The Setting

Montrose Beach: land of volleyball, off-leash dogs, and a small mound that, by Chicago standards, qualifies as a mountain. It’s also home to the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, a 15-acre reserve that welcomes more than 300 avian species a year. A particularly diverse notch is nicknamed the Magic Hedge, which sounds like the title of an as-yet-unproduced Pixar film.

Next to the sanctuary are the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area, which include a rare type of wetland habitat, called a panne, found only in the Great Lakes region. In 2001, the Chicago Park District stopped clearing these dunes for recreation, and native plants, insects, and birds (killed off by European settlers) returned to the Cook County shoreline.

The Key Players

• Monty and Rose One of roughly 70 pairs of Great Lakes piping plovers left on the planet. The planet! Just shy of two years ago, they nested at Montrose Beach — the first piping plovers to nest in Chicago since 1955. Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait.

• Chicago Park District The agency that runs the city’s recreational spaces, including parks (obviously), pools, field houses, two botanical conservatories, Lincoln Park Zoo, and, yes, Montrose Beach. They also employed the cast of The Real World: Chicago back in 2001.

• Conservationists You know, the die-hard environmentalists every first grader thinks they’ll grow up to be. This includes Leslie Borns, longtime nature enthusiast and birdwatcher.

The Predicament

Monty and Rose have nested (and raised chicks!) at Montrose Beach for two summers now. Given how endangered plovers are, this is a huge deal to naturalists. So huge that their presence (in part) prompted the cancellation of the music festival Mamby on the Beach in 2019. (Crazy how North Siders became ornithology advocates just as a two-day concert moved to their patch of lakefront, right?) And the 2020 beach closures meant Monty and Rose could really live it up, human-free.

But in normal times, their foraging area is a popular spot for volleyball, merrymaking, etc. Birders worry increased human presence will keep Monty and Rose away or, worse, pose a threat to their oh-so-­precious chicks.

The Proposal

Add an acre of foraging beach onto the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area. This year, conservationists hope to formalize the habitat — ideally encouraging more plovers to nest at Montrose in the years to come. Last summer, Borns submitted a proposal to expand the dunes, which wouldn’t ban people from the area, just from playing sports there.

Park officials maintain they’re reviewing the expansion request and are “fully committed to protecting the plovers.” And it’s true, the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area was expanded in 2011 and 2015 — there’s a chance the park district will be like, “Hey, birds, enough’s enough, enjoy your generous acreage.” There’s no timeline for when a decision will be made.

The Stakes

Once upon a time, 500 to 800 pairs of plovers nested on Great Lakes shores. Then we started hunting them for their feathers — for hats — and destroyed natural habitats to make recreational beach space. By the ’80s, there were only around 13 pairs of Great Lakes plovers left total. Not only are Monty and Rose precious little creatures, but they’re powerful, too, as they’ve got the Endangered Species Act on their side.

Oh, and another thing: Lake Michigan water levels are rising. That’s bad news for the park district and the plovers alike, as recreational and nesting space are both limited. Is the city willing to give up an acre of its dwindling volleyball beach for two birds who can’t even vote? Birdwatchers will be watching.

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Big Ten officials announced Tuesday that the conference is moving next month’s men’s basketball tournament from the United Center in Chicago to Indianapolis.

The tournament will be played March 10-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium, site of this year’s Final Four. The Big Ten women’s tournament was already scheduled to take place the same week at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and WNBA’s Indiana Fever. The venues are just a few blocks apart.

League officials say the decision was made because of health and safety concerns, the ability to enact consistent medical protocols for both tournaments, and the centralized accommodations in a city that already is planning to host most of the 67 NCAA men’s tournament games in March and April.

Indianapolis also was the site of last year’s Big Ten Tournament, which was canceled before the second day of games began because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league still plans to hold the 2023 tournament in Chicago.

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When considering hospitality groups in Chicago, One-Off Hospitality may be one of the most revered, celebrated, and decorated outfits in the city, perhaps the entire country. With nine James Beard awards and other highly-regarded awards under their belt, One-Off has a reputation of delivering beloved restaurants. And now, one of their most popular establishments, avec, is expanding to a second location just in time for Valentine’s Day 2021.

Come Friday, February 12th, avec River North will open its doors at 141 W. Erie Street, the former home to Pacific Standard Time. It will open with limited indoor dining in accordance with the city’s health and safety guidelines and have carryout and delivery capabilities. The West Loop and new River North locations will each have their own separate culinary experience that matches the brand’s unique rustic Mediterranean cuisine and European-style atmosphere. However, anyone who is familiar with the 141 W Erie location knows that the space is much larger than the intimate, quaint, quiet space that avec West Loop is known for, leaving much to wonder at how the two will tap into that same familiar ambiance.

A little about both the original location and plans for the new location can be viewed below:

avec West Loop

Fans of the original avec have news to celebrate as well. avec West Loop will continue its robust carryout and delivery program. Under the direction of Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Dylan Patel—a homegrown avec chef who worked his way up through the kitchen, being named Chef de Cuisine in February 2020—the menu features rustic style cuisine with a lean towards North African, Middle Eastern and Southwestern European influences.

In addition to the downstairs takeout operation with avec classics, the upstairs (previously used as the private dining space) is open for limited indoor dining offering avec rotisserie. This new extension of avec has yielded much excitement from customers over the last 10 months for its Middle Eastern flavors via delivery and carryout, setting up an exciting opportunity to translate this experience to in-restaurant dining. Seven nights a week, guests can enjoy delicious proteins such as rotisserie chicken, piri piri chicken wings and sumac glazed lamb shoulder, grilled prawns and Moroccan squid stew, vegetarian dishes like cauliflower shawarma and mezze options galore.

Wine lists at both locations will be curated by Partner and Wine Steward, Eduard Seitan. The expansive, moderately priced wine lists will continue to focus on the Mediterranean region’s hearty peasant wines from small producers in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, always served in stemless glasses to keep a casual air.

Reservations for avec River North can be made via TOCK here. River North hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m for dine-in and takeout.

avec West Loop reservations will offer dine-in reservations via TOCK for avec rotisserie nightly from 4 to 9 p.m. with takeout and delivery options available seven days a week between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

avec River North

Under the culinary direction of Paul Kahan, award-winning chef and cookbook author, and Perry Hendrix, an 8-year avec veteran, avec River North will focus on a wider breadth of culinary inspiration. Featuring the flavors, aromas and cuisine of the sun-drenched islands of the Mediterranean from Greece to Spain, the menu offers avec favorites—including the infamous chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates, the “deluxe” focaccia and the slow-roasted pork shoulder—as well as an expanded menu of additional pizza, pasta and fish options.

Highlights from the new River North menu include new small plates, such as the sea scallop crudo with meyer lemon, caper and couscous and hearth baked merluza filet with calamari, tomato, fideo pasta and aioli. Pasta highlights include a rigatoni pasta with braised lamb neck ragu, olives and fennel pollen, and pizza such as the smoked lake fish pizza with garlic cream, marinated kale and charred lemon.

