WHEATON, Ill. —  For a group of pediatric patients, this morning marked more than playtime. It marked their first experience behind the wheel and for many, their first opportunity to explore independently. At GoBabyGo, children with limited mobility took their first solo rides in custom‑modified electric toy cars built just for them. The annual event is hosted by Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

During the event, 21 children received custom‑modified, battery‑powered toy cars designed to support their individual therapeutic and mobility needs. Adapted by a team of therapists and volunteers from across Northwestern Medicine, the cars give children who are unable to walk or crawl and are too young for a motorized wheelchair the ability to move, explore and play alongside their peers.

“GoBabyGo is more than a single day. It creates a life‑changing moment for both children and their families,” said Stephanie Salentine, manager of rehabilitation services at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. “For many of these kids, this is their first experience with independent mobility. Seeing the confidence and excitement as they take that first drive is incredibly meaningful for families and care teams alike.”

GoBabyGo focuses on improving mobility, socialization and developmental skills for young children with physical and medical challenges. Each car is customized with therapeutic modifications such as specialized seating, hand controls, five‑point harnesses and head supports to meet the unique needs of every child. The cars are donated and provided to families at no cost.

For families, watching their children experience independent play and movement, often for the first time, is what makes the GoBabyGo event such a powerful and memorable experience.

“I was not expecting this. Not at all. This is eyound words. It truly is,” said Steven Kosriog, of Carol Stream, Ill., who attended the event with his son Jack. “There’s no greater feeling than seeing your son have that independence, especially the independence that he looks for and we look for in him as parents. It means the world.”

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital has hosted GoBabyGo events since 2015 with support physical and occupational therapists across the Northwestern Medicine health system who volunteer their time to build the cars, as well as community volunteers.

This was the first time the Simmons family, of Joliet, volunteered at GoBabyGo, but they aren’t strangers to the event. Last year, their son Glenn was a recipient of a modified toy car. After experiencing the event as participants, they were eager to come back to bring other children the same joy they experienced from Glenn. Jerome Simmons gathered a group of colleagues to join their volunteer team.

“Last year, it was so much fun. Glenn enjoyed his vehicle so much. We were so happy and overjoyed just to see him get to play and enjoy himself,” said Jerome. “This year, I brought volunteers with me. I’ll be here every year to participate and help increase mobility for other kids.”

Founded in 1972, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital delivers the most innovative rehabilitation solutions available with compassion. The hospital treats a wide range of injuries and illnesses with specialized rehabilitation programs for brain injury, neuromuscular, orthopaedic, pediatric, spinal cord and stroke. In 2024, Marianjoy achieved the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. It is one of just a handful of freestanding rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S. to receive Magnet designation. To learn more, visit: https://www.nm.org/locations/marianjoy-rehabilitation-hospital. 

GLENVIEW, Ill. — The Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center has opened a new floor of patient care space following the completion of a multiyear project to enhance programs and modernize its clinical facilities. The expanded space increases access to specialty care and reaffirms Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the North Shore. Northwestern Medicine leadership and staff celebrated the expansion with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony on March 2.

“Providing our patients with exceptional care begins with creating the right environment for their individual needs,” said Karin B. Ulstrup, MD, medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center. “Our expanded footprint and the new program offerings allow us to serve more patients, while maintaining the compassionate experience they expect from Northwestern Medicine. We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our commitment to the community that we are so proud to serve.”

Growth in cardiovascular services

The Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute (BCVI) expanded its existing footprint at the Glenview Outpatient Center adding significantly more space for cardiology, vascular surgery, vein care and diagnostic cardiology services. Renovations doubled the number of exam rooms and cardiac testing spaces, allowing the team to treat more patients and provide a broad range of heart and vascular services in one convenient location.

The BCVI at the Glenview Outpatient Center also added workrooms and collaboration spaces for physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and staff. The added space strengthens the team’s ability to deliver coordinated, multidisciplinary care.

New rheumatology infusion offerings

For the first time, non-oncology infusion services are available at the Glenview Outpatient Center allowing patients to see their rheumatologist and receive infusions all in one location. These services support treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus and more.

Wound care expertise

Our new Northwestern Medicine Wound Care Center will provide advanced treatments for patients with slow-healing or complex wounds. Offerings include biomedically engineered skin grafts, growth factor therapy and other specialty therapies that promote healing, help prevent complications and support patients in regaining comfort and mobility.

Community care

The expansion and upgrades to the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center began approximately five years ago with the goal of delivering a modern, patient-centered environment designed to support world-class patient care and to meet the needs of a growing community.

"This project reflects our long-term investment in providing world-class care right here in Glenview,” said Andrea Saenim, vice president of operations at Northwestern Medicine. “By bringing more services under one roof and expanding our clinical capacity, we are ensuring that our patients can access the care they need, even if they require more complex care, closer to home. Our teams are proud to open this space and to continue growing alongside the Glenview community.”

Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center originally opened in 2013 providing area residents access to comprehensive, individualized care in one convenient setting. In addition to the newly expanded services, the center also offers primary care and pediatrics, a cancer center with infusion services, lab services, diagnostic imaging, an Immediate Care Center and specialty care, including dermatology, gastroenterology, neurosciences, ophthalmology, endocrinology, pulmonary, oncology, urology and more.

For more information or to find a physician, visit the Northwestern Medicine Glenview Outpatient Center website.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.

Located in Crystal Lake, FHPC is a nonprofit clinic serving uninsured adults in McHenry County. The clinic, which does not accept insurance, operates on a sliding fee scale and will not turn anyone away due to inability to pay. 

“FHPC is an indispensable part of the safety net in McHenry County,” said Catie Schmit, president of Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital. “In a year when more residents are losing coverage or facing impossible insurance costs, their work has never been more crucial and Northwestern Medicine is proud to stand beside them.”

With local families reporting dramatic increases in monthly premiums, shrinking provider networks, and rising copays, the clinic expects a sharp uptick in the number of patients needing care in 2026. To meet growing demand, FHPC hired additional staff, expanded clinic operations, adopted telehealth efficiencies, and strengthened transition of care workflows to handle the anticipated surge.

Despite the mounting pressures, FHPC’s executive director Suzanne Hoban says support from community partners like Northwestern Medicine is one factor that has prepared the organization to meet this growing demand for patient care. 

“Northwestern Medicine has been a fabulous partner and truly a gold standard in what community collaboration looks like,” said Hoban. “This collaboration is built on what truly matters: ensuring that no one in our community goes without care simply because they can’t afford insurance.”

Support Built on “Time, Talent, and Treasure”

According to Hoban, Northwestern Medicine’s support is built on three essential needs: time, talent and treasure. This includes volunteer physicians, access to specialty care and funding to support the clinic’s operations. An annual grant funds nursing staff, supply purchasing, and essential programs such as the in‑house pharmacy and food pantry. 

In 2025, the number of Northwestern Medicine physicians volunteering to see patients at FHPC more than doubled, making it possible to serve significantly more patients without increasing wait times for appointments.

“Our physicians volunteer because they believe deeply in the clinic’s mission,” said Irfan Hafiz, MD, chief medical officer at Northwestern Medicine McHenry, Huntley and Woodstock hospitals. “They see firsthand how removing barriers like transportation, cost, and medication access can dramatically change a patient’s health trajectory. This is the kind of work that reminds us why we went into medicine.”

When a patient requires care beyond the capabilities of the clinic, they have streamlined access to advanced specialty care through Northwestern Medicine, as well as access to financial assistance and counseling.

“Northwestern Medicine works with us to fast‑track financial assistance applications for FHPC patients needing specialty services, surgeries, and follow‑up care,” said Hoban. “This is vital for our patients with needs outside the bounds of primary care. A lack of insurance doesn’t prohibit them from receiving lifesaving care.”

High-Quality Care for Those with Nowhere Else to Turn

Unlike federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), FHPC receives no federal funding and does not accept Medicaid or private insurance. The clinic exclusively provides care to uninsured residents of McHenry County. All operations are funded by community donors, charitable foundations, and partners like Northwestern Medicine.

The clinic provides comprehensive primary care along with behavioral health and specialty clinics for endocrinology and orthopedics, as well as in-house optometry, physical therapy, dental care, pharmacy, and a food pantry to address social determinants of health.

Many FHPC patients present with high‑acuity, chronic illnesses more typically seen in hospital settings, including uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, mental health conditions, cardiac issues, and neurologic disorders. 

