Ascension Alexian Brothers

10/22/2026

🍿 Your next binge-worthy discovery? Meet Dr. Bryan Bertoglio! 🎬

A board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon with Ascension Illinois in Hoffman Estates, Dr. Bertoglio specializes in neurosurgical care for adults and children, with a special interest in complex spine conditions, minimally invasive procedures, and pediatric neurosurgery. 🧠

But before discussing treatment options, he starts with something simple: listening to you. 💙

From understanding your concerns to creating a personalized surgical care plan, Dr. Bertoglio works alongside patients, families, and other specialists to help guide their care.

🎥 Now streaming on your feed: A closer look at the doctor behind the expertise!

10/21/2026

💛 77 years old, countless medical appointments, and one nurse who left an unforgettable impression. 🌼

That's how one patient described their experience with Hema Patel, RN, in Radiation Oncology at Ascension Alexian Brothers.

After eight months of treatment, this patient had plenty of opportunities to get to know Hema. And what stood out wasn't one grand gesture. It was the way Hema consistently made time to listen, answer questions, and make sure the patient felt cared for.

But one moment in particular earned a special place in the patient's DAISY Award nomination. 💛

During an appointment, the patient mentioned that their back was hurting and wished the treatment room had a chair like the one in the waiting room.

Before the conversation was even over, Hema was already bringing one down the hallway! 🪑

A simple gesture? Maybe. But to someone experiencing discomfort during treatment, that kind of attentiveness can mean so much.

The patient shared:

💬 “I have never met anyone like her and will never forget her.”

🌼 We're delighted to celebrate Hema Patel, RN, as our DAISY Foundation Award honoree!

Hema, thank you for bringing patience, compassion, and thoughtful attention to the people you care for. Your patient's words say so much about the difference you've made. 💙👏

10/20/2026

❤️ Your heart has been working overtime for you since day one. When's the last time you returned the favor? 🫀

Between busy schedules, family responsibilities, and everything else life throws our way, it's easy to put our own health on the back burner.

But when it comes to heart disease, prevention deserves our attention!

That's why Dr. Luis Diaz Quintero, an interventional cardiologist with Ascension Illinois, recently joined Univision Chicago to talk about heart health, preventive care, and steps we can take to help protect our hearts.

💙 Whether you're looking out for yourself, your parents, or someone else you love, this is a conversation worth having.

🎥 Dr. Diaz Quintero breaks it down in the full interview!

10/19/2026

😴 We love sleep. We talk about needing more of it. We even plan our weekends around catching up on it. But what happens when a full night's sleep still leaves you exhausted?

That's where people like Brandon Exconde and the Sleep Lab team at Ascension Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital come in! 💙

Brandon's interest in sleep medicine started close to home, when a relative was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Seeing the difference treatment made sparked a career he hadn't originally considered.

“I should probably thank them for being a bad snorer,” Brandon joked. 😅

Now, five years into his career at Ascension, Brandon helps patients understand what's happening while they sleep and supports them through sleep studies and treatment.

And there's a lot more to the job than watching people catch some Z's!

💤 Every patient has a different story, and Brandon says learning from those experiences is one of his favorite parts of the work. He's even received a handwritten thank-you letter from a patient whose experience left a lasting impression.

He also has plenty of appreciation for his coworkers, affectionately calling them the “dream team” because of how they support one another.

👏 During Sleep Technologists Appreciation Week, October 18–24, we're celebrating Brandon and his team for the patience, expertise, and compassion they bring to helping patients understand their sleep health.

💙 Thank you for the important work you do while the rest of us are dreaming! 💤

10/17/2026

💕 The group chat has discussed everything from bad dates to what we're wearing this weekend. Can we make room for breast health, too?

Maybe you've been meaning to schedule your first mammogram. Maybe you've been putting off your next one because life keeps getting busy. Or maybe you have a friend who's been wondering what to expect.

Whatever the case, a little information can make that next step feel less intimidating.

