In the Community

PCC Wellness Community Outreach & Engagement

people at the Juneteenth 5K

Juneteenth 5K Marathon Event

June 15, 2024

PCC Community Wellness Center supported a standout health and wellness event at Garfield Park Football Field in Chicago. Despite the hot weather, the event was a vibrant celebration of health and community spirit, attracting over 60 participants who came to get screened for various health metrics.

A highlight of the day was the screening for high blood pressure, coordinated by PCC. Participants with elevated levels were scheduled for further consultation, ensuring they received the necessary follow-up care.

Oak Park's 50th A Day in Our Village festival

June 2, 2024

We had a fantastic time at Oak Park’s 50th A Day in Our Village Festival on June 2nd! From live music and food to kid-friendly foam fun, it was a day full of celebration.

Rosa and Meghan captured a memorable moment with a police dog, and to Ceceilia, who reunited with a young man she delivered years ago, showcasing the enduring bonds formed through community healthcare.

State ID Registration Event

May 30, 2024

Rosa Malave represented PCC Community Wellness Center at the State ID Registration event, held at 4734 W. Chicago Ave.  This pivotal event, supported by Healthcare Alternative Systems and the Illinois Secretary of State, provided a vital opportunity for community engagement.

At the event, Rosa and the Community Outreach team distributed Narcan kits and interacted with community members, focusing on preventive healthcare and wellness services.  Their efforts were instrumental in enhancing health and safety within our community.

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Expanding Healthcare Access

May 22, 2024

PCC Community Wellness Center’s new President and CEO, Alyssa Sianghio, convened with prominent city officials.  Among those present were Mayor Brandon Johnson, 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts, and Mariana Osoria, First Deputy of Human Services from the Office of the Mayor.  The meeting focused on strategic initiatives to enhance healthcare services for the community.

Key figures from PCC and its partners also attended the discussion.  Ron Austin, PCC Foundation Board Chair, highlighted the critical role of community support.  Dr. Paul Luning, PCC’s Chief Medical Officer, shared insights into medical strategies tailored to the community’s needs.  Marnie Robinson, Director of Development and Communications at PCC, discussed outreach efforts to ensure community awareness and engagement.

Senior Expo

Senior Expo

May 17, 2024

PCC Community Wellness Centr took part in the esteemed Senior Expo at BUILD, Inc., Chicago, an event championed by Congressman Danny K. davis and supported by Voice Newspaper. The expo was a vibrant celebration of National Older Americans Month, aimed to honoring and enhancing the lives of our senior community. 

At the expo, seniors engaged in an array of activities including health screenings, Medicare workshops, and seminars on fraud protection, all designed to promote health and safety.

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Magnificent Mothers Extravaganza

May 11, 2024

The Magnificent Mothers Extravaganza lit up Chicago’s Austin neighborhood with a celebration of love and gratitude. Spearheaded by 37th Ward Alderman Emma Mitts and energetically supported by PCC Community Wellness Center, the event shone as a vibrant tribute to the incredible mothers who anchor our community. 

With a collaborative spirit, local leaders, churches, businesses, and community groups like Black Men United helped transform this special day into festive gathering. Attendees enjoyed essential gifts, engaging discussions, and a communal barbeque that brought smiles and warmth to everyone involved. 

Young Elementaty School Engagement, North Austin

Young Elementaty School Engagement, North Austin

May 2024

During Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Young Elementary School inNorth Austin reached out to PCC for a professional speaker. Arian Solis, a skilled social worker and care coordinator at PCC Salud, took the lead. 

She engaged with parents during the monthly Coffee with the Principal hour and addressed 8th grade students about the mental health challenges associated with transitioning to high school. Her sessions were well-received, providing valuable insights and support to both students and parents. 

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Michelle Clark High School Outreach Event

April 11, 2024

PCC Community Wellness Center was in attendance to set up a table and marketing materials at a Michelle Clark High School’s outreach event. PCC’s Community Outreach team engaged with attendees in meaningful dialogue about their experiences with PCC and broader community health resources. 

The event sparked ideas for future outreach, emphasizing student involvement and a strategy that champions inclusivity and equity.  

Hiren Patel

Hiren Patel

Chief Financial Officer

Hiren has stepped into the role of Chief Financial Officer at PCC Community Wellness Center, bringing with him over a decade of extensive experience across banking, retail, global manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare.

