Using
art
to
heal
Trauma
WRAP (Wellness Resiliency Arts Program) was fun. It challenged me to think about my life and who I want to be. I’ve never had people pour into me like this before
WRAP participant
Wellness Resiliency Arts Program
WRAP is led by teaching artists and social work specialists that conduct workshops using trauma-informed approaches. This includes providing teens with a supportive environment where they can reflect on their experiences and feelings, and express them through multimedia art projects.
Doriane Miller, MD, Director of UChicago Medicine’s Center for Community Health and Vitality; Co-Founder and Program Advisor for WRAP. She says the program seeks to answer the question: “How can (youth) develop some resilience and to see that there is still joy in their lives?” In summer 2023, 16 youth participated in WRAP.
How can (youth) develop some resilience and to see that there is still joy in their lives?
Doriane Miller, MD, Director of UChicago Medicine’s Center for Community Health and Vitality; Co-Founder and Program Advisor for WRAP
Community Advisory Councils
Many of UChicago Medicine’s community health programs are guided by Community Advisory Councils (CAC) at both the Hyde Park medical center campus and at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial. The CACs are led by a group of volunteer members who live or work in UChicago Medicine’s service areas.
The CAC groups are advisors to UChicago Medicine on issues of interest to the community and are essential partners in achieving UChicago Medicine’s goals related to community benefit investment, access to care expansion, community engagement and health equity.
- Candace Henley (Council Chair), CPN, President/Founder, The Blue Hat Foundation
- Shari Runner (Vice Chair), Director, Black Researchers Collective
- Col. Damon T. Arnold (Chronic Disease Council Chair), MD, MPH, MA, MSTRM (USARNG – Ret.), President and CEO, African Diaspora Association of Public Health Professionals (ADAPHP)
- Burrell Poe (Trauma Care and Violence Prevention Council Chair), Director of Mutual Aid Collaborative, Goldin Institute
- Susan Alitto, Board Member, Volunteer, Founding President, Chicago Hyde Park Village
- Ben Anderson, Senior Account Executive, Astronomer
- Pam Butts, Director, New Eclipse Community Alliance
- Erin Callahan, Chief Operating Officer, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition
- Nichole Carter, Director of Workforce Development, Bright Star Community Outreach
- Jeanette Coleman, MSW, QMHP, Director, I Am My Brother’s Keeper Unity Day
- Ginni Cook, Retired Social Worker; Medical Advocate and Chair of Member Services, Chicago Hyde Park Village
- Velma Cooksey, President, Mothers of Student-Athletes (MOSA)
- Julian DeShazier, Pastor of University Church, Director of Experimental Education, McCormick Theological Seminary
- Felicia T. Fuller, Dr.PH, Director, Health Promotions, American Lung Association
- Dennis Garrett, MD, Executive Director, Chicago Area Health and Medical Careers Program (CAHMCP)
- Bill Gerstein, Senior Advisor, Conlon Public Strategies
- Joanne Glenn, President & Founder, Women On Top of their game (W.O.T) Foundation
- Alex Goldenberg, Executive Director, Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP Chicago)
- Christa Hamilton, CEO and President, UCAN
- LaKeisha Hamilton, Founder & CEO, Ms. Keisha Consulting
- Pastor Chris Harris Sr., Chief Executive Officer, Bright Star Community Outreach
- Jeffrey Hodges, Pastor, King of Glory Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C.
- Jennifer Herd, MHLP, Senior Health Policy Associate, Chicago Department of Public Health
- Delishia “Dyi” Kinney, MD, MPH, MAT, Real Men Cook/CHIshorties
- Matthew Klionsky, MD, MBA
- Amy Laboy, Vice President of Programs and Community Partnerships, Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Diane Latiker, Founder/President, Kids Off The Block
- Sherida Morrison, Senior Consultant, Sapientia Consulting Group
- Amalia NietoGomez, Executive Director, Alliance of the SouthEast (ASE)
- Tyra Owens, Assistant Director of Student Success, North Park University
- Sheila Regan, Chief Operating Officer, Acclivus, Inc.
