Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago

10/15/2026

For Ricky Gomez-Rosales, Security Supervisor at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, protecting others has been a calling since he was 17.

From serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a special assignment at the Pentagon, to helping keep our patients, visitors, and associates safe, Ricky has built his career around service.

🏆 Ricky was named 2025 Security Officer of the Year across Ascension Illinois hospitals and received a commendation for his quick actions protecting fellow associates.

But what makes Ricky stand out goes beyond his accomplishments. It's his approach to the people around him.

“I want people to feel safe, to know they can talk to us and not be afraid. We're not scary. We're here to help.”

During Healthcare Security and Safety Week, we're celebrating Ricky and the entire security and safety team at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago for the important work they do behind the scenes to help keep our hospital safe.

💙 Thank you, Ricky, for leading with courage, compassion, and a genuine commitment to others!

10/14/2026

🚨 Nobody plans on spending their day in the emergency room.

But when the unexpected happens, having a nurse who can stay calm, act quickly, and offer a little reassurance can make a frightening situation feel a lot less overwhelming. 💙

This Emergency Nurses Day, we're celebrating the nurses at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago who care for our community through some of life's most stressful moments.

From assessing patients and responding to emergencies to answering worried families' questions, their work takes clinical skill, compassion, and the ability to think on their feet.

And while patients may only spend a few hours in their care, the kindness of a nurse can stay with them long after they leave.

💜 Happy Emergency Nurses Day to our incredible emergency nursing team! Thank you for everything you do for Chicago.

10/12/2026

🎀 When it comes to breast cancer, finding it early can make a real difference.

And that's why mammograms matter.

Breast cancer doesn't always come with a noticeable lump or other symptoms. A mammogram can detect changes in breast tissue before you can feel them, giving you and your care team more information, sooner.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're encouraging women across Chicago to stay on top of their breast health.

At Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, our imaging team is here to help you take that step. 💗

Whether it's your first mammogram or you're due for your next one, making time for a screening is worth it.

Answering God's call to bring health, healing and hope to all.

10/10/2026

💚 Think about how many people you cross paths with in a single day.

The person sitting next to you on the train. The coworker who seems a little quieter than usual. The stranger who didn't smile back.

You see a moment of their day, but you don't see everything that brought them there.

Someone might be navigating grief, adjusting to medication, managing anxiety, or simply trying to make it through a difficult week.

And the truth is, we don't need to know someone's story to treat them with compassion.

On World Mental Health Day, Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital encourages us all to lead with a little more patience, kindness, and understanding.

Because sometimes the smallest moments of compassion can mean more than we realize. 💙

10/09/2026

Hi, Link here. 🐾💗

I take keeping an eye on the people I love very seriously. I follow them from room to room. I supervise snack time. I even wait outside the bathroom, just in case.

So I have one question: Have you scheduled your mammogram?

Regular breast screenings can help find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. At Ascension Illinois, yearly mammograms are recommended beginning at age 40, although some people may need to start earlier based on family history or other risk factors.

You have people who love you, people who count on you and possibly a four legged family member who has absolutely no concept of personal space. 🐶

Take care of yourself for all of them. And for you, too. 💗

Love,
Link 🐾

10/08/2026

🍂 Chicago in the fall is basically an invitation to get your steps in. And honestly, with views like these, who's complaining?

Between the colorful trees along Lake Michigan, crisp walks through Lincoln Park, and that first sip of something warm, autumn gives us plenty of excuses to get outside. ☕🍁

And your health gets to enjoy the season, too!

🚶 A brisk walk supports heart health and circulation.
☀️ A little daylight can help regulate your sleep cycle and support your mood.
🌳 Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and give your mind a much-needed break.

At Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, we're all for finding little ways to make healthy habits feel less like a chore and more like something to look forward to.

Because Chicago's fall colors won't stick around forever, but the healthy habits you build can. 💙

At Ascension Illinois, you can schedule preventive care and screenings that are right for you based on your age, family history and risk factors.

10/08/2026

At 18, Amber Sayles, PA-C, already knew what she wanted to do: help people. 🩺💙

She started as an EMT and paramedic. Today, she brings those years of patient care experience into family medicine and primary care at Ascension Illinois in Schaumburg.

