Joy Wagner, Founder & President
Joy Wagner, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Iowa. She has practiced nursing and taught in the health field since 1982 changing her focus to Multiple Sclerosis, Auto-Immune and other Neuromuscular conditions after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001. Determined to regain her independence, Joy developed a rehabilitation protocol for herself. She named this program fitMS® in 2003 when she began teaching other MS patients at local fitness facilities. She released a standing and seated version of fitMS® on DVD in 2004 to make the program available to MS patients outside her community. Joy received the National MS Society’s “Leader of Hope Award” in 2004 in recognition of fitMS and her dedication to helping MS patients improve their mobility. Joy has taught fitMS® and spoken at patient and healthcare provider education events across the country since 2003.
Joy founded fitMS® NeuroBalance Center (not-for-profit – NFP 501(c)3 Public Charity) in 2010 with the goal of providing more services to address the unmet needs of the MS population and all those with Neuromuscular conditions that threaten independence. Joy continues to educate patients and healthcare providers about MS.
Raymond Lapinas, Director of Finance & Administration
Raymond is the Director of Finance & Administration at NeuroBalance Center. Until joining the management team in September 2023, he was a member of our Board of Directors and held the role of Board Secretary since 2018. This experience, coupled with 30 years of finance related work for major corporations in the Chicagoland area, offers expertise in risk management, operational financial controls and financial statement/budgeting that are widely recognized. He actively advocates for individuals with chronic progressive disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neuromuscular conditions. In the fall of 2017 Raymond was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and prior to being elected as a board member, became involved with NeuroBalance Center as a client, participating in the inaugural boxing classes for Parkinson’s. Raymond has been quoted as saying – “The atmosphere of camaraderie, the quality and attention of the staff, coupled with the outstanding availability of unique equipment provides participants the best opportunity towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle while facing the challenges present by their medical diagnosis.”
Raymond is an appointed board member of the McHenry County Mental Health Board in Illinois and currently holds the role of Vice President. During previous terms, he has held the role of Board Treasurer, Chaired the Ethics & Compliance Committee, By-laws Committee, and served as a member on several other committees. He is also a member of the Lithuanian Americans and Allies for Democracy (LAAD), a national political action committee (PAC), and serves as Treasurer. The organization’s vision is to engage with American citizens, particularly the broader Lithuanian community in the United States, to build an activist organization that seeks to strengthen and protect democracy, promote equality, and social and economic justice through political and civic action.
Jenny Wells, Administrative & Operations Manager
Jenny is the Administrative & Operations Manager at NeuroBalance Center. She is responsible for scheduling and coordinating volunteers, managing our Point-of-Sale system, creating our Client newsletter, overseeing and operating our Rides Program, taking care of our adaptive outdoor vegetable & herb garden, and assisting with planning on and offsite events for the Center. She is also our point person for facility management, overseeing provider & employee needs, managing reception, maintaining our Donor CRM system, and orienting & training new employees and service providers.
In her spare time, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, cooking, and being outdoors. She is also very passionate about the small non-profit she leads that supports her local police department. She holds an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Dietetics, as well as two technical degrees in Nutrition, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science.
Kayla Ceniseros, Lead Receptionist & Administrative Coordinator
Kayla Ceniseros is the Lead Receptionist and Administrative Assistant at the NeuroBalance Center. Primarily, she manages scheduling for the Center and helps run our Upmetrics Program. She also assists with maintaining our Point-of-Sale system, helps sustain our social media platforms, provides assistance with facility operations, leads our team of receptionists and provides support to our Rides Program.
In her spare time, Kayla enjoys hiking with her chocolate lab Tinsley, spending time with family & friends and photography. Kayla is also a licensed cosmetologist & certified makeup artist; she spends her free time doing hair & makeup for special occasions.