Providing world-class care to patients. |
The Patient Experience:
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A Patient from Mexico Had a Successful Liver Transplant from a Living DonorThis video shares the story of Patricia Mena Hernandez, a patient who had a successful liver transplant from a living donor. Northwestern Medicine has established the foremost Hispanic transplant program in the nation, catering to the needs of Hispanic patients. This program is an outcome of the efforts of the multidisciplinary team and the International Health Office, which has enabled optimal care for patients. The Hispanic transplant program team at Northwestern Medicine includes Dr. Juan Caicedo and Dr. Andres Duarte, and their contributions have led to a remarkable 68% improvement in access to transplant care. They have also been successful in reducing the disparity between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites, specifically in the case of living donor kidney transplants, by 70%. The Hispanic transplant program at Northwestern Medicine is proud to extend its services to patients across Latin America and beyond.
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UAE Sends Cancer Patient to Chicago for Life-Saving Transplant A patient from the UAE came to Chicago for a Liver transplant at Northwestern Medicine's organ transplant program. It is the first hospital in the world to perform a minimally invasive liver transplant which means in three days the patient can go back home. To learn more, please click here: UAE sends cancer patient to Chicago for life-saving transplant (fox32chicago.com)
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World-Class Care Attracts Patients to Northwestern Medicine from Across the GlobeA 29-year-old from the United Arab Emirates had cystic fibrosis, which caused a serious decline in his lung capacity and performance. By the end of 2019, his care team in the UAE determined he needed new lungs. That’s when Northwestern Medicine stepped in. On September 3, 2021, he got his wish: two new, healthy lungs. To read more, please click here: Beyond Borders – NM Magazine
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Costa Rica Patient Travels to Northwestern Medicine for Brain Cancer CareJust a few months after his 21st birthday, Philip Waid, from Costa Rica, had a medical appointment that would change his life. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was pressing on his brain stem, making it hard for him to walk normally. After reaching out to various care teams and specialists across the United States, Philip and his family were relieved to receive a quick response from the Northwestern Medicine Neurosurgery team, which included James Chandler, MD, a brain cancer specialist. The team’s responsiveness, support and sense of urgency reassured Phillip and his family right from the start. Dr. Chandler and his team knew Philip would need surgery to address his brain tumor. But first, Philip and his family would need to travel to the U.S. for evaluation and treatment at Northwestern Medicine. For that, Dr. Chandler reached out to Northwestern Medicine International Health. The International Health team helps facilitate care, supporting patients from around the world and their loved ones at every step of their care journey. Gloria Frank, lead patient care coordinator, helped Philip and his family navigate logistics for his care. Meanwhile, Hilda Escamilla, financial coordinator, worked with Philip’s family to help them understand costs and payment options. Philip’s father says that the International Health team “eased their worries,” and smoothed the process of travelling internationally to get the lifesaving tumor treatment his son needed. The International Health team scheduled appointments, communicated with Philp’s care team in Costa Rica, and supported Philip and his parents with resources for accommodations.
Comprehensive and Connected Care. Just over a week after their first visit, Philip had a pre-op appointment with Dr. Chandler. On October 17, Dr. Chandler and his team removed Philip’s brain tumor. This released the pressure on his brain stem, making it possible for Philip to start returning to his previous levels of activity. Sure enough, Phillip was walking again shortly after surgery. His parents were amazed — and relieved — to see the difference in their son’s health. “It was like speaking to a brand-new person,” says Philip’s father. Although the surgery had removed the tumor, Philip’s treatment wasn’t over. The International Health team coordinated with Northwestern Medicine Proton Center for the next phase of Philip’s care. Proton therapy uses highly precise doses of radiation to treat cancer. The center has treated patients from around the world, so they were experienced in coordinating care like Philip’s. Phillip and his parents stayed near the center, which is only about 30 miles from downtown Chicago. For a few months, Phillip went to regularly scheduled appointments at the center, and his last one was in June 2024. Phillip shows no signs of the cancer returning and plans to return to Costa Rica with his parents, where he can get back to his everyday routine. He and his family stay in touch with the International Health team and clinic follow-ups. Precision medicine and compassionate care at Northwestern Medicine enabled Philip to get the treatment he needed. “They gave my son another opportunity at life,” says Philip’s father. |
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