More than 200 Chicago Family Health Center supporters came out on April 19 to the 2013 Healing Hands Celebration at the Mid-America Club at the AON Center downtown.  CFHC’s annual fundraiser, which was emceed by Natalie Martinez, NBC-5 assignment reporter, also honored five award recipients including, Ram Raju, CEO, Cook County Health and Hospitals System who received The Healing Hands Award, the evening’s highest honor.  Congressman Danny K. Davis received the Legislative Partner of the Year Award; the Chicago Development Fund received the Community Partner of the Year Award and SMNG-A was named Corporate Partner of the Year.  A special Passion and Excellence Award was also given to 10^th Ward Alderman, John A. Pope for his continued support of Chicago Family Health Center.

The evening’s main sponsors included: Presenting Sponsor, MB Financial; Reception Sponsor, the University of Chicago Medicine, Urban Health Initiative; Dinner Sponsor, DSI; and Distinguished Benefactors Barnes & Thronburg, LLP, Mesirow Financial and The Private Bank. The fundraiser raised more than $84,000, which will go directly into making quality healthcare accessible to all who need it.   The Healing Hands Celebration also featured a silent auction of donated items and a raffle for a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and an Apple iProducts package.  A live auction of court-side seats to a Chicago Bulls game, donated by DSI, was also held.

Healing Hands Award Recipients:

Healing Hands Recipient, Ram Raju, CEO, CCHHS (L) with Warren J. Brodine, CEO, CFCH

Legislative Partner of the Year, Congressman Danny K. Davis, 7th Dist., Illinois

Community Partner of the Year, Chicago Development Fund. Pictured: Tracy Sanchez

Corporate Partner of the Year, SMNG-A. Pictured: Marta Gazda-Auskalnis

Passion & Excellence Award, Alderman John A. Pope, 10th Ward

Chicago Family Health Center is now enrolling patients in the CountyCare program—a Medicaid program for adults. Those who qualify can receive a full array of healthcare services including inpatient and outpatient hospital services, prescription drugs, lab and X-Ray, Family Planning and more.  CountyCare is a pilot program of the Medicaid expansion that will be implemented nationwide in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act. It is being made available through the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.    

Chicago Family Health Center is one of the first Federally Qualified Health Centers able to register its patients for CountyCare. About 1,500 uninsured adults enrolled in our Sliding Fee Discount Program, or are self-pay, will be screened for CountyCare eligibility.  

To qualify for CountyCare patients must:

• Live in Cook County
• Be 19-64 years old
• Have a yearly income of $15,282per individual/$20,628 per couple
• NOT eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or CHIP
• Be a legal immigrant for at least five years, or a US citizen
• Have a Social Security number, or have applied for one

 Chicago Family Health Center has trained its Patient Service Representatives, Patient Financial Counselors, Outreach Workers and Health Leads volunteers to enroll as many CFHC patients in this new initiative as possible.

Misty Drake

Chicago Family Health Center has appointed Misty Drake, MA as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mrs. Drake has primary oversight of all health center operations including patient care, grant- and contract- funded programs and support staff. She will also interface with CFHC partner organizations including hospitals, other Federally Qualified Health Centers and funders.

“At Chicago Family I will strive to enhance the patient experience and increase volume here,” said Mrs. Drake. “I am a firm believer that a greater impact on patients is acquired through an expanded market share. This requires us to reach more community residents and give them the best care possible.”

Prior to joining CFHC, Mrs. Drake served as Service Line Director for Maternal and Child Health Services at Access Community Health Network integrating a service line delivery model for obstetrics, women’s health and pediatric care in more than 40 health centers.  She also led efforts in NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home readiness. Mrs. Drake also worked at Lawndale Christian Health Center as Director of Health Support Services, and has international work experience assisting in the development of a human capacity partnership and health program with local community groups.   

“We are excited to welcome Misty to our team and look forward to continuing to build our capacity and improve our delivery of care,” said Warren J. Brodine, CFHC CEO. “Over the years, our organization has grown and our services expanded. Our new COO will be an integral part of driving that momentum even further.”

Mrs. Drake completed her Master of Arts at the University of Chicago in Social Service Administration & Health Administration and Policy and her Bachelors of Science in Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She also studied Great Britain’s health care delivery system in England & Scotland. 

Mrs. Drake is a life-long Chicagoan from the West Side where she still currently resides with her husband and two daughters.

Pictured front row L-R: Tony Ziak, CFHC Board Member; Barbara Flynn Currie IL State Representative, 25th District; Nora Reyes, CFHC Board Member; John Pope, 10th Ward Ald. Back Row L-R: Dr. Bechara Choucair, Public Health Commissioner, City of Chicago; Warren J. Brodine, CFHC CEO; and Mimi Mesirow Director of Grants and Special Projects for the Office of former Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Chicago Family Health Center at 89th Street officially opened its doors at 2938 E. 89th Street on Nov. 19 during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  CFHC CEO Warren J. Brodine; 10th  Ward Alderman John Pope; Public Health Commissioner Dr. Bechara Choucair; IL State Representative for the 25th District Barbara Flynn Currie and Mimi Mesirow Director of Grants and Special Projects for the Office of former Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. were on hand to lend their support for this new CFHC endeavor.

CFHC at 89th is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 3:30 PM and closed on Thursdays. 89th Street is staffed with a primary care physician, an OB/GYN physician and other clinical and administrative staff. It offers the same quality services and care that the City Department of Public Health offered at that location for years, including family medicine, vaccines and flu shots, prenatal care, pediatrics, HIV testing and more.

CFHC acquired this health center from CDPH earlier this year, after a competitive grant process awarded us funds to expand our network of care in South Chicago.