“Our patients are sick. They’re not coming in for annual physicals but arriving with complex medical needs that would be rare in a typical primary care office,” Hoban said. “Social determinants, such as poverty, food insecurity, or impossible work schedules, contribute to this acuity and lead many patients to delay needed care for much too long. Our model removes every barrier we can.”

The clinic’s integrated approach with labs, clinical care, medication dispensing, and social support all under one roof, allows patients working multiple jobs or without access to reliable transportation to access care efficiently and consistently. Despite misconceptions about charitable clinics, FHPC delivers outcomes that often outperform privately insured patient populations.

“One of the strengths of FHPC is their comprehensive care model that gives patients access to labs, medications, behavioral health services and specialty clinics all under one roof,” said John Guido, MD, radiologist and immediate past medical staff president for Northwestern Medicine McHenry, Huntley and Woodstock Hospitals, who helped drive the increase in Northwestern Medicine physicians volunteering at FHPC. “In this integrated environment, patients receive continuous care rather than episodic, crisis‑driven care, which we know leads to better long‑term outcomes. For physicians who volunteer their time and expertise, this model allows them to practice high‑quality, efficient medicine for the patients they serve.”

Preparing for a Hard Year Ahead

As health insurance premiums spike—jumping from $300 to more than $1,000 a month for some McHenry County residents —a growing number of people have dropped coverage all together. This trend could bring an unprecedented wave of newly uninsured adults in the county. Even with this anticipated surge of newly uninsured, FHPC is ready to meet the demand and Northwestern Medicine is ready to support them. 

“This collaboration is a model for what community healthcare can look like,” said Schmit, who is on the board of FHPC. “In a challenging healthcare environment, together FHPC and Northwestern Medicine demonstrate that mission‑driven partnerships can still thrive and make a meaningful impact.”

FHPC aims to not only provide high quality care, but to also deliver it with compassion and respect.

“This is a systemic failure, not an individual one,” said Hoban. “Losing insurance shouldn’t be a source of shame. We want people to know we are here for them – before their health crisis becomes an emergency.”

For more information about FHPC and to find community resources, visit https://hpclinic.org/.  

CHICAGO — October 22, 2025 — Ten Northwestern Medicine sites will offer drive-up collection locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing community members with a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications.

In addition to collecting medications, Northwestern Medicine team members will distribute Narcan (naloxone) and share information about opioid overdose prevention.

“Many people are first exposed to opioids through medications found in the homes of friends or family,” said Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopedics at Feinberg School of Medicine. “Take Back Day is an important opportunity to remove these drugs from circulation and prevent misuse. Proper disposal helps protect our communities and environment.”

Unused or expired prescription medications pose a public safety risk and can lead to accidental poisoning, misuse, or overdose. Northwestern Medicine will host 10 drive-up collection sites across the Chicagoland area on Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where community members can safely dispose of their medications.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the second most common form of drug misuse in the United States.

Drive-up collection sites include:

• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles (east side of parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 North Main Street, Sandwich
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital (east entrance roundabout), 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield
• Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, 600 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest
• Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, 4201 West Medical Center Drive, McHenry
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital (main entrance driveway, first right, west side of hospital), 12251 South 80th Avenue, Palos Heights
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital Lavin Family Pavilion, 259 East Erie Street, Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Old Irving Park Advanced Outpatient Center Patient Drop-off Area (inside attached parking garage), 4445 West Irving Park Road, Chicago
• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital Main Entrance, 10400 Haligus Road, Huntley

Narcan kiosks now available at Northwestern Medicine sites

Narcan kiosks are now available at seven Northwestern Medicine locations across Chicagoland, offering free access to the life-saving medication.

“Expanding access to Narcan nasal spray is a critical step in saving lives. The statistics are moving in the right direction,” Elliott said. “We must continue this momentum—DEA data shows that half of all seized street drugs containing fentanyl have to be fatal.”

Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, can reverse an opioid overdose when sprayed into the nose during an emergency.

Narcan kiosks are located at:

• Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center, 12 Health Services Drive, DeKalb (open daily 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Ben Gordon Center – Community Support Program, 631 South 1st Street, DeKalb (open daily 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, Emergency Department Lobby, 4201 Medical Center Drive, McHenry (available 24/7)
• Northwestern Medicine Orland Park Behavioral Health Services, 15300 West Avenue, Suite 313, Building C, Orland Park (Mon/Wed/Fri 8:45 a.m.–9 p.m.; Tues/Thurs 8:45 a.m.–3:40 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health Services, 760 Foxpointe Drive, Sycamore (Mon–Wed 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Thurs/Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield (Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital, Emergency Department Lobby, 701 Doty Road, Woodstock (available 24/7)

MCHENRY, IL — October 3, 2025 — Today, staff and volunteers at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital planted 200 native plants representing 23 species, marking a major expansion of the Native Garden Initiative led by Northwestern Medicine’s local Sustainability Council. With support from 15 volunteers, the hospital built on previous efforts to create spaces that meet patients’ medical needs while also enhancing their overall well-being—offering care that goes beyond traditional healthcare.

“Healing happens in more ways than one—through medicine, through connection, and through nature,” said Rebecca Standish, Sustainability Council co-lead and accreditation, clinical compliance, and policy manger at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital. “These gardens are more than just plants in the ground. It’s a living, breathing space where people can take a deep breath and feel a little more whole.”

The newly added native plant species were carefully selected to support local pollinators and promote biodiversity. They complement a small garden already installed at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, offering a glimpse of the restorative spaces that will continue to grow in the seasons ahead.

The project also builds on the success of a similar garden at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital, completed on April 30, 2025. That garden began with over 900 native plants and now thrives with more than 1,400 Illinois-native flowers and grasses. It transformed previously underused landscape into a vibrant ecosystem that supports both wellness and sustainability.

Beyond their health benefits and aesthetic appeal, these gardens represent a meaningful step toward environmental responsibility—reducing carbon emissions from mowing and addressing the broader impact of healthcare on the environment. According to the American Medical Association, the U.S. healthcare system contributes approximately 8.5% of the nation’s carbon emissions.

The Native Garden Initiatives at McHenry and Woodstock hospitals reflect Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to sustainability, wellness, and community engagement. Plans are already underway to continue expanding gardens in future seasons.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.

CHICAGO – Bronzeville area residents now have the opportunity to receive the highest quality of care closer to home with the opening of the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, now open for patient care. The new 120,000-square-foot outpatient center at 4822 South Cottage Grove Avenue offers more than 14 specialties, including immediate and primary care, oncology care and infusion services, pediatrics, cardiology, women’s health, dermatology and mental health services. The center also includes a 7,500 square foot community space and 3,000 square feet for local retail, as well as onsite patient parking at no cost.

​“Increasing access to world-class health care in Bronzeville will make a generational impact on the health and wellness of this community,” says Kimbra Bell, MD, FACP, medical director at the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center. “We are committed to help build stronger, healthier communities. For over 20 years, we have collaborated with local organizations in Bronzeville and surrounding neighborhoods that share our vision to make the center a reality. We are so excited to welcome patients and community members to our new outpatient center.” 

 The center is expected to serve more than 50,000 patients and family members from Bronzeville and nearby communities every year and is welcoming a workforce of more than 110 new employees. 

The Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center clinical and community offerings include:

• Primary and specialty care 
• Immediate care 
• Cancer center with chemotherapy and infusion services
• Imaging and diagnostic services (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, DEXA and mammography)
• Mental health services 
• Pediatrics
• Cardiology
• Women’s Health
• Dermatology
• Physical Therapy
• Pulmonology
• Gastroenterology
• Ophthalmology
• Multipurpose and event spaces for community gatherings and educational workshops 
• A teaching kitchen and room for fitness classes

 To learn more about the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Outpatient Center, including community impact, project updates and the full floor-by-floor facility plan, please go to bronzeville.nm.org.

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 5, 2025 – BayCare, one of Florida’s leading not-for-profit health systems, and Northwestern Medicine, Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, are embarking on a strategic collaboration to expand access to advanced medical treatments, enhance clinical research, and improve training and education for current and future physicians in West Central Florida.

By collaborating with Northwestern Medicine, a nationally recognized academic health system that includes Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, BayCare is securing a final key piece in its efforts to grow as an academic health system serving the region, which includes the Tampa Bay area.

BayCare has one of the fastest-growing graduate medical education programs in the nation and an established research infrastructure, creating a solid foundation for integrating academic advancement with patient care.

