Alex Chavez

Alex Chavez

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 15:42

Morgan Madison, MD

Dr. Madison earned her medical degree from George Washington University in 2012 and completed residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to medicine, she taught chemistry to high school students for two years in Kenya. Convinced that health care is a human right, Dr. Madison is passionate about the full spectrum of women's health, LGBTQ health, and HIV care. Outside of her medical interests, Dr. Madison enjoys bike riding, traveling, and drinking coffee in various Chicago cafes.

May 9, 2022

 

PCC Community Wellness Center is breaking ground on a new $19.5 million

 Primary Care Pavilion in support of Lightfoot’s Invest South-West Initiative

New expansion to create jobs, enhance COVID-19 services,

and offer care coordination to local residents

 

Chicago, IL -- PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) is breaking ground on a new Primary Care Pavilion estimated at $19.5 million. The new building is a collaboration between the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), PCC, and Alderman Emma Mitts (37th Ward). It will be in support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's Invest South-West Initiative to address the social determinants of health on the greater west side of Chicago. The new pavilion will offer primary care, integrated behavioral health, care coordination and substance use treatment.  The plan includes ways to stimulate economic growth for the Austin community by creating new jobs in specific allied health and administrative professions.

"We are pleased to partner with PCC, the Mayor’s Office, the City of Chicago, and the Cook County Land Bank Authority on this project. It has always been my mission to build a healthy community on the West Side. Bringing a program of this magnitude to the people in this community will restore hope, health, and the economy," said Ald. Emma Mitts. 

“We understand that health is wealth. The PCC Primary Care Pavilion represents our vision for improving the medical care rendered to the communities we serve,” PCC’s Board Chair, Dr. Carolyn Fitzpatrick, said.

Austin is one of many South and West Side communities participating in the Invest South-West Initiative. The new facility will be located in Austin on the south side of Lake Street, between Lotus and Pine, and will span five parcels of land from the CCLBA. The projected buildout will be approximately 36,525 square feet and will offer affordable coordination and team-based care, and reduced-cost plans to Austin residents. Health care services at the proposed campus include primary health care, integrated behavioral health, dental, and specialty services identified as high need in the community.

In collaboration with other Austin community organizations, the clinic will offer wellness programs such as a community garden/urban farm, a lifestyle center with exercise equipment and classes, and workforce development programming. In addition, the facility will expand access to COVID-19 services to Austin residents.

The new building will be WELL-certified, a certification program offered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™). WELL is an integration of scientific and medical research and literature on environmental health, behavioral factors, health outcomes, and demographic risk factors that affect health with leading practices in building design, construction, and management. IWBI invited PCC to pilot its most impactful program and become one of the country's first WELL-certified campuses.

In addition to the Well certification, PCC upholds its longstanding commitment to green buildings by pursuing a dual certification through the Green Globes program, administered by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). WELL buildings support increased productivity, higher engagement, overall occupant happiness, and a substantial reduction in energy use and water consumption.

"At PCC, one of our core values is our commitment to remain patient-focused. This center is our way of providing high-quality culturally sensitive care that is compassionate and driven by the needs of the communities we serve," said Toni Bush, President and CEO of PCC.

The entire project will cost around $19.5 million with more than half of the funding coming from the PCC Foundation. The project is also eligible for the New Markets Tax Credit program, and additional government and private funding.

Supporting partners include 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (8th), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D), Toni Bush, President and CEO, PCC Community Wellness Center, Eleanor Gorski, Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority, and Darlene Dugo, Deputy Director at the Cook County Land Bank Authority.  

“The opening of a new community healthcare center in the Austin community is another example of the continuing use of public resources being used in our communities across the nation to bring healthcare to the people.  Congratulations to PCC for its sterling leadership in healthcare resources to the community.  PCC has been an outstanding entity in the health community for many years and I look forward to the continuation of its great work,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis.

“The Cook County Land Bank Authority is delighted to partner with PCC and the City of Chicago to transform vacant parcels of land into high-quality healthcare facilities for West Side communities. CCLBA enables impactful land development that meets the needs of the surrounding community and we are excited to help PCC care for more patients in Austin,” said Eleanor Gorski, Executive Director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority.

The PCC Primary Care Pavilion will commence with an official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2022, at the PCC Austin Family Health Center, 5425 West Lake Street (Lotus and Lake), at 11 a.m. The event is open to the community.

 

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About PCC Community Wellness Center

PCC Community Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates 14 locations primarily serving the Chicago Westside communities of Austin, Belmont-Cragin, Dunning, East Garfield Park, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Montclare, North Lawndale, Portage Park, West Garfield Park, and West Town and the near west suburbs of Bellwood, Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Oak Park. PCC provides comprehensive primary care services as well as behavioral health and oral health services. In Fiscal Year 2021, PCC served over 47,000 patients providing over 175,00 patient visits. To learn more, visit pccwellness.org/locations.

