Community Advisory Councils
The University of Chicago Medicine Community Advisory Councils (CAC) are representative groups of volunteer members who live and/or work in our service areas. The councils advise UChicago Medicine on issues of interest to the broader community. They are essential partners in achieving UChicago Medicine's goals related to the broader community interests, community benefit, access to care and effective community engagement.
Members consist of people from the community who reflect the needs and concerns of community residents and UChicago Medicine patients. Members represent the diverse needs and interests of the communities served by UChicago Medicine. They represent various ethnic, economic and cultural groups within UChicago Medicine's service areas.
Members consist of individuals representing multiple constituencies, such as healthcare providers/agencies, public health agencies, social services agencies, community leaders, business leaders, the faith community, advocacy groups, patient advocates and the general community. The councils consist of up to 35 members.
For more information on the University of Chicago Medical Center Community Advisory Council, please email communitybenefit@uchicagomedicine.org.
- Providing input and advice on issues of interest to the broader community.
- Identifying, reviewing and, where appropriate, making recommendations to UChicago Medicine on priority health issues in the hospital's service areas.
- Reviewing and providing input and advice to UChicago Medicine on its efforts to meet the community's health needs.
- Reviewing and providing input and advice on UChicago Medicine's community benefit initiatives and initiatives to improve access to health care services.
- Advocating on behalf of UChicago Medicine with key constituencies in support of the UChicago Medicine's community benefit initiatives.
- Reviewing and providing advice on issues referred to the CAC by the Dean's Committee on Community Engagement.
- Referring issues to the Dean's Committee on Community Engagement, as appropriate.
- Candace Henley (Council Chair), Chief Surviving Officer, The Blue Hat Foundation
- Shari Runner (Vice Chair), President and CEO, The Humanity Institute
- Rev. Julian DeShazier, Senior Pastor, University Church
- Sherida Morrison, Senior Consultant, Sapientia Consulting Group
- Damon Arnold, MD, Assistant Dean, College of Health Sciences, Chicago State University
- Susan Alitto, President, Hyde Park Village
- Ben Anderson, Senior Account Executive, Astronomer
- Pam Butts, Director, New Eclipse Community Alliance
- Erin Callahan, Director of Communications, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition & Diabetes Leadership Council
- Jeanette Coleman, Director, I Am My Brother's Keeper Unity Day
- Felicia Fuller, Director, Lung Health, American Lung Association
- Bill Gerstein, Senior Advisor, Conlon Public Strategies
- Alex Goldenberg, Executive Director, Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP Chicago)
- Christa Hamilton, CEO and President, UCAN
- Christopher Harris, Senior Pastor/CEO, Bright Star C.O.G.I.C./Bright Star Community Outreach
- Jennifer Herd, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Chicago Department of Public Health
- Jeffrey Hodges, Pastor, King of Glory Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C.
- Delishia Kinney, Founder and CEO, The HELP Consulting Team
- Matthew Klionsky, Retired Physician/Entrepreneur, HealthGnostics
- Amy Laboy, Vice President of Programs and Community Partnerships, Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Diane Latiker, Founder/President, Kids Off The Block
- Amalia NietoGomez, Executive Director, Alliance of the South East (ASE)
- Tyra Owens, Assistant Director of Student Success, North Park University
- Burrell Poe, Director, Chicago Peace Fellows/Goldin Institute
- Sheila Regan, Chief Operating Officer, Acclivus, Inc.
The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial CAC seeks community input on health issues of importance to its primary service area and surrounding communities. The group’s responsibilities includes providing input and advice to Ingalls Memorial leadership regarding priority health and social determinant of health challenges. This council facilitates discussion that influence future decisions regarding community benefit for Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey and Ingalls’ ambulatory locations.
- Audrey Pennington (Council Chair), Chief Operating Officer, Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness
- Linda Brown-Aldridge, Dean of Nursing, South Suburban College
- Kathleen Daly, Executive Director, Cancer Support Center
- Jaclin Davis, Executive Director, Cook County Southland Juvenile Justice Council
- Carmin Frederick-James, Associate Pastor to Youth, Covenant United Church of Christ
- Jennifer Gabrenya, Executive Director, South Suburban Family Shelter
- Michael Giglio, President, Calumet City Plumbing Co. Inc.
- Lyzeth Mondragon, Community Impact Director, American Heart Association
- Troy O'Quin, Vice President of Programs at the Community and Economic Development Authority of Cook County (CEDA)
- Derrick Simmons, Senior Pastor, Daniel Chapel AME Zion Church
- Angelia Smith, Executive Director, Cornerstone Community Development Corporation
- John Thomas, Superintendent of Schools, Harvey Public Schools District 152
- Christopher Torres, Regional Director, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Karen Vrdolyak, Restoration Ministries, Vice President of Development & Admin
For more information on the Ingalls Memorial Community Advisory Council please email, ing-CommunityBenefit@uchicagomedicine.org.