“This isn’t the beginning, it’s the next step in a journey we’ve been focused on for years,” said Stephanie Conners, president and chief executive officer of BayCare. “West Central Florida deserves more access to academic medicine and by entering into a strategic collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, we will accelerate our trajectory as an academic health system.”

BayCare and Northwestern Medicine will look to expand access to advanced medical treatments and research while creating new educational and training opportunities for physicians, residents, and students, enhancing BayCare’s ability to attract, retain and train health care professionals to serve the growing needs of the region.

 “We are focused on collaborating with likeminded organizations that are driven by providing patients with greater access to world-class compassionate care, closer to where they live and work,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “By collaborating with BayCare, we have the opportunity to train and educate the next generation of medical professionals and transform the clinical offerings to patients in West Central Florida.”

As Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world-class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites. The health system is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital. For 13 consecutive years, Northwestern Memorial has been named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll by U.S. News and World Report, with 11 specialties ranked nationally. Most noteworthy being, Northwestern Memorial is one of only three hospitals in the nation to receive a U.S. News rating of High Performing in all procedures and conditions.

Under the collaboration, BayCare will continue to grow as West Central Florida’s leading not-for-profit academic health system, providing more than one-third of all services in the region, with 16 hospitals and hundreds of other locations. It is the region’s largest provider of cardiac, behavioral health and pediatric services and its provider group, BayCare Medical Group, is one of the largest in the region. BayCare's diverse network of ambulatory services includes laboratories, imaging, surgical centers, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers and one of Florida's largest home care agencies, BayCare HomeCare. BayCare's mission is to improve the health of all it serves through community-owned, health care services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care. The collaboration will not change BayCare’s ownership, leadership or the composition of its board of trustees, who are all volunteer West Central Florida leaders.

With a signed definitive agreement in place, leaders from both organizations are engaged in the first phase of the collaboration, which will focus on educational and professional development opportunities for clinicians and clinical research development.

“BayCare and Northwestern Medicine share a strategic vision to transform health care by investing in the development of tomorrow’s health care leaders,” said Sowmya Viswanathan, MD, chief physician executive of BayCare. “Our work together will enable us to provide even more innovative care in the compassionate, community-focused environment our patients want and deserve. More education, training and research mean more access and deeper expertise are available to our patients. And that’s why we’re here – to serve our communities.”

BayCare and Northwestern Medicine announced the collaboration Thursday afternoon at Tampa Bay Park in one of the three office buildings that BayCare recently acquired. BayCare announced it was naming its 36-acre part of the office park the BayCare Academic Health and Research Corridor to reflect its plans to consolidate and grow its academic and research efforts at the location, including the collaboration with Northwestern Medicine. The acquisition for the Corridor increased BayCare’s property holdings in west Tampa by 75%. The Corridor sits just west of three of BayCare’s 16 hospitals: St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s and St. Joseph’s Women’s.

About BayCare

To learn more about BayCare, please visit BayCare.org.

About Northwestern Medicine

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, please visit NM.org.

WHEATON, Ill. —  Smiles, cheers, and the buzz of tiny engines filled the air as pediatric patients with limited mobility experienced the thrill of independent movement at the annual GoBabyGo event at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Ill.

During the event, 18 children were gifted custom-modified, battery-powered toy cars designed to meet their individual therapeutic and mobility needs. The toy cars — adapted by a team of therapists and volunteers from across Northwestern Medicine  — provide children who are not able to walk or crawl and are too young for a motorized wheelchair, the chance to move, explore, and play like their peers.

“GoBabyGo is more than an event — it’s a moment that changes a child’s life and brings joy to these families,” said Stephanie Salentine, manager of rehabilitation services at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. “For many of these kids, it’s their first taste of independence. Watching them light up as they ‘drive’ for the first time is a powerful and special experience for both families and care teams.”

Originally founded at the University of Delaware, GoBabyGo aims to increase mobility, socialization, and developmental skills in young children with physical and medical challenges. Each car was customized with therapeutic adaptations such as specialized seating, hand controls, five-point harnesses, and head supports to meet the needs of each child. Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital has hosted GoBabyGo events since 2015 with the help of physical and occupational therapists from across the Northwestern Medicine health system who volunteer to build the cars. 

For the families, giving their children the opportunity to play independently like their peers despite mobility limitations is what makes the GoBabyGo event special. 

“The car allows Finley to play like other kids his age. His peers are doing the exact same thing,” said Jason Edgar, father of Finley (4). “The car is customized to his condition. He doesn’t have a lot of control of his trunk, so they’re able to [cinch a harness] so he can sit up and actually drive himself. He’s most excited about the radio in the car.” 

Jerome Simmons was excited to surprise his 7-year-old son Glenn with a customized toy car like the one his sister plays with at home. 

“He loves cars. We’re excited about him having his own that he can control and have fun with,” said Simmons. “He gets to be more independent doing something he likes to do. That’s a big thing for me, just getting him to be as independent as possible.” 

Founded in 1972, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital delivers the most innovative rehabilitation solutions available with compassion. The hospital treats a wide range of injuries and illnesses with specialized rehabilitation programs for brain injury, neuromuscular, orthopaedic, pediatric spinal cord and stroke. In 2024, Marianjoy achieved the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. It is 1 of only 6 freestanding rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S. to receive Magnet designation. To learn more, visit: https://www.nm.org/locations/marianjoy-rehabilitation-hospital.

London and Chicago – [19^th November] – The London Clinic, the UK’s largest independent charitable hospital and Northwestern Medicine, a leading U.S. based academic healthcare organisation, have announced a ground-breaking international collaboration. It is a wide-ranging agreement that will accelerate The London Clinic’s infrastructure improvements and growth ambitions in the years ahead.

 With a combined 250 years of delivering healthcare in the community, and sharing a not-for-profit ethos, this strategic agreement is a natural extension of both organisations’ commitment to improving healthcare and enhancing lives worldwide.

The London Clinic will draw on Northwestern Medicine’s experience in healthcare innovation, technology and research, alongside operational efficiency. It will greatly strengthen The London Clinic’s long-term position as the leading independent charitable hospital in the UK, defined by patient outcomes and community impact.

By leveraging The London Clinic’s exceptional reputation, Northwestern Medicine aims to expand its international reach, build partnerships with other healthcare systems, and develop patient-centred pathways with world-renowned consultants. This collaboration will further Northwestern Medicine’s mission to make people better by making medicine better.

The collaboration will focus on four key areas:

1. Enhancing Patient Care: By combining clinical expertise to deliver better care through increased access to innovative treatments.
2. Amplifying Charitable Impact: A shared commitment to philanthropy to enable both organisations to expand their community outreach and increase access to care.
3. International Collaboration: Consultants/physician leaders will collaborate in patient care, research and innovation to deliver advances in the care of rare and complex conditions.
4. Maximising Performance: Sharing best practice to optimise operational efficiency which will allow more resources to be directed towards patient care and charitable initiatives. 

Al Russell, CEO of The London Clinic, shared his excitement for what the new relationship will bring, “This is an incredibly defining moment in our history, and we’re thrilled to be working with the team from Northwestern Medicine as we embark on this next chapter together to set a new world-class standard in healthcare. Not only have we found a partner that shares the same not-for-profit values, but one with the scale that will give our charity access to the resources we need. We are determined to do as much as we can to support the health challenges our country faces. This collaboration with Northwestern Medicine will take this support to a new level, allowing us to further fulfil our charitable purpose.”

Remarking on the importance of the relationship, Howard Chrisman, MD, President and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare said, “Driven by our Patients First mission, we believe this strategic collaboration has the potential to redefine patient care and accelerate our ability to learn and share from a like-minded organisation with an exceptional reputation for clinical care. Leveraging the expertise of both organisations will enhance our collective ability to implement innovative healthcare solutions and drive breakthrough research for the betterment of all patients.”

About The London Clinic
The London Clinic is a leading independent charitable hospital, situated in Harley Street, in the heart of London’s medical district. Opened in February 1932, it has been at the forefront of healthcare for nearly 100 years. Her Majesty The Queen is the Patron. As a charity, The London Clinic reinvests all its surplus to further its mission of advancing healthcare for the benefit of the wider community, through programmes including clinical education, scientific PhD’s, innovation and community outreach.

