News at UI Health

UI Health opened the doors to a new family health center Oct. 3 in Chicago’s Pilsen/Lower West Side neighborhood.

The UI Health Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West will provide families and individuals of all ages with comprehensive healthcare, including immunizations, physical exams, prenatal care, and complex medical care. The 6,400-square-foot renovated facility will feature nine exam rooms and a laboratory for blood draws and basic testing.

"Providing quality patient care is at the core of UI Health's mission, and we are particularly proud to work with the Pilsen community to ensure that its residents are being cared for close to home," said Dr. Robert Barish, vice chancellor for health affairs at UI Health.

The new center is located at 1713 S. Ashland Ave., in the heart of the Pilsen community on Chicago's Lower West Side.

"The University of Illinois at Chicago has a longstanding reputation for excellence in patient care and research, and I am delighted to welcome an academic medical center of UI Health's caliber to our dynamic and diverse community in Pilsen," said Danny Solis, alderman of Chicago’s 25th Ward, where the new Pilsen center is located.

Approximately 43,000 people live in Pilsen, and well over half are Hispanic, primarily Mexican-American. Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos — the largest health study of Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. to date — show that this diverse population has a unique set of health-risk factors for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and kidney disease.

"By opening this center, we hope to have a positive impact on treatment and prevention specific to the needs of the Pilsen community," Barish said.

Added George Cardenas, chair of the Chicago Committee on Health & Environmental Protection: "Expanding access to quality care in Chicago is necessary for improving the health of our communities. This is particularly true of the underserved and underinsured communities in the Pilsen and surrounding neighborhoods that are predominantly Hispanic, African-American, and Chinese-American."

The Pilsen Family Health Center Lower West is UI Health’s second community-based family medicine center; the UI Health Family Medicine Center at University Village is located at 722 W. Maxwell St.

"UI Health is committed to being a partner to the Chicago community, and we are very interested in being better connected to our neighbors in Pilsen," said Avijit Ghosh, CEO of UI Health Hospital & Clinics. "We will initially offer family medicine and primary care services, but as we learn more about the healthcare needs of the Pilsen community, we will plan for future service lines and specialties."

The center will be staffed by eight full-time employees and bilingual, board-certified family medicine physicians. Clinical staff will have expertise in primary care, preventive care, and women's health — including prenatal care and delivery — and the care of newborns and children.

The center will provide care for acute illnesses, such as asthma attacks, allergic reactions and broken bones, and chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, depression, and cancer. The center also will offer office procedures for the skin, joints, feet, and women's health.

The center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Patients can make an appointment by calling 866.600.CARE.

More Information:
Click here for hours, services, and more on the Pilsen Family Health Center.

Request an Appointment:
Click here or call 866.600.Care (2273) to request an appointment.