"We are dedicated to providing personalize care for your specific needs to young and
older adults who have a variety of nursing, medical 
and health care needs."

As a long term care nurse and nurse educator, the standard of nursing care has always been the mission.  I worked many hours, shifts, often double shifts of 16 hours on the floor to provide the care residents and patients needed.  Through the years, it was frustrating at times, that facilities and medical practices appeared to be more interested in money than delivery of health care as I had been trained and educated other students. 

In 1993, I opened my own nursing private practice to consult and provide direct home nursing care.  The opportunity to work at selected long term care facilities was now an option.  I have been blessed with continuing to work as a floor nurse and still continue with the current medical and nursing private practice.  

About us!

Dr. Karas is a Board Certified adult advance practice and gerontological nurse. Her practice encompasses clinical primary, long-term and home care. Dr. Karas brings 30+ years of diverse and successful nursing experience to her practice and to her patients. Dr. Karas is the owner of NP Healthcare & Associates, and collaborates with Steven C. Fox, D.O., a specialist in Geriatric and Disability Medicine. She is dedicated to providing natural healthy care to patients in a comfortable private setting where they can improve and regain their health.

Dr. Karas served as Chair of the Content xpert Panel for the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the panel that administers the National Gerontological Nurse Board Certification exam. She also served as adjunct faculty member at William R. Harper College as an educator and program coordinator of the Basic Nursing Assistant Training Program. She received a Certificate of Recognition for “Outstanding Performance in Clinical Education” at the Finch University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School. She has received honors in Phi Theta Kappa—William R Harper College; Alpha Delta Omega — Human Services Honor Society and she is currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau International — Honor Society of Nursing.

She has made numerous professional presentations and conducted many workshops for various groups and organizations. They include: the State of Illinois Police; St. Stephen Symposium–Archdiocese of Chicago; Good Shepard Hospital; Illinois Department of Labor and the White House Health Care Advisory Panel. Her experience also includes a medical mission in Central America.

Steven C. Fox D.O.  Medical Director Wellspring Personal Care

Dr. Steven C. Fox is a licensed physician and surgeon. He was the co-founder of Wellspring Gerontological Services (WGS), which provided comprehensive assessment and care management for older adults and persons with disabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area from 1985 through 1993.

Now in private practice, Dr. Fox applies the osteopathic philosophy and principles of wellness to his practice in geriatrics and disability medicine. For the past 27 years, the primary focus of Dr. Fox’s clinical practice, teaching and research has been on the care and treatment of the elderly and disabled. He conducts assessments of decision-making capacity, of functional capacity and of individual care needs.  Since 1989, he has conducted forensic examinations and provided expert testimony in criminal and civil elder abuse and financial exploitation trials.  He is a recognized court appointed expert in guardianship, undue influence, and probate proceedings.    

Dr. Fox has taught and published on the topics assessment of decisional capacity, guardianship, reality testing, personality disorder, nursing home care and litigation.  As Medical Director for Wellspring Personal Care, he provides hands on consultation and oversight for all Wellspring clients requiring skilled nursing services.

He is a member of the American Geriatrics Society, the American Medical Directors Association, the Illinois Geriatric Society, and Illinois Citizens for Better Care.