- Kenneth Varner, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Healthy Schools Campaign
- Audry Pennington (Council Chair), Chief Operating Officer, Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness
- Linda Brown-Aldridge, Dean of Nursing, South Suburban College
- Kathleen Daly, Executive Director, Cancer Support Center
- Jaclin Davis, Executive Director, Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council
- Carmin Frederick-James, Associate Pastor to Youth, Covenant United Church of Christ
- Jennifer Gabrenya, Executive Director, South Suburban Family Shelter
- Michael Giglio, President, Calumet City Plumbing Co. Inc.
- Troy O'Quin, Vice President of Programs at the Community and Economic Development Authority of Cook County (CEDA)
- Derrick Simmons, Senior Pastor, Daniel Chapel AME Zion Church
- Angelia Smith, Executive Director, Cornerstone Community Development Corporation
- John Thomas, Superintendent of Schools, Harvey Public Schools District 152
- Christopher Torres, Regional Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Karen Vrdolyak, Vice President of Development & Admin, Restoration Ministries
Health education and communications
UChicago Medicine and community partners work together to share resources and information on how community members can live their healthiest lives. Here is how we communicate with the community:
UChicago Medicine in
the community
In 2023, UChicago Medicine’s Office of Community Affairs (part of the Urban Health Initiative) hosted or participated in more than 70 events in the community. During these events, staff and volunteers provided support to community partners and shared resources to help residents access healthcare information and live healthier lives.
- 71 events
- 43 partners and collaborators
- 354 volunteers
- 1449 volunteer hours
- 897 workshop attendees
This 21st annual event in June 2023 connected more than 80 UChicago Medicine staff and volunteers to service projects at 14 community partner locations across the South Side. Watch the recap video here.
In July 2023, more than 60 pastors, ministers and other members of the South Side faith community joined with UChicago Medicine to work together on community health priorities. Held at the DuSable Museum, the event, called "Together, We Heal," focused on such topics as: supporting safe and healthy communities, improving equity and wellness, and reversing health disparities.
UChicago Medicine took part in the 28th annual event at McCormick Place in August 2023. The event is the largest conference for Black women in the nation. UChicago Medicine doctors and community health workers provided health screenings and answered questions about women's health issues.
In August 2023, staff and volunteers marched in the 94th annual parade. UChicago Medicine is a long-time supporter and financial sponsor of the South Side back-to-school event. It is an opportunity to remind families about checkups and vaccinations for children.
During this 34th annual Labor Day weekend tradition, UChicago Medicine celebrated community, families and healthy living, providing health screenings and fitness demonstrations at the event’s Health and Wellness Pavilion.
In September 2023, more than 200 community members gathered for a “family picnic” event to celebrate the new cancer research pavilion and recognize the five-year anniversary of the Level 1 adult trauma center.
In fiscal 2023, two high school career events drew 169 participants: “Meet the Healthcare Professionals” (November 2022) and “Pathways in Healthcare Careers” (April 2023).
To help deal with cancer disparities on the South Side, UChicago Medicine hosted seven events focused on cancer screening and prevention in fiscal 2023, including for breast and colon cancer.
Through this innovative program, Pritzker School of Medicine resident physicians and fellows serve the community in many ways, including providing valuable health information and screenings. In fiscal 2023, 32 of these Community Champions dedicated 178 hours to such activities as virtual and in-person workshops, Facebook Live events, high school healthcare panels, community service projects, volunteering at farmer’s markets, and more.
Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Shared Governance Committee
In 2023, UChicago Medicine’s Nursing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Shared Governance Committee grew a partnership with the Urban Health Initiative (UHI). Together, they supported and volunteered for community events across the Chicagoland area. This included 15 events that provided health information to more than 3,000 people. In addition, three new subcommittees were started to focus on Education and Awareness, Community Engagement, and Psychological Safety.