“We’ve always wanted to offer more from avec than what our kitchen at Randolph Street would allow,” says Kahan, executive chef of One Off Hospitality. “Under the leadership of Perry Hendrix over the years, the menu at West Loop has come to highlight flavors that lend to Middle Eastern and southwestern European influence. There are so many great ideas on this new menu and the new location allows us to incorporate more.”

The River North restaurant provides an added benefit for the current climate: the expansive, open floor plan dining room has more space for more guests to enjoy the avec experience while maintaining rigorous safety standards—an essential element to creating a comfortable dining experience today. A larger kitchen allows for the expanded menu, allowing the team to provide a wider range of experiences and service more guests.

Guests can expect the same exceptional service and hospitality that have become hallmarks over the last 17 years at avec: an unpretentious warmth and deep culinary and wine knowledge across the team that will be maintained at the West Loop while expanded to River North.

“In the months before the pandemic hit, we were actively exploring opportunities to expand the avec brand—we found there an opportunity in River North and a calling for a restaurant like avec among professionals and residents alike,” remarks Karen Browne, CEO at One Off Hospitality. “Like we invested in the West Loop 17 years ago, we will continue to invest in our River North neighborhood, maintaining real relationships with our neighbors, nearby businesses and the friends we serve for years to come.”

“We see this as an opportunity to bring more avec to Chicagoans. We are adding to, not subtracting from, our beloved 17-year-old brand with a lot more to give,” says One Off Hospitality Partner, Donnie Madia. “This is another chapter in the long story of avec.”

About One-Off Hospitality

One Off Hospitality is the Chicago based collective responsible for managing and operating an array of outstanding dining and bar concepts including avec – West Loop & River North, The Violet Hour, The Publican, Big Star – Wicker Park & Wrigleyville, Publican Quality Meats, Publican Quality Bread and Dove’s Luncheonette. Driven by a team of the nation’s leading industry innovators (Executive Chef Paul Kahan, Partner Donnie Madia, Partner Terry Alexander, Partner Eduard Seitan, Partner Peter Garfield, and Partner Rick Diarmit (1959-2018), One Off holds true to the ethos that every project is unique, and operated in a spirit of complete and utter creativity. It suggests that each venture might be the last, which is why every individual concept is handled with the utmost attention to detail and character. For over 23 years, One Off has led the dining progression in many of Chicago’s most beloved neighborhoods, going on to garner an impressive portfolio of prestigious industry accolades for everything from fine dining to fast casual, and interior design to inventive beverage programs. Collectively the group has earned nine James Beard Foundation Awards of Excellence, received stars from Michelin Guide, and mentored talents to earn top honors such as Food & Wine Best New Chef, StarChefs Rising Stars and more.

For more information, please visit http://www.oneoffhospitality.com.

Featured Image Credit via avec

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Chicago Cubs: 3 free agents who could still give the team a boost by Mike Ogulnick

The Chicago Bulls will now be without one of their most important players, Lauri Markkanen, for up to a month.

The team announced Monday that Markkanen was diagnosed with a shoulder sprain and will miss between 2-4 weeks. Without Markkanen, the Bulls will have to look elsewhere for some scoring and rebounding help.

To this point, Markkanen is second on the Bulls in scoring at 19.1 points per game. He’s also averaging 6.1 rebounds and shooting 39.6 percent from beyond the arc. One of the biggest conversations around Markkanen, this year, has been whether or not the Bulls should pay up for his future.

If Chicago doesn’t plan on paying Markkanen, the other option at this point is to trade him to a contender. Markkanen could very well be a missing piece for several contending teams looking to make a championship run.

But, at this stage, it’s going to be tough to trade him.

That’s not the end of the world, though, if the Bulls are thinking about selling at the trade deadline. They have another forward, arguably playing even better all-around basketball than Markkanen, who they could choose to trade.

More from Da Windy City

• Chicago Cubs: 3 free agents who could still give the team a boost
• Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Carson Wentz trade changes things
• Super Bowl LV: Point of attack shows a lot for Chicago Bears
• Super Bowl LV: Chicago Bears should learn from Tampa Bay
• Chicago Bears: These Carson Wentz trades make the most sense

With Markkanen out of the lineup for a while now, it will be Thaddeus Young who steps in and plays quite a bit more. Fortunately for the Bulls, he’s been playing extremely well.

A contending team may even be better off trading for Young over Markkanen, especially considering the latter has played much better on defense and can offer some facilitating. This season, Young is averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 25.5 minutes per game.

He’s been the teams’ second-best overall player this season, all things considered. Sure, he hasn’t scored as much as Markkanen. But, he’s been a better two-way player, and it’s not close.

This is a veteran in his 15th season who is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Being able to play and guard multiple positions will help a contending team in a big way. Now that Markkanen is out, Young is going to be showcased for a trade even further.

At 9-14, the Bulls shouldn’t necessarily give up on the season. However, making a deal to try and make the playoffs simply isn’t in the cards. Looking ahead to their future is the better option. Finding a trade partner for Young could net the Bulls a first-round pick, and then going into the coming offseason, they’ll have some extra cash to go along with that additional draft capital.

Young has been such a standout this season. Fans have enjoyed watching what he brings to this Bulls team. He’s completely bought into Billy Donovan and the system in place, unlike last year when he (and just about everybody else) clashed with Jim Boylen.

Must Read

Bulls must consider these trades with Celtics

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Markkanen’s injury is a bummer, but seeing Young play even more in hopes that it sweetens a trade is the silver lining, here.

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Hospitals are located in Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Subspecialties

• Maternal & Fetal Medicine
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
• Urogynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

Maternal & Fetal Medicine

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Catalin Buhimschi

High-risk pregnancy. UI Health. 312-413-3890

Patricia M. Garcia

AIDS/HIV in pregnancy. Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7542

Jean Ricci Goodman

Diabetes in pregnancy; high-risk pregnancy; prenatal diagnosis; prenatal ultrasound. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

William A. Grobman

High-risk pregnancy. Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7542

Michael J. Hussey

High-risk pregnancy; multiple gestation; prenatal diagnosis. Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-933-6091

Scott N. MacGregor

Fetal diagnosis and therapy; high-risk pregnancy; prematurity prevention. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-570-2860

Sarosh Rana

High-risk pregnancy; hypertension in pregnancy. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Barrett Kelley Robinson

Lupus and SLE in pregnancy; prenatal diagnosis; prenatal ultrasound; ultrasound. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-570-2860

Richard K. Silver

Fetal diagnosis and therapy; high-risk pregnancy. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-570-2860

Michael L. Socol

Diabetes in pregnancy; multiple gestation; premature labor. Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7542

Howard T. Strassner

High-risk pregnancy; obstetric ultrasound; preconception counseling; prenatal medicine. Rush. 312-997-2229

Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Jaafar Afshar

Gynecology only. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Timothy C. Albion

Laparoscopic surgery; menopause problems; pregnancy; women’s health. Northwest Community, Arlington Heights. 847-221-4900

Christine L. Anderson

Cancer screening and ovarian cysts; contraception to menopause care; endometriosis; uterine fibroids. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-423-2300

Julie Barton

Northwestern Memorial. 312-943-3300

Anita K. Blanchard

Urogynecology. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Patricia M. Boatwright

Endometriosis; pelvic tumors. Weiss Memorial. 312-738-0055

Nadine Bolger

Northwestern Memorial. 312-943-3300

Michael A. Brusca

Palos, Palos Heights. 708-873-7775

Caroline A.M. Casey

Women’s health. Elmhurst. 630-832-4210

Monica Christmas

Gynecologic and minimally invasive surgery; menstrual disorders; uterine fibroids. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

David J. Crandall

Menopause problems; pregnancy; sexually transmitted diseases; women’s health. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-382-7330

Ellen Embry

Pregnancy; women’s health. Rush Copley, Aurora. 630-978-6886

Elyse P. Erlich

Infertility; preventive medicine; women’s health. Northwest Community, Arlington Heights. 847-221-4900

Mary S. Farhi

Gynecology only; menopause problems; women’s health. Rush. 312-942-8120

Michael T. Feingold

Edward, Naperville. 630-428-1500

Meghan M. Flannery

Pregnancy; women’s health. Edward, Naperville. 630-717-9977

Arin E. Ford

Menstrual disorders; pregnancy; women’s health. Rush Copley, Aurora. 630-978-6886

Martin R. Gallo

Minimally invasive surgery; menopause problems; pregnancy. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-435-6107

Gail S. Gerber

High-risk pregnancy; infertility; Pap smear abnormalities. Amita Health St. Alexius, Hoffman Estates. 855-692-6482

Scott Graziano

Gynecologic surgery; laparoscopic hysterectomy; menopause problems; minimally invasive surgery. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Yesim F. Gulecyuz

Adolescent gynecology. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-423-2300

Parul Gupta

Northwestern Memorial. 312-943-3300

Sadia Haider

UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Catherine Harth

Menopause problems; Pap smear abnormalities. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Heather B. Heiberger

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-234-3250

John Hobbs

OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary, Evergreen Park. 708-499-4100

Jill K. Holden

Gynecologic surgery; infertility; menopause problems; minimally invasive surgery. Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-234-3250

Teresa Hubka

Colposcopy; hormonal disorders; women’s health. Amita Health Resurrection. 855-692-6482

Tracy Irwin

NorthShore Swedish. 312-666-3494

James D. Jenks

Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-968-2144

Peter J. Johnson

Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Emily S. Jungheim

Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Elena M. Kamel

Menopause problems; osteoporosis; preconception planning; women’s health. Northwestern Memorial. 312-440-3810

Linda S. Katz

Adolescent gynecology; menopause problems; preconception planning; women’s health. Northwestern Memorial. 312-440-3810

Gloria E. Kim

Menstrual disorders; minimally invasive surgery; pregnancy; women’s health. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-968-2144

Ann M. LaBarge

Gynecologic surgery; menopause problems; robotic hysterectomy; women’s health. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-825-8108

Anita Levin

Gynecologic surgery; high-risk pregnancy; women’s health. Northwestern Memorial. 312-440-3810

Elliot M. Levine

Gynecology only; sexual dysfunction; sexually transmitted diseases; vaginal and vulvar disorders. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-362-7565

Julie M. Levitt

Adolescent gynecology; menopause problems; Pap smear abnormalities; pregnancy. Northwestern Memorial. 312-440-3810

Stacy T. Lindau

Sexual dysfunction; women’s health over age 40. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Riley P. Lloyd

Gynecology only. Amita Health St. Francis, Evanston. 855-692-6482

Randee L. Lopata

Endometriosis; ultrasound. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9350

Liana C. Lucaric

Pregnancy; women’s health. Edward, Naperville. 630-717-9977

Angela C. McElwee

Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-296-3300

Ramkrishna G. Mehendale

Obstetrics only; high-risk pregnancy. Rush. 312-997-2229

Eileen T. Morrison

Adolescent gynecology; laparoscopic surgery; menopause problems; pregnancy. Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-680-3400

Kimberly A. Mullin

Palos, Palos Heights. 708-361-2400

Maria Munoz

Amita Health Resurrection. 855-692-6482

Akemi L. Nakanishi

Minimally invasive surgery. Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-680-3400

Katherine Nolan-Watson

Adolescent gynecology; menopause problems; preventive medicine. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-620-8061

Sherry K. Nordstrom

Hysterectomy alternatives; menopause problems; menstrual disorders; women’s health. NorthShore Swedish. 312-666-3494

Kenneth J. Nunes

Pap smear abnormalities; uterine fibroids; women’s health. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Elizabeth R. Nye

Rush. 312-670-2530

Therese M. O’Connor

Hysterectomy alternatives; menopause problems. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9350

Kristia Patsavas

Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-435-6107

Patrick Pozzi

Hysterectomy alternatives; infertility; laparoscopic surgery. Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Andrew A. Roth

High-risk pregnancy; women’s health. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-932-2055

Jennifer L. Schaefer

Adolescent gynecology; endometriosis; hysteroscopic surgery; pregnancy. Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-680-3400

Maryam Siddiqui

UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Gayle M. Simmons

Menopause problems; pregnancy; women’s health. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Shari G. Snow

Endometriosis; menopause problems; menstrual disorders; minimally invasive surgery. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Yevgeniya Sorokin

Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Adriana M. Spellman

Adolescent gynecology; menopause problems; minimally invasive surgery; preventive medicine. Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-680-3400

Leslie A. Spencer

Women’s health. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Lauren F. Streicher

Gynecology only; hysterectomy alternatives; menopause problems; sexual dysfunction. Northwestern Memorial. 312-472-0502

Merita Tan

Northwestern Memorial. 312-751-7515

Joseph S. Thomas Jr.

Endometriosis; urogynecology; uterine fibroids. Advocate Trinity. 773-881-3400

Murali K. Vinta

Menopause problems; menstrual disorders; pregnancy; women’s health. Rush. 312-549-4400

Crystal J. Wadyal

Gynecologic surgery; obstetrics; women’s health. Amita Health Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health, Hoffman Estates. 855-692-6482

Paula White-Prock

Menopause problems; Pap smear abnormalities. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Karen E. Wolowick

Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-435-6107

Ricca Y. Zaino

Northwestern Medicine McHenry. 815-337-7100

Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility

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Angeline N. Beltsos

Infertility. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-435-9036

Serdar Bulun

Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Michelle Catenacci

Infertility; minimally invasive surgery; uterine fibroids. Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 773-794-1818

Eve C. Feinberg

Egg and embryo freezing; infertility (egg donation and IVF); polycystic ovary syndrome. Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Tarun Jain

Infertility (advanced maternal age, egg donation, female, IVF). Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Brian R. Kaplan

NorthShore, Highland Park. 312-222-8230

Edward L. Marut

Egg and embryo freezing; infertility (advanced maternal age and IVF). NorthShore, Highland Park. 877-324-4483

