Conquer Myasthenia Gravis is led by a volunteer board of trustees and supported by a knowledgeable staff.
Board of Trustees
Conquer Myasthenia Gravis trustees all have direct experience with MG. Officers’ terms are two years and members’ terms are one, two or three years. The board meets regularly to direct Conquer MG’s strategy, programs, finances and goals. They are a dedicated and caring group, committed to serving the needs of MG patients. Comments to the board may be directed to: info@myastheniagravis.org
Bob Rosecrans – Chair
Board of Trustees
Bob joined the Conquer MG Board in June 2014. Diagnosed with MG in 2002, he’s done the roller coaster ride of medications, IVIG therapy, hospitalization and finally a thymectomy. Bob lives in Glen Ellyn and is very grateful to his wife Marlene for her support. He holds a PhD in biochemistry and served as a lab director and educator for pathology residents for NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Department of Pathology. Currently semi-retired, he works as a laboratory consultant in the Department of Pathology at Northwest Community Healthcare. “I believe in the mission of Conquer MG and want to help and support members of our community."
Tammy Carter – Secretary
Board of Trustees
A native of Munster, Indiana, Tammy balances the roles of wife, mom, foster parent, chauffer, cook, fundraiser and more. She regularly experiences “not enough time in the day” with three children active in band and sports, and knows how MG can complicate the mix. While husband Ernest cheers her on, Tammy is chief cheerleader for the rest of the family and is active in spreading MG awareness. She has served on the Conquer MG board since 2011.
Janeen Freeman – Treasurer
Board of Trustees
Janeen Freeman has proudly attended and raised awareness and donations for the Viking Challenge for MG since 2015 and has served as a Walk volunteer. She is currently a credit manager and has twenty years of experience in accounting and credit. She resides in Itasca with her husband, Kevin.
Julie McCracken
Board of Trustees
Julie joined Conquer MG in 2019. She suffered from double vision, drooping eyelids and puzzling fatigue for years before she was diagnosed with MG in 2004. Her treatment started with Mestinon and prednisone, then IVIG every 3 weeks for over a year, multiple plasma phoresis sessions, multiple hospitalizations including 2 visits to ICU, then a year with Imuran that injured her liver and finally CellCept, which reduced her symptoms to manageable after 18 months. She retired in 2016 (and again in 2018) from over 40 years in property management with the last 16 years as a supervisor for Chicago-based condominium property managers. While not in remission, Julie credits her husband Cliff and a Border Collie for a balanced life. Conquer MG has provided immeasurable support and resources every time Julie’s neurologist left the area. MG is not a disease one can manage on one’s own.
Alicia Peconio
Board of Trustees
Alicia was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2016. She lives in Elmwood Park, IL with her husband Joe and puppy Shadow. She has worked in higher education administration for more than 16 years and currently works for Northern Seminary as the Director of Academic Operations/Chief Compliance Officer. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, watching movies, and all things coffee.
Alex Randall
Board of Trustees
Alex has spent several years conducting EMG Nerve Conduction Tests in a Neuromuscular Neurology Clinic. While performing diagnostic studies, Alex met many patients newly diagnosed or living with Myasthenia Gravis. He found inspiration in their day-to-day perseverance through the unique challenges associated with MG. Alex will graduate medical school in 2026. He enjoys staying connected by volunteering at free local clinics and spending time in support groups, where he can learn from the experiences of patients and their families. Alex is thrilled to join the Conquer MG community and to help drive positive change and education as far and wide as he can.
Bob Ratzel
Board of Trustees
Bob knocked on the MG door in Blue Island over 30 years ago while he was getting a flat tire repaired. He knew his aunt had the disorder and wanted to see if they had information to help her. They did, and she was grateful! He self-diagnosed his MG in 2010. He has an MS in psychology and worked at several area associations, including the last 22 years as an executive director. He has served on several boards of directors including chambers of commerce and president of the Oak Lawn United Way. He remains active as a writer and storyteller, an adult education teacher, and investor in equities, bonds and real estate. He re-discovered Conquer MG thru a local garage sale fundraiser and joined the board in 2016 as treasurer.Staff
We are ready to take your call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. Our staff is committed to being the best resource possible for patients and their families, recognizing and respecting the individual patient’s situation and needs.
Information on this page updated January 2023