Amber cares for patients of most ages, whether they are coming in for preventive care, managing a chronic condition or dealing with something that suddenly has them feeling lousy.

Through all of it, she wants patients to feel heard.

“I have worked in other healthcare settings and know how much compassionate, empathic and high-quality care can make a difference in people's lives.”

That belief has followed Amber from an ambulance to the primary care office, and it is still what drives her today.

This National Physician Assistants Week, we’re celebrating Amber and the physician assistants across Ascension Illinois who chose this work because helping people is exactly where they want to be. 💙 Thank you for all you do. 🌟

Amber Sayles, PA-C, is an experienced physician assistant specializing in family medicine and primary care at Ascension Illinois in Schaumburg, near Chicago. She provides primary care for patients of most ages, including preventive care, management of chronic conditions and care for acute health con...

10/07/2026

Breast cancer care is personal for the patient. For the surgeon caring for them, it should feel personal too. 💗

That is how one of our breast surgeons at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago approaches every patient who comes into their care.

“I want them to be treated the way I would treat my family.”

That commitment has shaped years spent studying breast cancer, staying current on surgical treatment options and training future surgeons to bring that same level of care to their own patients.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hear why this work remains so close to their heart. 🎥💗

https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1447416722/mari...

10/07/2026

You see 138/86 on the screen. Now what? 👀❤️

First, know what you are looking at.

🫀 Top number: the pressure when your heart beats
🫀 Bottom number: the pressure when your heart rests

And here is a quick guide to the ranges:

💚 Normal: less than 120/80
🟡 Elevated: 120 to 129 and less than 80
🟠 Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130 to 139 or 80 to 89
🔴 Stage 2: 140 or higher or 90 or higher

Before one unexpected number sends you spiraling, Rina Verma, MD, cardiologist at Ascension Illinois, has an important reminder: doctors look for patterns over time, not one reading by itself. Stress, caffeine, exercise, pain and even rushing to your appointment can temporarily raise your blood pressure.

What matters is knowing your numbers and paying attention when they are consistently elevated.

So the next time that cuff comes off, you will have a much better idea of what those two numbers are telling you. ❤️

10/06/2026

Some days you may need more support. Other days, you may be ready to try more on your own. 💚

Both can be part of the same recovery.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, structure and consistency can give patients something steady to return to while skills, conversations and support are shaped around what they need along the way.

The words shared here came from three different patients. What helped each person was personal to them.

And that is exactly the point. Recovery does not have to look the same from one person to the next. 🧠

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, we provide personalized mental health treatment plans.

10/06/2026

National PA Week gives us a good reason to talk about Anna Duffy, PA-C. But Anna has been giving Bartlett families reasons to know her since 2010. 🩺💙

Her background includes emergency medicine, so she knows the value of being ready when something unexpected happens. In primary care, she gets to know what happens between those unexpected moments, too.

Anna cares for patients of all ages at Ascension Illinois in Bartlett, with a special interest in pediatrics and preventive health screenings. She can see the kid with a sore throat, the parent overdue for a checkup and the grandparent managing a chronic condition.

And when the whole family sees the same provider? Anna gets to know the health history that connects them.

After work, her own family keeps her moving. She spends as much time outdoors as she can with her husband, two young sons and one energetic puppy. 🐾

Happy National PA Week, Anna! 💙

10/05/2026

Breast cancer care is personal for the patient. For the surgeon caring for them, it should feel personal too. 💗

That is how one of our breast surgeons at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago approaches every patient who comes into their care.

“I want them to be treated the way I would treat my family.”

That commitment has shaped years spent studying breast cancer, staying current on surgical treatment options and training future surgeons to bring that same level of care to their own patients.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hear why this work remains so close to their heart. 🎥💗

https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1447416722/mari...

10/05/2026

Mental health can get isolating fast. A canceled plan becomes another canceled plan. A text goes unanswered. Asking for help keeps getting pushed to tomorrow.

That is why community matters. 💚

During Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 5 through 11, this year’s theme, “Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-being Together,” puts the focus on the connections that can make it easier to feel seen, supported and less alone.

Community can look different for everyone. A friend who checks in again. A family member who listens. A support group where you do not have to explain everything. A care team that helps you figure out what kind of support you need.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, that community includes mental health care for children, teens and adults, with outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and inpatient options, as well as support groups for patients and families.

Sometimes building a stronger mental health community starts close to home: notice people, keep checking in and make room for conversations that may be hard to start. 💚

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, we provide personalized mental health treatment plans.

10/05/2026

Your chart knows your blood pressure. It does not know you take the stairs every morning, want enough energy to keep up with your kids or have been trying to make dinner at home more often. 🩺

Andrew Pavlatos, MD, wants to know both.

As a family medicine doctor with Ascension Illinois in Chicago, Dr. Pavlatos cares for the routine things like checkups, screenings, vaccinations and everyday illnesses while paying attention to the life happening outside the exam room.

“I treat the whole patient, not just diseases. I strive to help my patients lead healthier lifestyles.”

Because a health plan has to work in your actual life if you are going to live it. 💙

10/04/2026

They were being asked to move forward with a procedure they did not understand. And they were not comfortable saying yes until someone explained it.

Then they met Ben.

The patient’s parent shared that Ben met them in radiology and took the time to answer their questions about the procedure.

“Ben met us in the unit was absolutely wonderful! He was knowledgeable, patient, and understanding! He put us both at ease and made us totally comfortable to have the procedure done!”

Questions deserve answers, especially when you are making decisions about your care or the care of someone you love.

Ben, this family will remember that you made sure they felt informed and comfortable before moving forward. Thank you for being that person for them at Ascension Alexian Brothers. 💙

10/03/2026

There is a lot happening before your doctor ever walks into the exam room.

Sandra Edmonds is one of the people paying attention to what could otherwise get missed. Is someone due for an annual wellness visit? Has a patient with diabetes had the follow up care they need? Are children staying on schedule with vaccinations?

As a clinical transformation specialist with the Ascension Illinois Clinically Integrated Network, Sandra works with Ascension Medical Group Illinois and independent physician practices to turn patient data into something care teams can actually use.

“Navigating quality metrics isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about ensuring every patient receives the best preventative care, annual wellness visits and chronic disease support they need to thrive. Building trust with our group providers and independent practices and seeing them succeed is the most rewarding part of my work.”

Sandra is celebrating two years with Ascension Illinois, and much of her work happens where patients may never see it. The impact can show up at their next appointment. 💙

10/01/2026

Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes with a reminder worth putting on your calendar: your mammogram. 💗

And if that mammogram leads to questions, an abnormal result or a breast cancer diagnosis, knowing who you can turn to next matters.

Meet Maria A. Osipova, MD, an experienced, board certified breast surgeon with Ascension Illinois in Chicago. She diagnoses and treats breast cancer and other breast conditions, with every appointment starting the same way: with a conversation.

Questions about a result? Ask them. Worried about what comes next? Talk it through. Dr. Osipova takes time for the big questions and the small ones while working with a team of specialists to help patients understand their care and surgical options.

Your mammogram is an important part of knowing your breast health. And should you need the next conversation, Dr. Osipova is ready for it. 🩺💗

Care teams at Ascension Illinois in the greater Chicagoland area provide mammograms to screen for breast health and help detect signs of breast cancer.

09/29/2026

Your heart knows Chicago pretty well. ❤️

Lakefront walks. Your neighborhood coffee spot. Dinner with people you love. A favorite seat at Wrigley. The skyline on the drive home. The people and places that make this city feel like yours.

There is a lot of life wrapped up in one heart.

On World Heart Day, give yours some attention, too. Know your blood pressure and cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors. And do not ignore new or changing symptoms.

At Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, cardiologists and heart care specialists are here to help you understand your heart health and the care that may be right for you.

Keep making room for everything you love about this city and your life in it. ❤️🌆

Blood pressure readings include two numbers: systolic and diastolic. Together, they show how much pressure blood puts on your artery walls when your heart beats and rests. An ideal blood pressure reading is less than 130/80.

