OUR VISION, MISSION & VALUES

The University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Medicine (DOM) has a long tradition of providing thorough and comprehensive training in medicine. Since 1882, we have been moving academic medicine forward for the people of Illinois and beyond.

The Department of Medicine is the largest of 25 academic departments in the College of Medicine (COM). We are comprised of nine divisions, with faculty engaged in teaching, scholarly activity and patient care services.

CLINICAL

OUR MISSION IS TO STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR ALL.

The DOM is committed to stewardship in the communities it serves by providing high-quality and cost-effective patient care while increasing financial stability. We align with UI Health’s UI CARE (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence) values.

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY

Our commitment to scholarly activity is essential to our overall mission. Germane to this concept is the naming of research and investigative activity as “scholarly activity”. In recognition of the fact that collaboration and teamwork are essential to success, the DOM does not define roles as “research” or “clinical”, but rather enhancing scholarly activity for all DOM members whether trainee, faculty or staff.

EDUCATION

The DOM plays a significant role in the education of medical students, internal medicine residents, and specialty fellows throughout their years of training.

PHILANTHROPY & ENDOWMENTS

Fundraising for the DOM has a renewed emphasis on both research grants and private philanthropy, engaging alumni, community leaders, residents, and faculty.

From Our Director Of Administrative Operations

It is a pleasure to welcome you to our Annual Report that highlights the accomplishments of the Department of Medicine through high-quality clinical care, scholarly activity, and education. In this report you will find a detailed overview of activities that span 2021 and 2022 for all our department’s divisions. The report also includes faculty honors and awards, leadership biographies, division highlights, well as featured news stories on diversity, inclusion, and bias reduction. The COVID-19 pandemic again influenced our operations as we saw the persistence and adaptability of the SARS-CoV-2. Still, our clinical volumes rebounded and grew nicely across all areas while, at the same time, caring for significant numbers of patients affected by COVID-19. On behalf of the entire leadership team, I want to end by extending immense gratitude to our faculty, staff, partners, and friends across the institution: Thank you for all the ways in which you look after our community — and each other.

R. Bryan Blaha, MS Director of Administrative Operations

CHIEF, DIVISION OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY

Ece Mutlu, MD, MBA, MS, professor of medicine, was appointed chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Dr. Mutlu received her medical degree from Istanbul University and trained in gastroenterology at Loyola University. She also earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. She has substantial expertise in all aspects of clinical and translational research as well as a vast background in management and leadership. She is a clinician-scientist with 18 years of experience who specializes in inflammatory bowel disease. Her diligent approach to patient care and safety has earned her top-physician awards. Dr. Mutlu is nationally and internationally known for her patient-oriented research studying nutrition and the intestinal microbiome. Her work has been supported by foundations and federal agencies. Dr. Mutlu serves on multiple advisory panels, conducts clinical trials, teaches, lectures, and publishes in the same fields.

INTERIM HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

George T. Kondos, MD

George T. Kondos, MD, A. Tom Petropulos professor of medicine, was appointed as interim head of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Kondos has served as senior associate head of the Department of Medicine since 2017. He earned his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in cardiology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. During his four decades at UIC, Dr. Kondos has taken on multiple leadership roles for the Department of Medicine, the College of Medicine, and the University of Illinois Chicago. He previously served as Interim Head of the Department of Medicine from 2011-2012. Dr. Kondos has been instrumental in pioneering the use of coronary calcium imaging to detect early cardiovascular disease. He has participated and continues to participate in a number of NIH studies evaluating coronary calcium imaging in various patient populations. Additionally, Dr. Kondos is interested in the development of cardiovascular simulation using Harvey, a life-size manikin simulating over 60 cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Kondos’ clinical interests include coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and lipid disorders.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Adam Mikolajczyk, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine, was appointed program director for the Internal Medicine Residency program with his first academic year beginning in fall of 2022. Dr. Mikolajczyk earned his medical degree with honors from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He then completed Internal Medicine Residency, Gastroenterology fellowship, and Transplant Hepatology fellowship at the University of Chicago. During his chief residency year at University of Chicago, he also completed the Medical Education Research, Innovation, Teaching, and Scholarship (MERITS) fellowship. His research focuses on improving deficits in hepatology education in undergraduate and graduate medical training. He serves on several education-focused committees within hepatology and gastroenterology societies and is the lead faculty advisor for the Liver Fellow Network. Dr. Mikolajczyk has a deep passion for teaching, mentorship, and medical education research.