Our Clinicians
Meet the People Who Make the Clinic.
They are the heart and soul of Fenix Family Health Center. Most of the people who work at Fenix have been immigrants themselves and are fully aware of the challenges facing our patients as they integrate into the culture of their new home.
Our skilled physicians are committed to treating the whole person. They are dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care to the Latino community of Lake County.
They understand the challenges faced by recently arrived immigrants and provide both medical care and guidance to local resources in Spanish, helping patients navigate and access the support they need.
Louise Berner
MD, MPH, FAAFP
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Berner founded Fenix Clinic to address the healthcare needs of the vulnerable Latino immigrant community in Lake County. She developed her passion for this work through years of serving minority populations at Cook County Hospital and during her ten years at Erie Family Health Center in Chicago. Dr. Berner speaks Spanish.
She has a lifelong commitment to eliminating the cultural barriers that prevent these families from accessing the healthcare services that will help them thrive in their new homeland.
Dr. Berner’s dedication to promoting public health began early, during the summer before she entered college, when she participated in a vaccination campaign in Ecuador. At Amherst College, she earned a double major in Spanish and Biology, with a concentration in Anthropology. She graduated from Rush Medical College in 1988 and completed her residency in Family Medicine. She also earned a Master of Public Health degree, with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health, from the University of Illinois. In addition to her work as a physician, Dr. Berner volunteered at the Manos Amigas free clinic in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Berner spent two years in Tokyo, where she served as a physician for the United States Embassy.
Marjie Kozlowski
NP, APRN-FNP
Director of Advanced Practice Providers
Marjorie Kozlowski joined Fenix in 2011. In 2017, she earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University, where her research focused on diabetes education for medically underserved patients with low health literacy.
In addition to maintaining a clinical practice, she currently serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and acrylic painting on canvas.
Richard Cordero
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
The opportunity to work as a Family Medicine provider at Fenix Family Health Center has been a dream come true for Richard Cordero. From his experiences growing up in a cross-cultural home, to his training and experience in pastoral ministry, to over 16 years in healthcare this role serving the Latino community of Northern Lake County seem a perfect fit. He earned his BA in Chemistry and History from Williams College, MDiv from Trinity International University, BSN from Loyola University Chicago, and MSN from Chamberlain University. Richard and his young family have been rooted in Highwood since 2012 and prize the city as a jewel with many facets of diversity which enliven Chicago’s North Shore. Richard seeks to empower each patient and family within their unique context with linguistically and culturally tailored education and support in the journey of pursuing lifelong health and wellbeing.
Kathleen Salse
MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Kathleen Salse is a Board-Certified Advanced Nurse Practitioner specializing in Family Medicine. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University Chicago and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honors from Northern Illinois University.
With extensive clinical and leadership experience, Kathleen is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare for individuals and families at every stage of life.
Kathleen is passionate about preventive care, patient education, and personalized treatment plans that support long-term health and wellness. She believes in building strong relationships with her patients through trust, compassion, and individualized attention.
Outside of her professional life, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband, her two adult children, and their cat, Cuzco. In her free time, she loves photography, scrapbooking, card making, traveling, and learning about different cultures.