Advocate Christ Medical Center

08/28/2026

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center teamed up with After School Matters on a project involving teammates, community members and teens from the After School Matters program.

Participants were tasked with capturing the healing transformation in a mosaic tile format that would adorn the rotunda in the new tower. They proposed two designs that the team at Advocate Illinois Masonic voted on and the winning design received over 400 votes. This summer, had teens and instructors from the Green Star Movement, an After School Matters partner, worked on the mosaic art titled “Transformed.” The mosaic itself incorporates the theme of transformation because whether it is in moments of joy or moments of grief, our care teams transform lives, and their lives are transformed as well. Advocate Illinois Masonic teammates, After School Matters partners, program participants and their parents celebrated this important milestone.

“For me, this was a really profound way to pay it forward,” said Maritess Caamic, Chief Operating Officer at Advocate Illinois Masonic. “I was in this program as a teen over 30 years ago and it is my hope that we were able to transform the lives of some of the teens through this experience.”

This collaboration also allowed participants to learn more about careers in healthcare.

“It is really important for our youth to understand that the artist mindset can be applied to many career choices, especially healthcare,” said Maritess. “This gave us the opportunity to introduce program participants to healthcare in a creative way, then offer them shadow opportunities so they can explore career options.”

Thank you to our teammates, After School Matters participants, community members and donors who helped bring this mosaic to life.

08/27/2026

When doctors diagnosed Jose with heart failure in his early 30s, he made a commitment to himself to take control of his health. He quit smoking, stayed on top of his medications and kept every follow-up appointment. Before long, he began to feel like himself again.

But over the next decade, life got busy, and his focus on his health slowly faded.

Then the symptoms came back.

Jose was constantly short of breath, and a trip to Advocate Condell Medical Center revealed just how serious things had become. His heart was functioning at only 13% at its lowest point.

"They looked at me and basically asked, 'How are you still here?'" Jose recalled.

His care team first tried to improve his heart function with medication, but when that wasn't enough, they delivered difficult news: his best chance at survival was a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical pump that helps the heart circulate blood.

"I didn't know how I felt about it at first," Jose said. "But then they told me that without the surgery, I might have a year at most to live. I said, 'Let's not discuss it anymore. Let's do it.'"

Jose underwent LVAD surgery last October with the advanced heart failure and transplant team at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Today, he's rebuilding his strength with one goal in mind: becoming healthy enough to qualify for a heart transplant.

For Jose, this is more than a lifesaving procedure. It's a second chance to be there for the moments that matter most with his four children.

"If I didn't have the LVAD, I would be gone by now," Jose said. "I'm so grateful I get to be here with my kids. Every day I wake up is a good day."

️Learn more about the comprehensive heart and vascular services available at Advocate Health and how our expert teams are helping patients live longer, healthier lives: https://bit.ly/3EBioMJ

08/26/2026

When Jacob was diagnosed at age 20 with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a cancer rarely diagnosed in adults, one source of comfort helped him through more than a year of intensive treatment: his family's 10-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Peanut.

Now 22 and in remission, he recently rang the bell at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, marking the end of his cancer treatment. He says Peanut helped him cope with the hospital stays, fear and isolation that came with treatment.

“Having a dog is such great therapy for me. I talk to her and she always listens,” Jacob said. “Anytime I’m stressed, scared or upset, I go to her, and somehow, she just helps me feel better. There’s something comforting about having that kind of unconditional love by your side.”

Jacob first began experiencing shoulder pain and difficulty walking. His pediatrician referred him to a neurologist, who immediately sent him to the emergency department. There, doctors found one tumor compressing his spinal cord and another tumor the size of a grapefruit attached to his adrenal gland. Surgeons removed the spinal tumor the next day, and Jacob later learned he had stage 4 neuroblastoma.

Jacob’s treatment included radiation, chemotherapy, surgical removal of the adrenal gland tumor, a monthlong hospital stay for a stem cell transplant in isolation and five cycles of immunotherapy, which meant repeated hospital stays that kept him away from Peanut.

Jacob’s bond with Peanut reflects the kind of whole-person support the Rev. Hans Martin Karrer, pediatric staff chaplain at Advocate Children’s Hospital, sees every day through his work with facility dog Duo Dog Drake.

“Serious illness affects every part of a person’s life, not just the body,” Karrer said. “The unconditional love of a dog can ease fear, loneliness and uncertainty. For many patients and families, that bond becomes a source of comfort and strength during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

Today, Jacob’s recovery includes physical therapy to regain strength in his legs and improve his mobility. One of the milestones he most looks forward to is joining his father on walks with Peanut again.

