Staff


The Rev. Rose Cicero


Part-time Chaplain
Phone: 312-563-4825
rose_cicero@rush.edu



The Rev. Rose Cicero was originally drawn to Bishop Anderson House through the Spiritual Care Visitors Training program in 2014. Then, through Community-based CPE and joining the BAH staff as a part-time chaplain, she continued to learn about the many ways Bishop Anderson House provides quality spiritual and emotional care. Currently, Rose serves part-time as chaplain to women and children at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, and represents our Teddy Bear Ministry. Rose has a deep desire to bring support, healing and comfort to those in most need. She has been a strong advocate for children in Cook County as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) since 1996. She is a founding and current board member of Magdalene House Chicago, working towards providing housing where women who have survived abuse, trafficking, prostitution, and addiction can heal. Rose also serves as a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

Kim Lessner


Associate for Administration & Registrar for Spiritual Care Visitor Training
Phone: 312-563-4825
kim_lessner@rush.edu
I am blessed beyond measure to work as the Registrar of the Spiritual Care Visitor Training Program (SCVTP) which is definitely my life’s passion. I’ve been a caretaker from the start as the oldest in a family of six kids. I deepened my caretaking skills when I participated in the SCVTP in 2013. That experience brought great clarity and purpose to my life. For my field work, I volunteered at Advocate Aurora Sherman Hospital where I served as a Spiritual Welcome Volunteer in their Cancer Center until March, 2020. My heart is always open to help by just being present and listening. This gift is one where I receive more than I will ever give. As an added bonus, I get to use my natural talents of administration to support the overall mission of Bishop Anderson House. Please let me know how I can serve you.

Why is Bishop Anderson House important to Kim? Click here to learn more.

Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only


Community Chaplain & Communications Manager
Phone: 312-563-4823
ebony_only@rush.edu
The Rev. Dr. Ebony D. Only is a proud product of the Englewood Community of Chicago, IL and a graduate of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union where she earned a Doctorate in Ministry degree. She also earned a Masters of Ministry Degree from Lee University School of Religion and has served in ministry for over 12 years.

After having been selected for the community based Chaplain CPE program here at Bishop Anderson House, she was excited to find a place that shared her desire to advance the healing of the whole person. Ebony continued to stay connected to Bishop Anderson House and later served as the Treasurer/Secretary on the Board of Trustees and is now our inaugural Community Chaplain Fellow. Ebony believes, "As healers and caregivers, it is our duty to acknowledge, in the words of Bishop Anderson, 'where institutions of humanity are falling short', and to be the agents of transformation and change that promote equity and wholeness. We have been called for such a time as this and my prayer is that you will join me in this work."

Why is Bishop Anderson House important to Ebony? Click here to learn more.

The Rev. Thomas S. Rogers


Executive Director
Phone: 312-563-4824
Thomas_Rogers@rush.edu


The Rev. Thomas S. Rogers, III is an Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. Certified Educator and Episcopal Priest. Tommy grew up in Oklahoma City, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Christian University and a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. In Fall 2011, Tommy served as a Supervisory Education Student at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Tommy was certified as an ACPE, Inc. Associate Supervisor in May 2015 and moved to Bishop Anderson House as the executive director June 1, 2015. Tommy was certified as Certified Educator March 2017.
Tommy loves how open and inclusive our mission statement is, yet how it is clear that our area of focus is in the healthcare industry to make sure that spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families, and staff are being addressed in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics where we are engaged in ministry.
Tommy lives in Skokie with his husband Jason, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, who works for the Lake County Health Department as a Program Coordinator for the Case Management Program. Tommy’s favorite thing to do in the warm summer months is to walk along Lake Michigan.

Why is Bishop Anderson House important to Tommy? Click here to learn more.

Rev. Dr. Micheal A. Smith


Associate Executive Director & Professional Chaplain,
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
Phone: 312-563-4822
Micheal_Smith@rush.edu


The Rev. Dr. Micheal A. Smith is a board certified chaplain. Micheal was reared in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Howard University, a JD degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Micheal comes to Bishop Anderson House after serving for 15 years in parish ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Influenced by the writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., James Cone, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Micheal’s commitment to advocacy and social justice and his compassion for the marginalized makes him an ideal chaplain within John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and our West Side community which the Bishop Anderson House serves.

Why is Bishop Anderson House important to Micheal? Click here to learn more.

Spencer Q. Washington


Communications Intern
Phone: 312-947-2429
Spencer_Q_Washington@rush.edu


Spencer Washington recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago, where he earned an MFA in Creative Writing. Previously, he attended Lawrence University where he obtained a BA in Film Theory and Production. Upon learning about Bishop Anderson House through his school resources, they were interested in the general mission of giving back and community building. Now selected as their Communications Intern, they are looking forward to not only showcasing their talents, and passions for social justice, and helping Bishop Anderson House give voice to a new generation.