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 – 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.

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/.  

“We will distribute Narcan spray as another way to address the opioid crisis that is affecting communities throughout Illinois and across the country,” said Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine. “More than 75 percent of drug overdose deaths are related to opioids, and we must do all we can to educate community members. Narcan reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and can be lifesaving when it is given to a person in crisis.”

In addition to illegal and illicit opioids, unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue that can lead to potential accidental poisoning, misuse and overdose. Northwestern Medicine will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by hosting eight collection sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Community members can safely dispose of their unused medications at the drive-up locations.

“Studies show that many people who use opioids are first exposed to the prescription medications in the homes of family members or friends,” Elliott said. “National Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and other prescription medications. If you throw unused medications in the trash, they can be retrieved and used, or illegally sold. If you flush them, they can contaminate the water supply.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the nonmedical use of prescription drugs ranks as the second most-common form of drug use in America.

“The success of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is possible only with our many law enforcement partners, and with community-minded healthcare providers like Northwestern Medicine,” said Sheila G. Lyons, special agent in charge of the DEA Chicago Division. “The large amounts of unwanted prescription drugs collected on Take Back Day reflect our shared commitment to the safety and health of the people we serve.”

The eight Northwestern Medicine drive-up collection sites are located at:

• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, East Entrance roundabout, 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, 12251 South 80th Avenue, Palos Heights
• Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Bays Medical Building entrance, 900 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest
• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, Medical Office Building #2 (use driveway on north side of the building), 10370 Haligus Road, Huntley
• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles (on the east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 North Main Street, Sandwich
• Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital, 250 East Superior Street, Chicago

Sharps and liquids will not be accepted, and Take Back Day is for community members, not for commercial organizations.

Find information about safe medication storage and disposal at nm.org/safemeddisposal.

For more information about prescription drug misuse, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

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.

“Studies show that many people who use opioids are first exposed to the prescription medications in the homes of family members or friends,” said Sterling Elliott, PharmD, BCMTMS, a clinical pharmacist at Northwestern Medicine and assistant professor of orthopaedics at Feinberg School of Medicine. “National Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused opioids and other prescription medications. If you throw unused medications in the trash, they can be retrieved and used, or illegally sold. If you flush them, they can contaminate the water supply.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks as the second most-common form of drug use in America.

“The success of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is possible only with our many law enforcement partners, and with community-minded healthcare providers like Northwestern Medicine,” said Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Chicago Division. “The large amounts of unwanted prescription drugs collected on Take Back Day reflect our shared commitment to the safety and health of the people we serve.”

The eight Northwestern Medicine drive-up collection sites are located at:

• Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, East Entrance roundabout, 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield
• Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, 12251 South 80th Avenue, Palos Heights
• Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, Bays Medical Building entrance, 900 North Westmoreland Road, Lake Forest
• Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital, Medical Office Building #2 (use driveway on north side of the building), 10370 Haligus Road, Huntley
• Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care St. Charles (on the east side of the parking lot by Kirk Road), 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles
• Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Medical Records Building (one driveway south of main hospital), 2731 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
• Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital, 1302 North Main Street, Sandwich
• Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital, 250 East Superior Street, Chicago

Sharps and liquids will not be accepted, and Take Back Day is for community members, not for commercial organizations.

Find information about safe medication storage and disposal at nm.org/safemeddisposal.

For more information about prescription drug misuse, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

GENEVA, Ill. - Northwestern Medicine’s Childbirth Education classes are now back in person and two exciting new classes have been added at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Ill. Baby Yoga and Infant Massage are now available at both Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield and Delnor Hospital, in addition to other popular classes such as Understanding Birth, Breastfeeding Support, Understanding Your Newborn, Car Seat Safety, and Boot Camp for Dads.

“After a more than two-year pause during the pandemic, we are so excited to see our participants face-to-face again,” said Megan Pittard, MSN, program manager, perinatal services at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “And we are thrilled our new course offerings Baby Yoga and Infant Massage will provide a great way for new parents to connect with their baby.”

Baby Yoga is for parents and their babies age 6-weeks to pre-crawling. Through positive touch and movement parents can support their baby’s developmental path. A typical class starts off with an intention, followed by a centering activity which helps parents bring attention to the present moment -- this could include infant massage or a simple song. Then the class moves into poses, stretches and movements on the baby's back and tummy. Higher-energy poses are also done with the parent carrying the child. Class ends with a little stretch and relaxation for the parents. Baby Yoga is a six-week class offered in 2 three-week sessions.

Infant Massage is for parents and their baby ages 2-weeks to pre-crawling. Infant massage connects parents deeply with their baby and helps them understand the baby's nonverbal language. During the 4-week program, participants learn about the benefits of infant massage as well as specific techniques such as full infant massage, abbreviated massage, foot massage, massage for teething and massage during everyday care. Discussions may also include feeding, sleep, developmental milestones, the importance of tummy time and parenting styles.

"We call this generation of babies 'container babies' because they are often in pieces of equipment such as walkers, bouncy seats, strollers and car seats. Infant massage and baby yoga get the babies on the floor for play and interaction with their parents," said Patti Ideran, OTR/L, CEIM, a pediatric occupational therapist at Northwestern Medicine, who is also a certified educator of infant massage and a certified instructor of baby and toddler yoga. "I love the relaxation part at the end of class because moms and dads rarely get relaxation time -- even if it's only for five minutes."

Some courses are free, such as the breastfeeding support group provided by Certified Lactation Consultants. Some courses have small fees. Prices are listed online. They range from weekdays to weekend days.

All courses can be found on nm.org.

Learn more about Northwestern Medicine.