08/24/2026

We celebrated the start of a new school year with Chicago State University (CSU) at their annual Back-to-School Parade. The university tradition welcomes students to campus and celebrates the beginning of a new academic year. Serving as Grand Marshal, Dia Nichols, president of Advocate Health Care, joined students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members in the celebration.

During the parade, it was announced that Advocate Health Care and Chicago State University have entered a new multiyear partnership naming Advocate Health Care the official health care partner of CSU Athletics. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to invest in student success, strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve community health across Chicago's South Side. It also builds on Advocate Health Care's longstanding commitment to the region and its ongoing $1 billion investment in South Side communities. The partnership comes as CSU enters its historic first football season as the only NCAA Division I football program in the city of Chicago.

As the official health care partner of CSU Athletics, Advocate Health Care will provide comprehensive health care and sports medicine support for CSU student-athletes, including athletic training, team physician coverage, physical therapy, orthopedic care, primary care, sports psychology, sports nutrition and game-day sideline coverage. Advocate Health Care’s logo will also be featured on every CSU game-day jersey across all sports.

The agreement builds on an existing collaboration between Advocate Health Care and CSU to prepare students for careers in healthcare and strengthen the workforce.

08/22/2026

For most of his life, Eugene considered himself healthy. When he began struggling to breathe earlier this year, it came as a surprise.

After a visit to the emergency room for pneumonia, additional testing at Advocate Sherman Hospital revealed Eugene had aortic stenosis, a serious heart valve condition. Dr. Chad Morreale performed a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to restore blood flow. Just one week later, his heart began racing, leading his care team to discover an electrical issue that Dr. Harshal Sheth successfully treated with a cardiac ablation.

"For someone who thought he was completely healthy, it was eye opening," Eugene shares.

Today, Eugene is focused on recovery, walking every day, easing back into yard work and looking forward to getting back on the golf course.

"Anybody I talk to, I sing their praises," he says. "The care has been excellent."

Recently cleared by his care team, Eugene is excited for one simple but meaningful milestone: finally getting to hold his great grandchild again.

We’re your advocate – a team that understands you, supports you and stays connected through it all. Learn more about the Advocate Heart Institute: https://bit.ly/3EBioMJ

08/17/2026

Cyclosporiasis cases are on the rise this summer, but how much do you know about this intestinal infection?

Caused by a parasite that can be spread through contaminated food or water, cyclosporiasis can be difficult to identify because symptoms may not appear until days or even weeks after exposure.

Learn what to watch for, when symptoms may require medical attention and why some cases need treatment to fully clear the infection.

Learn the signs of cyclosporiasis, when diarrhea may need medical treatment and how to prevent dehydration while recovering at home.

08/16/2026

A hero on the ground and now soaring through the skies. ✈️

Ashley Huizar, an emergency department nurse at Advocate Sherman Hospital, was recently honored with a flight experience alongside the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds after being recognized as a Chicago Hometown Hero by the American Red Cross for helping save a woman's life at the scene of a crash.

Ashley's quick thinking, clinical expertise and willingness to stop and help in a moment of crisis exemplify the compassion and courage our teammates bring to their communities every day.

Thank you to ABC 7 Chicago for spotlighting Ashley and her extraordinary story: https://bit.ly/4x21JYN

📸 Photo credit: Barry Butler for the Thunderbirds photos.

08/16/2026

What's in your food matters. A recent study found that high intake of certain preservatives commonly found in processed meats, snacks and beverages may be associated with an increased risk of some cancers.

Learn how small changes to your diet can help support your overall health and reduce your cancer risk.

Six common food preservatives may raise cancer risk, including breast cancer. Learn which additives to limit and how to lower your risk.

08/14/2026

Making an impact in the community. ❤️

Teammates at Advocate South Suburban Hospital recently hosted a back-to-school backpack and school supplies giveaway, distributing more than 400 fully stocked backpacks to children in the community. This was made possible through generous donations from teammates.

The Illinois South Chicagoland region community health team and volunteers responded to the recent tornado that impacted teammates and residents in Hazel Crest and surrounding southern suburban communities through the implementation of a pop-up food pantry distribution at our community partner, All Nations Community Church. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of everyone involved, more than 21,190 pounds of food were distributed to over 300 individuals and families in need.

These efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration, compassion and community partnership.

08/11/2026

Did you know some women's health conditions can increase your risk of stroke? The newly renamed PMOS, along with pregnancy, menopause and endometriosis, can all contribute to risk in different ways.

Learn how understanding these connections can help you take charge of your health.

PMOS, formerly PCOS, may raise women's stroke risk. Learn how hormonal and metabolic changes impact your health and how to lower your risk.