With a strong commitment to public health, Hiren is ready to tackle the evolving challenges of the healthcare sector head-on. He champions a data-driven decision-making approach, firmly believing that accessible data is crucial for empowering informed decisions at every level of the organization. Together, we will enhance our performance and ensure financial stability and profitability, establishing PCC as a definitive leader in community wellness.

Lorena Acosta

Lorena Acosta

Director of Human Resources

Lorena joins the team with diverse Human Resource experience in hospitality, non-for-profit, medical and most recently in Quick Service Restaurants. She brings experience in developing HR programs, systems, updating processes and teams that effectively support the success of the organization. 

Lorena has a passion for HR that stems from helping those around her and being that voice for employees. Aside from her work experience, she earned her Bachelors of Science in Health Studies & Psychology from Chicago State University and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Walden University.

Jerrard Walker

Jerrard Walker, RN, LCSW, CADC, SA

Chief Population Health Officer

Jerrard Walker, RN, LCSW, CADC, SAP, CAMS-II joined PCC in 2020. He obtained his Master of Social Work from Wayne State University – School of Social Work. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Resurrection University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a Minor in Social Work from Oakland University. 

Jerrard completed his social work training at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. He was one of the architects who established the CCHHS CountyCare program. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and reading.

Sara Hogue

Sara Hogue, MSW

Chief Quality Improvement Officer

Sara Hogue, joined PCC in 2015.  As PCC’s CQIO, Sara leads initiatives to develop new capacity in quality improvement across the organization. Sara is passionate about public health and committed to developing quality assurance tools that can improve population health. 

She has a decade of experience in performance and quality improvement in such areas as research, program evaluation, data analysis, quality assurance, and performance management.  Prior to her promotion to CQIO, Sara served as PCC’s Director of Performance Improvement, where she managed the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Patient Centered Medical Home recognition process, expanding PCC’s recognition from four to eight sites of care. Sara also pioneered the organization’s Core Culture Committee, which worked to identify and address inclusivity needs for patients and staff. Sara holds a Master of Social Work from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts from St. Xavier University.

Paul Luning

Paul Luning, MD, MPH

Chief Medical Officer

Paul Luning, MD, MPH has spent his entire career at PCC. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his medical degree from the University of Chicago – Pritzker School of Medicine, and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

He joined PCC in 1995 after graduating from West Suburban Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program. He later completed PCC’s Fellowship in Community Medicine. Dr. Luning was promoted to Chief Medical Officer in 2007. He has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many programs at PCC, such as the Performance Improvement Program and PCC’s clinical program at The Boulevard, a local shelter for homeless individuals recovering from illness. He has received numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Family Physicians and Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, Teacher of the Year from the West Suburban Family Medicine Residency Program (2003, 2007, 2012), and George O’Neill Leadership Award from the Illinois Primary Health Care Association.

Nilsa Campos

Nilsa Campos, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer, Nilsa Campos, joined PCC in 2019. As COO, Nilsa directs the the day-to-day activities of the organization.  

As the Regional Director of Clinical Operations, she managed nine PCC health centers. She was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations, where she implemented strategic operational plans for all PCC health centers. Nilsa has advanced experience with driving growth in facility development and profitability. Prior to PCC, Nilsa worked as a facility administrator at DaVita Harvey Dialysis, and as staff nurse and patient care manager for the pediatric cardiac ICU at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. Nilsa has a Master of Business Administration from Lewis University. She also has a Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chicago State University.

Melissa Chrusfield

Director of Communications and Community Engagement

Melissa Chrusfield serves as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at PCC Community Wellness Center.

With a passion for connecting people and fostering meaningful relationships, Melissa oversees all communications strategies and community outreach initiatives. She brings extensive experience in public relations and advocacy, ensuring that PCC’s mission of accessible, high-quality healthcare reaches every corner of the community. Melissa is dedicated to amplifying PCC’s impact through innovative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and active community involvement.

Alyssa Sianghio

Alyssa Sianghio

President & CEO

Alyssa joins PCC Community Wellness Center with a robust portfolio in non-profit management and FQHC leadership, previously holding the role of Chief Administrative Officer at Lawndale Christian Health Center.

With over a decade of dedicated service, Alyssa’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements in enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality, which resonate deeply with PCC’s core mission. Educationally, Alyssa is grounded in community-centric development, holding a Master’s Degree in Community and Economic Development from Pennsylvania State University, alongside a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her academic background and ongoing contributions to discussions on healthcare best practices underscore her role as a visionary leader. Alyssa’s strategic approach aims for steady, sustainable growth at PCC. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team, confident in her leadership to guide us toward greater achievements in serving our community.