“We were very excited to have been chosen by the City of Chicago to take on the important task of providing primary care to their former patients here in South Chicago. We have been serving this community for 35 years and our doctors and staff truly understand the needs in this area,” said Brodine.

On Friday, October 19, 2012, Chicago Family Health Center (CFHC) presented its second annual Founders’ Luncheon at the Chicago Marriott, hosted by the CFHC Urban Network Board, the associate board of CFHC. 

This year, close to 100 community, business, government, and healthcare professionals gathered to celebrate 35 years of providing quality, affordable healthcare to those who need it most.

We welcomed Keynote Speaker Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health who shared his insight on the importance of community health and inspired our guests to advocate for the necessary resources to keep Chicago healthy. 

The Luncheon raised $1,700 which will directly benefit the CFHC Pullman Replacement Facility.  Opening in 2013,  the CFHC Pullman Replacement Facility is a $9.9 million, 23,000 sq/ft health center that will triple the number of patients currently served.

Current UNB members welcomed guests and chose our four raffle winners

 Check out photos from the event!

Thank you to everyone who attended and to our sponsors!

Support our sponsors and learn more by clicking their logos below:

Platinum Sponsor

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And thanks to our Raffle Sponsors:

The Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro Hotel, Paris Club, Henry Schein, and Jefferson Tap & Grille

As an UNB member, here’s what you can do next:

CONNECT with us on Facebook and Twitter

JOIN us at our 89^th Street Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, November 19^th at Noon (2938 E. 89^th St, Chicago, IL 60617)

DONATE a box of food to South Chicago families through Top Box. 

Check out the Thanksgiving Dinner Special or the December Order Form. 

Food will be delivered to Praise Tabernacle Deliverance Center, 9511 S Commercial Ave, Chicago, IL 60617.

CELEBRATE the holiday season with fellow UNB members with a $15 lunch at Sunda

Chicago Family Health Center recently received $11,500 from the generous employees at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc. in Deerfield, IL. CFHC was one of three nonprofits chosen to receive the proceeds from their annual Takeda Cares Day in which employees run or walk a 5K on the company’s campus. For each employee who participated in the event Takeda donated $100.

 CFHC plans to use the Takeda funds to purchase books for its Reach Out And Read Program. Through this program pediatricians distribute books to every child between 6 months and 5 years during their well-child checkup visits.

 Doctors use these books to educate parents, or caregivers on the importance of early literacy to children’s cognitive development. CFHC doctors believe literacy is as essential as immunizations to children’s physical growth and development. The cost of books however, is often prohibitive. The money raised by Takeda employees will almost double the number of books purchased this year. CFHC sees about 5,000 kids yearly on an average of twice a year and these added funds will ensure they receive a book each time they visit their doctor.

Julius Alexander, CFHC Board Treasurer was on hand to receive the check at the Takeda Cares Day closing ceremony and thanked Takeda employees for their help in enriching not just CFHC bookshelves, but also the experience that children receive every time they enter the health center.

 “Takeda is committed to social responsibility, with a focus on health and science education and advocacy, and community vitality,” said Doug Cole, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. “Takeda Cares Day is a day to showcase our philanthropic spirit and celebrate our employees – many of whom have limited time due to work and family obligations – giving them a meaningful and fun way to contribute to building a stronger and healthier community without leaving the Deerfield campus.”

 Click here for photos and video from Takeda Cares Day.

Pictured L-R: Towanda Harris, MD; Nick Valadez, president, CFHC Board of Directors; Tony Ziak, CFHC Board Member; Warren J. Brodine, CFHC CEO; Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th Ward; Elvia Perez, , CFHC Board Member; Lupe Valadez, CFHC Board Member; Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health; V. Kenneth Munson, Director, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Region V; Mimi Mesirow, Office of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Chicago Family Health Center officially broke ground today for the rebuilding of its Pullman Health Center, 556 E. 115^th St. The replacement facility is slated to open in 2013 and was made possible thanks to a generous $6.2 million Federal Affordable Care Act grant from the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA).

“Community Health Centers are an integral part of our health care system and the funding made available for them through the Affordable Care Act will expand care to millions more people,” said HHS Regional Director Kenneth Munson. “As community-based and patient-directed organizations, health centers like Chicago Family Health Center have a direct and positive impact, not only on the health of Chicago’s residents, but on economic conditions in Chicago’s South and Southeast communities.”

The current Pullman health center first opened in 1987 and is CFHC’s second-busiest facility, handling more than 21,000 patient visits a year on only 3,500 square feet of patient care space. The replacement facility will feature more than 21,000 square feet of space, 23 exam rooms, 9 dental operatiores as well as group therapy and classroom space.

“Staff, patients and the community are very excited that this long overdue project is launching,” said Warren J. Brodine, CFHC CEO. “The project will revitalize an entire city block and not only strengthen the quality and delivery of care in the area, but more than double the number of healthcare visits. This project is sure to make lasting economic impact on the surrounding community.”

CFHC will continue to offer a full array of medical, dental, and behavioral health services throughout the construction phase of the project, which has LEED Silver certification. Additionally, the exterior design of the new facility was approved by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. It will maintain the rich architectural history prevalent throughout the Pullman National Historic District where the center is located.  

Additional funding was secured through New Markets Tax Credit from the Chicago Development Fund with participation from JPMorgan Chase which purchased the tax credits. MB Financial also provided additional financing for the project.  

     “We are excited to support the expansion of CFHC to serve the residents of the greater Pullman neighborhood.  The New Markets Tax Credit program was essential in financing this high community impact project,” said Kevin Goldsmith, VP of the Chase NMTC Group.