About Northwestern Medicine
A leading U.S. based academic healthcare organisation, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world-class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites. The health system is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital. For 13 consecutive years, Northwestern Memorial has been named on the Best Hospital Honor Roll by U.S. News and World Report, with 11 specialties ranked nationally; and is one of only three U.S. hospitals to receive a U.S. News rating of High Performing in all procedures and conditions. To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit NM.org.

CHICAGO – After serving 21 years in the U.S. Army, Louis Smith’s heart only functioned at 10 percent. The father of three from Country Club Hills, Ill., had been visiting the Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVA) for about one year before his symptoms suddenly got worse. Just before Thanksgiving 2023, the then 65-year-old was told he needed a new heart.  

Louis was transferred to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he waited just two weeks for his new heart. Before his transplant surgery on December 31, 2023, he wasn’t nervous, wasn’t scared, but did have one request for his surgeon.  

“Can you do me a favor? When you cut me, can you try to save the tattoo on my chest?” said Smith. “It’s a saying that me and my late father used to say. We would listen to ‘I did it my way’ by Frank Sinatra. That’s our saying. If you can please not destroy the tattoo, I’ll be just fine.” 

Benjamin Bryner, MD, a cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, made sure both the incision and stiches would preserve every inch of Smith’s tattoo.  

“Mr. Smith had some tattoos that we were eager to save as best we could,” said Dr. Bryner. “There’s no way to do a transplant without leaving a scar behind, but we did our best to make sure the tattoos would at least line up and we were happy with the final results.”

Serving His Country and Needing a New Heart

Smith enlisted in the Army when he was just 17 years old, following in the footsteps of his father. His more than two decades of service took him through tours in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Germany, and Korea, but feeling his heart begin to fail was something this soldier was not prepared for.  

“I used to wake up every morning around two o’clock,” said Smith. “It felt like somebody was either choking me or standing on my chest. And I couldn’t breathe. It was like somebody just turned off my air.” 

Smith suffered from cardiac amyloidosis, an underdiagnosed disease that causes heart failure. It occurs when protein builds up and is deposited in tissues where it isn’t supposed to be. This can lead to organ damage, notably in the heart. Cardiac amyloidosis impacts up to 25 percent of people over the age of 80, with African American patients at a higher risk.  

During his time in the Army, Smith was active and never had any issues with his health. He was 63 years old by the time he learned about the genetic condition he’s had since birth. Because his case was so advanced, not only did he need a heart transplant, but Sarah Chuzi, MD, a heart failure and heart transplantation specialist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and JBVA, recommended he be moved up on the list.  

“I went to visit him in the hospital and noticed he was short of breath just walking from his bed to the bathroom,” said Dr. Chuzi. “That was so out of character for him, so unlike him. I could tell that he really felt like things were changing rapidly. So, we recommended that he not only be listed for heart transplant but that he be listed at a very high status which gave him priority on the heart transplant list.”

Almost one year later, Smith is doing well and is back to his old routine. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 47 years, Jacquelyn, his three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Smith is an avid biker, and often takes cross-country trips with friends on his motorcycle. He’s even taken one trip with his new heart.  

“I’m a soldier and a heart transplant survivor,” said Smith. “And I love my new heart.” 

More about the Advanced Heat Failure Clinic at the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center 

For more than 77 years, Northwestern Medicine has partnered with the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVA) in Chicago. Medical residents from the hospital system rotate through the VA clinic during their medical training, and it’s the longest-running academic affiliation in the VA system.  

In 2022, Sarah Chuzi, MD, a heart failure and heart transplantation specialist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, established an Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at JBVA. Dr. Chuzi rotated through JBVA during her medical training and since then, she’s dedicated her career to helping veterans.

“The JBVA is very unique,” said Dr. Chuzi. “We serve about 62,000 veterans and about 70 percent of those veterans identify as Black. That is a population that is very underserved for a number of reasons. They face a lot of health barriers but also a lot of structural barriers to health like systemic racism, a lot of trauma, and PTSD. The combination of all these factors really does adversely affect their health.”

The clinic offers evidence-based heart failure care that includes medical therapy, devices, and other diagnostic tests and procedures. Patients from the heart failure clinic are often referred to Northwestern Medicine for specialized surgeries and treatments. Dr. Chuzi and her team will soon participate in heart failure clinical trials out of JBVA, including ones looking at new medications to improve patient outcomes.

To learn more about heart failure treatment options, visit nm.org. 

CHICAGO – May 22, 2024 – On Sunday, June 2, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine will welcome more than 3,000 cancer survivors and supporters back to Grant Park for the 31^st Annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K.

Held on National Cancer Survivors Day, this community event features a non-competitive walk or chip-timed 5K run along Chicago’s lakefront, T-shirts, refreshments, music and entertainment, skin cancer screenings, activities for the family and a chance to share a message on the Dedication Wall.

“There are more than 18 million people living with a history of cancer in the United States,” says Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. “Thanks to the physicians and scientists taking bold steps to detect cancer earlier and develop new therapies, that number is expected to grow. This annual event gives us the opportunity to celebrate survivors and their families and renew our commitment to defeating this devastating disease.”

The celebration is an opportunity for cancer survivors — wearing purple shirts — to connect and celebrate milestones with the friends, family members and medical professionals who have supported them along the way. The event is open to everyone whose life has been impacted by cancer, regardless of where they were treated.

The Walk route is approximately three miles, but participants are welcome to enjoy the lakefront path at their own pace and return to Grant Park’s Arvey Field (northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road) whenever they choose.

Advanced registration is available online and is strongly encouraged. Runners must register for the 5K race in advance and can pick up their race bib with timing chip in Grant Park on the day of the event, starting at 8 a.m.

Day-of registration for walkers will also begin at 8 a.m. The 5K run will commence at 9:15 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine.

All funds raised will directly support Lurie Cancer Center’s innovative research and survivorship programs. Fundraising is optional, and there is no minimum donation required. For more information on event activities, fundraising and registration, click here.

WHAT: 31^st Annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K 

WHEN: Sunday, June 2 (National Cancer Survivors Day)

• 8 a.m. — Event-day registration and t-shirt pick-up opens
• 8:30 a.m. — Welcome, warm-up and celebration begins
• 9:15 a.m. — 5K run starts
• 10 a.m. — Walk starts

WHERE: Grant Park’s Arvey Field, Chicago (northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Roosevelt Road)

WHO:  Cancer survivorship experts and oncologists from Lurie Cancer Center are available for interviews as well as the following cancer survivors:

• David Berwanger, a 59-year-old head and neck cancer survivor who transformed his radiation therapy masks into superheroes, funny faces and popular movie characters. David will attend this year’s walk as a “Face of Cancer” honoree.
• Mike Hlavin, a three-time cancer survivor who found out he had melanoma after getting a free skin cancer screening at the 2023 Cancer Survivors’ Celebration Walk & 5K. Since 2010, the 58-year-old has faced prostate cancer and multiple myeloma in addition to melanoma. 

CHICAGO – May 19, 2024 – Since July 2023, Dancing With Parkinson's – a collaborative program from Northwestern Medicine and The Joffrey Ballet – has helped more than 90 people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners stay active while confronting the social and emotional challenges of this progressive brain disorder. On Sunday, May 19, participants from the program will take the stage for their first-ever public performance at Joffrey Tower’s Black Box Theatre. The 30-minute show will feature dances from both the Chicago and Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Health & Fitness Center classes, and will include performances from The Joffrey Ballet’s JAM (Joffrey Abilities in Motion) program, created for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent children and teens.

“Coming out of COVID, many people with Parkinson's felt very isolated, but Dancing With Parkinson’s has created a wonderful sense of community for our patients,” said Katie Fagan, senior program coordinator and clinical social worker for the Northwestern Medicine Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. “In the beginning, many participants felt some initial trepidation about joining the program, either because they don't have a dance background, or because of where they are in their Parkinson's journey. The success of this class shows how willing our participants are to explore new ways to help themselves when given a supportive environment to do so.”

Attendees can expect to see the groups perform synchronized routines in both jazz and lyrical dance styles. Tom Dobrinski, a Dancing With Parkinson’s participant who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021, says he is looking forward to the performance highlighting much of what his class has worked on over the last year.

“It’s been fun,” said Dobrinkski. “At first, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m not much of a dancer, but my balance and movement feel more fluid after class, so I keep coming back. Who knew a year later we’d be performing on a Joffrey stage. My wife and I are so fortunate to have a program like this available to us. The sense of community and camaraderie have been a plus for us in this journey.”

