Health
UChicago Medicine to Establish Ralph Lauren Center to Support Cancer Care on South Side After Receiving Grant
(Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)
UChicago Medicine will establish the Ralph Lauren Center, named after the fashion designer and billionaire businessman, at two locations to expand cancer care on the South Side and in the south suburbs, the academic health system announced Wednesday.
The grant awarded to UChicago is part of a $25 million commitment by the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to expand or establish five Ralph Lauren-named cancer centers in the U.S. The corporate foundation awarded the grant to UChicago Medicine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center to establish the Ralph Lauren Center. Spokespeople with UChicago Medicine and Ralph Lauren declined to share the grant amount.
Others centers have opened at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Georgetown in D.C. and Memorial Sloan Kettering in Harlem, New York.
The UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center will offer cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support services at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial in south suburban Harvey, launching this year, in addition to UChicago’s main campus in Hyde Park within a newly constructed $815 million cancer care and research pavilion that is expected to open next year.
The establishment of the Ralph Lauren Center represents a “significant step forward” for communities and patients, according to Dr. Nita Lee in a news release, who will be program director at both locations. Lee is currently associate director of community outreach and engagement at the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“By focusing on cancers that disproportionately affect our neighbors, we are advancing an approach to care that emphasizes prevention, early detection and coordinated support,” Lee said. “The center will allow us to better ensure all patients can get the seamless care across the network and benefit from screening, treatment and holistic supportive services.”
The center will extend beyond medical care to include supportive services such as transportation, nutrition, financial counseling and integrative therapies, according to a news release.
The UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center at Ingalls Memorial aims to provide community-centered patient navigation, according to a news release, utilizing community health workers and a partnership with the organization Equal Hope, which works to reduce disparities in women’s health care.
The UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center at Hyde Park will use a similar model through support by a mobile medical unit to help bring services such as preventive care and education to the community.
“From New York to Washington, Los Angeles and now Chicago, we are making a real impact on this disease, helping to raise awareness, improve outcomes and provide support — all thanks to the tireless work of the dedicated caregivers at our cancer centers,” said Ralph Lauren, chair of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, in a news release.
Lauren is an American fashion designer whose namesake company is most known for its Polo brand. Lauren stepped down as CEO in 2015, but still serves as executive chairman and chief creative officer.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
