Meet Our Team

Meet the becoming behavioral health & wellness team

Dr. Dana Eason
Medical Director
PhD, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Marilyn Ek-
Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Karen Trammell
MA/Clinical Manager

Jacklyn Bynnom-Moore
Administrative Manager

Kareem Parks-
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC, CADC

Fartun Keynan
Family/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP

For skilled psychiatric services, call our team today at 708-441-9240. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Dana Eason PhD, PMHNP-BC has almost 20 years of experience in the field of Psychiatric Nursing and has been a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner since 2014. Her educational & career paths include some of the most prestigious universities in the country: the University of Chicago (Intensive Care Nursing), the Neuroscience Education Institute (Master of Psychopharmacology) & Saint Xavier University (BSN). She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois- Chicago’s College of Nursing and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor’s Society for Nursing. She achieved Board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, specializing in treating clients across their lifespan in 2014 and obtained certification as a Certified ADHD Professional in 2024.  She’s a member of the Minnesota & Illinois chapters of the Advanced Psychiatric Nurse’s Association (APNA), a member of the Illinois & Minnesota Chambers of Commerce, and an activist for social change in the communities she serves.

“I’ve been in practice for almost a decade now. I’ve treated every type of patient, every diagnosis & at every level of care. I’m eager to put this wealth of knowledge to work for you! I focus mostly on treating adults now but will occasionally work with teens or couples, if need be. My “passion” is treating trauma…since it tends to weave its icy fingers into every other aspect of mental health. My philosophy is to “partner” with you, not to make decisions for you. My goal is to empower you with knowledge & foster autonomy by helping you to gain more confidence in your ability to make mental health decisions for yourself. My style of therapy is “conversational” & I’ll tailor your treatment plan to fit your specific symptoms. CBT works just fine in most situations. Other times, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Radial Acceptance or EMDR are more appropriate. In my experience, nothing works better than combining both therapy & medication. I also have extensive training in Plant-based medicine (e.g. vitamins, supplements, herbs, “food as medicine”) for folks who would rather take a more natural approach. I’d like to meet you wherever your are in your healing journey, and help you to Become your Best Self!”.

Marilyn has over 36 years of healthcare experience and 22 years of experience working with all ages in primarily outpatient settings. She graduated from the University of North Dakota & received specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Association of Collegiate Nurses (ANCC) in May 2000. Marilyn brings expert-level knowledge in working with a variety of health conditions, including HTN, DM, Hyperlipidemia and other acute and chronic medical conditions. She currently provides primary care via telehealth, which she finds very effective. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and riding motorcycles with her husband. “I look forward to partnering with you to continue expanding access to care”.

Kareem Parks has been a qualified mental health professional since 2019. She achieved three levels of education: her Associate of Arts (AA) in Biological Sciences from Olive-Harvey College in 2012, her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Health Science from Chicago State University in 2015, and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2018. In 2020, she completed her graduate certification in Alcohol and Other Drugs of Addiction (AODA) counselor training. Kareem has been an active member of Chi Sigma Iota, the college honor society for counseling students, since 2020.
 
Kareem’s therapeutic approach includes humanistic therapy, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness-based counseling. Her specialties encompass cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and evidence-based therapy (EBT). Throughout her experience in the mental health field, Kareem has implemented behavior management techniques in her areas of specialty, providing treatment to diverse populations, including patients with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, refugees, children, adolescents with play therapy, and adults of all ages.
 
Kareem has a strong background in providing substance abuse treatment and counseling to individuals struggling with addiction throughout her career. She has become well-versed in behavioral healthcare plans, laws, regulations, and privacy practices related to mental health development training, psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, childhood trauma issues, relationship counseling, and addiction counseling.
 
When Kareem is not providing care to her patients, she enjoys event planning for family and friends, creating beautiful decorations to show her appreciation for loved ones. She also enjoys cooking delicious meals, traveling, and learning about the historical and cultural aspects of others. Aside from spending valuable time with family and friends, she enjoys hobbies such as arts and crafts, reading, decorating her home, and taking care of her daughter.
 
“At an early age, I discovered my passion for providing guidance and care to individuals, particularly children, teens, and young adults facing mental, emotional health, and substance abuse challenges. I have experienced firsthand the struggles of family members suffering from substance abuse, as well as the impact on teens and young adults in my community. This has fueled my desire to create a safe space for individuals to express their emotional struggles and concerns. Therefore, I have made it my life’s work to become a safe space for others.” – Kareem Parks
I am a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) with a strong background in primary care, urgent care, and mental health. Since becoming a nurse practitioner in 2022, I have been committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being.
I recently completed my post-master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) studies and am preparing for board certification soon. To further expand my clinical expertise and leadership in healthcare, I am also pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which I expect to complete by the end of the year.
With over a decade of experience in healthcare, I have worked in diverse settings, including community health clinics, urgent care centers, and home-based care. I specialize in managing acute and chronic conditions, preventive care, and mental health care. Recognizing that every patient is unique, I take a personalized approach to care, ensuring that treatment plans align with individual needs and lifestyles.
I am fluent in English and Somali and passionate about reducing healthcare disparities and breaking barriers, particularly in mental health. I believe that when patients are actively involved in their healthcare decisions, healing is already in motion. My goal is to provide the knowledge, guidance, and support needed to help individuals take control of their health with confidence.
I look forward to meeting you and working together to build a healthier, stronger future.
 
Fartun Keynan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
 

Jowharah Blair is a military veteran with nearly 20 years of service from the Army and the Air Force.  While serving, she received formal training in Human Resources and Criminal Justice.  She also gained additional training and certifications which includes Suicide Intervention and Prevention, Sexual Assault Advocate, Mediation, Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention, Resiliency, Human Rights Awareness, Unconscious Bias, Equal Opportunity, Physical Fitness, Public Speaking, Cultural Awareness and Evangelism.  Teamwork and organization are her strong suits. 

Jowharah’s Life Coaching journey began as an assigned mentor in her early years of serving in the armed forces.  A conversation with the ultimate creator solidified the journey and its purpose.  Continual training and education has kept her informed, vigilant to the craft, and able to assist a clients specific requirements.  She has serviced an array of clientele such as school staff, business owners, couples, single parents, college students, Public Speakers, and the newly divorced as a few.  She has also assisted those with many of the transition’s life has to offer, from adjusting to a new inability, to hospice, and even beyond.  With her food service training, as well received through military service, she has also assisted some in navigating meal preparation and proper nutrition. 

There are many slogans Jowharah may follow.  As a self-proclaimed optimist, she firmly believes there’s a silver lining with every dark cloud.  As an example of going above and beyond, she once acted as a client’s office administrator, to ensure success of the client’s business.  She believes a good coach is always on the sidelines, so she regularly attends clients’ functions and has even coordinated a few events.  She also believes there is a better view of everyday life, therefore she diligently seeks out resources beneficial to the client.

Jowharah is an enthusiastic learner who desires to increase her educational footing continuously.  She is a multi-cultural, adventure seeking, non-lactose pescatarian, who enjoys traveling, food, and experiences from across the globe, and being a Life Coach.  She remains focused, open minded, and with a sense of humor, even in the most tumultuous situations.  She is grateful to be a member of the Becoming-Well family and she looks forward to working with you!