“As Dancing With Parkinson’s turns a year old this summer, it’s amazing to look back and think about all the people who never thought of themselves as a dancer completely embrace the artform,” said Carly Liegel, community engagement program coordinator with The Joffrey Ballet and Dancing With Parkinson’s instructor. “Between this program and our JAM classes, this show will celebrate a diverse range of ages and movement abilities. I hope it serves as a reminder that there is no right or wrong way to move. Any body is a dancing body.”

General admission tickets are free and can be reserved here. Doors to the theatre will open at 12:30 p.m., performances begin at 1:00 p.m. There is no planned intermission.

More information about Dancing With Parkinson’s

Built for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their care partners, Dancing With Parkinson’s aims to enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being through the joy of dance. This research-backed program connects the mind to movement, in conjunction with others and with music, to address both physical and social-emotional symptoms of the disease. Whether dancing in a standing or seated position, participants engage in movements tailored to their abilities, fostering strength, flexibility and creativity.

“Dance involves highly coordinated and controlled movements, which might help with the stiffness, slowness, and postural instability associated with Parkinson’s disease,” said Danny Bega, MD, movement disorders specialist at Northwestern Medicine. “Dance is proposed to offer cognitive and social benefits as well. The sense of community and enjoyment that comes from dancing and listening to music with other people may also address common PD-related problems such as depressed mood, fatigue, and isolation.”

The class series explores various dance styles including ballet, jazz, tap, modern and improvisation. All Dancing With Parkinson’s teachers have completed at minimum an introductory training through Dance For PD, a New York City-based program that pioneered dance classes for people with the movement disorder.

Classes are currently offered downtown at The Joffrey Ballet’s South Loop Studios and at the Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Health & Fitness Center. There is no cost for patients and their care partners to attend. Summer sessions will begin in Lake Forest, Ill., on June 24 and downtown sessions will begin on August 6.

To register for classes, or to learn more about offerings for Northwestern Medicine Parkinson’s patients, please contact movementdisorders@nm.org.

CHICAGO - Inspired by the generosity of its employees, Northwestern Medicine is donating $200,000 to area food banks. The Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank will each receive $100,000. Health system leaders thanked staff and surprised them with the total gift amount during Team NM employee volunteer events at four food bank locations on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Northwestern Medicine leadership was inspired to dedicate more funds to the food banks after more than 5,000 employees opted to donate the grocery gift certificates they would have received as part of their holiday gifts. Thanks to those donations, employees raised more than $76,000. Leadership made the decision to increase the overall donation to further support employees’ dedication to the food banks.

“Our employees made it clear that they’re committed to addressing food insecurity in the communities we serve, and it’s in their honor that we’re increasing Northwestern Medicine’s donation to provide access to nutritious food where it’s most needed,” said Ann Hall, vice president of administration at Northwestern Medicine.

Employees who donated their grocery certificates were invited to volunteer at the food banks to see how their donations are used. Health system leaders surprised them with the announcement during their volunteer shifts at four food bank locations:

• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Geneva
• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Joliet
• Northern Illinois Food Bank – Lake Forest

Through donations of funds and volunteer time, Northwestern Medicine has provided the Northern Illinois Food Bank $5.6 million worth of groceries to people in need since 2015.

“We are grateful for Northwestern Medicine’s generous donation and longtime partnership," said Julie Yurko, president and CEO at Northern Illinois Food Bank. "Our network of 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, and direct distribution programs provide 82 million meals a year and serve over 500,000 neighbors a month. Good nutrition is crucial to physical and mental health. These funds will help us continue our mission of providing neighbors and their families access to the nutritious food they need to thrive."

Since 2020, Northwestern Medicine volunteers have packed over 10,000 pounds of food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

“This generous donation by Northwestern Medicine is an investment in health and hope for our neighbors,” said Jill Zimmerman, chief philanthropy officer for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “At the Food Depository, we believe that food is a basic human right. We are grateful that so many people at Northwestern Medicine share that belief and commitment to our neighbors. Together, we are greater. Together, we can end hunger.”

Northwestern Medicine has long-standing roots in community service and volunteering, supporting local and national organizations that are committed to building stronger, healthier communities.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to building better communities, visit Northwestern Medicine Community Impact | Northwestern Medicine.

Maria Rodriguez will never forget how isolated she felt when her daughter Adelyn was four years old. Bath time had become a nightmare for the duo because Adelyn’s skin discomfort from eczema and autism-related sensory issues made her miserable in water. Rodriguez’s own autoimmune disease caused debilitating back pain and attempting to bathe an unwilling child only made things worse.

Then, a desperate attempt to distract Adelyn in the bathtub led to a surprising discovery: bath bombs – spheres of oils and extracts that add a luxurious touch to baths – were the solution Rodriguez had been seeking.

“My business began because I wanted to keep my daughter healthy, but I couldn’t afford to buy bath bombs every time she needed a bath,” Rodriguez, 37, said. “I began making them in my mom’s basement in Pilsen, and then I started making soaps and lotions to address my own skin issues. When I started selling my products, people shared their own stories with me. I realized that so many of us in the Latinx community were suffering in silence, whether it was with health issues or parenting struggles or just anything in life. We have stories that are keeping us apart, when really, they can draw us closer together as a community.”

Rodriguez will join more than 20 other Latinx artisans at the Northwestern Medicine Latinx Mercadito Pop-Up Shop, an event that will feature small Latinx businesses in the community. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Kelly Hall YMCA, 824 N. Hamlin Avenue in Chicago.

Anna Galindo, co-vice chair of the Latinx Chapter of the Northwestern Medicine Champion Network, said the Mercadito was created by a team of colleagues who wanted to provide opportunities for small Latinx businesses in Chicago.

“We want to be a bridge from our organization to the communities,” Galindo said. “We’re connected to their care, their jobs, their personal development and their social well-being. We want to be a part of their journey, and Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to highlight the beauty of our culture in partnership with Kelly Hall YMCA, which serves the same community members.”

Andre Goode, vice president of community well-being at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, said the Mercadito will be an opportunity for community members to gather, support local businesses and explore ways to embrace their health journeys at the YMCA.

“We encourage Chicagoans to join us at the event to support these artisans and to celebrate Latinx culture,” Goode said. “Kelly Hall YMCA welcomes and supports everyone who comes through our doors, and the Mercadito will echo that spirit.”

Rodriguez said her small business has done more than provide her family an income – it’s connected her to customers who have become lifelong friends.

“My work has energized me and kept me in my community,” she said. “As a vendor, I am empowered to give my energy to something beyond what I’m experiencing.”

In the United States, breast cancer incidence in Hispanic women is 28 percent lower than in non-Hispanic white women, who have the highest incidence rate. Despite these lower occurrence rates, Hispanic women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and have a 30 percent higher mortality rate highlighting the significant health disparities this population faces when it comes to accessing high-quality breast cancer care and screening.  

“What we see in the Hispanic community is that the women are being diagnosed at later stages, even though their diagnosis tends to be at a younger age,” says Claudia Tellez, MD, a medical oncologist at Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. “And because they’re being diagnosed at a later stage, their cancers are generally more aggressive, and the prognosis is less favorable.” 

Dr. Tellez is working to change this by breaking down barriers and providing Chicago’s Hispanic women with better access to breast cancer screening, treatment and research with the recently launched Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  

“Many Hispanic women in Chicago struggle to access care or are not receiving the highest standard of care because of language barriers, financial limitations and other factors,” says Dr. Tellez, medical director of the new clinic. “Our team is dedicated to addressing these disparities and improving access by providing culturally sensitive care, bilingual support, and educational resources tailored to the needs of Hispanic patients.”  

Led by Dr. Tellez, who is a native of Colombia, the Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic offers personalized care from a multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts, supportive care specialists and administrative staff who all speak Spanish. The core clinic team includes a physician, nurse, medical assistant, social worker and research assistant.  

“Getting a breast cancer diagnosis is scary and overwhelming – even more so when you can’t access care in your preferred language,” says Dr. Tellez. “Patients who come to us can expect a safe and welcoming environment where each person they encounter – starting from their first phone call through their treatment – will speak Spanish. We want every patient to be confident in her treatment plan and feel comfortable communicating with a care team that embraces her culture and speaks her preferred language.”  

One of Dr. Tellez’s goals with the new clinic is to increase the number of Hispanic patients participating in clinical trials for breast cancer, an area where they are consistently underrepresented.  

