View this email online

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Vol. 8, Issue 4

The Pulse of UI Health is an e-newsletter that provides news, celebrations and recognitions from across the university's academic health enterprise. To submit content or learn more please email vcha@uic.edu.

As we conclude another momentous year, it is important to pause and reflect upon our accomplishments of 2025. Indeed, it is through the dedication and hard work of each of you who contribute to the mission of our academic health enterprise, that we are able to deliver outstanding training, research and care to our communities locally and beyond. Turning to the New Year, we are eager to continue this shared pursuit of excellent outcomes for our patients, students and neighbors. Wishing you a year of continued health and success.

Robert Barish, MD, MBA 
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs

The ceremonial signing of the new agreement between UIC and Cook County Health. Signatories seated from left are Dr. Daniel McCormick, Cook County Health (CCH) executive chief clinical officer; Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda, UIC chancellor; and Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, CEO of UI Hospital & Clinics and executive dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine (UI COM). Standing behind from left are Dr. Steven Aks, CCH chief academic affairs officer; Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board president; Dr. Heather Prendergast, UI COM associate dean for clinical affairs; and Dr. Robert Barish, UIC vice chancellor for health affairs. (Photo: DMS Photography)

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, community stakeholders joined with leadership of UI Health, the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Cook County Health to formally launch the expanded partnership with a celebration and ceremonial agreement signing. The event was led by Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, who has been a driving force for expanding health and wellness for Chicago communities. Participating in the ceremonial agreement signing were Dr. Daniel McCormick, CCH executive chief clinical officer; Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda, UIC chancellor; and Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, CEO of the UI Hospital & Clinics and executive dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

“This transformational partnership between Cook County Health and UI Health is still just the beginning,” said Dr. Robert Barish, UIC vice chancellor for health affairs. “By continuing to architect dedicated frameworks for visioning and strategy implementation, Cook County Health and UI Health are committed to the future of health care in Chicago and beyond.” The partnership received coverage in the Chicago Tribune, Beckers Hospital Review and Crains Chicago Business.

In 2021, the UI Hospital & Clinics and Cook County Health launched the Partnership for Pediatric Care, a clinical affiliation for combining expertise and sharing resources to provide specialty pediatric services to children throughout Chicago and Illinois. Now, this partnership is being expanded to provide high-quality, accessible care to all people in the Chicago metropolitan area, regardless of income or insurance status.

Read More and See Photos from the Celebration

The intersection of Taylor Street and Wood Street, which will undergo traffic calming construction starting in 2026. (Photo: Christopher Zell/UIC)

UIC will soon be initiating traffic improvement projects near the intersection of Taylor Street and Wood Street in order to increase pedestrian safety on the health enterprise campus. These projects will calm the flow of traffic across west campus and provide a safer environment for patients, staff and students alike.

The full scope of the phased projects integrates both structured parking and traffic calming improvements, including upgrades at the intersection near the UI Hospital, the Outpatient Care Center and the Specialty Care Building, to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Additionally, this activity will also address the immediate need for additional campus parking and help ensure that UIC’s West Campus infrastructure is well-positioned for the future. Project updates will be shared on campus platforms and completion is expected in summer 2026.

Read More about the Traffic Calming Project

Dr. Mary Pasquinelli, Dr. Kevin Kovitz and Dr. Frank Weinberg in their lab. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine/UIC)

AI is being used by UIC researchers to improve early detection of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The Sybil Implementation Consortium, of which UI Health is a member, has received a $3 million grant from AstraZeneca to bring more representation to the Sybil AI model, used to predict an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. To date, the model has been tested in mostly white populations, but UIC researchers have demonstrated that Sybil works equally well in racially and socioeconomically diverse populations who often have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.  

A second research team has discovered a unique use of lidocaine in the treatment of cancer, as well as a technology for improving detection of cancer cells in the blood stream. The team, led by Dr. Gina Votta-Velis, professor of anesthesiology in the College of Medicine, reports that the common pain relief drug lidocaine can affect pancreatic cancer cells released into the bloodstream during surgery, reducing their potential for metastasis. In conjunction, Dr. Votta-Velis has teamed with Ian Papautsky, the Richard and Loan Hill Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering. Dr. Papautsky has leveraged his expertise in microfluidics to develop a tiny chip-sized device that separates circulating tumor cells from a blood sample with 93% accuracy, capturing eight times as many cancer cells as currently available technology.

S.T.A.R. Clinic peer patient advocates with Dr. Paige Reilly, professor of pediatric hematology-oncology. (Photo Jack Martin/UI Health)

Sickle cell disease was once thought of as a childhood disease, with few individuals surviving. Today, essentially everyone with the disease survives. However, the transition from childhood to adulthood remains complex and challenging. It is a period when the burden of the disease becomes more manifest, and also a period when people may lose safety nets and supports. 

UI Health’s Sickle Cell Transition Adolescent-Adult Readiness (S.T.A.R.) Clinic was conceived to address this situation. The only program of its kind in Chicago, the S.T.A.R. team educates young patients about their disease, helps facilitate the transition to adulthood, and empowers them to take charge of their care.

UI Health staff supporting the partnership: Ashwin Siddaraju, Rani Morrison Williams, Minerva Esparza, Kelly Anne Smith and Francesca Davis. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine/UIC)

WINGS is the largest Illinois agency addressing domestic violence, and UI Health has become the first Chicago health system to partner with their WINGS Hospital Program. The aim of the program is to end domestic violence for the people served by UI Health.

Services provided through the program include bedside crisis intervention, medical advocacy for people experiencing domestic violence, and training for hospital and clinic staff on how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse. Since its launch in January this year, the program has referred more than 60 patients, both men and women, to WINGS for assistance.

Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish (center) alongside other partner hospital leaders such as Dr. Ngozi Ezike, President and CEO of Sinai Chicago (left) participating in a panel discussion moderated by WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons (right) focusing on the success of West Side United. (Photo: Michael Wesbecher)

Dr. Robert Barish, UIC vice chancellor for health affairs, was a panelist for West Side United: Advancing Health Equity in Chicago, an event hosted by the City Club of Chicago. The discussion focused on the partnership between West Side United, UI Health and other area hospitals to reduce heath disparities in Chicago's west side communities, especially the 20-year life expectancy gap. In addition to healthcare, this coalition has invested in local workforce, businesses and community projects.

Dr. Barish emphasized how the healthcare providers allied with West Side United with the intent of putting community health and community development front and center. He also discussed UI Health’s commitment to research that reflects the communities and populations served by the West Side United partnership. “At the University of Illinois Chicago, about 80% of our clinical trials involve populations that have typically been underrepresented in clinical trials. Some of the Big 10 institutions have five, eight or twelve percent. Almost nobody has 80%,” he said. “So that’s another major investment we are making for our communities.”

Family medicine residents working with standardized patients on the Rockford campus to learn street medicine. (Photo: College of Medicine Rockford)

University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford has launched a project to train family medicine residents to deliver care to unhoused and underserved populations in non-traditional settings. A $2.5 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration is funding the Primary Care Training and Enhancement-Residency Training in Street Medicine Project over five years. During that period, the project aims to train 34 family medicine residents per year in comprehensive street medicine. The project also includes partnerships with community-based and faith-based groups, as well as medical-legal collaborations, to address the complex needs of homeless populations.

UIC professors of disability and human development, Dr. Susan Magasi, Dr. Joy Hammel, Dr. Delphine Labbé and Dr. Yochai Eisenberg. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine/UIC and Martin Hernandez/UIC)

Dr. Susan Magasi and Dr. Joy Hammel, professors at the UIC College of Applied Health Sciences, are launching a new center for community-engaged research in support of people with long-term disabilities. A five-year, $4.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research is funding the ENGAGED: Disability Community Engaged Medical Rehabilitation Research Resource Center. The center will be a hub for community-engaged training, outreach and investigation into the social, economic, environmental and policy factors that affect the health of people with long-term disabilities. Researchers in the center, some of whom identify as disabled, will not only conduct independent research, but will also create resources and initiatives to support other medical rehab researchers in the integration of community-engaged research practices into their work.

Dr. Delphine Labbé and Dr. Yochai Eisenberg have received a three-year, $750,000 grant from National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research to develop tools and resources for urban planners and ADA coordinators aimed at increasing the involvement of people with disabilities in city planning and advisory committees. The goal is for cities to more effectively incorporate input from people with disabilities in city planning, and the researchers hope their materials will be used by people across the country to spur creation of more accessible cities.

Swimmers get ready for the start of the historic Chicago River Swim, Sept. 21, 2025. (Photo: Martin Hernandez/UIC)

Chicago history was made in September of this year with the return of the Chicago River Swim, after a 98-year hiatus. This was largely due to the water testing performed by Dr. Abhilasha Shrestha, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health sciences and her students, who were key in determining water safety for the swim. Dr. Shrestha and her team were selected for this important role because of their successful 10-year collaboration with the city in testing water safety at Chicago's beaches.

Brasillinois collaborators Dr. Anne George and Dr. Roberta Okamoto.

