The Institute of Medicine of Chicago will award Dr. LaMenta Conway, MD, MPH, the 2025 IOMC Award for Public Service for her leadership with the I Am Abel Foundation. This honor will be presented at the 2025 Leadership Awards & Annual Meeting on June 26, 2025, at Maggianos-Chicago. The event is open to all and unites healthcare advocates, academic institutions, medical organizations, and community partners. More details and to register here>

Dr. Conway is a board-certified physician who is trained in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She graduated from Rush University Medical College and trained at the University of Illinois. With over 22 years of clinical experience and a transformative legacy of community service, she stands as an e x t r a o r d i n a r y candidate for the IOMC Award for Public Service.

Her leadership extends far beyond the clinic. As Deputy Chief of Medicine for the Illinois Department of Corrections, Dr. Conway oversees the healthcare of more than 30,000 incarcerated individuals—demonstrating both technical excellence and a deep humanitarian commitment. Yet, her greatest impact may lie outside institutional walls. Following the devastating loss of two young family members to gun violence, Dr. Conway channeled grief into action by founding the I AM ABEL Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to mentoring underrepresented youth in Chicago who aspire to careers in medicine, STEM, and service.

Through this mission, she has:
● Mentored hundreds of students via one-on-one physician pairings, academic advising, and leadership training.
● Led clinical and global health immersion programs in Haiti, Costa Rica, and Cuba.
● Established the Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Pipeline Program, one of the Midwest’s most comprehensive, community-based physician pipeline initiatives.
● Launched the Chicago Health, Medical & Law Conference, now in its 8th year, which has provided thousands of students with exposure to healthcare professions and hands-on experiences.

The I Am Abel Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) Chicago-area non-profit organization incorporated in 2015, whose mission is to identify, engage, and curate the large pool of untapped gifts, talent, and intellect among inner-city youth.

You can learn more about Dr. Conway and our leadership award recipients at the event. Grab a ticket now- visit this page> 

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