Erie Family Health Center

July 2009
e-Spotlight: Center Roll Call

Erie Family Health Center is excited to announce that it will be launching a new Family and Community Health Residency Program in 2010. The Residency Program will be a family practice training program and will be a partnership between Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Erie Family Health Center and Norwegian American Hospital. This unique collaboration will be the first of its kind in the Chicago metro area and one of only a few in the United States. “The partnership is going to be a very powerful combination for creating an excellent learning environment,” says Dr. David Buchanan, Chief Medical Officer at Erie.

Beginning in July 2010, Erie Humboldt Park Health Center will serve as the core training ground for the program.  It will be home to eight residents every year—a total of 24 residents and associated faculty when the program is in full swing. Erie’s family practice providers will supervise the residents and be their primary teachers. This program will give residents the opportunity to work at Erie while having the resources of Northwestern, a well-respected university, at their finger tips. Residents will do their primary hospital rotations at Norwegian and will also have access to specialty rotations at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Erie will spend the next year integrating this program into existing clinical operation, designing the education curriculum and recruiting the first class of residents.

The new Residency Program will have many profound impacts.  Family practice physicians often train in settings without strong clinical support and leadership.  “Historically, family medicine programs have been hospital or university based, which is not always a perfect match in terms of values, interests and orientation for training,” says Buchanan.  Some university setting provide limited interaction with underserved patients. Now, family practice physicians will get hands on experience at Erie to help develop their cultural competency skills, as well as their ability to address health disparities.   There is a tremendous need for more primary care providers in our country—especially among those with little or no health insurance. Erie’s residency program will fill this gap by training a new family practice workforce of highly skilled, culturally competent physicians.

“I am really proud because the reality is the country needs more primary care providers,” says Buchanan. “If we want people to be experts in community care, which is what Erie does, ultimately we should participate and train the next generation of providers. It is creating the future of the health system in Chicago and the country. “

July 2009
e-Spotlight: Who’s Who @ Erie— Erica Plaisier

Erica Plaisier’s major for her bachelor and master degrees were exercise science and health studies. But her mission is changing lives.

Erica is the coordinator for the Healthy Women’s Project, or La Vida Sana, La Vida Feliz. Translation-Healthy Life, Happy Life. The program is more than a way to help women focus on nutrition, exercise and stress management; it is a way of life.

“This program is important for women because it addresses not only physical health but their emotional and social health,” says Erica. “We work closely with Erie’s Behavioral Health team to address some of the issues surrounding obesity and food.” The team measures changes in weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and cholesterol.

Erica knows the program is working when she sees improvements in self-reported emotional health and a new found confidence to make healthy lifestyle choices. “When we hear women sleep better, have more energy and feel better about themselves, we know we are helping make a real difference in their lives,” says Erica.

A variety of women participate in the program, ranging from “beginners” to those who have been trying to lose weight for quite some time, without achieving results. La Vida Sana, La Vida Feliz addresses individual needs and barriers women are experiencing while teaching them methods to overcome these issues. Several program graduates have since been trained as health educators and speak to the community about health issues. Erica feels the most stratification when witnessing these types of results. “It is inspiring to see these women come full-circle – to go from being the student to the teacher,” she says.

The highlight of the program will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at the Annual Celebration. “We are excited to recognize community partners, our original funder (Health Resources and Services Administration) and over 200 graduates of the program,” says Erica. “The day will illustrate the program’s results, but more importantly it will give participants a chance to showcase their personal experiences with La Vida Sana, La Vida Feliz.”

About Erica:
Erica has been with Erie since 2007 and has been working in the public health and promotion field for 10 years. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Calvin College and a Master’s degree in Health and Exercise Studies from Miami University.   She is married to her husband, Scott, and they two sons, Tryce, age 3 ½ and Isaac, age 1. She is from Illinois and currently resides in the Western suburbs.  In her spare time Erica enjoys reading a good book, running and any travel adventure.

Maria’s Story

When I first came to Chicago, I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know any English. Then I found out I was pregnant. At first, I didn’t know where to turn — until someone at work told me about Erie Family Health Center.

Everyone at Erie was so warm and friendly. They helped me from the beginning of my pregnancy until the end. The doctors, nurses and midwives made sure I knew what to eat, how to take care of myself and how to get ready for my baby’s arrival. I also met other women who were going through the same thing.

Once my daughter was born, Erie was there for both of us. They made sure my daughter got the vaccines she needed and even helped me deal with my feelings about being a new mom and the other changes in my life. My case manager told me that everyone has problems in this world, but that every problem has a solution. I am so grateful to have Erie in my life.