Healthier Together
For more than 20 years, the University of Chicago Medicine's Urban Health Initiative has worked with Chicago's South Side community to understand and help with its most important health, social and economic issues. In 2016, this work expanded to the Southland community served by UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial in south suburban Harvey. With the opening of our multispecialty care facility in Crown Point in 2024, our community benefit primary service areas will now include Northwest Indiana.
Our organization’s Mission, Vision and Values helped us develop Elevate 2035 , the strategic plan that will guide the University of Chicago Medicine through the coming decade. “Community” is one of the strategic pillars of this plan, along with “People,” “Healthcare,” “Research” and “Education.” This plan ensures our values are part of every aspect of our work and decision-making.
We work with the community through our Community Advisory Councils, Patient and Family Advisory Councils and also through research, education, community affairs and outreach. Through this work, we have developed strong and lasting partnerships, which are making a meaningful difference in improving the health and well-being of our communities.
In fiscal 2024, the University of Chicago Medicine provided a total of $715 million in community benefit investment. You’ll find more details about this on the Community Investment page of this digital report.
Please explore this report to learn more about our investments, partnerships and commitment to the communities we serve
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Mark E. Anderson, MD, PhD
Dean and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Chicago -
Tom Jackiewicz
President, University of Chicago Health System -
Michael Antoniades
President, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital -
Krista Curell, Esq, RN, BSN
President, UChicago Medicine Northwest Indiana -
Catina Latham, PhD
Senior Vice President of Community Health Transformation and Chief Equity Officer
Partnering for a Healthier South Side for More Than 20 Years
The Urban Health Initiative (UHI) has led UChicago Medicine's work in community partnerships and health equity—collaborating with residents, local organizations and civic leaders to improve health on the South Side for more than 20 years.
UHI guides our community benefit and population health efforts by building trusted relationships and supporting programs that reflect the needs and strengths of the communities we serve. Community Advisory Councils play a vital role in guiding this work, helping ensure that UChicago Medicine's strategies reflect community priorities and improve access to care.
Through partnerships, events and outreach, UHI continues to advance access, equity and long-term well-being across our neighborhoods.
UHI's Care Coordination Model
The Urban Health Initiative manages three Care Coordination Programs designed to help community members connect with resources and care to address their specific needs. In many cases, care coordination team members are from the same communities as the patients they serve.
UHI Care Coordination Programs
Violence Recovery Program
Violence Recovery Specialists help individuals and families who experience community violence and trauma find support and resources for recovery.
Learn moreLiaisons in Care Program
Community Health Workers in this program work with patients in healthcare, community and home settings to manage chronic diseases like asthma, cancer and heart disease.
Learn moreMedical Home and Specialty Care Connection Program
For this program, Patient Advocates in the emergency department help patients with care after an emergency visit, including providing education about primary care and connection to needed resources.
Learn moreWatch this video to learn how UHI and its partners are working side by side to expand access, improve care and strengthen community health.
UChicago Medicine’s Community Benefit Primary Service Areas
Explore the South Side and south suburban communities where UChicago Medicine is working to improve health and expand access to care
University of Chicago Medical Center
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial
