Senator Lakesia Collins, Community Members and UI Health Staff Bring Holiday Cheer
Senator Collins' Holidays at UI Health Heading link
On December 23rd, UI Health was pleased to welcome Illinois State Senator Lakesia Collins, 5th District, for her special “Holidays at UI Health” event. Senator Collins was joined by UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda, UI Health CEO Dr. Mark Rosenblatt, Head of Pediatrics Dr. Benjamin Van Voorhees and a number of local elected officials. Together, they toured the UI Health Pediatrics and Mother & Baby units while they visited and distributed gifts to patients and families. A highlight of the event was Senator Collins sitting to read the classic holiday poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Pediatrics Department Head, Dr. Benjamin Van Voorhees said, “We are so grateful for Senator Collins’ extraordinary commitment to the communities served by UI Health. She and everyone involved in this holiday event have truly helped to brighten the holidays for our young patients and their families during the holiday season.”
Sincere thanks also to Cook County Commissioner Michael Scott, Jr.; Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin; Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr., 27th Ward; and Chicago Alderman Jason C. Ervin, 28th Ward for their participation in the holiday festivities.
Photos from the Holiday Event Heading link
UI Health's Miracle on Taylor Street Heading link
Each holiday season, UI Health staff show their commitment to our community by contributing to our Miracle on Taylor Street employee holiday gift drive. This year, more than 250 UI Health employees participated in Miracle on Taylor Street, delivering more than 600 gifts to our partner organizations, bringing cheer to 334 families this holiday season.
Miracle on Taylor Street was started in 1995 by a group of UI Health nurses to help families in need on Chicago’s Near West Side. Nearly three decades later, the gift drive provides support for six community organizations across the city:
- Chinese American Service League
- Missionaries of Charity
- Mujeres Latinas en Accion
- Neopolitan Light House
- New Hope
- Teresa’s Interim Housing (Deborah’s Place).
“Miracle on Taylor Street is always one of my favorite days of the year,” said Rani Williams, Chief Diversity & Community Health Equity Officer. “I’m so proud of our employees for volunteering their time to donate gifts, coordinate deliveries, and load vehicles for our partner agencies. Work like this helps give families in our community a holiday season to look forward to.”
“It’s always wonderful to see our staff come together and meet the moment like this,” said Hospital & Clinics CEO Dr. Mark Rosenblatt. “Miracle on Taylor Street is just one of many examples of our hospital’s commitment to the families in our communities.”