In order to improve healthcare access for underserved populations, a Church-Based Health Outreach Project (CHOP) was developed in 2011 by UIC Family Medicine Resident (PGY1) Patricia Chico. The first site for the project is Saint Pius V Church on 19th and Ashland in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, which has a predominately Latinx population.
The health fairs are held free of charge to the community on Sundays after mass, once a month during the academic year. Services provided are: blood pressure checks, cholesterol and glucose testing, and BMI testing. In addition to free testing, information on nutrition, free clinics, and other health-related topics are also provided via handouts, posters, and consultation. The educational table also includes free balloon animals for children and a variety of vegetables to encourage better nutrition. Volunteers usually consist of UIC medical students interested in improving their Spanish and/or in working with underserved populations.
In August, a back to school fair is held with more tables including more services and educational opportunities to cater to a larger group of families ready to begin the academic year.
How To Get More Involved
Health Fairs are usually held on Sundays after mass from about 10-1pm, once a month during the academic year.
If you are interested in having your organization or yourself participate as a volunteer, please contact us indicating your interest and affiliations at [email protected].
Additional Health Outreach Projects
In addition to providing healthcare access to underserved populations, a research project determining the effectiveness of the CHOP will be implemented starting this upcoming academic year by Dr. Figueroa, Dr. Chico, and the Community Service Board.
This program is also being currently developed for other sites, such as Back of the Yards and South Shore, by Dr. Chico.
Special Thanks
To the Office of the UIC Vice President of Health Affairs for providing funding to continue the program.
To the Community Service Board for donating their time and energy to the planning and running of the fairs.
To Dr. Evelyn Figueroa for being the faculty advisor on the project and attending present at health fairs.
To the volunteers, without whom the health fairs would not be possible
2020 COVID-19 Update: Due to the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders set in Illinois and Chicago, this program has been discontinued for the time being, as churches are closed and not doing in-person services. We are currently working out ideas to restart this program in a safe way for everyone during this pandemic. Stay tuned for updates on how to get involved again!
Additional Contacts:
Dr. Olga Garcia
Community Service Chairs:
Crystal Maciel Luis Aponte Cofresi
The health fairs are held free of charge to the community on Sundays after mass, once a month during the academic year. Services provided are: blood pressure checks, cholesterol and glucose testing, and BMI testing. In addition to free testing, information on nutrition, free clinics, and other health-related topics are also provided via handouts, posters, and consultation. The educational table also includes free balloon animals for children and a variety of vegetables to encourage better nutrition. Volunteers usually consist of UIC medical students interested in improving their Spanish and/or in working with underserved populations.
In August, a back to school fair is held with more tables including more services and educational opportunities to cater to a larger group of families ready to begin the academic year.
How To Get More Involved
Health Fairs are usually held on Sundays after mass from about 10-1pm, once a month during the academic year.
If you are interested in having your organization or yourself participate as a volunteer, please contact us indicating your interest and affiliations at [email protected].
Additional Health Outreach Projects
In addition to providing healthcare access to underserved populations, a research project determining the effectiveness of the CHOP will be implemented starting this upcoming academic year by Dr. Figueroa, Dr. Chico, and the Community Service Board.
This program is also being currently developed for other sites, such as Back of the Yards and South Shore, by Dr. Chico.
Special Thanks
To the Office of the UIC Vice President of Health Affairs for providing funding to continue the program.
To the Community Service Board for donating their time and energy to the planning and running of the fairs.
To Dr. Evelyn Figueroa for being the faculty advisor on the project and attending present at health fairs.
To the volunteers, without whom the health fairs would not be possible
2020 COVID-19 Update: Due to the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders set in Illinois and Chicago, this program has been discontinued for the time being, as churches are closed and not doing in-person services. We are currently working out ideas to restart this program in a safe way for everyone during this pandemic. Stay tuned for updates on how to get involved again!
Additional Contacts:
Dr. Olga Garcia
Community Service Chairs:
Crystal Maciel Luis Aponte Cofresi