A research project of Dr. Anne George, professor of oral biology at the College of Dentistry, has been selected as one of 13 projects to receive funding from the Brasillinois Collaborative Research Grant program, an initiative that seeks to create a new model for collaboration between U.S. higher education and the Global South. Dr. George will be working with Dr. Roberta Okamoto, UNESP (São Paulo State University) Araçatuba, to develop innovative biomaterial strategies that will benefit patients with compromised bone health.

A myeloid-derived suppressor cell (pink) dotted with nanopacks (white) filled with an anti-inflammatory drug. (Photo: Science Advances) 

Dr. Zongmin Zhao, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the Retzky College of Pharmacy, and PhD student Luyu Zhang, have developed a novel approach to reducing the progression of multiple sclerosis. Current therapeutics often involve delivering anti-inflammatory drugs to the central nervous system through the brain, but the blood-brain barrier can block many drugs from entering the brain at all.   

This new technology involves attaching ‘nanopacks’ of the anti-inflammatory drug rapamycin to myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). The nanopacks boost the activity of the MDSCs, enhancing their ability to find and suppress inflammation in the central nervous system, a key factor in multiple sclerosis. In the lab, the technology reduced progression of the disease and improved motor function. The nanopacks may also be used in the treatment of heart disease or arthritis.

The Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center Salsa Ensemble performing live in the Odehmenan Health Equity Center. (Photo: UIC Creative and Digital Services)

Guests from across the University and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods joined in an evening of learning and dancing during the Odehmenan Health Equity Center’s December 5 Signature Community Event Flourishing through Movement Liberation: Salsa Night at the Odeh Center.

The evening began with an introduction by Ricardo Jiménez, Director of Public Health Initiatives at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, followed by a lecture-performance on the history of salsa led by Omar Torres-Kortright, Executive Director of the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center and Joaquín García II, Musical Director of the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center Salsa Ensemble.

Following the lecture, the evening included an opportunity for guests to connect over a warm meal of Latin street food from Omarcitos. The evening then transitioned into a salsa dancing tutorial led by Rebecca Medina of Latin Rhythms Academy of Dance & Performance. With a few basic steps under their belts, everyone was then invited to an open dance with a live eight-member salsa ensemble.

UIC partners that helped make this event possible were the University Library and the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy.

Read More about Salsa Night

See Photos from Salsa Night

At the launch event, a panel discussion included people with disabilities sharing their perspectives.

The Lifespan Disability Clinic (LDC), located in the UI Health 55th & Pulaski Health Collaborative, recently hosted an Open House to showcase the innovative approach to care, which centers the experiences of people with disabilities. The event also formally launched the new Advancing Disability-Inclusive Healthcare website, which offers curriculum to train healthcare professionals in providing individualized care to people with disabilities across the lifespan. Visit the Advancing Disability-Inclusive Healthcare website

UIC researcher Meenesh Singh and postdoctoral researcher Rohit Chauhan work in a lab. (Photo: Jenny Fontaine/UIC)

The University of Illinois Chicago amassed $490.7 million in research funding during fiscal year 2025, which ran from July 2024 to June 2025. The total is a 27% increase since fiscal year 2019. Awards from federal, state, industry and private sources sponsored 3,440 projects on research in health care, transportation, telerobotic surgery, education, climate science and other areas.

Working at the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest particle accelerator, researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago recently observed the first quark-gluon plasma made with oxygen ions, the lightest particles ever used to make it.

Dean Collins appearing on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.

With the U.S. Department of Education’s recent proposal to exclude nursing from the definition of “professional degree” programs, Dean Eileen Collins has been called on by multiple news outlets to discuss the negative impact this would have on nursing students and nursing programs, as well as the implications for the sustainable provision of healthcare nationwide. View Dean Colins’ Media Appearances

Scott Jones, MHA, FACHE and Enrico Benedetti, MD, FACS

Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, G. Stephen Irwin Executive Dean at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and the chief executive officer of the University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics, has been appointed vice chancellor of human health sciences at University of California Davis where he will oversee UC Davis Health. Scott Jones, MHA, FACHE, will serve as interim chief executive officer of the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, and Enrico Benedetti, MD, FACS, will serve as interim G. Stephen Irwin Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

UIC Chancellor Dr. Maria Lynn Miranda was honored by Chicago United with a 2025 Bridge Award, which recognizes excellence in inclusive business practices.

Rani Morrison Williams, MS, MSW, FACHE, chief diversity & community health equity officer at the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, was chosen as one of Chicago United’s 2025 Business Leaders of Chicago.