Magdy Peter Milad

Chronic pelvic pain; endometriosis; tubal ligation reversal; uterine fibroids. Northwestern Memorial. 312-694-6447

Mary Wood Molo

Fertility preservation in cancer; infertility (IVF). Rush. 312-942-3824

Shweta R. Nayak

Fertility preservation; infertility (IVF); polycystic ovary syndrome; recurrent miscarriage. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-869-7777

Mary Ellen Pavone

Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Elizabeth Puscheck

Endometriosis; infertility; uterine fibroids. Northwest Community, Arlington Heights. 847-884-8884

Nasir Rana

Endometriosis; infertility (IVF); laparoscopic surgery. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-954-0054

John J. Rapisarda

Infertility (IVF); menstrual disorders; polycystic ovary syndrome. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-729-2188

John S. Rinehart

Infertility (IVF). NorthShore, Evanston. 630-366-5100

Jared Robins

Northwestern Memorial. 312-695-7269

Humberto Scoccia

Infertility (IVF); telemedicine. UI Health. 312-355-2634

Barbara A. Soltes

Endometriosis; infertility; menopause problems; menstrual disorders. Rush. 312-563-1000

Mary D. Stephenson

Infertility (IVF); recurrent miscarriage; telemedicine; ultrasound. UI Health. 312-355-2634

Elena V. Trukhacheva

Infertility (IVF); preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-954-0054

Meike L. Uhler

Endometriosis; infertility; menopause problems. Fertility Centers of Illinois. 877-324-4483

Alberuni M. Zamah

Infertility (IVF). UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Urogynecology, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

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Cynthia A. Brincat

Pelvic floor disorders; pelvic organ prolapse repair. Rush. 312-563-6000

Sean T. George

Pelvic organ prolapse repair; pelvic reconstruction; urinary incontinence; urogynecology. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-296-7300

Roger P. Goldberg

Pelvic floor reconstruction; pelvic organ prolapse repair; urogynecology. NorthShore, Evanston. 224-251-2374

Marko Jachtorowycz

Pelvic floor reconstruction; pelvic organ prolapse repair; urinary incontinence; urogynecology. Amita Health St. Francis, Evanston. 855-692-6482

Kimberly S. Kenton

Childbirth injury; pelvic organ prolapse repair; pelvic reconstruction; urinary incontinence. Northwestern Memorial. 312-926-4747

William Kobak

Minimally invasive surgery; pelvic floor disorders; urinary incontinence. UI Health. 312-413-7500

Juraj Letko

Minimally invasive surgery; pelvic organ prolapse repair; urinary incontinence; urinary tract infections. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

Christina Lewicky-Gaupp

Fecal and urinary incontinence; pelvic floor reconstruction; pelvic organ prolapse repair. Northwestern Memorial. 312-926-4747

Michael D. Moen

Minimally invasive surgery; pelvic organ prolapse repair; pelvic reconstruction; urogynecology. Rush Copley, Aurora. 630-978-4837

Michael Brendan Noone

Pelvic organ prolapse repair; robotic surgery; urinary incontinence; urogynecology. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-825-1590

Peter K. Sand

Interstitial cystitis; pelvic organ prolapse repair; urinary incontinence; urogynecology. NorthShore, Evanston. 224-251-2374

Abraham R. Shashoua

Pelvic organ prolapse repair; pelvic reconstruction; robotic surgery; urogynecology. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-296-7300

Sandra Valaitis

Minimally invasive surgery; pelvic organ prolapse repair; robotic surgery; urogynecology. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6118

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Hospitals are located in Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Subspecialties

• Adolescent Medicine
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Child Neurology
• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
• Family Medicine
• Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
• Pediatric Allergy & Immunology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
• Pediatric Infectious Disease
• Pediatric Nephrology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Pediatric Urology
• Pediatrics

Adolescent Medicine

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Karen Bernstein

Adolescent gynecology; eating disorders; sexually transmitted diseases; weight management. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Aurelia Peera

Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 773-777-5437

Michele L. Zucker

Behavioral and eating disorders. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9300

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

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Elizabeth V. Bernardino

ADD/ADHD; anxiety disorders. 855-692-6482

Norman A. Chapman

ADD/ADHD; bipolar and mood disorders. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-940-0340

Edwin H. Cook Jr.

Autism spectrum disorders. UI Health. 312-996-7723

Susan Jane Friedland

ADD/ADHD; anxiety, behavioral, and mood disorders. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Steven H. Hanus

Anxiety, eating, and mood disorders; depression; substance abuse. 847-864-3444

Ahmed M. Hussain

ADD/ADHD; anxiety, bipolar, and mood disorders; depression. Streamwood Behavioral Health. 630-837-9000

Kathleen M. Kelley

Psychiatry in physical illness; trauma psychiatry. UI Health. 312-996-7723

MaryBeth Lake

Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

Gunnbjorg B. Lavoll

ADD/ADHD; depression; mood disorders. Northwestern Memorial. 312-859-1122

Karam Radwan

ADD/ADHD; bipolar, mood, and personality disorders; trauma psychiatry. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-3858

Marcia Slomowitz

ADD/ADHD; anxiety; bipolar and mood disorders; depression. 312-726-1083

Child Neurology

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Steven Coker

Epilepsy; seizure disorders. Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-933-6631

Robert T. Egel

Epilepsy; migraine; neurocutaneous disorders. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 630-230-3372

Leon G. Epstein

Migraine. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-3550

Peter Heydemann

Epilepsy; muscular dystrophy; syncope; Tourette’s syndrome. Rush. 312-942-303

Nancy L. Kuntz

Neuromuscular disorders. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-3550

Carol Macmillan

Autism spectrum disorders; developmental delay; epilepsy; neurogenetics. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6222

Charles Marcuccilli

Epilepsy; seizure disorders. Rush. 312-942-4036

Sunila E. O’Connor

Epilepsy. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-3540

Nishant S. Shah

ADD/ADHD; brain tumors; epilepsy; Tourette’s syndrome. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9330

Priti Singh

ADD; autism spectrum disorders; headaches and migraines; Tourette’s syndrome. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 630-230-3372

Priyamvada Tatachar

Epilepsy. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-3540

James Tonsgard

Neurofibromatosis; tuberous sclerosis. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

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Dana M. Brazdziunas

Autism spectrum, behavioral, and developmental disorders. Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

Lawrence A. Gray

Behavioral, developmental, and neonatal developmental disorders. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6720

Michael E. Msall

Behavioral, developmental, neonatal developmental, and neurodevelopmental disorders. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Reshma Shah

ADD/ADHD; autism spectrum, developmental, and learning disorders. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Family Medicine

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Guy J. Agostino

Diabetes; hypertension; preventive medicine. Amita Health Adventist, La Grange. 855-692-6482

Stephen Behnke

Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Edward A. Blumen

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-866-3700

Joanna Borowicz

Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Brenda L. Brak

Colposcopy; women’s health. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-382-9150

William J. Brander

Collaborative family health. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-825-0300

