experience with first class service that promotes wellness and healthy choices.
Prior to healthcare Larry was an owner of a Bakery and Restaurant for twenty-two years. Being born with a passion for cooking and a competitive spirit. During his food service career Larry has been fortunate enough to have won two “Top Chef” of Healthcare In Michiana Competitions.
Even though he loves to cook, his first love is baseball. Coached High school baseball for 20 years and worked for our local Chicago Cubs Class A Minor league baseball team. In 2016, Larry was awarded the honor of “Employee of the Year” for the organization. The same year the Chicago Cubs won the world series.
Larry and his wife Elizabeth have relocated back to Indiana from the sunny beaches of Fort Myers, Florida. They are very active in the church and in community service organizations. They have 6 children and 13 grandchildren.
Elizabeth Kloska Kearney, Director of Nursing Operations
Liz has more than 35 years of experience in critical care nursing and management. She is committed to providing excellent outcomes for our patients and high engagement levels for every team member. Liz believes that each member of our team is essential to the success of our patients.
Liz received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She obtained her Master of Nursing degree from Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Liz is certified in critical care and is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Indiana State Nurses Association, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
Liz and her husband of 35 years are almost empty nesters, with their eighth child graduating from high school in 2021. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and reading anything and everything!
Shawna Makielski, Director of Human Resources
Shawna joins the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana with over 25 years of extensive human resource background and healthcare leadership experience. She has attended universities in both Michigan and Indiana, majoring in business administration, and is a long-standing member of SHRM.
As HR Director of RHNI, Shawna will provide direction in recruitment, retention, and relationship management, along with assuring all governmental standards and Ernest Health’s Guiding Principles and Mission/Vision are supported.
Sharon Miller, Director of Therapy Operations
Sharon brings 30 years of experience in operational and clinical leadership to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana. Her background includes primarily inpatient rehabilitation with special interest in treatment of patients who have had strokes and brain injuries. She also has supervisory experience in outpatient brain injury and neurological services, transitional care, and inpatient acute care therapy.
Sharon received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University and is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association.
When Sharon isn’t working, she enjoys being active in multiple church activities, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Jennifer Burton, BS, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy
Jennifer has been a pharmacist for seven years, including five years as a clinical pharmacist and two as a pharmacy manager, both in the retail and inpatient settings.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys traveling with friends and family, spending time with her two cats, and training to run races.