Planetarium organization names U-46 teacher a Fellow

• Peggy Hernandez, District U-46 planetarium teacher, was recently named a Fellow of the Great Lakes Planetarium Association, a professional organization dedicated to supporting astronomy and space science education through planetaria.

Hernandez joined the Great Lakes Planetarium Association in 2009, the first year she was named to teach at the U-46 Planetarium, which was built in Elgin in the 1960s as an addition to the historic 1909 Elgin Watch Factory observatory building.

Great Lakes Planetarium Association members work in public and private schools, universities and museums, and the group supports space science education through conferences and publications.

The Fellow award recognizes a member's professional status and significant contributions.

Hernandez interacts with about 16,000 U-46 students annually who make class field trips to the planetarium to learn the science behind the stars and planets. She also makes presentations to Scouting groups and members of the public who can tour the facility on select dates throughout the year.

Hernandez had been a longtime U-46 science teacher at Canton Middle School in Streamwood and Eastview Middle School in Bartlett when she accepted the planetarium teaching job. She discovered her own interest in the cosmos through an astronomy course in college.

• Cardiologist Dr. Maen Nusair has joined the Medical Group at Northwest Community Healthcare.

Dr. Nusair, who obtained his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology, completed his residency and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at the University of Missouri-School of Medicine. Additionally, he completed an interventional cardiology fellowship at Loyola University Medical Center.

Dr. Nusair specializes in interventional cardiology and structural heart issues including Transcather Aortic Valve Replacement for patients with aortic stenosis. He is board-certified in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology. He will see patients at the 880 W. Central Road, Suite 7100, and 1632 W. Central Road practices, both in Arlington Heights.

• U.S. Air Force Airman Kane A. Cazares graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Cazares is a 2017 graduate of Prospect High School, Mount Prospect.

• Congratulations Shane Rayburn, John-Erik Bruchman, Tim Day, Spencer Gallagher, Matt Bednar, Tommy Bahary and Brian Rayburn of Boy Scout Troop 140 for attaining Scouting's highest rank - Eagle Scout. Fewer than 4 percent of all boys in Scouting achieve the rank of Eagle.

A reception and dinner is being held following the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony today at 2 p.m. at St. Mary School Activity Center, 50 N. Buffalo Grove Road, in Buffalo Grove.

• Send your 'Neighbor in the News' items to Norrine Twohey at ntwohey@dailyherald.com.