Paul A. Chemello

Preventive medicine. Advocate South Suburban, Hazel Crest. 815-469-8806

Brian A. Chicoin

Adult Down syndrome; Alzheimer’s disease; depression; hypothyroidism. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-2303

Brian J. Chudik

Advocate Sherman, Elgin. 224-783-4365

John Conroy

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Lakshmi P. Dodda

Jackson Park. 773-947-7310

David A. Dohse

Palos, Palos Heights. 708-301-1400

Erin Dominiak

Down syndrome. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-2303

Deborah L. Edberg

Oak Street Health. 773-694-2430

Steven J. Eisenstein

Preventive medicine. NorthShore, Highland Park. 847-272-4600

Philip Favia

Diabetes and weight loss management; newborn, pediatric, and preventive care. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 815-276-0150

Michael E. Fitzgerald

Asthma; diabetes; preventive medicine. Edward, Naperville. 630-717-2646

Lisa M. Fortman

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Donald R. Gerry

Palos, Palos Heights. 708-226-6977

Carlos A. Gomez

Cholesterol and lipid disorders; hypertension; preventive medicine. Amita Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth (St. Mary Campus). 855-692-6482

Arvind K. Goyal

Cholesterol and lipid disorders; geriatric and preventive medicine; osteoporosis. Amita Health St. Alexius, Hoffman Estates. 855-692-6482

Deirdra Greathouse-Williams

Silver Cross, New Lenox. 815-324-4745

William H. Gros

Cholesterol and lipid disorders; diabetes; hypertension. Amita Health Adventist, La Grange. 855-692-6482

Maureen Grosdidier

Geriatric medicine; nutrition; women’s health. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-825-0300

Margaret M. Hannon

Geriatric and preventive medicine; women’s health. Amita Health Adventist, La Grange. 855-692-6482

Eileen E. Heffernan

Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Jean A. Howard

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Emelie Ilarde

Asthma; diabetes; school and sports physicals; women’s health. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-425-5500

Charles Kalenowski

Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Greg K. Kirschner

Adolescent, geriatric, and preventive medicine; women’s health. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-6020

Delaney Koehler

Silver Cross, New Lenox. 815-463-3700

Noel E. Lasala

Diabetes; geriatric medicine; hypertension; women’s health. Amita Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth (St. Mary Campus). 855-692-6482

Acezr S. Leynes

Amita Health Sts. Mary and Elizabeth (St. Elizabeth Campus). 855-692-6482

Georgia D. Lubben

Jackson Park. 773-947-7752

Daniel Lynch

Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-362-9050

Kerry A. Marcheschi

Silver Cross, New Lenox. 815-463-3700

Stephanie Mauch

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Deborah Miller

847-666-3494

Stefan Nemeth

Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Paul R. Omastiak

Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-425-5500

Anna Pacis

Silver Cross, New Lenox. 815-463-3700

Cressa Perish

UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, Harvey. 708-481-8600

Max Pitlosh

Rush. 773-472-3704

Catherine A. Plonka

Geriatrics; LGBTQ health; hormone, OB-GYN, primary care, procedures, and surgery for transgender and gender-nonconforming patients. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-561-7500

Mark C. Potter

Preventive medicine. UI Health. 312-996-2901

Dorothea Poulos

Advocate Sherman, Elgin. 847-888-3661

Fred Richardson

Rush. 708-524-0123

Steven K. Rothschild

Chronic illness; diabetes; prenatal care; preventive medicine. Rush. 312-942-0400

Luis I. Salazar

Adolescent and preventive medicine. Advocate Condell, Libertyville. 847-548-2200

Joseph A. Sanchez

Amita Health St. Joseph. 855-692-6482

Eric M. Spratford

Palliative care. Amita Health Adventist, La Grange. 855-692-6482

Robert Tanney

NorthShore, Highland Park. 847-520-9424

Leslie Mendoza Temple

Integrative medicine. NorthShore. 847-657-3540

James J. Tess

Palos, Palos Heights. 708-675-1050

George Tomecki

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Michael F. Vosicky

Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-351-9170

Margaret E. Wade

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Michael L. Waszak

Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Margo Wolf

Preventive medicine. Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

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Robert F. Covert

Edward, Naperville. 847-991-0440

Leslie R. Farolan

Edward, Naperville. 847-991-0440

Jeffrey A. George

Neonatal care. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-723-5313

Aaron Hamvas

Genetic lung disease in newborns; lung disease in newborns; neonatal chronic lung disease and critical care. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4190

Jonathan Muraskas

Conjoined twins; ethics; low-birth-weight infants and prematurity; multiple gestation. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Aloka L. Patel

Low-birth-weight infants and prematurity; neonatal nutrition. Rush. 312-942-6640

De-Ann M. Pillers

UI Health. 312-996-4185

David N. Sheftel

Developmental disorders; neonatal care. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-723-5313

Jean M. Silvestri

Low-birth-weight infants and prematurity; neonatal critical care; respiratory control disorders; SIDS. Rush. 312-942-6640

Samir Y. Wassef

Lung disease in newborns; neonatal infections. Franciscan Health, Olympia Fields. 312-968-0000

Debra E. Weese-Mayer

Breathing disorders; SIDS. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4000

Marc G. Weiss

Breathing disorders; low-birth-weight infants and prematurity. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Pediatric Allergy & Immunology

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Cynthia Lerner

Allergic rhinitis; asthma; food allergy. Lurie Children’s. 708-633-7001

C. Lucy Park

Allergy; asthma; immune deficiency. UI Health. 630-599-5444

Jacqueline Pongracic

Asthma; food and latex allergies. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6010

Joyce Rabbat

Allergy; asthma. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Pisit Rangsithienchai

Allergic rhinitis; asthma. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-687-7550

Pediatric Cardiology

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Abraham Groner

UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6172

Daniel H. Gruenstein

Adult and child congenital heart disease; cardiac catheterization; interventional cardiology. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6172

Peter Koenig

Congenital heart disease; echocardiography. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4100

Stephen M. Neuberger

Cardiac catheterization; echocardiograms; stress testing. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 708-684-5580

Elfriede Pahl

Congenital heart disease; heart failure; heart transplant medicine; Kawasaki disease. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4100

David A. Roberson

Echocardiography; fetal cardiology. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-684-5580

Philip T. Thrush

Cardiomyopathy; heart failure; heart transplant medicine. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4100

Thomas J. Weigel

Congenital heart disease; echocardiography. Lurie Children’s. 312-951-5800

Paula E. Williams

UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6172

Pediatric Endocrinology

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Tseghai Berhe

Advocate Sherman, Elgin. 847-894-2624

Wendy J. Brickman

Diabetes. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6090

Dianne Deplewski

Adrenal, growth, and pubertal disorders; diabetes. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6138

Stephanie Drobac

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-663-8508

Courtney A. Finlayson

Pubertal disorders. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6090

Naomi R. Fogel

Diabetes; growth and pubertal disorders. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6090

Siri Atma W. Greeley

UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6138

Carla Z. Minutti

Adrenal, growth, pituitary, and thyroid disorders. Rush. 312-942-3034

Shivani P. Shah

Adrenal and growth disorders; diabetes; hypoglycemia. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Christine Yu

UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6138

Pediatric Gastroenterology

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Ruba Azzam

Liver and pancreatic diseases; liver transplant medicine; nutrition. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

James Berman

Crohn’s and inflammatory bowel diseases; nutrition; ulcerative colitis. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9330

Vincent F. Biank

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); inflammatory bowel disease; liver transplant medicine. NorthShore. 847-570-1795

John E. Fortunato Jr.