09/28/2026

You see 138/86 on the screen. Now what? 👀❤️

First, know what you are looking at.

🫀 Top number: the pressure when your heart beats
🫀 Bottom number: the pressure when your heart rests

And here is a quick guide to the ranges:

💚 Normal: less than 120/80
🟡 Elevated: 120 to 129 and less than 80
🟠 Stage 1 high blood pressure: 130 to 139 or 80 to 89
🔴 Stage 2: 140 or higher or 90 or higher

Before one unexpected number sends you spiraling, Rina Verma, MD, cardiologist at Ascension Illinois, has an important reminder: doctors look for patterns over time, not one reading by itself. Stress, caffeine, exercise, pain and even rushing to your appointment can temporarily raise your blood pressure.

What matters is knowing your numbers and paying attention when they are consistently elevated.

So the next time that cuff comes off, you will have a much better idea of what those two numbers are telling you. ❤️

09/25/2026

Chicago gives your lungs plenty to do. 🌬️🏙️

Walking the lakefront. Climbing the L stairs when the escalator is out. Biking the trail. Chasing the bus you absolutely thought you were going to miss. 😅

For World Lung Day, give the lungs keeping up with you a little attention:

🫁 Skip smoking and va**ng
🚶 Keep moving in ways that work for you
🌫️ Check the air quality when pollution or wildfire smoke rolls in
😷 Take a lingering cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath seriously

And if breathing starts getting in the way of the Chicago life you enjoy, pulmonologists and respiratory care teams at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago can help figure out what is going on and what comes next.

Your lungs have places to be. Take care of them. 💙

Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists at Ascension Illinois provide personalized care for your lung health.

09/23/2026

There is a big difference between hearing your options and actually understanding them.

That matters when those options include robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery or advanced endoscopy.

Bipan Chand, MD, is a gastrointestinal surgeon and advanced endoscopist at Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago. He uses current evidence to help guide care, but the conversation also includes something only the patient can answer: What matters to you?

Your goals are part of the medical decision. Your questions belong in the conversation. And when care involves multiple specialties, Dr. Chand takes a multidisciplinary approach to help patients understand the path being considered.

Because a treatment can be highly advanced and still need to make sense to the person receiving it. 🩺💙

Bipan Chand, MD, is a gastrointestinal surgeon and advanced endoscopist at Ascension Illinois in Chicago, IL. Dr. Chand is board-certified with the American Board of Surgery and specializes in robotic and laparoscopic surgery, as well as advanced endoscopy.

09/21/2026

World Alzheimer’s Day, Chicago edition: give your brain a day out. 🧠💜

Take the long way along the lakefront. Wander through a museum you have not visited in years. Meet a friend for coffee. Dance at a neighborhood festival. Try a new restaurant and actually read the menu instead of ordering your usual. 😉

Staying physically active, socially connected and mentally engaged are all good habits for brain health as we age.

And while forgetting a name or walking into a room and wondering why you are there can happen to all of us, memory changes that become more frequent or start interfering with everyday life deserve a conversation with your doctor.

At Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, our neurologists evaluate and care for people experiencing memory disorders, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, helping patients and families better understand what may be happening and what comes next.

This World Alzheimer’s Day, put that Chicago brain to work. There is plenty around here to keep it busy. 🌆🧠

Neurologists at Ascension Medical Group Illinois - Neurology Chicago have the experience to diagnose complex brain and spine conditions

09/17/2026

Vascular imaging professionals, this one is built for your workday after October 24. 🩻

Ascension Alexian Brothers is bringing its Vascular Ultrasound Symposium back for a third year, with a full day focused on what you can actually use in practice.

Think comprehensive vascular imaging, image optimization, workflow best practices, pre and post intervention imaging and emerging technology, with nine professionals from across Chicagoland sharing their expertise.

📅 October 24, 2026
⏰ 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
📍 Ascension Alexian Brothers
🎓 6.5 free CME credits through SDMS
☕ Complimentary light breakfast and lunch
🚗 Free parking

For vascular and ultrasound technologists and students, it is a chance to get in the same room with people who speak your language, compare approaches and leave with a few new ideas for Monday morning.