About Us

Dr. Leonard Goldstein

Dr. Leonard Goldstein serves as the Assistant Vice President for Clinical Education Development at the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, Professor of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at the ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA), and Professor of Dentistry at the ATSU Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH), and the ATSU Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health (MOSDOH).  He earned his Doctor of Dental surgery (DDS) degree from Case-Western Reserve University and a PhD from the City University of Los Angeles. 

Immediately following graduation from dental school, he served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Dental Corps during the Viet Nam Conflict for two (2) years on Active Duty.  After Military service, Dr. Goldstein was in his Dental Practice from 1969 to 2000.  Prior to joining ATSU, he was an Assistant Dean at Touro College of Health Sciences, and Director of Clinical Education and Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He has published over 200 Peer Reviewed articles in Medicine and Dentistry, as well as a Sedation Textbook; and has presented and continues to present at numerous national and international Medical and Dental Conferences.

Mr. Anthony Hurst, Co-Founder

Mr. Anthony Hurst dedicated 24 years of service to the Chicago Transit Authority. In addition to his professional career, he served as a volunteer Bible Study Assistant Coordinator in the South Shore community on Chicago’s East Side.

Mr. Hurst is also the co-founder of the South Shore Dog Team, a community service organization that honors a proud legacy of athletics, health promotion, and civic engagement among South Shore residents. The Dog Team’s initiatives include hosting an annual block party at South Shore High School, as well as providing grass-cutting services and home repairs for residents with distressed properties.

A proud alumnus of South Shore High School, Mr. Hurst was a standout football player (#41, Running Back) and also attended Horace Mann Elementary School. Today, he is a devoted husband and father to a blended family of eight children and two grandchildren, including daughters lovingly adopted from foster care.

Mrs. Cynthia “Princess” Hurst Gamble

Mrs. Cynthia Hurst Gamble (affectionately known as “Princess”) dedicated 40 years of distinguished service to the Illinois Department of Employment Security before retiring in 2014. During her tenure, she served as a manager and facilitator of employee training programs, earning respect for her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, one of Princess’s greatest joys was interior design. She had a natural talent for creating beautiful spaces and enjoyed staging homes for real estate agents, turning ordinary rooms into inviting showcases.

Princess also devoted countless hours to community service. Her journey began in the 1970s as a “candy striper” — a high school volunteer who assisted patients in healthcare facilities while wearing the iconic red-and-white uniform that distinguished them from nurses. Later in life, she served as a compassionate companion to homebound seniors, becoming their self-described “window to the world.”

With the assistance of a dear friend, Princess organized weekend excursions and cultural outings for disadvantaged children from Chicago’s South Shore community, where she lived. Through partnerships with local businesses, including McDonald’s, she secured transportation and meals for memorable trips to the beach, zoo, skating rinks, and museums.

A proud alumna of South Shore High School, Princess attended the University of Illinois at Chicago (Circle Campus), where she studied Psychology. She is also a devoted wife, happily married to Mr. Ron Gamble, a retired Cook County Sheriff.

Ms. Gwen Jones Robinson (Hurst)

Mrs. Cynthia Hurst Gamble (affectionately known as “Princess”) dedicated 40 years of distinguished service to the Illinois Department of Employment Security before retiring in 2014. During her tenure, she served as a manager and facilitator of employee training programs, earning respect for her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, one of Princess’s greatest joys was interior design. She had a natural talent for creating beautiful spaces and enjoyed staging homes for real estate agents, turning ordinary rooms into inviting showcases.

Princess also devoted countless hours to community service. Her journey began in the 1970s as a “candy striper” — a high school volunteer who assisted patients in healthcare facilities while wearing the iconic red-and-white uniform that distinguished them from nurses. Later in life, she served as a compassionate companion to homebound seniors, becoming their self-described “window to the world.”

With the assistance of a dear friend, Princess organized weekend excursions and cultural outings for disadvantaged children from Chicago’s South Shore community, where she lived. Through partnerships with local businesses, including McDonald’s, she secured transportation and meals for memorable trips to the beach, zoo, skating rinks, and museums.

A proud alumna of South Shore High School, Princess attended the University of Illinois at Chicago (Circle Campus), where she studied Psychology. She is also a devoted wife, happily married to Mr. Ron Gamble, a retired Cook County Sheriff.

Dr. Cheryl Slaughter Hurst, Co-Founder

Dr. Cheryl Slaughter Hurst holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Organizational Development from Grand Canyon University, a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Eastern Illinois University.

A published scholar and frequent national presenter, Dr. Slaughter Hurst has received numerous awards recognizing her exceptional contributions to education, youth advocacy, and public health. Her commitment to supporting vulnerable youth is both professional and deeply personal. As a former Executive Director of a youth organization in the South Bronx, she led transformative initiatives that empowered under-resourced communities. A Certified Fundraising Professional, she has successfully raised more than $8 million to expand educational and economic opportunities for youth facing systemic barriers.

As the mother of eight— including children adopted through the foster care system—Dr. Slaughter Hurst has lived the very experiences she shares in her debut book, Memoirs of an Adoptive Mother’s Meltdown: Motherhood, Mayhem & Mental Health. Proceeds from the book fund scholarships for individuals with foster care experience who are pursuing higher education or publishing original works created through therapeutic writing initiatives supported by her foundation.

Dr. Slaughter Hurst is also a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her blended family of eight children and two grandchildren— including two daughters lovingly adopted from foster care—continues to inspire her mission of fostering hope, healing, and opportunity for others.

Mrs. Gwendolyn Slaughter (Sharkey), Co-Founder

Gwendolyn Slaughter (Sharkey) dedicated over 30 years to the University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health (UIC-SPH) and the Department of Dermatology. Throughout her tenure, she served in diverse roles, including Administrator and Acting Director for Student Affairs, where she oversaw the entire admissions and registration process, grade submissions, and graduation procedures. She also managed budgets of up to $7 million and coordinated key events such as the school's annual visit to the American Public Health Association.

In addition to her administrative leadership, Gwendolyn was a skilled Medical Coder, credentialing physicians for the Dermatology Clinic under various health plans, including HMO, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Illinois State Board of Trustees. She played a vital role in placing students into residency programs, supporting their professional development.

Gwendolyn’s commitment to community service extends beyond academia. She served as an administrator for the Easter Seals Community Service Employment Program, focusing on human resources and training individuals aged 55 and older to re-enter the workforce. She currently serves on the Chicago Police Department’s 007th District Domestic Violence Subcommittee, where she helps organize community events for seniors and youth, including line dancing for seniors, Mother's Day luncheons, back-to-school giveaways, and "Prom with a Purpose." She also contributed to the planning of concerts featuring local youth and renowned gospel artists.

Gwendolyn's educational background includes public school education in St. Louis, MO, attendance at Kennedy King College in Chicago, and certifications in medical terminology, customer service, and computerized budgeting at the university level.

A devoted wife and mother of a blended family of eight children, Gwendolyn is also a proud grandmother (affectionally known as GiGi) to 18 grandchildren, including two adopted from foster care. Her life's work is marked by her dedication to education, community service, and her family.