FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Chicago Medicine Ends Partnership with Domestic Violence Workers Medical Advocates dismissed from UC Medicine Ingalls ERs and Urgent Cares
HARVEY, IL, November 20, 2018 – After nearly 20 years of serving the community, University of Chicago Medicine/Ingalls Hospital has ended their contract with South Suburban Family Shelter to provide advocacy to victims of domestic violence in their emergency rooms and urgent care centers. The news came in a letter from University of Chicago Medicine’s legal counsel announcing that the long partnership will terminate in 30 days.
South Suburban Family Shelter Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya commented “This is a disappointing statement on University of Chicago Medicine’s commitment to the well-being of families in the south suburbs.”
The dissolution of a long-standing partnership means that thousands of people per year will no longer have access to medical advocacy services at Ingalls. Last year, South Suburban Family Shelter served 11,699 people in Ingalls ERs and Urgent Care centers by providing domestic violence screenings, assessments and intake to those in need.
South Suburban Family Shelter has already begun looking for new ways to reach out to people in need of their services in the community. They are also working to fill the budgetary gap that the dissolution of their partnership with Ingalls leaves.
South Suburban Family Shelter provides comprehensive, coordinated services to families in which domestic violence exists, without imposing any one solution. South Suburban Family Shelter accepts clients regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, marital status or age. Services are provided at no charge to victims and include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, community education, partner abuse intervention and transitional housing.
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Contact: Dawn Peloso
708-794-2140, ext. 308
dawnp@ssfs1.org