Advancing Community Health: RFU Hosts Health Equity Breakfast

Rosalind Franklin University facilitated its latest peer-to-peer Health Equity Breakfast series on May 11, gathering foundations, legislative representatives and innovators from the region to discuss progress in community-based outreach programs and academic research. The breakfast brings together advocates from various sectors who are focused on developing solutions and driving systemic change in Lake County and across Illinois.

The panel was led by Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH, director of the Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research and associate professor. Panelists included Aron Sousa, MD, president, Rosalind Franklin University; Melissa Chen, MD, Interprofessional Community Clinic (ICC) director, professor, and assistant dean of community health and engagement; and Julie Creaden, DNP, ARPN, CPNP-PC, medical director RFU Health Clinics and Children’s Advocacy Center Medical Clinic.

Emphasizing a patient-centered, holistic approach at the student-led ICC, Dr. Chen shared stories of delivering clinical care that meets the needs in the community. This includes focusing on quality health care for uninsured individuals in Lake County that begins with dignity and seeing patients “beyond the chart.” She also underscored the importance of understanding culturally responsive care, access and community outreach.

“A patient’s zip code is just as vital as a heart rate,” Dr. Chen said.

In 2025, the ICC experienced 1,074 patient encounters, a 20% increase from 2024. The pro bono ICC allows students to facilitate clinic operations in collaboration with RFU faculty and staff, affording them early, hands-on clinical experiences to deliver solutions within interprofessional healthcare teams. Recognized by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Gold Standard, the ICC has also received this highest designation from the NAFC for high-quality service in the Lake County community for three consecutive years.

Dr. Creaden reviewed RFU’s pediatric, trauma-informed healthcare clinic within Lake County’s Children’s Advocacy Clinic that promotes safety, trust, collaboration and empowerment for children and families. It is the first Illinois Department of Public Health-approved pediatric healthcare facility embedded within a children’s advocacy center in the state.

Moving away from emergency departments, the multidisciplinary team approach responds to sexual and physical child abuse cases to minimize the duplication of interview efforts. The team includes pediatric sexual assault nurse examiners, forensic interviews, law enforcement, mental health professionals, advocates and prosecutors.

Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison secured $1 million in funding for RFU’s CAC Health Clinic, recognizing that child abuse requires a coordinated response. Consults in the clinic continue to increase as awareness builds in the community, with 320 patients assisted by medical teams during the first quarter of 2026.

Dr. Sousa discussed the importance of universities as anchors in communities, outlining past experiences of building partnerships as neighbors. He shared a vision to support the well-being of mothers and infants, based on experiences of a successful model RxKids led by Michigan State University.

The universal design of supporting mothers and babies through RxKids with monetary support has shown to have population-level impacts, including improved financial security, improved maternal health, and the prevention of the maltreatment of infants.

This gathering allowed partners to better understand each other’s regional health goals and spark new ideas. Together, RFU and partners are fostering cross-sector solutions to ensure people can live healthier lives, while strengthening collaborations to build health equity and improve care in our communities.