Our history at PCC is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare. From our beginnings to today, PCC has grown to serve communities with compassion, innovation and a deep dedication to health equity.
PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) began in 1980 as the Parent Child Center, a small three-room clinic dedicated to prenatal, postpartum and infant care for underserved families in Chicago’s Austin community. Over the years our commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare has driven our growth into a network of 14 health centers, expanding our services to meet the evolving needs of our patients.
In 1992 PCC became an independent 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and by 2002 PCC achieved full Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status, allowing us to broaden our reach. Today we provide comprehensive care across Chicago’s West and Northwest Sides and the near west suburbs, including outpatient services at West Suburban Medical Center. As we look to the future, PCC remains dedicated to expanding equitable healthcare access, innovating community-based wellness initiatives and empowering individuals to lead healthier lives.
PCC opens as the Parent Child Center, a three-room clinic started by West Suburban to offer prenatal, postpartum and infant care to underserved residents in Chicago’s Austin community.
The Parent Child Center is converted to PCC Community Wellness Center, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to comprehensive primary care for all patients, regardless of insurance status.
Within two years of converting PCC served so many patients and demonstrated such a positive effect on their health that it attained status as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
Later that same year PCC began serving as a training site for residents from the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency Program.
PCC began expanding, establishing PCC Austin as it’s second site. It has since grown to 14 locations, many established at the request of community partners such as PCC at The Boulevard and PCC’s school based health center at Steinmetz HS.
PCC partners with Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest to establish the Austin Farm, providing fresh produce through it’s farm stand, community plot and programs such as VeggieRx.
PCC opens it’s newest location, expanding services and establishing the PCC Austin Campus that offers…..
Our story is still being written, and we invite you to be a part of it. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger, and more connected community. Thank you for trusting us with your care.
PCC Community Wellness Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive, accessible, and compassionate healthcare to individuals and families.
Hiren has stepped into the role of Chief Financial Officer at PCC Community Wellness Center, bringing with him over a decade of extensive experience across banking, retail, global manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare.
With a strong commitment to public health, Hiren is ready to tackle the evolving challenges of the healthcare sector head-on. He champions a data-driven decision-making approach, firmly believing that accessible data is crucial for empowering informed decisions at every level of the organization. Together, we will enhance our performance and ensure financial stability and profitability, establishing PCC as a definitive leader in community wellness.
Lorena joins the team with diverse Human Resource experience in hospitality, non-for-profit, medical and most recently in Quick Service Restaurants. She brings experience in developing HR programs, systems, updating processes and teams that effectively support the success of the organization.
Lorena has a passion for HR that stems from helping those around her and being that voice for employees. Aside from her work experience, she earned her Bachelors of Science in Health Studies & Psychology from Chicago State University and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Walden University.
Jerrard Walker, RN, LCSW, CADC, SAP, CAMS-II joined PCC in 2020. He obtained his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University – School of Social Work. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Resurrection University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a Minor in Social Work from Oakland University.
Jerrard completed his social work training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He was one of the architects who established the CCHHS CountyCare program. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and reading.
Sara Hogue, joined PCC in 2015. As PCC’s CQIO, Sara leads initiatives to develop new capacity in quality improvement across the organization. Sara is passionate about public health and committed to developing quality assurance tools that can improve population health.
She has a decade of experience in performance and quality improvement in such areas as research, program evaluation, data analysis, quality assurance, and performance management. Prior to her promotion to CQIO, Sara served as PCC’s Director of Performance Improvement, where she managed the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Patient Centered Medical Home recognition process, expanding PCC’s recognition from four to eight sites of care. Sara also pioneered the organization’s Core Culture Committee, which worked to identify and address inclusivity needs for patients and staff. Sara holds a Master of Social Work from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Xavier University.
Paul Luning, MD, MPH has spent his entire career at PCC. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his medical degree from the University of Chicago – Pritzker School of Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
He joined PCC in 1995 after graduating from West Suburban Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program. He later completed PCC’s Fellowship in Community Medicine. Dr. Luning was promoted to Chief Medical Officer in 2007. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many programs at PCC, such as the Performance Improvement Program and PCC’s clinical program at The Boulevard, a local shelter for homeless individuals recovering from illness. He has received numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Family Physicians and Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, Teacher of the Year from the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency Program (2003, 2007, 2012), and George O’Neill Leadership Award from the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.
Chief Operating Officer, Nilsa Campos, joined PCC in 2019. As COO, Nilsa directs the the day-to-day activities of the organization.
As the Regional Director of Clinical Operations, she managed nine PCC health centers. She was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations, where she implemented strategic operational plans for all PCC health centers. Nilsa has advanced experience with driving growth in facility development and profitability. Prior to PCC, Nilsa worked as a facility administrator at DaVita Harvey Dialysis, and as staff nurse and patient care manager for the pediatric cardiac ICU at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. Nilsa has a Master of Business Administration from Lewis University. She also has a Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chicago State University.
Melissa Chrusfield serves as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at PCC Community Wellness Center.
With a passion for connecting people and fostering meaningful relationships, Melissa oversees all communications strategies and community outreach initiatives. She brings extensive experience in public relations and advocacy, ensuring that PCC’s mission of accessible, high-quality healthcare reaches every corner of the community. Melissa is dedicated to amplifying PCC’s impact through innovative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and active community involvement.
Alyssa joins PCC Community Wellness Center with a robust portfolio in non-profit management and FQHC leadership, previously holding the role of Chief Administrative Officer at Lawndale Christian Health Center.
With over a decade of dedicated service, Alyssa’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements in enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality, which resonate deeply with PCC’s core mission. Educationally, Alyssa is grounded in community-centric development, holding a Master’s Degree in Community and Economic Development from Pennsylvania State University, alongside a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her academic background and ongoing contributions to discussions on healthcare best practices underscore her role as a visionary leader. Alyssa’s strategic approach aims for steady, sustainable growth at PCC. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team, confident in her leadership to guide us toward greater achievements in serving our community.
Dr. Karole Lakota-Treese serves as the Medical Director of Quality Improvement at PCC Community Wellness Center, a role she has held since 2008. In this position, she leads system-wide efforts to enhance care delivery and clinical operations.
A proud member of the PCC team since 2001, she has also served as Site Medical Director and helped launch the organization’s Lead Case Management Program, which reduced childhood lead exposure in the Austin community.
Dr. Lakota earned her medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and completed both the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency and PCC’s Perinatal & Child Health Fellowship. Known for her compassionate, family-centered approach, she is especially dedicated to supporting expectant parents. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her four daughters.
