Displaying items by tag: Chemical Dependency Program

Alison is a Licensed Social Worker. She received her master’s in social work from The University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Alison received her Bachelor's of Arts degree in psychology, with a special interest in clinical psychology, from The Ohio State University. Highlights of her clinical experiences have included facilitating Women’s and coed NA/AA groups as well as leading Mindfulness-Meditation practice in individual and group therapy. Her prior clinical-training has entailed working closely with individuals with medically and behaviorally complex conditions—notably PLWH (people living with HIV/AIDS) and populations with comorbid or co-occurring disorders.

Alison is dedicated to working with underserved populations to provide behavioral health care from a multidimensional perspective. She works with intention to acknowledge the complexities of the whole person to better equip individuals with the skills they need to work through their problems in living. Alison demonstrates an empathic understanding for others and strives to create a safe environment for individuals to share their lived experiences. During her free time, Alison enjoys making jewelry, playing with her dog, and spending times with friends.

Ruchi M. Fitzgerald, MD, FAAFP is a family physician and an addiction medicine physician. She is the Service Chief of Inpatient Addiction Medicine at PCC. Dr. Fitzgerald is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Rush University, as well as the Associate Program Director of the Rush Addiction Medicine Fellowship. She completed the addiction medicine fellowship at Rush University in 2020. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed the Montana Family Medicine Residency Program in 2012. Dr. Fitzgerald developed an interest in provision of care for underserved populations and those affected by substance use disorders during her residency. Her love for teaching medical students and family practice residents developed in Montana while she was a community faculty physician with the Montana Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Fitzgerald also has extensive experience in telemedicine. During her fellowship, Dr. Fitzgerald worked with the addiction medicine faculty to create RISE-MD (Rush Integrative Substance Use Disorder Education for Medical Doctors), an educational initiative in Rush Medical College that focuses on eliminating stigma while promoting evidence-based treatment of substance use disorders in the next generation of physicians. She has worked with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine on key advocacy and policy initiatives related to substance use disorders. Dr. Fitzgerald is also an active member of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs and is an advocate for physician health and wellness.In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, run, read, and cook. 

Sarah Neugarten is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner who completed her Masters of Science in Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing in 2017.

Chicago, IL – PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) has received certification from the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (IDHS/DASA). IDHS/DASA administers a network of community based facilities that provide alcohol and other drug treatment programs. 

Dr. Smrha is a family medicine physician who received his medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. Dr. Smrha completed residency at West Suburban Medical Center Family Residency Program.

Sara Miranda, DNP, FNP-BC is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and addiction medicine provider. She is the Hepatitis-C Clinic Coordinator at PCC. She completed both her undergraduate and medical education at Resurrection University in 2014. She completed residency at PCC, as part of the West Suburban Medical Center – Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Miranda first noticed her passion for addiction while working at West Suburban Medical Center as an intensive care unit registered nurse, often caring for community members after near-fatal overdoses, which required ICU management. Dr. Miranda also serves as a City of Chicago New Americans Mayoral Advisory Council member to review existing city-wide programs, recommend policies, and advocate for equitable resources and healthcare for undocumented Chicagoans. Dr. Miranda is a Board Member for the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine where she advocates and supports nurses in Illinois by expanding addiction education and awareness within nursing. 

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Dr. Milik joined the PCC health care team in 2008. He earned his medical degree from the University of Cairo – Faculty of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. Dr. Milik completed residency at Wheeling Hospital Family Health Center in West Virginia.

Dr. McDonough joined the PCC health care team in 2009. She earned her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago – Stritch School of Medicine in 2006. She completed residency at West Suburban Medical Center – Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Kawai received her medical education at St. George's University – School of Medicine in Grenada. She completed residency at the University of Florida.