News Cardiology Clinic Goes Mobile to Underserved Communities
Cardiology Clinic Goes Mobile to Underserved Communities
The Division of Cardiology recognized the need to offer heart care expertise in underserved neighborhoods of Chicago. Lurie Children’s mobile health unit continues to be a priority at Lurie Children’s ensuring that even more underserved areas in the Chicagoland area can benefit from this convenience and service. Lindsey Gakenheimer-Smith, MD, pediatric cardiologist Alan Nugent, MD, section head of interventional cardiac catheterization and Olivia Kingsinger, RN, BSN lead this program and mission.
In Chicago, a 30-year gap in life expectancy exists between the residents living in the highest and lowest resource neighborhoods. Residents of the lowest resource neighborhoods have higher rates of chronic healthcare conditions. They have less access to high quality medical care and services to address their healthcare needs. Improving access to care can make a significant impact on a child and family’s well-being and prevent adverse health outcomes.
The Division of Cardiology has noted that over the past few years, numerous appointments have been cancelled, no follow-up visits scheduled or no-shows and often the number one factor is accessibility to a location and transportation.
Lurie Children’s remains committed to innovative ways to bring our clinical expertise out into the Chicago communities that need it the most.
Drs. Geikenheimer-Smith and Nugent along with registered nurse, Olivia Kingsinger, see patients monthly on the unit and offer general cardiology services, preventive cardiology and electrophysiology. Starting in Spring 2026, cardiology services will also expand to the Austin HOPE Center in Chicago, a severely underserved area of Chicago, joining five other specialties and affiliated providers from Lurie Children’s. Meeting patients in their own communities alleviates many concerns and stressors for families. The end goal is to provide families with easily accessible treatment plans that will then lead to improved heart health for their children.
