Did You Know...?
Folic Acid: The Best Hope for Prevention
400 micrograms of folic acid every day can reduce the risk of a baby being born with Spina Bifida by as much as 70%.
Spina Bifida Clinics in Illinois
(Updated March 2007)
Children’s Memorial Hospital Spina Bifida Clinic
2515 N. Clark St.
Chicago, Il 60614
Phone: 773-880-4523
Clinic is usually held every Tuesday morning beginning at 9 a.m. They currently serve approximately 20-25 patients per day and provide care for patients ranging from birth to 21 years of age. Staff includes Pediatric Neurosurgeons Dr. McLone and Dr. Bowman, Orthopedists Dr. Dias and Dr. Sarwark, Physical Medicine and Rehab Specialist Dr. Mukerjee, Neurologist Dr. Bassuk, Urologist Dr. Kaplan, Urologist (reconstruction) Dr. Cheng, the Spina Bifida Coordinator Roseann Greene, as well as a social worker available by appointment. The clinic has a shuttle that runs to and from the hospital and is located near convenient public transportation. They do accept public aid and list of other accepted insurance programs can be found on their website at www.childrensmemorial.org. To make an appointment call 773-880-4373.
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Adult Spina Bifida Clinic
345 Superior St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-238-2842
The clinic will serve patients from 16 years old up to any adult age and is usually held on the first Friday morning of each month. The clinic staff includes Dr. Sue Mukherjee, Physical Medicine and Rehab Specialist, Dr. Aruna Ganju, Neurosurgeon, Dr. Quentin /Clemens, Urologist, Pediatric Neurosurgeon Dr. David McLone, and a social worker available by appointment. The clinic can serve approximately 15 patients per day, but may add another day if necessary. RIC offers many services such at physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, Seating, Orthotics, a Wound Care Clinic, Vocational Rehab services, Assistive Technology services, the RIC Fitness center as well as the RIC LIFE center. Information about insurance and other services can be found at their website, www.ric.org. RIC does accept public aid. The clinic can be reached for appointments by contacting RIC scheduling at 312-238-6100, and for all other questions call the clinic coordinator, Suzanne Kawaguchi, at 312-238-2842. When calling, be sure to have your primary care physician’s information available to facilitate communication with your doctors.
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital Spina Bifida Clinic
1675 Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL
Phone: 847-723-5065
Clinic is usually held on the first Friday of every month from approximately 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic staff includes Genetic Pediatricians Dr. Debra Rita and Dr. Carol Booth, Nephrologist Dr. Richard Kaplan, Orthopedist (and physical therapist) Dr. Samar Jaglan, Clinic Coordinator Barbara Martin, and a social worker available by appointment. They currently see 8-10 patients a day and provide services for patients ranging from newborn to 20 years old. There is a public bus service that runs on Dempster Street in front of the hospital. They accept most major insurance providers (HMO’s and PPO’s) as well as public aid. To make an appointment call 847-723-5065 and ask for Barbara Martin.
Shriners Hospital Myelomeningocele Clinic
2211 N. Oak Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60707
Phone: 773-622-5400
Clinic is usually held every Thursday morning beginning at 8:30 A.M. The clinic staff includes Dr. Halouk Altiok, Orthopedist, Dr. Antonio Chaviano, Urologist, Dr. Arthur DiPatri, Neurosurgeon, as well as a social worker available by appointment. New patients can make an appointment at the clinic by calling the front desk and asking for an application to be mailed to them, or through a physician’s referral by calling the front desk and asking to speak to Jennie Verdino. The clinic can see approximately 15 patients per day ranging in age from infancy to their age limit of 21 years old. If Shriners Hospital cannot provide a certain service, patients are typically referred to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The clinic is close to the Metra train as well as the CTA. Also, services at the hospital are without charge to the patient/families.
Loyola University Medical Center Spina Bifida-Outpatient Center
2160 S. 1st Ave.
Maywood, IL 60153
Phone: 708-216-3834
The pediatric clinic is usually held on the 4th Wednesday of every month and consists of 2 shifts of patient appointments starting at 12:30 and 3:00 P.M. Loyola is currently in the process of opening up a transitional clinic and an adult clinic. Once these are open the pediatric clinic will see patients from birth-14 years old, the transitional clinic will see patients from 14-17 years old, and the adult clinic will see any patients over 18 years of age. The pediatric clinic staff includes Dr. Douglas Anderson, Neurosurgeon, Dr. Edwin Harris, Orthopedist, Dr. Harris, Podiatrist, Dr. David Hatch, Urologist, Dr. Mary Keen, Physiatrist and Dr. Eugene Schnitzler Neurologist. The adult clinic staff includes Dr. Chaudrie, Physiatrist, as well as Dr. Douglas Anderson and Dr. David Hatch from the pediatric clinic. Janice Papp, social worker, Lisa Boyko, physical therapist, Michael Applebee, neural psychiatrist, and Patty Morse, dietician, will all also see patients at the clinic. The clinic typically sees 8-10 patients per shift and approximately 250-300 patients total. The clinic is close to public transportation and offers medical transport to hospitals if necessary. The clinic also offers a parental support/informational group that typically meets the second Saturday of every month from 9-11 A.M. Each patient’s individual case worker can discuss specific insurance information, but they usually accept all forms. New patients should contact Pat Braun at 708-216-8173.
Pediatric Surgery Center
Spina Bifida Clinic
420 N.E. Glen Oak, Suite 201
Peoria, IL 61603
Phone: 309-655-3800
For an appointment contact Clinic Coordinator, Mimi Artis at 309-495-0284
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