“Breast cancer patients that are Hispanic represent about a third in the city of Chicago. A third of the patients that we’re seeing for clinical trials should be Hispanic,” says Dr. Tellez “And yet, we see less than 10 percent Hispanic patients participating in clinical trials in the city of Chicago. And for pharmaceutical company trials, it’s even lower at around 2.5 percent.” 

In addition to often being diagnosed younger and with later stage cancers, Hispanic women are at higher-risk for triple-negative breast cancer and HER-2 positive breast cancer, aggressive subtypes of the disease that require a targeted, specific treatment plan.  

“There are distinctive features about Hispanic women with breast cancer. For instance, they have subtypes of breast cancer that are unique, and we need to be aware of that and treat them accordingly,” says Dr. Tellez. “Participation in clinical trials often means access to new drugs or treatments that aren’t available otherwise. More participation and representation also create an opportunity for clinical trials that are very specific to those subtypes, such as triple negative, and can help improve treatments for the disease.”       

Community outreach and partnerships with Hispanic health advocates will be an important element to the success of the new Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic.  

 “We’re working with community groups and health advocates who are known and trusted in the community. Together, we want to ensure that Hispanic women are knowledgeable about the importance of regular screenings and early detection,” says Dr. Tellez. “And if they need care, we’re here and ready to help. Our goal is to ensure that every patient who walks through our door has the information, education and resources needed for the best possible outcome in their breast cancer journey,”  

On Saturday, October 28, Dr. Tellez will participate in Lurie Cancer Center’s annual Breast Cancer Community Forum for Hispanic women. The event will feature educational presentations in Spanish about breast cancer, followed by an interactive discussion with a panel of experts who will answer questions about treatments, surgeries, as well as the emotions and challenges faced by cancer survivors. The event is free and open to the public. Register online: Foro Comunitario Sobre Cáncer de Seno.  

To schedule an appointment with the Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic, call our Spanish-speaking patient liaison at 312.472.0805 (TTY: 711) or visit the clinic's website in Spanish or English.

B-ROLL, SOUNDBITES & PHOTOS: Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic - Dropbox 

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL DEL COMUNICADO DE PRENSA: El Centro Oncológico Lurie lanza una clínica hispana de cáncer de mama en el Northwestern Memorial Hospital
 
For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/.  

Dr. Simpson joined Northwestern Medicine in 2018. She developed the Northwestern Medicine African American Transplant Access Program (AATAP) to increase equitable access to transplantation and to help patients address cultural concerns and overcome modifiable structural and institutional barriers to receive care they need. With her new role, she will continue to provide clinical leadership over AATAP.

“Dr. Simpson is deeply committed to health equity, and she has long endeavored to address the issues that prevent patients from accessing high-quality care to achieve their highest quality of health,” said Howard Chrisman, MD, president and chief executive officer of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “Her background in transplant health equity, as well as her ability to listen and partner with communities and other leaders, will help us reduce barriers and better serve our patients and their families.”

After completing medical school at New York University, Dr. Simpson moved to Boston for a surgical residency through Harvard Medical School and completed her transplant surgery fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her clinical focus on liver and kidney transplants and her work as an associate professor of surgery in the Division of Organ Transplantation at Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Simpson is the vice chair of faculty development and diversity in the Department of Surgery.

She sits on the board of directors for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, and is the past diversity, equity and inclusion adviser for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS). She chaired the ASTS Boldly Against Racism Task Force and was recently elected to sit on the society’s board of councilors.

“I am beyond proud to be a part of this institution that has called out health equity as a main pillar of its core values," Dr. Simpson said. "Health equity is a space where there is always room for discovery, growth and improvement. It is with humility that I embrace this opportunity to guide Northwestern Medicine’s system-wide approach as we leverage the strengths of our clinicians, administrators, educators and researchers to better serve our communities. We must continue to critically evaluate and address health disparities for all and seek new ways to enhance wellness in all the communities we serve.”

WINFIELD, Ill. - Designed to increase access to ophthalmology, allergy and urology outpatient services, Northwestern Medicine’s new three-story medical office building in Winfield Town Center opens Jan. 30, 2023. Located across the street from Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, the 51,000-square foot building has two floors of clinical space and ground-floor commercial and retail space.

“With easy access to Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, a Metra station and the new Riverwalk Park, Winfield Town Center is an ideal location to offer new and expanded medical services to local residents,” said Patrick J. Towne, MD, president of Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group.

The new building is a milestone in the development of Winfield Town Center, a partnership with the Village of Winfield to revitalize the downtown district. As part of the project, Northwestern Medicine also constructed a four-level parking deck with ground-floor retail and restaurant space; and developed significant portions of Riverwalk Park, including new pathways, a band shell, picnic shelter, and a bean bag toss and bocce court.

“The new medical office building is a beautiful anchor for Winfield Town Center that will spur further retail development,” said Kenneth Hedley, president, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “Additional outpatient services and the amenities at Riverwalk Park will contribute to a vibrant downtown environment.”

The modern building features a natural stone facade, ribbons of windows and space for outdoor patio dining. A green roof, partially covered in vegetation, reduces storm water runoff into the sewer system and mitigates urban heat island effects.

“This historic partnership with Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital was the result of a public-private partnership which addresses the need for development of Winfield’s Town Center and the growth needs of Northwestern Medicine,” said Carl Sorgatz, president, Village of Winfield. “This great leap forward sets the stage for more impressive opportunities identified in the recent Town Center Plan update to grow Winfield as a destination.”

The new ophthalmology clinic has 26 exam rooms, three of which are designed specifically for pediatric patients. The clinic offers state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis and treatment of a full range of ophthalmic conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and eyelid surgery. The staff includes four ophthalmologists: Michelle E. Andreoli, MD; Michael T. Andreoli, MD; Sachin Jain, MD; and Stacy Scofield-Kaplan, MD; and two optometrists: Randall Andreoli, OD; and Barbara Andreoli, OD.

The allergy and immunology clinic is relocating to the new Winfield Town Center building from the Central DuPage Hospital Outpatient Building to allow for expansion of services. Allergist Jennifer C. Simonaire, DO, will join Farheen Mirza, MD, and Amiinah Y. Kung, MD, to support the growing need for allergy services in the region. The clinic has eight exam rooms and six dedicated allergy observation bays for allergy testing, food challenges and nurse injections.

Urology will open in the new building this March. With 10 exam rooms and three procedure rooms, specialists will offer diagnosis and treatment of a variety of urological conditions including benign prostate diseases, genitourinary cancer, vasectomies, erectile dysfunction and kidney stones. Urologists at the new location will include: Steven M. Baughman, MD; John G. Christensen, Jr., MD; Vikas Desai, MD; Michael A. Rashid, MD; and Timothy J. Roth, MD.

CHICAGO -  Guns are the leading cause of death for kids. Thirteen children die from firearms every day. To help address this crisis and encourage parents to take action by asking about gun safety, Northwestern Medicine along with Advocate Aurora Health and Advocate Children’s Hospital, Loyola Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, OSF HealthCare and OSF Children’s of Illinois, Rush University System for Health, UChicago Medicine and Comer Children’s Hospital joined more than a thousand hospitals, health systems and associations in communicating a public awareness campaign.

“No child should lose their life from a firearm not stored properly in a secure location,” said Dean M. Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “These senseless deaths can and need to be prevented. Our hope is this effort sparks a nation wide discussion on the safe storage of firearms and creating a safe environment for our children to live and play.”

By asking about safe gun storage, the campaign is meant to help parents and caretakers feel empowered to ask other parents about access to guns. Broadcast, print and digital ads and a website highlight that access to unlocked guns can lead to death, suicide and gun violence, making it more likely that children die from guns than cancer or automobile accidents. The website provides tips on how to have a conversation with other parents about safely stored firearms, and encourages parents and caregivers to normalize this conversation.

To learn more, visit HospitalsUnited.com.

About Hospitals United

Impetus for this and other public service campaigns comes from over 100 healthcare marketing and communications executives representing the nation’s most prominent health systems, children’s hospitals, and hospital and health associations. Meeting regularly for a decade, they share knowledge, experience, best practices and resources, knowing they can accomplish more together. Founded and led by national healthcare leader Rhoda Weiss, Ph.D., the expanded coalition is partnering with Northwell Health, its Senior Vice President Ramon Soto and its Gun Violence Prevention Learning Collaborative for Hospitals and Health Systems for this effort. Many participants are also forming regional coalitions to offer messages of prevention and safety, hope and healing.