💗 And look who's helping us out! Cardio Mario has found his way to mammography to point us toward a few things worth knowing before an appointment.

At Ascension Illinois, we want women to feel informed and confident when making decisions about their breast health. Early detection matters, and understanding your screening options is a good place to start.

🎀 Here's to making breast health part of the conversations we have with each other, today and throughout the year.

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

10/16/2026

🚨 Running a busy Emergency Department? That's a lot of moving pieces. And Samantha “Sam” Spencer knows how to keep them moving! 💙

As the Emergency Department Manager at Ascension Alexian Brothers, Sam helps her team navigate the demands of emergency care while keeping patient experience and clinical standards in focus.

And during Emergency Nurses Week, we're celebrating her DAISY Nurse Leader Award nomination! 🌼👏

Here's a glimpse into why her colleagues nominated her:

🏥 Getting results together: Sam helped lead a department-wide effort to reduce patient length of stay. It took coordination, teamwork, and plenty of follow-through, but the Emergency Department met its fiscal-year operational goal!

🤝 Taking on more: From patient experience initiatives and cardiac arrest reviews to trauma team management and nursing professional governance, Sam stays involved in work that reaches well beyond her day-to-day responsibilities.

💙 Staying steady under pressure: Her nomination highlights her ability to remain calm, guide her team, and make informed decisions when situations become challenging.

And through it all, Sam recognizes that getting results takes a team.

🌼 Congratulations on your DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader Award nomination, Sam! We're celebrating you and the entire Emergency Department team at Ascension Alexian Brothers this week!

10/15/2026

🚨 An emergency can turn an ordinary day upside down in seconds.

And in those moments, you need someone who can think quickly, act confidently, and still take the time to remind you that you're not facing it alone. 💙

This Emergency Nurses Week, we're celebrating the incredible nurses at Ascension Alexian Brothers, whose dedication to exceptional emergency care has earned national recognition!

🏮 Our Emergency Department is a proud recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Lantern Award, a prestigious national designation recognizing excellence in emergency nursing practice, leadership, education, advocacy, and research.

It's an achievement that speaks to the expertise, teamwork, and commitment our nurses bring to every shift.

From making critical decisions to reassuring patients and families during some of their most difficult moments, our emergency nurses make an impact that extends far beyond the bedside.

💜 Happy Emergency Nurses Week to our extraordinary team! Your compassion, skill, and dedication are what make this recognition so meaningful.

10/12/2026

You know when the doctor asks, “What brings you in?” and suddenly you forget everything you planned to say? 😅

Lorena Poggensee, PA-C, is there for the long version.

At Ascension Medical Group Illinois Primary Care Bartlett, Lorena takes time to hear what is going on, learn your family health history and understand what matters to you before figuring out next steps together.

So bring the questions. Bring the notes in your phone. Bring the thing you almost talked yourself out of mentioning.

It is National PA Week, and we’re celebrating Lorena for making room for the conversation. 🩺💙

10/10/2026

💜 When a patient cannot speak for themselves, having someone willing to stand up for them can make all the difference.

For Hildebrando Gonzalez Herrera, RN, that responsibility was one he refused to take lightly.

While leading a busy Emergency Department at Ascension Alexian Brothers, Hilde faced a situation involving a critically ill, vulnerable patient whose wishes needed to be protected.

Despite the demands of his role as charge nurse, he made it his priority to ensure the patient's voice was heard, their preferences were respected, and their rights were protected. He worked through the appropriate channels, collaborating with multiple teams to advocate for the patient when they needed it most.

His nominator described his actions as "relentless patient advocacy."

And perhaps the most powerful words from his nomination were these:

"I can only hope that if I were in this dire of a situation that I would be lucky enough to have a nurse like Hilde to make sure my voice was heard and my wishes were maintained."

🌼 For his extraordinary compassion, courage, and leadership, Hilde was recognized with the DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader Award!

