CHER CHICAGO LAUNCH EVENT – THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018 at 9AM

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) received $6.75 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a specialized Center of Excellence in minority health and health disparities research to build the Center for Health Equity Research Chicago, CHER Chicago.

CHER Chicago, based out of the UI Cancer Center and the UIC School of Public Health,  and in collaboration with The University of Chicago Medicine, investigates how various social structures and determinants contribute to the health of marginalized groups.  CHER Chicago acknowledges that structural violence and its effects on people and communities can only be eliminated through engaging community partners in meaningful ways to transform academic research to real world social change.  RSVP and forward to your networks as space is limited to the first 100.

Principal Investigators: Dr. Robert A. Winn, Dr. Martha Daviglus, and Dr. Jesus Ramirez-Valles.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Steve Meeks, Chief of Health Services of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The Bariatric Surgery Program at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UI Health Bariatric Surgery) is hosting a Walk from Obesity 5K walk/run on Sunday, November 12th through the ASMBS Foundation! See attached flyer for additional information. To register, go to www.walkfromobesity.com

The ASMBS Foundation’s Walk from Obesity is the only national walkathon that brings attention to the disease of obesity by raising awareness in communities all over the country. The Walk from Obesity also provides educational materials regarding obesity and the treatment options available.

All Walk from Obesity events are at a “set your own” pace, and are non-competitive. Participants are encouraged to walk or run as little or as much as they like.

Whether you are an individual struggling with obesity, have successfully treated your obesity, know someone who is struggling, or are interested in supporting the fight against obesity, we welcome you to join us as we Walk from Obesity. To find an event in your area please visit www.WalkfromObesity.com/events

The Walk from Obesity is also a fundraising event to support the ASMBS Foundation’s mission to raise funds for obesity research, education, and access to quality treatment.

For more information, contact:
Jenna Giannetti, RD, CSOWM, LDN
Outpatient Bariatric Dietitian
Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management
(312) 996-6838
[email protected]

Introduction to Health Disparities, Health Literacy and Cultural Competence
UIC Department of Medicine – Office of Health Literacy
Date: Wednesday, October 11th and Thursday, October 12th, 2017
Time: 8:15-11:15am
Place: UIC Ear & Eye Infirmary, Auditorium 1.17, 1855 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL

This October 11th and 12th, Introduction to Health Disparities, Health Literacy and Cultural Competence will be offered to graduate and professional students, clinicians, faculty, and researchers in the health science colleges and professions. These educational sessions will provide the opportunity to 1) learn about issues surrounding health disparities and health equity among socioeconomically diverse communities; 2) introduce health literacy as a means of intervention to improve patient outcomes, and 3) promote strategy and skill building in the area of cultural competence. This course is introductory and is intended for those who have not had previous exposure to or training in these topics.

The course will be taught by Professor Paula Allen-Meares in addition to guest lecturers. The class will offer an interactive format, culminating in a skill building workshop. This course is free and open to any interested participants.

To register for the course, visit: https://uofi.uic.edu/fb/sec/8335480

For more information, contact Brienne Davis Lowry at [email protected]

The mission of Howard Brown Health is to eliminate disparities in healthcare experienced by LGBTQ people through research, education and the provision of services that promote health and wellness. Today our mission is more critical than ever. Despite threats to healthcare access, we continue our aim to empower healthcare professionals in offering high quality care that uplifts and affirms our community.

This year, Howard Brown’s Center for Education, Research and Advocacy will bring together healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, and advocates from across the country to disseminate evidence-based practices and engage in rigorous discussion around our theme “Breaking the Stigma.” Together, we can create a healthcare system that is sensitive to and informed about the needs of LGBTQ people. We are writing because we hope you will help us fulfill our mission by sponsoring this year’s symposium – held at the JW Marriott in Chicago, IL on October 6-7.