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4200

Stefano Guandalini

Celiac and diarrheal diseases; digestive disorders. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

T.S. Gunasekaran

Esophageal disorders; GERD; inflammatory bowel disease; recurrent abdominal pain. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-723-7700

Randolph M. McConnie

Rush. 312-942-3034

Rajeev Nagpal

Crohn’s, inflammatory bowel, and liver diseases; GERD. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-581-4911

Suzanne P. Nelson

GERD. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2250

C. Allan Pratt

Eosinophilic esophagitis; food allergy; nutrition. Lurie Children’s. 630-933-6631

Timothy Sentongo

Cystic fibrosis; eosinophilic esophagitis; nutrition. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Sona Y. Young

Gastrointestinal disorders. NorthShore. 847-570-1795

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

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Eric C. Beyer

Bleeding and coagulation disorders; pediatric cancers. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Jason A. Canner

Anemia; leukemia; platelet disorders; sarcoma. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-684-4094

Susan L. Cohn

Neuroblastoma; pediatric cancers. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

John M. Cunningham

Genetic blood disorders; leukemia; sickle cell disease; stem cell transplant. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Jill De Jong

Anemia; bleeding, coagulation, and hematologic disorders; leukemia; lymphoma. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Lisa Giordano

Pediatric cancers. Rush. 312-942-3034

Stewart Goldman

Brain tumors; clinical trials; neuro-oncology; stem cell transplant. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4000

William R. Goodell

Brain tumors; leukemia; lymphoma; solid tumors. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9330

Ammar Hayani

Leukemia; lymphoma; solid tumors. Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-933-4291

Charles Hemenway

Bleeding and coagulation disorders; leukemia; lymphoma; pediatric cancers. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Tara Henderson

Cancer in adolescents and young adults; cancer survivorship. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Lewis Hsu

Sickle cell disease. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Paul M. Kent

Bone cancer; brain tumors; soft tissue sarcoma. Rush. 312-942-3034

James LaBelle

Bone marrow and stem cell transplant; leukemia; lymphoma. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6808

Ricarchito B. Manera

Bleeding and coagulation disorders; leukemia; lymphoma. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-684-4094

Jennifer McNeer

Leukemia; lymphoma; pediatric cancers. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Elaine R. Morgan

Ethics; hemophagocytic syndrome; leukemia; palliative care. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4000

Radhika Peddinti

Bleeding and coagulation disorders; sickle cell disease; solid tumors; vascular malformations and birthmarks. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

Mary Lou Schmidt

Cancer survivorship; hematologic malignancies; late effects of therapy on cancer survivors; solid tumors. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Alexis A. Thompson

Sickle cell disease; thalassemia. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4090

Samuel L. Volchenboum

Neuroblastoma. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6808

David Walterhouse

Pediatric cancers; sarcoma; solid tumors. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4000

Pediatric Infectious Disease

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Ellen G. Chadwick

AIDS/HIV; perinatal infectious disease. Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

Mary Ann J. Collins

Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-636-0700

Karen Hayani

AIDS/HIV. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Barbara Hendrickson

UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Daniel C. Johnson

AIDS/HIV; travel medicine. UChicago Medicine. 773-702-6169

Anne H. Rowley

Kawasaki disease. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4080

Pediatric Nephrology

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Rekha Agrawal

Hypertension; kidney disease; kidney transplant medicine. Ronald McDonald Children’s, Maywood. 708-327-9149

Sara Jandeska

Kidney disease. Rush. 312-942-3034

Richard A. Kaplan

Dialysis care; hypertension; urinary tract infections. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9330

Mahima Keswani

Chronic kidney failure; dialysis care. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6160

Jerome Lane

Chronic kidney disease; lupus and SLE; nephrotic syndrome; urinary tract infections. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6160

Craig Langman

Kidney stones; oxalosis. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6160

Kenneth Miller

Hypertension; kidney stones; nephrotic syndrome; urinary tract infections. Amita Health St. Alexius, Hoffman Estates. 855-692-6482

Izhar U. Qamar

Chronic kidney disease; hypertension. La Rabida Children’s. 773-256-5700

Pediatric Otolaryngology

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Fuad M. Baroody

Airway, sleep, and sinus disorders; ear infections; sleep apnea. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-1865

Kathryn L. Colman

Pediatric otolaryngology. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-296-5500

Eileen M. Mahoney

Airway, sleep, and swallowing disorders; sleep apnea. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Dana Suskind

Cochlear implants; hearing loss. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-834-9169

Dana M. Thompson

Laryngeal and swallowing disorders; tracheal surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6230

David L. Walner

Airway and sinus disorders. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-674-5585

Nancy Young

Cholesteatoma; cochlear implants; ear and hearing disorders; ear surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6230

Pediatric Pulmonology

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Javeed Akhter

Chronic lung disease; sleep disorders. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 815-588-5012

Maria L. Dowell

Cystic fibrosis. Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

B. Louise Giles

Asthma; chronic lung disease; cystic fibrosis. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6178

Susanna A. McColley

Asthma; chronic cough; cystic fibrosis. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6260

Pediatric Rheumatology

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Marisa Klein-Gitelman

Juvenile arthritis; lupus and SLE. Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

Melissa S. Tesher

Arthritis; lupus and SLE; musculoskeletal pain. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Linda Wagner-Weiner

Dermatomyositis; juvenile arthritis; lupus and SLE; vasculitis. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Pediatric Surgery

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Fizan Abdullah

Abdominal wall reconstruction; chest wall deformities; neonatal surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4210

Katherine A. Barsness

Congenital anomalies; minimally invasive surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4210

Nikunj K. Chokshi

Congenital lung anomalies; inflammatory bowel disease; minimally invasive surgery; pediatric cancers. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Julia E. Grabowski

Hirschsprung’s disease; laparoscopic surgery; trauma. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4210

Jessica J. Kandel

Neonatal surgery; neuroblastoma; pediatric cancers; Wilms’ tumor. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Thomas Kang-Ming Lee

Hernia; minimally invasive surgery. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Deborah Susan Loeff

Congenital anomalies; inflammatory bowel disease; pediatric cancers. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-318-9330

Grace Z. Mak

Congenital anomalies; minimally invasive and neonatal surgeries; pediatric cancers. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Marleta Reynolds

Congenital anomalies; minimally invasive surgery; pediatric cancers; trauma. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4210

Erin E. Rowell

Fertility preservation in cancer; minimally invasive surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-4210

Mark B. Slidell

Advanced laparoscopic surgery; biliary, liver, and pancreatic surgeries; chest wall deformities. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Riccardo Superina

Hepatobiliary and pediatric transplant surgeries; kidney and liver transplants. Lurie Children’s. 800-543-7362

Pediatric Urology

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Earl Y. Cheng

Genital and urinary reconstruction; hypospadias; neurogenic bladder. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6340

Mohan S. Gundeti

Bladder reconstruction; congenital anomalies; laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. UChicago Medicine Comer. 773-702-6169

Bruce W. Lindgren

Fetal urology; hypospadias; minimally invasive surgery; undescended testis. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6340

Dennis B. Liu

Genitourinary reconstruction; hypospadias; undescended testis. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6340

Max Maizels

Fetal urology; genital and urinary reconstruction; hypospadias. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6340

Jonathan H. Ross

Genital reconstruction; minimally invasive surgery; urinary tract infections; urologic cancer. Rush. 312-942-3034

Elizabeth B. Yerkes

Congenital genitourinary anomalies; hypospadias; neurogenic bladder; reconstructive surgery. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6340

Pediatrics

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Nusrath Akhtar

Obesity. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-852-4551

Barry A. Altshuler

Allergies. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-5005

Hassan Alzein

Asthma; newborn care. OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary, Evergreen Park. 708-424-7600

Adam L. Aronson

Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-676-5394

Maria Christine Bayang

Amita Health Adventist, Bolingbrook. 855-692-6482

Eileen M. Beaty

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-869-0892

John H. Beckerman

Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-382-7337

Irwin Benuck

Developmental disorders; obesity. Lurie Children’s. 847-869-4300

Laura Bianconi

Northwestern Medicine McHenry. 815-344-0090

John K. Boblick

Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Charles M. Braverman

General pediatrics; preventive medicine. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-5005

Donald K. Brown

Child development; newborn care; parenting issues; preventive medicine. Lurie Children’s; Northwestern Memorial. 312-280-1480

John D. Cabana

Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-852-4551

Jeffrey A. Cabotaje

West Suburban, Oak Park. 708-383-3010

Daniel J. Campbell

Newborn care; preventive medicine. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 630-323-0890

Louis E. Camras

Chronic illness; development and growth disorders; preventive medicine; vaccines. Amita Health Mercy, Aurora. 855-692-6482

Jason J. Canel

NorthShore. 847-832-6500

Rachel N. Caskey

Adolescent medicine; vaccines. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Danielle Smith Cherian

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Hannah Chow

Breastfeeding. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Shana N. Christian

Newborn care. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-869-0892

Darryl H. Colen

Newborn care. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-6700

Mary B. Collins

Asthma; childhood obesity; nutrition; special needs. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-5005

Stanislava Coufal

Adolescent medicine; newborn care. Lurie Children’s. 630-971-6511

John P. Cueva

Newborn care; preventive medicine. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-346-7000

Anthony C. Delach

ADD/ADHD; behavioral disorders. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-403-2900

Virginia M. DePaul

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-869-0892

Thomas B. DeStefani

ADD/ADHD; adoption and foster care; behavioral and developmental disorders. Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-790-1555

Sean M. Diamond

Special health care needs. Loyola, Maywood. 888-584-7888

Cathy DiVincenzo

Down syndrome; special needs. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-676-5394

David Drelicharz

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Lorene S. Eckberg

630-978-6635

Diane W. Fondriest

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-615-0700

Lisa Franco

Preventive medicine. Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

Marc A. Freed

Asthma; pediatric dermatology. MacNeal, Berwyn. 708-442-7979

Irene J. Freeman

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Todd S. Giese

Northwestern Medicine McHenry. 815-459-2200

Mary E. Gruszka

ADD/ADHD; asthma; cerebral palsy; nutrition. MacNeal, Berwyn. 708-442-7979

Deborah Gulson

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-615-0700

Mary C. Hall

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-677-7250

Sang J. Han

Newborn care. Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Wafaa G. Hanna

Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-478-4666

Heather A. Haukness

West Suburban, Oak Park. 708-383-8070

Daphne Hirsh

Lurie Children’s. 312-642-5515

Julie Holland

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-570-1507

Jenny Hong

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Barbara N. Johnston

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Jonathan M. Kaufman

Preventive medicine. Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-6700

Dawn Li

Breastfeeding. Lurie Children’s. 312-642-5515

Peter I. Liber

Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-690-7300

Dhanya P. Limaye

Lurie Children’s. 312-666-3494

Oscar R. Linares

Infectious disease. MacNeal, Berwyn. 708-788-0077

Robert Listernick

Diagnostic problems. Lurie Children’s. 312-227-6841

Muhammed Longi

Amita Health Adventist, Bolingbrook. 855-692-6482

Linda Lopata

Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-296-8127

Kenneth Lyons

Lurie Children’s. 773-348-8300

Deanna Monroe

Lurie Children’s. 773-348-8300

Thomas J. Moore

ADD/ADHD; infectious disease; sports medicine. Amita Health St. Joseph, Joliet. 855-692-6482

Nafeesa Moosabhoy

Amita Health Adventist, Hinsdale. 855-692-6482

David L. Morris

Allergy; asthma; sleep disorders; weight management. Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-469-7700

Martine Nelson

Newborn care. Edward, Naperville. 630-717-9600

Charles L. O’Brien III

ADD/ADHD; developmental disorders. NorthShore, Evanston. 847-945-4575

James J. Olson

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-677-7250

Amanda D. Osta

Preventive medicine. UI Health. 312-996-7416

Ellen Papacek

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2800

Richard A. Pervos

ADD; asthma; infectious disease. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-259-5900

Kenneth S. Polin

Lurie Children’s. 312-227-2860

Mary E. Rauen

Lurie Children’s. 773-348-8300

Ravindranath R. Reddy

Amita Health Alexian Brothers, Elk Grove Village. 855-692-6482

Christine Rejdukowski

Central DuPage, Winfield. 630-348-3100

Sheri Ross

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-615-0700

Susan A. Roth

NorthShore, Evanston. 847-570-1507

Ruby Roy

Palliative care. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-684-1399

Robert E. Ruderman

NorthShore, Highland Park. 847-432-8422

Moazzam Saeed

Amita Health Adventist, Bolingbrook. 855-692-6482

Nabil M. Saleh

Gottlieb Memorial, Melrose Park. 708-450-0112

Margaret A. Scotellaro

Child abuse and neglect; foster care; preventive medicine; underserved community health. Rush. 312-942-2200

Dov Y. Shapiro

Allergies; asthma; physicals. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-498-3434

Susan M. Sheinkop

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest. 847-615-0700

Katherine L. Shepherd

Asthma; breastfeeding; obesity. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-676-5394

Barbara Y. Slivnick

Lurie Children’s. 773-348-8300

Jeffrey J. Sroka

Asthma. 630-879-2110

Margaret B. Stefani

Advocate Good Shepherd, Barrington. 847-381-6700

Madhupa Sud

Advocate South Suburban, Hazel Crest. 773-995-3460

Natverlal B. Surati

Allergies; asthma; obesity; vaccinations. Advocate Illinois Masonic. 773-248-8644