This funding initiative, which is just one facet of Northwestern Medicine’s community giving campaign, offered grants to local agencies supporting specific health and wellness projects. Northwestern Medicine awarded more than $1.7 million to 49 organizations that offer a wide range of services including housing, nutritional needs, transportation, childcare, mental health and primary care.

“Northwestern Medicine is committed to making our community as healthy as it can be,” said Posh Charles, senior vice president, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “This initiative, which is just one way Northwestern Medicine contributes to the community, enhances our ability to provide highly targeted support to partners addressing priority health concerns in their individual locales.”

In fiscal year 2021, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare provided more than $1.14 billion in community benefits including charity care and the unreimbursed costs incurred caring for Medicaid and Medicare patients, training tomorrow’s health care workforce, conducting medical research, and other community benefits that help preserve access to care for the residents of Chicago, its suburbs and Northern Illinois.

The beneficiaries of the community grants range in size and scope from the YMCA of Metro Chicago to the Oak Forest Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that provides fully furnished twin beds for children who sleep on floors, couches and other situations without beds.

“Our goal is to collaborate and support local agencies to address healthcare disparities across all socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Charles. “We sought out organizations that are making a difference by removing barriers to better health.”

For example, consistent access to nutrition is the very basis for a healthy child and adult. Northern Illinois Food Bank will use the funds to focus on two initiatives. “Take 50 Foods to Encourage” provides an incentive for pantries to select more highly nutritious food.  The “Build Healthy Communities Screen & Intervene” connects local food banks with patients who screen as food insecure during healthcare visits.

“Our neighbors continue to struggle to meet the needs of their families across Northern Illinois. We are grateful to have partners, like Northwestern Medicine, who invest in our programs, which helps us ensure that our neighbors have access to the nutritious food that they need to thrive,” said Maeven Sipes, chief philanthropy officer, Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Kelly Hall YMCA in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood is using grant funding to expand its roster of popular group exercise classes. In addition to step classes, hip-hop aerobics and line dancing, the center is exploring options for tumbling classes, martial arts and other ways to meet members’ health and wellness needs. Beyond physical fitness, Kelly Hall Y hopes to use the funding to kick start programs for behavioral health, chronic disease prevention and nutrition, all to support a holistic approach to healthy living.

“As an organization, Kelly Hall YMCA, under the umbrella of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, is working to set a higher standard for health and wellness in a neighborhood historically afflicted by significant health disparities,” said Andre Goode, executive director, Kelly Hall YMCA. “Through this partnership with Northwestern Medicine, we have the chance to make significant strides on that front. The sky’s the limit for the impact we can have on our neighbors’ lives.”

In addition to grant funding, as part of Northwestern Medicine’s Team NM initiative, Northwestern Medicine employees build healthier communities through volunteer service and thoughtful actions. Team NM volunteers weed and water the Aurora Food Pantry’s Essential Garden, help sort and label food at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, collected coats for Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, put together beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and assembled heart-healthy care packages for patients at Tri-City Health Partnership.

WARRENVILLE, Ill. -  Northwestern Medicine and the Warrenville Fire Protection District are collaborating to offer life-saving stroke diagnosis and treatment to residents of the western suburb. Northwestern Medicine’s Mobile Stroke Unit (MSU) can now be directly dispatched for suspected cases of stroke in Warrenville.

The first of its kind in Illinois, Northwestern Medicine’s MSU has a 16-slice CT scanner, telemedicine connections and stroke-specific medications. The team is comprised of a critical care nurse, a CT technician, an EMT technician driver, and a critical care paramedic.

On average, Northwestern Medicine’s MSU provides life-saving treatment 30 minutes faster than traditional transport.

“We are getting a 30-minute head start by bringing the emergency room to the patient,” said Harish Shownkeen, MD, medical director of the Stroke and Neurointerventional Surgery Programs at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “The earlier you treat the patient the better their outcome.  Patients who get treated right away often go home from the hospital instead of to a nursing home or rehabilitation.”

If a patient is suffering stroke-like symptoms, both the MSU and Warrenville Fire Protection Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulance will be dispatched. The patient will undergo an assessment and CT scan to determine if they are suffering a stroke. The testing will also determine what type and appropriate immediate treatment. If it is not a stroke, the Warrenville ALS providers will take command of the patient’s care and transport if necessary.

“When a patient is having a stroke, seconds count. The Warrenville Fire Protection District is pleased to partner with Northwestern Medicine to offer this life-changing and lifesaving initiative to the residents and visitors of our district,” said Andrew Dina, Fire Chief, Warrenville Fire Protection District. “Through this partnership we will improve outcomes and save lives. Introducing the Mobile Stroke Unit program aligns with the fire district’s vision of pursuing excellence in emergency medical services by continually finding ways to make improvements in all that we do.”

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital’s Mobile Stroke Unit can be directly dispatched by 9-1-1 to patients within the hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) area, which includes Carol Stream, Bartlett, Glen Ellyn, Glenside, Hanover Park, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield. For areas in the secondary region that includes St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, Big Rock, Sugar Grove, North Aurora and Fox River/Countryside, fire protection districts and ambulance services can request the MSU for patients who meet stroke criteria.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Illinois and the leading cause of serious long-term disability according to the Centers for Disease Control.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.

•       Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

•       Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

•       Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?

•       Time: if the person shows any of these symptoms, time is IMPORTANT. Call 911 fast.  Brain cells are dying!

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital has earned the Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center designation by The Joint Commission. The highest level of stroke certification, this designation recognizes the significant resources in staff, training and state-of-the-art infrastructure that comprehensive stroke centers must have to treat complex cases.

The Warrenville Fire Protection District is located 24 miles due west of Chicago in the west central portion of DuPage County. The fire district covers 18 square miles of residential, commercial and medium high-rise buildings serving a population of 20,000 residents that increases with a daytime labor composition of 40,000 people within the fire district.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org.

The new cancer center offers hematology and medical oncology care, laboratory services, nutritional counseling and social work. A full-service infusion suite and specialty pharmacy provide onsite chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and supportive care. In the future, the center will also offer surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, genetic counselors and other subspecialties. Plans are also in place to bring new cancer therapies to the south suburbs through clinical trials before these treatments become more widely available.

The Orland Park site is staffed by members and affiliates of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, ranked No. 9 in the country for Cancer by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022-2023 “America's Best Hospitals” rankings. Virtual and in-person tumor boards give Northwestern Medicine Palos physicians access to the clinical expertise of the entire Northwestern system to collaborate on complex cases and determine the best-possible treatment plan.

“We are creating a center of excellence where patients receive comprehensive cancer care in one facility to improve patient experience, care coordination and quality,” said Christopher George, MD, medical director of Northwestern Medicine’s oncology program in the south and west suburbs. “Our vision is to bring innovative, leading-edge, novel therapies from the Lurie Cancer Center to patients in the southern suburbs.”

The clinic features eight exam rooms, 13 infusion bays, a flex room, a pharmacy for compounding drugs and a laboratory for onsite diagnostic services. The physical space is easy to navigate and designed with pleasing colors and textures to provide a comfortable, calming environment.

Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Orland Park will feature three medical oncologists. Sudhir Sekhon, MD, is joining Northwestern Medicine from Advocate Health Care in Aurora, bringing more than 15 years of experience in hematology and medical oncology to his new role. Dr. Sekhon trained at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Yaseen Alkaddoumi, MD, has practiced in the Chicago region for five years, and completed residencies at Loyola University Medical Center and the University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital. Yazan Numan, MD, assistant professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his fellowship in hematology and oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

These oncologists will partner with other physicians who are making an impact on cancer care in the south suburbs, such as Imad Qayyum, MD, colorectal surgery; Samer R. Rajjoub, MD, an endocrine surgeon who focuses on thyroid cancer; and breast surgical oncologist Miraj G. Shah-Khan, MD, medical director of the Breast Cancer and Breast Health Program at Palos Hospital.

Dr. Shah-Khan completed her fellowship in breast surgical oncology at the Mayo Clinic and joined Northwestern Medicine through the 2021 Palos Health integration. She brings over 10 years of experience in academic medicine to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.  Dr. Shah-Khan is the chairperson of the Northwestern Medicine Palos Multidisciplinary Breast conference and the Breast Cancer Leadership committee and has taken on leadership of Northwestern Medicine Breast Cancer Collaborative, a system wide effort to improve quality and outcomes in breast cancer care across the Northwestern Medicine network. She sees patients at the Women’s Center at Northwestern Medicine Orland Park and has been leading efforts to develop a robust multidisciplinary, accredited breast program for the Orland Park community.

