How long have you been in Chicago?
I moved to Chicago in 1988 to complete my medical residency at Northwestern University Medical School, first in internal medicine, then in physical medicine and rehabilitation at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I have been here in Chicago and at RIC since then.
I have always found Chicago to be warm, with Midwestern values, clean and very welcoming. My favorite part about Chicago is its lakefront—and the wonderful and unique juxtaposition of a dynamic urban environment and a beautiful lakefront.
What is the best thing about running a business in Chicago?
At The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, I am part of an organization that makes a difference in the lives of people every day through its mission to deliver the quality, comprehensive rehabilitation care.
The City has been extremely nurturing to RIC and its vision for many years, as exemplified by close personal relationships between RIC and City officials, and also in the City's policy and actions by making Chicago the most accessible city in the country for people living with disabilities. By implementing accessible transportation policies, parks and support services for people with disabilities, the City creates a great, welcoming, and inclusive quality of life. This dedication to accessibility makes Chicago the ideal host for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Chicago has the ability to host athletes and spectators from around the world—providing a positive experience for everyone—including Paralympians and any individual with a physical disability.
Looking towards 2016 and beyond, it's estimated that one out of every five people in America have a disability and this number will grow in the coming years as U.S. service men and women return from combat with disabilities and as the population continues to age. As the world experiences greater prevalence of people with disabilities, Chicago is committed to leading by example of providing a high quality of accessibility for all of its residents and visitors.
Do you participate in any sports in Chicago?
I personally enjoy athletics and am pretty good at a few different sports. I competed in basketball, volleyball, and swimming during various parts of my schooling. I still am very active athletically, including sailing—but for fitness and recreational enjoyment now (as opposed to competitive sports).
What about spectator sports?
Bears, Cubs, White Sox fan!
If you were to describe Chicago to someone that has not visited, what would you say?
Chicago is a clean, vibrant, successful, big American city that radiates with a small-town, warm, values-driven and inclusive personality!
What assets in Chicago does your family utilize the most?
My family enjoys Millennium Park, the Chicago Public Library, the lakefront, and the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue).
How would you explain to your shareholders that Chicago is the best location for your company?
Chicago is a world-class city with a strong commitment to accessibility and disability issues. It is only fitting that RIC, ranked America's #1 rehabilitation hospital, for its ability to deliver world-class rehabilitation care and services, continue to call Chicago home to its Flagship hospital. Chicago is host to healthcare of international leadership and expertise; RIC complements this leadership by providing the best rehabilitation care available on the planet and we welcome many patients of international origin who travel to Chicago to obtain the best in medical care each year.
The City is also home to another six sites of care for RIC—sites that provide specialty outpatient services such as chronic pain care and sports injury rehabilitation.
It is also an important part of RICs mission to extend this world-renowned care to other communities in need of rehabilitation services. Therefore, RIC has more than 20 additional sites of care throughout the Chicago suburbs, central and southern Illinois and north central Indiana.
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