The American Cancer Society (ACS), The University Of Illinois Cancer Center, the Big Ten Cancer Conference along with many others, are proud to be partnering Monday, October 2 on the 3^rd Annual #BeAGift Diversity in Clinical Trials Town Hall and Symposium and we would cordially invite you to attend this important conversation.  Historically, minority populations have been underrepresented in clinical trials, and as a result comprehensive responses to medicine based on sex, gender, race and lifestyle remain not well understood.   We hope you’ll consider joining us as we hear from diverse perspectives to call attention to this issue of importance in the public health community.  We will be dividing our event into three sections, to receive perspectives from:

• Medical professionals & health care leaders (current participants include Dr. Robert Winn, Director the UIC Cancer Center, Dr. Karriem Watson of the UIC Cancer Center, Dr. Susan Goodin from the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, along with a representative from Pfizer, Inc.);
• Patients and caregivers (current participants include Alicia Cook from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, TaLana Huges of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of IL, and Star*Cunningham of 4D Healthware);
• Decision makers in the legislative space (current participants include IL State Representative Mary Flowers, among others)

This year’s event will be in a town hall format to foster discussion on increasing participation of diverse patient populations, along with fully exploring the policy landscape related to it.  Please join us for this event on Monday, October 2, 2017 from 9:30am-2:00pm at:

Access Center for Discovery and Learning

5139  S Ashland Ave

Chicago, IL 60609

To RSVP, please visit and register free of charge.  Lunch will be provided:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beagift-diversity-in-clinical-trials-tickets-38006818417

Join us for a very special program with the family members of Henrietta Lacks

Friday, July 7, 2017

11 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

 (Lunch is from 11am – 12pm; talks and panel discussion from 12-2:15pm; and book signing and film screening of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks from 2:15 – 4:15pm)

UI Health Cancer Center invites you to a special community dialog with family members of Henrietta Lacks as they discuss the era of precision medicine, and the relationships between patients and medical researchers. The discussion will include:

• Lacks family members: (Henrietta Lacks’ daughter-in-law, Shirley Lacks; Lacks’ granddaughter, Jeri Lacks Whye and Lacks’ great granddaughter, Veronica Robinson)
• Robert A. Barish, MD, MBA, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Professor of Emergency Medicine
• Robert A. Winn, MD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Community Based Practice; Director, UI Health Cancer Center
• Dara P. Richardson-Heron, MD, Chief Engagement Officer, National Institutes of Health All of Us Research Program
• Karriem S. Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, Director of Community Engaged Research and Implementation Science, UI Health Cancer Center
• Lisa Anderson-Shaw, DrPH, MA, MSN, Director of the Clinical Ethics Consult Service, UI Health
• Ashish Ansal, MD, Family Medicine, Mile Square Health Center, Englewood
• UI Health Patient Brigade Members RoseMarie Rogers and Carol Gyimatey

Admission is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Registration is required.

 https://uihealthcancerctrlacksfamily.eventbrite.com

ChicagoCHEC is proud to be a sponsor of the 11th Annual  ¡Vive Tu Vida! Get Up, Get Moving! health fair organized by the Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition under the leadership of Esther Sciammarella.

This FUN family oriented event will take place on Saturday, June 3rd from 9 am to 2 pm at McKinley Park located at 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago, IL 60609.

ChicagoCHEC will have a booth and will also be actively involved in various health and physical activity demonstrations designed to entertain and educate the fair’s attendees.”

We are also looking for volunteers to help throughout the fair and help facilitate the above mentioned activities.  For more information re: volunteer opportunities, please contact Karina Bautista via email [email protected] or call them at (312) 842-2340. You may also visit their website at: www.ChicagoHispanicHealthCoalition.org

Do you want to be part of Team ChicagoCHEC for this event?  Please contact Elena Navas at [email protected] or via cell (312) 622-5041.

Coming to Chicago, IL is a one-day, FREE conference hosted by Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), in partnership with the UI Health Cancer Center, the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities at Northwestern University (ARCC) and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University:

Facilitating Patient & Stakeholder

Engagement in Research Through Partnerships:

The Cancer Care Continuum

Saturday May 20, 2017

8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

***LOCATION UPDATED***

UIC College of Nursing

Event Center (3rd Floor)

845 S Damen Ave.

Chicago, IL 60612

This event is designed to bring together various stakeholders including:  patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, to learn about and discuss the challenges faced, lessons learned, and benefits of patient-centered cancer care research. Learn more about the event and register Register now. Travel support is available for patient and community attendees. Please email Paige Castro-Reyes at [email protected] for more information.

This event is funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (EAIN-2517).