Impact Stories
Our generous donors have enabled Loyola Medicine to continue to provide excellent patient care and services. We are ever mindful of our donors' wishes and align them in meaningful ways to honor their legacy.
We've curated a selection of patient-focused stories below. Please click this button to view more.
Healing close to home: The Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Housing Fund
Thanks to the support of the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Patient Housing Fund, Jerry Phish stayed at a nearby hotel throughout his intense treatment regimen. The BMT team identifies local hotels committed to exceptional standards of cleanliness, allowing patients to focus on healing rather than worrying about travel or being exposed to infectious germs, mold and dust.
Bone marrow donor and recipient meet at annual transplant picnic
On September 7, a 29-year-old Oak Lawn man met the 29-year-old Maryland man whose bone marrow donation saved his life. The two were introduced at Loyola's 33rd annual bone marrow transplant celebration of survivorship, which is attended by doctors, nurses, donors, recipients of bone marrow transplants and their families.
Pediatric Mobile Health Unit Celebrates 25 years on the Road
Loyola Medicine proudly announces a celebration of the 25th anniversary of its Pediatric Mobile Health Unit. This landmark event marks a quarter-century of providing crucial health care services to over 157,000 children in underserved communities throughout the Chicago area.
From patient to graduate: Teen visits Loyola physician after beating the odds
For the family of 19-year-old Jorge Tapia, watching him walk across the stage at his high school graduation was a moment they once feared might never come. Diagnosed with kidney failure before his first birthday, Jorge’s life has been a series of medical battles and miraculous recoveries.
Young girl burned by citronella candle aims to raise awareness
Thirteen-year-old Aarna Kumar was playing outside when an accident left her with both physical and psychological scars. Thanks to the doctors and nurses at Loyola Medicine's Burn Center, Kumar is healing and hopes to inspire other patients who are facing a similar struggle.
Loyola University Medical Center offers cutting-edge, non-invasive prostate cancer treatment with life-changing results
After a routine screening revealed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level—a potential indicator of prostate cancer—Vernon English, age 63, turned to Loyola University Medical Center for diagnosis and treatment. English was an ideal candidate for a groundbreaking, non-invasive procedure known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).
Double lung transplant saves man with asbestosis
After spending years working with asbestos and suffering the consequences, 66-year-old Michael Mihalik of Kiwana, Indiana, believed he wasn’t a candidate for a lung transplant. He feared his life was over, until what he calls divine intervention led him to doctors at Loyola Medicine and a life-saving transplant.
Geralyn and Tom Donovan enhance access to health care
Generous friends of Loyola Medicine, Geralyn and Thomas Donovan, established the Geralyn and Thomas Donovan Primary Care and Population Health Fund. The Donovans appreciate that Loyola Medicine provides outstanding care to all patients – from annual well visits to the most complex and acute health conditions – onsite at our hospitals and outpatient clinics and within the various communities we serve.
Keeley family continues to grow emergency medicine
The Keeley family of Western Springs, Illinois, has a special relationship with Loyola Medicine, spanning three generations, and the focus of their giving to Loyola is dedicated to education and service in honor of Barbara G. Keeley and the late John L. Keeley, Jr.
Jim and Jane Miller launch cancer navigation program
Jim and Jane Miller, grateful patients and Oak Brook residents, recently established the Jim and Jane Miller Patient Navigation Program at Loyola Medicine’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. Their generous gift supports the hiring of five full-time navigators to help facilitate patient access to multidisciplinary cancer care at Loyola.
Blitstein lung transplant fund created thanks to family's generous gift
Neil Blitstein and his wife Chris Cordin Blitstein are celebrating Neil’s third year with a transplanted lung. In recognition of the exceptional care received from Loyola Medicine's transplant team, the Blitsteins made a generous gift to advance lung transplant care and support other patients and their families.
Honoring Michael K. Ouwenga MD
Read the story of the 2019 passing of Michael K. Ouwenga, MD, who graduated from Stritch School of Medicine and Loyola University Medical Center urology residency program.
Loyola Medicine Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Loyola Medicine, the top rated health system in Chicago's western suburbs, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The Weight of Our Work
Read project manager John Pini's account of his unexpected, yet life-changing visit to the very emergency department that he helped to create.
Gratitude Beyond Words
Two-year-old Owen Wills was involved in a lawnmower accident with a riding lawnmower in which he sustained significant injuries to the back of his left leg and his right foot was partially amputated. He was airlifted to Loyola Medicine's Level 1 trauma center where he underwent three major surgeries and four procedures before being fitted for his prosthesis and going home.
Jack O'Callaghan S.J. Wellness Space
Learn more about the dedication of the Jack O'Callaghan, S.J. Wellness Space at Loyola University Medical Center.
Loyola Medicine Recognized in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropies 2019 High Performers List
Loyola Medicine's Philanthropy team has been included in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) 2019 High Performers list.
Grateful Heart Patient Gives $15 Million Gift to Loyola Medicine Cardiology Division
Grateful for the exceptional care he received from Loyola Medicine cardiologist David Wilber, MD, FAHA, FACC, heart patient Donald Scott and his wife Susan have made a $1.5 million gift to advance cardiology treatments, education and research.