Northwestern Medicine Diagnostic Imaging Old Irving Park

07/21/2026

Primary care is the foundation of health. That’s why Northwestern Medicine is committed to advancing this critical aspect of medicine for the patients who trust us with their care.

We have received an anonymous donation to establish the Northwestern Medicine Robert Havey, MD, Institute for Primary Care, which will give us the opportunity to build on the strong foundation of primary care that is already in place and reimagine what it could look like for patients, physicians and teams.

The gift honors Primary Care Physician Robert Havey, MD, vice president, Operations, Northwestern Medical Group, and clinical professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

To learn more about primary care at Northwestern Medicine, visit nm.org/primarycare.

07/21/2026

Food flexibility can reduce stress and improve your relationship with food. It moves away from diet culture and labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”

Try simple meal planning that includes:

• Adding protein and more veggies to favorite dishes
• Using small add ons to increase your protein, fiber and healthy fats
• Keeping portable snacks nearby for busy days

Be aware of nutrition misinformation and all or nothing advice. Favorite foods like pizza and ice cream can fit into a flexible eating plan. A registered dietitian can help you develop a plan that works for your lifestyle. Learn more tips on how to build balanced meals and healthy eating patterns.

How to incorporate food flexibility.

07/20/2026

The first step to becoming a living organ donor is easier than you may think. Watch and learn!

07/19/2026

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are highly trained, licensed healthcare professionals who can diagnose illness, prescribe medication and manage your health. They work alongside physicians as part of a coordinated care team. Learn more about the role of APPs and when care from an APP may be appropriate.

How APPs can help with your healthcare needs.

07/18/2026

Many people who binge drink don’t think they drink heavily because they don’t do it every day. Binge drinking usually happens on weekends or at social events.

However, consuming too much alcohol in a short time can overwhelm the body — even if you only do it once in a while.

A standard drink is:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content)
• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content)
• 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol content)

Even an occasional binge-drinking episode has risks. Repeated binge drinking over time can increase long-term health risks like heart disease and depression.

Learn more about the risks of binge drinking and when it may be time to seek help.

A quick reality check.

07/17/2026

Here’s what you need to know about the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora in 60 seconds.

07/17/2026

Sheila Perry, 87, lives an active life immersed in travel and the arts. She has no hopes of slowing down anytime soon. Now, she’s become the oldest known woman to receive a kidney transplant in Illinois, and she’s ready to keep going!

Although she needed a new kidney to survive, the high risks at her age led other health systems to deem her ineligible for a transplant. It wasn’t until Sheila came to Northwestern Medicine that she finally found hope.

“Age is just a number,” says Mohammed Javeed Ansari, MD, a nephrologist at Northwestern Medicine. “What we’re looking at is the functional status of the recipient.”

Dr. Ansari presented Sheila’s case to his colleagues at Northwestern Medicine Organ Transplant Center, and she was accepted. On March 6, Vinayak Rohan, MD, a transplant surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, performed her surgery.

“When Sheila was presented to the committee, everybody was taken aback a little bit,” says Dr. Rohan. “It's not every day that we see an 87-year-old looking for a transplant. But after reviewing her health history and seeing how fit she was, we were confident we could do this successfully.”

By 2050, the number of people over 80 years old is expected to triple. As the population ages, Dr. Rohan expects organ transplants in older patients will become more common.

“There are things we can do to achieve good outcomes and meet the needs of this population,” says Dr. Rohan.

The proportion of older organ donors is also increasing, which may improve wait times for older recipients. “Even donors in their 70s are being considered,” says Dr. Ansari. “From a biologic perspective and a physical perspective, age should not be a contraindication for transplantation.”

After making history with a kidney transplant at her age, Sheila has a message for older patients in her shoes. “Find an advocate who will believe in you,” says Sheila. “This transplant was an opportunity to add a few more years to my life. I’m not done living my life yet.”

07/16/2026

When wildfire smoke travels through the air, it can affect your health, even if you are not in the immediate vicinity of the fire. Wildfire smoke can harm anyone, but there are certain groups of people who are at a higher risk. These sensitive groups include children, pregnant people and people with:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease

Short- and Long-Term Implications

07/15/2026

Apple cider vinegar is everywhere, from drinks to gummies, but does it actually improve health? Find out how it may help with blood sugar and weight loss. Plus, learn about unwanted side effects and how to incorporate it safely into your routine.

ACV: Benefits, risks and facts

07/13/2026

At 39, Amy Piccioli had no signs or family history of colorectal cancer. The California mom of three went to the hospital for dehydration. What doctors found instead was stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver.

Amy’s care team in Los Angeles recommended that she seek treatment at Northwestern Medicine. Thanks to groundbreaking transplant innovation — and an extraordinary living donor — Amy has no evidence of disease.

Amy’s story highlights a troubling rise in colorectal cancer among adults under 50, and the lifesaving options many patients don’t yet know exist. Read Amy’s powerful story.

How a liver transplant saved a young mom’s life.