AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR COMMUNITY

Improving Urban Health (continued)Family physicianDionna Brown, MD,recently beganher second yearin the REACHprogram. Sheworks at theChicago FamilyHealth Centerin Pullman.HIGHLIGHTS OF THEURBAN HEALTH INITIATIVESouth Side Healthcare CollaborativeUHI focuses on preventive care by connecting adults andchildren with affordable, experienced doctors in the SouthSide Healthcare Collaborative, a network of more than 30community health centers, two free clinics and five localhospitals. In addition to offering routine medical services,many of the community-based health centers in the networkprovide social support, behavioral health, nutrition, dentaland pharmacy services.The University of Chicago Medical Center has implementedExtension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO),a teaching tool that uses video conferencing to train staff at theseclinics. In 2011, the Medical Center created ECHO programson treating hypertension and attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder as well as managing care for breast cancer survivors.social, cultural and civic resources available in 34 SouthSide communities. By connecting residents with services intheir neighborhoods, the Asset Census Project aims to helpparticipants learn more about services that promote wellnessand find quality health resources close to home.Repayment for Education to Alumniin Community HealthIn 2008, the University of Chicago established Repaymentfor Education to Alumni in Community Health (REACH)to encourage and enable Pritzker School of Medicinegraduates to practice on the South Side. REACH providesup to four years of financial support to help young physiciansrepay medical school debt while also making an impact inthe neighborhood where they received their education. Thedoctors work in Federally Qualified Health Centers or incommunity hospitals in the medical campus’ primary servicearea. Some also conduct research on how to improve healthcare delivery to medically underserved areas.Pipeline Programs for High Schooland College StudentsThe Pritzker School of Medicine inspires and preparestalented high school and college students to pursue careersin medicine and health-related research through fourinnovative “pipeline” initiatives: the Chicago AcademicMedicine Program, Pritzker School of Medicine Experiencein Research, Young Scientists Training Program and TrainingEarly Achievers for Careers in Health. Largely designed toattract minorities who are underrepresented in the medicaland scientific fields, these programs encourage students toaim for high levels of achievement and, eventually, to practicein medically underserved communities.South Side Health and Vitality StudiesTo better understand community health issues, the MedicalCenter and the University of Chicago have partnered withcommunity-based organizations to create the South SideHealth and Vitality Studies. This research focuses on howsocial and environmental factors in the community affecthealth and influence attitudes toward medical services.Information gathered from this project guides UHI in thedevelopment of programs, services and policies.One key study under way is the Asset Census Project, acomprehensive survey mapping all commercial, health care,$1.6MILLIONINVESTEDfor the UrbanHealth Initiative12NEIGHBORHOODSMAPPEDas part of the AssetCensus ProjectFor fiscal year ended June 30, 20112,371PEOPLECONNECTEDto a community orspecialty care clinicthrough UHI50STUDENTSINVOLVEDin pipeline programs6University of Chicago Medicine