About Cook County Land Bank Authority

The Cook County Land Bank Authority, an independent agency of Cook County, was founded by the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2013 to address residents and communities hit hard by the mortgage crisis. CCLBA gives local developers, community groups and potential homeowners the tools to transform their own communities from within. The Land Bank acquires properties that have sat tax‐delinquent, abandoned and vacant for years and sells them at below‐market rates to qualified community‐based developers, who then rehab the properties. This approach not only keeps revenue and jobs in the community, but it also helps local developers grow their businesses. Learn more about the Cook County Land Bank Authority at http://www.cookcountylandbank.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 19:11

Men Making Positive Changes

Friday afternoons | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

PCC South Family Health Center

6201 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402

Sessions focus on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based approach to positive change and personal development:

• How we think about ourselves in our world

• What we do to survive and to thrive

• What we expect of ourselves and others

The group is open to any male patient, 18 years or older. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the group is limited to a maximum of seven patients per session. 

To sign up, please ask your PCC medical or behavioral health provider, or call Peter Chapman, LCSW at (773) 295-3060.

 

Friday, 21 May 2021 20:38

Wrenetha Julion

Vice Chairperson;

 Department Chair – Rush University

Friday, 21 August 2020 19:25

Bianca Cervantes, LPC

Bianca Cervantes is a Licensed Professional Counselor at PCC. She received her Master's of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University in 2017. She completed her undergraduate degree at Chicago State University, majoring in Psychology. Bianca completed an internship at the Pediatric Developmental Center at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. She formed part of the Latino Mental Health Program at the center that provided individual therapy to children with Autism and other psychological disorders. Bianca co-facilitated parenting psychoeducation therapy groups and has experience working in a private practice providing therapy to a diverse population of patients. Her professional interests include autism, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time reading, traveling, and spending time with family. 

Wednesday, 29 January 2020 00:32

PCC's 10th Annual Fundraising Gala - POSTPONED

In the abundance of caution, PCC has decided to postpone our 10th Annual Fundraising Gala in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). We believe it is in the best interest of our staff and supporters; your health and safety are our highest priority. To that end, we have chosen to postpone the gala to a future date to be determined.

As always, we appreciate your dedication to PCC. In our efforts to provide high quality and affordable care to an underserved population, all contributions have been invaluable. We look forward to seeing PCC staff, friends, and supporters at our future fundraising gala.

Tuesday, 09 July 2019 17:55

R.I.S.E. Group / ONLINE

Join this confidential patient support group every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

What is it? The group RISE will focus on psychoeducation and skill-building utilizing the four modules of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): 1. Mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. We do mindfulness at the beginning and end of each session. We cover a skill handout and discuss. 

When/Where is it? Tuesdays 1-2pm via Webex 

This group can help you:

  • Increase awareness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
  • Develop skills to manage difficult situations and emotions
  • Feel more confident in your interactions with people

Consider joining if you are 18+ and experience:

  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • Worry
  • Stress
  • Irritability
  • Relationship frustrations

Ready to join? Ask your provider or front desk staff for more info. Or call Bella Pecyna, Behavioral Health Consultant, at 773-378-3347 ext. 4252.

Do you have depression, anxiety, or stress?

Join our group on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. over the phone with Carlos Cantu, Behavioral Health Consultant.

 This group promotes...
  • Mutual support
  • Core mindfullness
  • Interpersonal effectiveness
  • Emotion regulation and distress tolerance

To register, or for more information, please call Carlos Cantu, Behavioral Health Consultant and Leader of this group at (708) 292-8261.

 

¿Tienes depresión, ansiedad, o el estrés?

Únete a nuestro grupo cada miércoles de 7:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. por telefono con Carlos Cantu, Asesor de Salud Mental.

Este grupo promueve...

  • Apoyo mutuo
    La conciencia plena
    Efectividad interpersonal
    Regulación de la emoción y tolerancia a la angustia

Para registrarse, o para obtener más información, llame Carlos Cantu, Asesor de Salud Mental y líder de este grupo al (708) 292-8261.

 

Wednesday, 18 July 2018 19:08

Saturday Yoga - ONLINE

Every Saturday--live and online!

10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

All YogaCare community classes continue weekly on Saturdays--just online! 

Wondering how to join?

Open www.yogacareus.org/classes in a web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet. Scroll down to the Saturday section and click on "Join PCC Yoga Class LIVE!". Enjoy your class! Feel free to send any questions or feedback to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Do you have to be a PCC patient to join?

No! All are welcome to join us for yoga. Friends, family, children, and neighbors, no prior experience with yoga is required. 

PCC Austin Family Health Center (In-person classes are cancelled until further notice due to COVID-19 precautions)
5425 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60644

Reduce stress. Relieve pain. Build strength and balance.

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