Heidi E. Swanson

Asthma; diabetes; newborn care. Advocate Good Samaritan, Downers Grove. 630-852-4551

Erin Taback

Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s. 708-383-2900

Marlene Tanquilut

Vista East, Waukegan. 847-336-0770

Elizabeth Thompson

Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s. 708-383-2900

Edward S. Traisman

Chronic illness; pediatric rehabilitation. Lurie Children’s. 847-869-4300

Rebecca Unger

Adolescent medicine; nutrition; obesity; weight management. Lurie Children’s. 312-642-5515

Wendell Wheeler

Adoption and foster care; allergic rhinitis; asthma; vaccines. Advocate Christ, Oak Lawn. 708-225-0200

Tito G. Yao

Norwegian American. 773-287-0751

Marilyn A. Zwirn

Adolescent medicine. Advocate Lutheran General, Park Ridge. 847-680-8066

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Jenny Hong

Pediatrician at Town & Country Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Got Cow’s Milk? In adult medicine in particular, there’s a push toward going plant based. In pediatrics, though, I prefer to have growing children get cow’s milk because it has the most amount of protein; it’s a comprehensive delivery of multiple nutrients, as opposed to just calcium. My youngest has food allergies, and I have to push him to drink his soy milk. If I don’t watch him, he’d rather have orange juice.

No cellphones in bed I feel strongly that healthy sleep is very important for your whole day. We have rules to maintain healthy sleep hygiene, but the one that is nonnegotiable is that all cellphones charge in my room overnight. Even if I’m asleep earlier than Parker is, I’ll hear him coming in to plug his phone in.

Keep their hands clean I’m pretty hard on washing hands, and my kids don’t get sick much. I have hand sanitizer in the car, and when I used to pick up my kids from school and they expected a snack, there was no snack until hands were cleaned.

Don’t go overboard at the drugstore I don’t really do a lot of medicines. My kids would say, “My mom is the worst doctor ever,” because when they do get sick, I tell them they’re fine. Have some Tylenol if you have a fever, drink more water, and go to sleep. I won’t go out and buy the cough suppressant and the runny nose stuff. A lot of those things aren’t any better than placebo, and in some cases, they can actually cause harm to kids. What’s going to make them better is just time.

Be present If you think about the amount of stress we’ve all gone through, it’s unbelievable. It truly burdens me, the mental health load that children are dealing with. One little thing we always do is take turns praying for our dinner. Noah says the same thing every night, but once in a while he’ll deviate and say, “Watch over the people who are dealing with Black Lives Matter.” Or “Please help homeless people have a dinner like this.” It’s a 20-second glimpse into his world. I think the best thing I can do is to just be around. When your kids need a hug because someone didn’t respond to their texts, you’re there. My husband and I have always said, “Every day, you’re going to go to bed knowing you are loved.” The nice thing about the pandemic is that we’ve had so much time to just talk. How many times are you going to have dinner together seven nights a week and then play Wiffle ball?

Reshma Shah

Director of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System

Keep them moving Pre-COVID, it was like, “Come on, Shai, sit. Just sit and talk with me.” Then with COVID it became, “You’ve been sitting for five hours. We’ve got to do something.” There’s resistance. I’ll be like, “If you don’t get up and move, that’s not good for you. You can start putting on extra weight, which will make it harder for you to run. If you want to be the fastest kid in your class, you’ve got to do this.” It doesn’t always work. Then it’s like, “Guess what? These are the rules. I am your mom.”

Give them a routine He’s a really awesome sleeper. He goes to bed at 8:30 and wakes up at 7, like clockwork. At bedtime we still read together and cuddle; right now we’re on book 7 of Harry Potter. During the pandemic, there’s been so much unpredictability: “You’re not going to school.” “You can’t have birthday parties anymore.” And when you have these little set routines in your day-to-day, it’s like, “I know what to expect.” That provides a lot of comfort.

Turmeric is your friend I make turmeric tea: hot water with turmeric, honey, a little bit of milk, ginger, lemon. A lot of people believe that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. I don’t know if it makes the cold go away faster, but it helps him feel better.

Don’t panic about diet We don’t have sodas in the house, but it’s not like he can never have one. During the week, he does the school lunch, which I’m fine with. Then on weekends it’ll be either a turkey sandwich or something from Trader Joe’s. They have this frozen chicken fried rice that he loves. It’s got protein and a bunch of vegetables. I could be better about making healthier lunches and dinners, but I know where my limitations are. I think it’s OK to give ourselves a break.

Be reasonable about encouragement How does he handle stress? His self-esteem goes down. Today he had an English test, and he was not excited at all about it. He’ll say things like, “I’m not smart enough.” Sometimes he’ll act out. I try to stay calm and concrete. Instead of “Oh, you’ll do amazing,” I try to say, “Listen, it can be hard, but let’s figure out some ways to help. You think you’ll never be good at English because you can’t do contractions? Let’s work on contractions.” I went online and printed out some worksheets, and we sat there together and worked on it.

Jason A. Canner

Pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn

Keep them moving There are a lot of things that distract from physical activity — iPads, game consoles, Netflix. So if I need to push the boys to be outside, I’ll go on a walk and they can rollerblade or bike alongside. So their outdoor activity starts with nice time hanging out with Dad. During e-learning, once lunchtime comes, they eat their food quickly and then look to be outside that hour to hour and a half. That has helped get their energy out.

Sit with them before bedtime They usually spend 20 to 30 minutes reading before bedtime. They’re super close, so often one of Charlie’s older brothers will read to him. And with the other one, usually me or their mom is present, even if we’re just lying there. I think that helps them respect the importance of reading.

Balance sweets with healthy foods Kids are kids and they’re going to want a sugary drink, a Bai or something like that. And so we work that in appropriately. Things like snacks or candy bars, it just needs to be within certain limitations. Our concentration is always health. Whether it’s milk, fruit, vegetables — it has to complement these other things kids want that taste good.

Talk to your kids with respect When I was growing up in the ’80s, you didn’t talk about depression and anxiety at 11 years old — not that I’ve had to do that, thank God, but I try to discuss openly what feelings feel like, and what things make them stressed and what things allow them to relieve that stress. In addition to the pandemic, these kids have had their parents separate in the last 18 months, and they’ve been amazing about it. A lot of it comes from us being open and reminding them we’re there, but I don’t ask them every six hours if they’re OK.

Stay calm and confident A controlled, non-freak-out approach helps my boys process things better. If I can explain what’s going on, that gives them confidence that they’re going to get through whatever challenge there is. Charlie one night was running around in socks and slipped on the hardwood floor. I saw his forehead go right into the crown molding, and he had a very bad laceration. He’s screaming, there’s blood. During the whole process of putting ice on his forehead, getting him into the car, driving to the ER, I explained to him exactly what was going to go on, when it was going to be a little bit more scary, when it wasn’t, and that allowed him to be more calm. It’s just being confident and giving them assurance.

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