How OADC Came to Be:
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Qualifications of OADC Staff
OADC takes pride in employing extremely qualified doctors and nurses. Dr. Zak Messieha is involved in teaching anesthesiology to dental and medical students and residents at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also very active in conducting research to better enhance the medications and techniques used in the practice of anesthesiology. All of the nurses have experience in pediatric care, critical care, acute care, emergency care and are proficient with pediatric and adult patients. All staff is certified in ACLS, PALS, and BLS. In addition, Dr. Zak Messieha and Melissa Carlucci, RN, MSN, are certified instructors for ACLS and PALS. OADC staff offers patients outstanding, professional care.
Dr. Zak Messieha, DDS, ADBA
Dr. Messieha received his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree from Ohio State University. He then completed a General Practice Residency at the College of Virginia Medical Center and McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond , VA. From There he went to Long Island Jewish Medical Center where he completed a residency in Anesthesiology.
After working in an office-based practice for a year, Dr. Messieha came to the University of Illinois at Chicago where he worked full-time between the College of Dentistry and the Anesthesiology Department at the University Hospital.
Dr. Messieha has lectured Nationally and Internationally on Anesthesiology and Pain Anxiety Control. He has several published papers and abstracts. He continues his academic post on a part-time basis as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology both at the College of Medicine and the College of Dentistry.
Dr. Messieha has filled leadership positions at the National and State levels including:
He has received several recognitions from various organizations for his contributions.
Dr. Zak is married with three children, in his free time he enjoys travelling, playing soccer, working out and reading.
After working in an office-based practice for a year, Dr. Messieha came to the University of Illinois at Chicago where he worked full-time between the College of Dentistry and the Anesthesiology Department at the University Hospital.
Dr. Messieha has lectured Nationally and Internationally on Anesthesiology and Pain Anxiety Control. He has several published papers and abstracts. He continues his academic post on a part-time basis as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology both at the College of Medicine and the College of Dentistry.
Dr. Messieha has filled leadership positions at the National and State levels including:
- President of the Illinois Dental Society of Anesthesiology.
- Secretary and member, the Board of Directors of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology.
- Chair, The American Dental Education Association Council on Hospitals and Advanced Education Programs.
- Chair, The American Dental Education Association Section on Anesthesiology, Oral Surgery and Hospital Dentistry.
- President of the Dental Anesthesiology Research Group, The International Association for Dental Research.
Board Certifications:
- Diplomate, National Board of Anesthesiology
- Diplomate, American Dental Board of Anesthesiology
- Diplomate, National Dental Board of Anesthesiology
- Fellow in General Anesthesia, The American Dental Society of Anesthesiology
- Certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor by the American Heart Association
He has received several recognitions from various organizations for his contributions.
Dr. Zak is married with three children, in his free time he enjoys travelling, playing soccer, working out and reading.
Sara Matlock, RN
Sara Matlock received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Joliet College . She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Illinois .
Subsequently, she worked for several years as a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nurse at Hope Children’s Hospital with additional duties in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In addition to her experience in the Pediatric Critical Care Nursing field, Sara has worked as an Emergency Room nurse at Hinsdale Hospital and functions there as one of the Charge Nurses.
She is certified by the American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
She joined the OADC team in April, 2005, and has been a great asset to the team since then
Melissa Carlucci, RN, MSN
Melissa Carlucci received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West VirginiaUniversity in 2001, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then worked as a staff nurse and unit preceptor in the Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units at West Virginia University Hospitals for five years before moving to Chicago in 2006. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2010, graduating from the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. She is a licensed registered nurse in Illinois, Indiana and West Virginia.
Melissa is certified by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). She is also an ACLS and PALS instructor, and is active in teaching these courses throughout the Chicagoland area.
Melissa joined the OADC team in October 2006.
Melissa is certified by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). She is also an ACLS and PALS instructor, and is active in teaching these courses throughout the Chicagoland area.
Melissa joined the OADC team in October 2006.
Jodie Chester, RN
Jodie Chester received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana. She is a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in both Illinois and Indiana. Jodie has worked in Critical Care for the last 21 years. She is currently on staff at Good Samaritan Hospital where she primarily works with Open Heart Surgery patients in the Critical Care Unit. Jodie is a preceptor and mentor for other staff, and is a member of the Education Team for the unit.
Jodie is involved in many volunteer activities as well. She is active in High School District 87, coordinating health related events for high school students. Jodie also volunteers with Young Hearts 4 Life (a cardiac screening program for high school students).
She is certified by the American Heart Association in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
She joined the OADC team in March 2010.
Jodie is involved in many volunteer activities as well. She is active in High School District 87, coordinating health related events for high school students. Jodie also volunteers with Young Hearts 4 Life (a cardiac screening program for high school students).
She is certified by the American Heart Association in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
She joined the OADC team in March 2010.