“It’s exciting that it is a system priority to build this space into a destination cancer center equipped with the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities, access to specialty care and clinical trials. This infrastructure, along with the expertise provided by specialists, offers everything a patient would need during their treatment,” said Dr. Shah-Khan.

Dr. Rajjoub is chairperson of the Cancer Committee at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, vice chairperson of the Tumor Board and the Cancer Liaison Physician.

“The opening of the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center in Orland Park is a dream come true for the south suburbs,” said Dr. Rajjoub. “Patients in our community stand to benefit tremendously from direct access to the breadth of Northwestern Medicine’s resources, including advanced diagnostic testing, the latest treatment strategies, and new cancer therapies while remaining close to home.”

Radiation oncology services will remain at the Tinley Park location. Medical Director Haider Ali Shirazi, MD, is a radiation oncologist, chairperson of the Palos Cancer Program Tumor Board and vice chair of the Cancer Committee at Palos Hospital. Having trained at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. Shirazi is excited to have rejoined an integrated academic health system in fall 2021.

“With access to Northwestern Medicine’s depth of resources, treatments, clinical trials and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, we can better collaborate to bring world-class care to the southwest suburbs,” said Dr. Shirazi. “Many oncology subspecialties that we haven’t seen previously in our community will now be represented.”

Patients can schedule an appointment at the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Orland Park by calling 708.226.2318 (TTY: 711).

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - The Department of Nursing at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital launched a new program for graduates of North Chicago High School attending the College of Lake County in a health care career track. The Directing Youth Navigating a Medical Career in the Community (DYNAMIC) program was created to assist graduates to pursue a degree in health sciences, receive mentoring and guidance throughout their studies, and procure employment with Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital upon graduation. Selected students receive financial assistance at the College of Lake County in one of several pre-approved health science degrees. Throughout the student’s tenure at the college, they are provided professional mentorship and exposure to the hospital. Upon graduation, the student will interview and be eligible to be hired by Northwestern Medicine. Students in the program must plan to pursue one of seven approved health sciences degrees at the College of Lake County. Those include:

• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Emergency Medical Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Imaging
• Nursing
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Surgical Technology

“Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital believes that investing in local talent is critical, and a structured mentorship program helps connect individuals to build relationships, develop professionally, build skills and expertise and prepare for a legacy of strong performance and leadership,” said Karen Mahnke, Bernthal Family Chief Nurse Executive at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “Mentorship is proven to yield benefits for mentors and mentees on both sides of the table.”

Benefits of the program include:

• Building relationships and improving collaboration
• Expanding awareness of health system
• Developing professional skills and competencies
• Advancing career potential
• Enhancing individual and organizational performance

Edgar Vergara, 19, of North Chicago, knew he wanted to join the healthcare field, so immediately applied when he learned about the opportunity at school. “I knew that I would receive more than just financial backing for college,” Vegara said. “Getting paired with a mentor in the field you want to be in is so valuable. They take you through what an average day looks like for them, and gives you an in-depth look at what they work on day-to-day. Receiving job security once school is completed also takes a huge stress off of my shoulders, and I can just focus on the actual experience, which is fantastic.”

Mark Bon, RN, of Waukegan, served as Vegara’s mentor, and works in the medical oncology unit at the hospital. He was pleased to see that there were opportunities in his community encouraging students to pursue their careers in healthcare. “I really enjoyed working with Edgar, and introducing him to what it is like to be a working nurse in a hospital setting,” said Bon. “I was able to share some of my personal experiences in both school and the workplace, and hope I’ve inspired him to seek a successful nursing career in the near future.”

CHICAGO - Northwestern Medicine is planning for a new 120,000-square-foot advanced outpatient care center on the 4800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue. U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), City of Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, and 4^th Ward Alderman Sophia King joined Northwestern Medicine leadership and local community members to announce the planned development at a press conference on June 2. Subject to regulatory approval, construction could begin in summer 2023 with a scheduled opening in summer 2025.

“For more than 20 years, Northwestern Medicine has partnered with Bronzeville community organizations to enhance the health and wellness of residents. Every day more than 1,000 patients from Bronzeville and its surrounding communities receive care from Northwestern Medicine,” said Dean M. Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “This new advanced outpatient care center will provide patients with access to world-class care without having to leave their community.

“We know that improving health and addressing violence starts with engaging our communities,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said. “Northwestern Medicine is doing exactly that with their new site in Bronzeville. As one of the 10 hospitals in the Chicago HEAL Initiative, Northwestern has invested in growing the local health care workforce through career pathway programs like the NM Scholars Program at Westinghouse College Prep. Today’s announcement deepens NM’s commitment under the HEAL Initiative to support our communities and improve health outcomes.”

"Equitable and convenient access to quality healthcare is necessary to creating thriving communities," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I'm grateful to Northwestern Medicine for expanding their presence to the Bronzeville community, making an incredible difference in the lives of those residents. As they do so, my administration will continue working to improve the health of our communities with a focus on racial equity through initiatives like our signature INVEST South/West neighborhood development initiative."

"Northwestern Medicine is a welcome addition to a cadre of new developments on the Cottage Grove Corridor. From Shops on Lofts on 47^thStreet, 4400 Grove, the Lillian Marcie Theater Project, to the upcoming Brightstar Turn Center, we are not just experiencing a renaissance, we are experiencing a community led boom. The robust march of development on the corridor is a great example of what happens when the public sector and the private sector work together for the common good," said 4^th Ward Alderman Sophia King.

The advanced outpatient care center will reflect the culture of the neighborhood and will offer patients numerous offerings, including:

· An Immediate Care Center to provide urgent care;

· Primary and specialty care by Northwestern Medicine physicians;

· Pharmacy services;

· Diagnostic services, including mammograms and lab tests;

· Cancer Center with chemotherapy services;

· Resources and programming for individual and community health;

· Opportunities for local retailers.
 

The center is expected to serve more than 50,000 patients and family members from Bronzeville and nearby communities every year. Approximately 1,000 construction and 100 healthcare and related jobs will be created. In 2020, Northwestern Medicine hired a new recruitment manager to identify job candidates from Chicago’s South and West Sides. This will help ensure that patients in Bronzeville will be treated by an inclusive workforce, including nurses and physicians, that mirrors the diversity in the community.

The proposed center aligns geographically with Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot's $1.4 billion INVEST South/West program. Marshaling over $1.4 billion of investment resources to-date, INVEST South/West is strategically reversing decades of public and private disinvestment on 12 commercial corridors within 10 South and West Side community areas

Northwestern Medicine and Bronzeville: A long-standing partnership

Northwestern Medicine’s mission goes beyond delivering world-class health care. For more than 20 years, the health system has partnered with local organizations in Bronzeville and surrounding areas that have a shared vision of building stronger and healthier neighborhoods.

Near North Komed-Homan Health Center

Northwestern Medicine and the Near North Health Services Corporation have been clinical partners for 55 years. Since the opening of Near North’s Komed-Homan Health Center in 1999, Northwestern Medicine has provided community residents with:

· Access to clinical and medical care, including mammograms, colonoscopies, X-rays, mental health care, heart care, eye care, and much more.

· Culturally responsive, user-friendly patient education and advanced medical care for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO)

Since 2014, Northwestern Medicine has partnered with BSCO on a variety of activities, including:

· NM has supported The Urban Resilience Network (TURN) Center in Bronzeville, which provides counseling and other social services to reduce negative factors that cause violence while increasing opportunities that lead to positive outcomes.

· NM developed the video series, “Clergy & Clinicians,” with BSCO Founder and CEO Pastor Chris Harris. Each episode features Northwestern Medicine experts discussing topics of key interest to Black and Latinx viewers.

· NM has partnered with BSCO to recruit residents of the greater Bronzeville area to work at Northwestern Medicine.

Chicago HEAL

Launched in 2018 by Senator Richard Durbin, Chicago HEAL (Hospital Engagement, Action and Leadership) is a collaborative effort among Chicago’s 10 largest hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, to share best practices to address social risk factors and advance health equity in 18 of Chicago’s neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and inequality. The HEAL initiative focuses on three pillars:

· Increasing local workforce commitment to reduce economic hardship;

· Supporting community partnerships to improve the health and safety of public environments;

· Prioritizing key in-hospital clinical practices to address unmet needs.

For more information about Northwestern Medicine, visit NM.org.