Women’s Health
Michael Reese Women’s IBCCP Program
The Women’s Health program provides free breast & cervical cancer screenings services for uninsured women that reside in Illinois.
The Michael Reese Research & Education Foundation operates the Women’s Health Program – Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program located at the New Roseland Community Hospital. As an Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program grantee, the Women’s Health Program provides free cervical cancer screenings (Pap and HPV), breast exams for women 21 to 64 years of age and mammograms and other related diagnostic testing along with patient navigation to Illinois women, 40 to 64 years of age. The women must be uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover breast screening. Younger women who are symptomatic can also receive necessary breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing.
The Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program’s approach reduces financial, linguistic and cultural barriers to care. Many women learn about breast and cervical health screenings by attending one of the program’s free, community-based educational workshops. Patient Navigators link attendees to the clinical exams following each educational workshop. The staff also participates in health fairs and outreach events.
The staff utilizes a transcultural approach, providing workshops and services in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese. Patients are multi-ethnic and travel from communities as far north as Chinatown and as far south as Chicago’s southern suburbs. Transportation is also provided for groups of six or more.
The Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program has two primary goals.
The first is to improve health of women seeking early detection services for breast and cervical cancer. The second is to enhance treatment outcomes for uninsured women identified with abnormal screenings and diagnostic testing for breast or cervical cancer.
The program receives generous support from the Illinois Department of Public Health – Office of Women’s Health and Family Services, VNA Foundation, and the Michael Reese Research & Education Foundation.
Providers
Sandra Wilks, RN, MSN, CNE
Director of the Michael Reese Women’s Health clinic
Sandra Wilks, RN, MSN, CNE is the Director for the Michael Reese Research & Education Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP). She has been involved in community nursing for over 30 years. The diagnosis of an invasive form of breast cancer of her best friend at the age of 32 years started her on her journey for community health and breast cancer awareness. Her friend died at the age of 34 years, leaving behind her husband and two daughters, ages 2 years and 5 years. The 5-year-old developed the same aggressive form of breast cancer as her mother at the age of twenty. The daughter is currently a 20-year survivor.
Sandra was the recipient of the 2004 VNA Community Nursing Award. She has won over 15 awards in the area of community nursing and community health.
Hong Deng, RN, MBA, CN-BN
Program Coordinator
Hong Deng RN, MBA, CN-BN, worked at a Community-Based Health Service facility for medically underserved Asian, African American, Latino and Caucasian along with other underserved and disenfranchised populations of the greater Chicago area for more than 20 years. She is the 2003 Super Star in Community Nursing award finalist for the VNA Foundation. She has worked as the Program Coordinator of Michael Reese Research & Education Foundation—IBCCP since January 2008, providing leadership, case management, community outreach, and breast health and cervical cancer education. The program has branched out to serve uninsured women not only in Chicagoland, but to surrounding suburbs. Her commitment and passion for underserved populations is heartfelt and commendable
Juliana Mendez, CNA
Patient Care Coordinator
Amy Mui, BS
Patient Care Coordinator/Medical Biller
Catherine Paxton, LPN
Outreach Educator
Contact Information
Clinic at Roseland Community Hospital
45 W 111th Street
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 291-1934
Hong Deng, RN, MBA, CN-BN
Program Coordinator/ Nurse Clinical Navigator
(773) 995-3487
hdeng@michaelreesefoundation.org
Juliana Mendez
Outreach, Patient Navigation
jmendez@michaelreesefoundation.org
Amy Mui
Outreach, Patient Navigation
azhao@michaelreesefoundation.org
Sandra Wilks, RN, MSN, CNE
Director Women’s Health Program
Lynn P Vocelka
Program Administration
1339 S Wood St.
Chicago, IL 60608