👏 Congratulations, Hilde! Your actions are a powerful example of what nursing leadership looks like when it matters most. Thank you for being the kind of nurse every patient deserves in their corner.

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

❤️ What does it take to care for a heart beyond the exam room?

Managing medications, recognizing risks early, coordinating treatment, and helping patients navigate what comes next. Nurse practitioners are part of all of it.

And their impact on cardiovascular care deserves recognition! 👏

Congratulations to Tochi Okwueze, DNP, FNP-BC, FACC, of Ascension Medical Group Illinois - Heart Function Clinic Elk Grove, on co-authoring a newly published article in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners!

The article, developed through the American College of Cardiology Advanced Practice Nursing Workgroup, explores how nurse practitioners are helping shape cardiovascular care through prevention, patient education, chronic disease management, technology, and clinical leadership.

One finding worth highlighting: More than 90% of cardiovascular programs surveyed reported using advanced practice providers in outpatient settings.

🎉 We're celebrating Tochi's contribution to research that recognizes the expertise behind more accessible, coordinated, patient-centered heart care.

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

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! 💙

10/07/2026

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

Maybe your mammogram is already on the calendar. Maybe you have been meaning to make the appointment. Maybe the whole thing makes you a little nervous. 💗

Wherever you are with it, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a gentle reminder to check in with your breast health.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers, our care teams are here to help make screening feel a little less uncertain. A mammogram typically takes about 20 minutes, and regular screening may help find breast cancer early, when it is most treatable.

Ascension Illinois recommends yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. Your doctor can help you decide when to begin based on your individual risk and family history.

You do not have to feel fearless about a mammogram to make the appointment. You just have to make room for yourself on the calendar, too. 💗

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

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.

10/05/2026

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. 💙

10/02/2026

Breast cancer treatment can suddenly add a whole new vocabulary to your life. Appointments, specialists, treatment plans, side effects, questions you did not know you would need to ask.

Then someone like David helps make some of it easier to navigate. 💗

One patient at Ascension Alexian Brothers shared how David’s knowledge of massage therapy and other available activities helped them understand another piece of their care. They also called out something especially important: the coordination among the people supporting them throughout treatment.

Their experience led them to nominate David for a BEE Award, with a review that ended on a pretty great note:

“You definitely deserve a 10 out of 10 David!”

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating David and the people across a patient’s care team who can help make a complicated stretch of life feel a little easier to manage. 🐝💗

09/29/2026

Your heart holds a whole world. ❤️

The people you love. The pets waiting for you at home. Your favorite meal. The places you still want to see. The songs you never skip. The ordinary days you would never call extraordinary until you think about how much they mean to you.

World Heart Day is a reminder to take care of the heart carrying all of it.

Start by knowing a few things about your own heart health, including your blood pressure and cholesterol, and talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors.

And when your heart needs more attention, Ascension Alexian Brothers is here with heart and vascular specialists, diagnostic testing, cardiac rehabilitation and advanced treatment options. ❤️

There is a lot of life in that heart of yours. Take good care of 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. ❤️

09/27/2026

Francesca went to bed on a Saturday night expecting a normal Sunday.

By Sunday morning, her husband found her unconscious. At 45, with no known underlying condition, Francesca had experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm. 🧠💙

What followed included 22 days in the hospital, specialists across neurology, neurosurgery and interventional neuroradiology, and rehabilitation at Ascension Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital.

But that is only the beginning of Francesca’s story.

There were stairs she wanted to climb again. A job she wanted to return to. A family trip to Japan and Thailand she was determined to enjoy. And a lot of independence to regain along the way.

During Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month, Francesca’s story is also an important reminder that a ruptured brain aneurysm can happen without warning and requires immediate medical care.

Her advice from the other side of recovery?

“Just show up. You’ll get there.” 💙

After a ruptured brain aneurysm in March 2026, an Itasca resident regained independence through collaborative care and rehabilitation at Ascension Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital.