Researchers are developing models for more targeted closings (and reopenings) that would curb the spread of infection at a less severe economic cost. As COVID-19 cases took off in New York in March, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo imposed a lockdown of nonessential businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus, calling it “the most drastic action we can take.”   Now researchers say more targeted approaches — in New York and elsewhere — might have protected public health with less economic pain. Read more about this issue in the New York Times article here. ###

Reducing microaggressions and promoting interracial connection: The racial harmony workshop

by Monnica T. Williams, Jonathan W. Kanterc, Adriana Peñad, Terence H.W. Chingb, Linda Oshinb.

Dr. Monnica Williams has published over 100 academic papers, which includes peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, editorials, commentaries, and scientific reports. This page contains most of Dr. Williams' publications which have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific journals and edited volumes. It also includes some recent technical reports and commentaries. Where available, these can be downloaded as PDFs.

These works have an emphasis on psychopathology and cultural experiences. Among the journal articles and chapters are included papers focused on multiple ethnic groups (36), Black Americans (33), primarily White samples (19), Black/White differences (11), Hispanic Americans (5), and Asian groups (3). Seventy-one papers are empirical, with over three-quarters of these using data collected by Dr. Williams and her lab. Primary topics include OCD and related disorders (60), trauma (22), anxiety (19), substance use (10), and depression (7). She also has written 4 books, the most recent of which is focused on microaggressions in clinical care. 

Other articles and publications More>

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are left to wonder about the impact it will have on our health care system and our wellbeing. It can be difficult to predict our future. Our World of Data provides an context to look as we attempt to manage during this pandemic crisis. More>

“First in violence, deepest in dirt; loud, lawless, unlovely, ill-smelling, irreverent, new; an overgrown gawk of a village,” journalist Lincoln Steffens described the Windy City in 1903.1 From its start as a marshy portage for Native American and French trappers and traders, Chicago grew to a bustling metropolis of 2.7 million by the time influenza arrived on September 8, 1918, when a few sailors at the nearby Great Lakes Naval Training Station fell ill with the disease. A week later, seven army cadets from the Northwestern University SATC unit came down with influenza. Then, a few days after that, cases developed among cadets at the Lewis Institute SATC unit on South Hoyne Street in Chicago itself. The epidemic had begun. More>

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The health of Americans is not as good as it could be, despite large expenditures on healthcare. Our poorer health status creates costs and challenges for individuals, families, communities, and businesses, and can be a drag on the economy, as too many jobs remain unfilled and productivity is adversely affected. Many of our poor health problems are rooted in inadequate investments in prevention and unequal economic opportunities in our communities. In order to improve the health of Americans and help foster a more sustainable and equitable prosperity, the Office of the Surgeon General is implementing an initiative called “Community Health and Economic Prosperity” or “CHEP” for short.  Read about CHEP More> Download the infographic here ###

Social risk factors are deeply linked to health and wellbeing. Left unaddressed, they lead to poor and inequitable health outcomes that the United States healthcare system has to date not adequately been able to address.

For years, stakeholders in the greater Chicago metropolitan area have been doing innovative work to address gaps and improve health across diverse communities. In the last decade, health policy reform, changing demographics, & persistent health inequities...More>  Check out the video here.

The State of Health of Chicago event will be held on October 23, 2020. 

This annual event brings together leaders and thought leadership on key issues facing our community and our necessary response to promote health care and wellbeing for all. The virtual meeting will be held from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. 

Check back with us for more details on this event. 

We are creating a committee to assist in planning this event. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact us at infostaff@iomc.org.

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News Release

June 11, 2020 

CHICAGO—The Institute of Medicine of Chicago (IOMC) announced its 2020-2021 Board of Governors and 15 New Fellows during its virtual 2020 Annual Meeting held on June 4, 2020. The 105-year-old organization with a long history of promoting health care and wellbeing equity presented ‘Three for Three: How Can We Transform, Drive and Impact the Health Care System Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis.’

The seriousness of the global COVID-19 pandemic hit our local communities. Cook County has over 81, 250 cases and 3,880 deaths, and Chicago has over 47, 500 cases and 2,200 deaths (Cook County Public Health). The State of Illinois has about 126,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and over 6,000 deaths. Regrettably, the confirmed cases and deaths change each day.  Progress is slow; however, is improving due to many efforts. IOMC has made a difference in the past with the 1918 influenza pandemic and is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The outstanding caliber of our directors and our fellows contribute to the needs of our community and focus on the building a strong intersection of public health, health care, and wellbeing. IOMC is working to eliminate the gaps of care and services in Chicagoland, and will continue to focus on the pressing issues of COVID-19, racism, and the socio-economic needs of the metropolitan Chicago community,” stated IOMC President Cheryl Rucker-Whitaker, MD, MPH.

Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Board of Governors

President     Cheryl Rucker-Whitaker, MD, MPH, NextLevel Health

Dr. Rucker-Whitaker is Founding Chairman and CEO of NextLevel Health; a Medicaid health insurance company dedicated to helping underserved populations access and manages Medicaid services.

Vice President     Raul Garza, MS, MBA, Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness   

Garza is the President and CEO of Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, leading a $75 million system of integrated health care, community wellness, and child welfare services with more than 35 locations, including 23 community health centers across nine counties.

Treasurer     Richard Ferraro, MBA, CPA, Ferraro Healthcare Advisory Group

Ferraro is a trusted advisor to health system decision-makers and related investors, and as a project leader in a variety of engagement capacities on a national level for over 30 years.

Secretary     Lorenzo Pence, DO, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

Dr. Pence oversees the staff that supports the new Osteopathic Principles Committee and the Review Committee for Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Before ACGME, he was with West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and served in other senior leadership roles. 

2020-2021 Directors

·         Courtney Avery, MPH, Health Facilities & Services Review Board*

·         Caswell Evans, DDS, MPH, University of Illinois at Chicago

·         Claudia Fegan, MD, Cook County Health*

·         Jason Kane, MD, MS, University of Chicago 

·         Cheryl Larson, Midwest Business Group on Health

·         Pat Merryweather-Argues, MA, Project Patient Care*

·         Howard Nochumson, MA, Washington Square Health Foundation 

·         Janice Odiaga, DNP, Rush University*

·         Les Sandlow, MD, University of Illinois at Chicago

·         Mark Shields, MD, Guidehouse

·         Clark Stanford, DDS, PhD, MHA, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Dentistry*

·         Anita Stewart, MD, Blue Cross and Blue Shield

·         Neli Vazquez Rowland, A Safe Haven Foundation*

*New directors

Congratulations to the 2020 New Fellows!

·         Kathleen Bobay, PhD, RN

·         Lauren M. Byrne, MPH

·         Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD

·         Eileen Collins, PhD, RN

·         Catherine Creticos, MD

·         William Ebomoyi, PhD

·         Earl Fredrick, MD, MBA

·         Jay Gandhi, DrPharm

·         Maryann Gierloff, RN, PhD

·         Catherine Kapella, MPH

·         Gayle Shier Kricke, MSW, PhD

·         Sandra Larson, PhD

·         Vemuri S. Murthy, MD, MS

·         Lee Schmidt, PhD, RN

·         Donna Thompson, RN

We would like to thank our sponsors, Northwestern Medicine® and University of Illinois, for their support making the annual meeting a success this year.

The Institute of Medicine of Chicago (IOMC) is an independent organization of distinguished leaders in the health field who collaborate to improve the health of the public. Drawing upon the expertise of a diverse membership and other regional leaders, the IOMC addresses critical health issues through a range of interdisciplinary approaches including education, research, communication of trusted information, and community engagement. With the health of the public at its core, IOMC is building new programs and services to better meet the needs of its members and the Chicagoland community. Visit www.iomc.org.

For more information contact:

Cheryl Irmiter, Executive Director

Institute of Medicine of Chicago   

312.709.2685                                                                                         

infostaff@iomc.org

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2019 Annual Meeting Video 

Join us for the upcoming 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting! 

Three for Three: How Can We Transform, Drive and Impact the Health Care System Amid COVID–19 Pandemic Crisis

Distinguished Panel:

• David Centafont, MBA, Leading National Healthcare Expert —Moderator
• Cheryl Larson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Business Group  on Health
• Cheryl Rucker-Whitaker, MD, MPH, FACP, Chief Executive Officer of NextLevel Health
• Carrie Nelson, MD, MS, FAAFP, System Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Population Health and Health Outcomes,  and Chief Clinical Officer, Advocate Physician  Partners 

The Portes Foundation, in association with The Institute of Medicine of Chicago (IOMC), is soliciting proposals for research projects in health promotion and disease prevention. Please share this letter with colleagues who may be interested.

Historically, the Portes Foundation has funded grants in the range of $25,000 to $50,000.  Grants are awarded for one year projects. The principal investigator must be a MD, DO, or PhD, have an appointment at a medical school, other health science schools or colleges, or a medical school affiliated hospital or group practice. 

We invite proposals that explore research or implementation ideas important in health promotion and disease prevention. These projects may be investigative in etiologic factors, preventive measures, primary and secondary prevention screening, and education. Projects in patient education or health professions education will also be considered. All projects must include a complete and thorough evaluation component.

All proposals will be peer-reviewed by a scientific committee of The Portes Foundation and the IOMC. The first phase of this process is a Letter of Intent, which should not exceed three pages. It should concisely describe the purpose and rationale of the study, its expected outcome, as well as the basic methods that will be used for evaluating the success of the project.

The letter of intent must be submitted electronically to iomcstaff@iomc.org by AUGUST 1, 2020. In August, letter of interest (LOI) submitters will be notified of the initial determination and, if applicable, a complete formal proposal will be requested and due in mid-September. Acceptance of the LOI only means that the Portes Foundation and IOMC consider the concept within their mission and are now interested in evaluating a complete proposal.

Sincerely yours.

L. J. Sandlow, MD
Chair, Portes Foundation Grant Committee

Board, Institute of Medicine Chicago