Pediatric Resource Center Staff
Channing Smith Petrak, MD, Medical Director
Dr. Petrak received her medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at UICOM-P in May 2003 and began working for the Pediatric Resource Center. In 2011, Dr. Petrak became Medical Director of the Pediatric Resource Center. Dr. Petrak holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration. Dr. Petrak is board certified in General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. Dr. Petrak serves on the Peoria Illinois Child Death Review Team Peoria Region and Children’s Justice Task Force Illinois. Dr. Petrak is a member of the Ray E. Helfer Society, an honorary society of physicians seeking to provide leadership to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
Stephanie Johnson, Executive Director
Stephanie became the Executive Director in November 2013. She has worked for the Pediatric Resource Center as a Case Coordinator since 1994. Currently, Stephanie provides medical case management in child physical abuses and neglect cases. Stephanie enjoys program building and has assisted child abuse medical evaluation sites around Illinois with logistics and program development. She also works closely with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois in order to assist with quality assurance and resident education relating to child abuse and neglect. Prior to coming to the Pediatric Resource Center, she worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Galesburg, working with parents of abused and neglected children as a Family Educator and as a Foster Parent Support Specialist. Stephanie has a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Eastern Illinois University.
Claudia Plumer, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, SANE-P
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric / Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Claudia joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in March 2020. Her nursing background includes pediatric primary care, as well as serving as faculty in an undergraduate nursing program, mostly teaching pediatrics. Claudia earned an MSN in Nursing Education from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, a Post-Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certificate from Saint Louis University, and a DNP from Saint Louis University. Her doctoral project was titled “Barriers of Engagement in Trauma-Informed Counseling for Children Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse”. Claudia is passionate about providing trauma-informed care for children and their families, and enjoys collaborating with community-based agencies to improve outcomes at the community level.
Carrie Watt, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, SANE-P
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric / Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Carrie joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in December 2019. Her journey in pediatrics began at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois as a unit clerk on the general pediatrics unit. Carrie transitioned into an RN role on the general pediatrics unit before eventually shifting to the pediatric intensive care unit, where she found her passion. That passion led her to earn a doctorate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care from University of Illinois Chicago, and then a post-doctorate Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certificate from University of Illinois Chicago. Carrie is a strong advocate for her patients and their families, and she continually strives to increase her knowledge about best practices in the field of child abuse.
Amanda Thomison, Case Coordinator
Amanda joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in January 2007. She had previously worked for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois as a Child Welfare Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Her clinical responsibilities include medical case management in child physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect cases.
Taryn Dunlap, Case Coordinator
Taryn joined the Pediatric Resource center staff in April 2023. She has over 12 years’ experience in child welfare and social services, having previously worked as a Child Protection Specialist for The Department of Children and Family Services and Child Welfare Specialist for The Center for Youth and Family Solutions. Taryn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Systems from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. Her clinical responsibilities include medical case management in child physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect cases.
Carole Siefken, Office Administrator
Carole joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in April 2009. Her responsibilities include establishing/maintaining grant and contract accounts, developing and tracking budgets, designating expenditure of funds within guidelines set forth by granting source and University guidelines, serving as liaison for the Community Board and supervising/coordinating clerical needs of the Pediatric Resource Center. She also assists with the annual fundraiser and the April Blue Ribbon Campaign. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology from Eastern Illinois University.
Danielle Keime, Office Manager
Danielle joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in April of 2022. She graduated from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and psychology. She has over 10 years of experience in medical office administration. Her responsibilities include a wide variety of highly specialized administrative support duties, which are necessary for achieving the goals of the Pediatric Resource Center.
Tori Odhiambo, Research Associate I
Tori joined the Pediatric Resource Center staff in May 2020 as a Research Associate. In this role, she engages in various research and statistical tasks for the department. Previously, she completed her Bachelors of Sciences in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities. Tori has a rich experience working in medical, non-profit, and government organizations addressing health disparities, human trafficking, pediatric, and maternal health.