The following health sciences faculty were named by Crains Chicago Business as Notable Leaders in Health Care Technology 2025:

Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, professor of family and community medicine and director of community engagement at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, has been honored with the 2025 Dr. Tai R. Shin and Mrs. You H. Shin Humanitarian Award. Dr. Figueroa was also featured in recent New York Times coverage of the economic divide in America, based on her experience as founder of the Pilsen Food Pantry.

Dr. Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram, department head and professor of microbiology and immunology, assistant dean for research, and Michael L. and Susan M. Glasser Professor of Rural Health Professions Education and Research at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, was named by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition as one of their 12 Researchers to Know for 2025.

Dr. Robin Mermelstein, clinical professor of community health sciences in the UIC School of Public Health, assistant dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and co-principal director of the UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science, has been awarded a 2025 annual Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease.

Dr. Bhrandon Harris, MD, associate chief medical information officer at the University of Illinois Hospital 7 Clinics, was a speaker Becker’s 10th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference, notes from which were shared in the article From idea to implementation: How health systems can effectively pilot new technologies.

Dr. Creasie Finney Hairston, dean of the Jane Addams College of Social Work, was honored by Habilitative Health Systems, Inc. at their 5th annual Race and Health Equity Awards event.

Dr. Mary Pasquinelli, director of the Lung Screening Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and co-director of the Lung Screening & Prevention for the Oncology Service Line, has received a GO2 Excellence Award in Advancing Early Detection.

Dr. Bradley Merrill, professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, was awarded the 2025 iBIO iCON Innovator Award for advancing CRISPR-based synthetic biology and stem cell engineering.

Dr. Budi Kusnoto, program director, clinic director and professor in the department of orthodontics at the College of Dentistry, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Academic Achievement 2025 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Indonesia.

Deborah Lauseng, Associate Professor and Regional Head Librarian at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, was honored with the 2025 Starfish Thrower Award by the Health Science Librarians of Illinois.

During this year's Healthcare Simulation Week, the College of Nursing unveiled their new obstetric maternal and birthing manikin. Nursing students participated in a simulated delivery of a baby then celebrated with a baby shower. Both the College of Nursing's simulation lab and the College of Medicine’s Simulation and Integrative Learning Institute received media coverage in Fox 32 Chicago’s This Chicago classroom looks like a hospital and the Crains Chicago Business article Inside the UIC medical simulation preparing students for health care realities.

The new obstetric maternal and birthing manikin in the M. Christine Schwartz Experiential Learning & Simulation Laboratory, College of Nursing.

January 14 - 2026 Winter CME Series (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

January 15 – SparkTalks on West Campus (Office of the Chancellor)

January 16 – Illinois Cancer Health Research (I-CHER) Center 4th Annual Research Symposium (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

January 21 – AI.Health4All January Seminar: Ran Balicer, MPH, PhD, Clalit Health Services (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

January 21 – Distinguished Lecture Series: Expanding Precision Oncology (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

January 23 – Adverse Experience Assessment in Clinical Trials (Center for Clinical and Translational Science)  

January 27 – Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series: Jennifer Elisseeff, PhD (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

January 28 – Master Class: Financial Management Post-Award (Center for Clinical and Translational Science)

January 30 – Albert Ebert Lecture with Dr. Rina Shah, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy Modernization and Growth, Walgreens (Retzky College of Pharmacy)

February 18 – AI.Health4All Seminar: Nicholas Evans, PhD, University of Massachusetts Lowell (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

The University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics is running a new advertising campaign that showcases the compassion we show our patients and our commitment to support them at every step of their care journey. The broadcast spot was the creative anchor for the campaign, which included out-of-home, print and digital advertising.

View the Broadcast Spot

Fiscal year 2025 saw a total of 1,540,984 patient visits across the entire academic health enterprise, comprised of the University of Illinois Hospital & Clinics, the Mile Square Health Center health clinics, and faculty-managed clinics in the Colleges of Applied Health Sciences and Dentistry.

Since its launch approximately one year ago, the Mobile Health & Wellness Services RV, part of the ENRICH program at the UIC College of Nursing, has traveled 5,875 miles and served over 350 individuals throughout Peoria community locations. 

Although the majority of postdocs at UIC are in biomedical fields, we have postdocs appointed in many STEM, humanities, liberal arts, and social science fields. UIC fosters a welcoming community of postdocs and a robust professional development training program that benefits all postdocs regardless of field of study or future career choice. 

UIC Office of The Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System

914 South Wood Street, MCA (MC 973)
Phone: (312) 355-5473 | Email: VCHA@uic.edu

VCHA.UIC.EDU