Lindsay had a busy summer this year. On top of planning her son’s first birthday party in August, she was preparing to take an exam to become a Certified Phlebotomy Technician, which she passed. She feels optimistic about her future: “I’m excited to see where life takes me.”

She had become an Erie Family Health Centers (Erie) patient a year prior. Lindsay found out she was expecting while fairly far along in her pregnancy, so she turned to Erie HealthReach Waukegan for prenatal care.

At this advanced stage of pregnancy, she faced several challenges. She was in an unsafe living situation and experiencing substance use disorder, which was negatively impacting her mental health. Lindsay wasn’t sure if she wanted to become a parent or pursue adoption, but her Erie providers supported her health needs and decision-making process.

Her Erie care team took her health and safety concerns both inside and outside the exam room seriously. Lindsay and her OB/GYN created a plan to leave her unsafe living situation. She connected with an Erie psychiatrist to address her mental health challenges, start her recovery journey, and receive treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

“Erie doctors make me feel so comfortable. They are such genuine people. It’s something that you can’t teach. They have truly changed my life for the better,” she shared.

Working together, Lindsay and her Erie providers charted a path toward a healthier life. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She is currently in recovery and proud of what she has accomplished so far. “It’s been hard, but my son is so happy.”

Now she is pursuing a career in the medical field, where she will become a partner in someone else’s health journey. Lindsay said, “I feel like there should be more empathy toward people with addiction, but unfortunately there’s still a lot of stigma. My Erie doctors being so kind and genuine encouraged me to feel like I can do anything. I want to help people and spread knowledge.”

Like many patients, Lindsay’s path was not straightforward when she arrived at Erie. Lindsay’s providers provided nonjudgmental support and care so that she could feel comfortable making healthcare decisions that best fit her life.

The Erie team—which includes providers, nurses, medical assistants, case managers, and social drivers of health team members—partners with patients every day to meet their health needs during appointments and address barriers to health outside the exam room. Health is truly a team effort between Erie patients and staff.

With your support, Erie will continue to provide high-quality, comprehensive, compassionate, respectful healthcare to patients regardless of insurance status, immigration status, or ability to pay. You are part of a generous community of supporters that fund Erie programs and resources available to our 87,000 patients at 13 health center locations in the Chicago region.

Will you consider donating today to ensure that patients like Lindsay receive wraparound support and services?

Your impact on Erie’s patient-focused programs and services will be doubled through December 31! All gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000.

Erie offers a variety of ways to donate, including gifts of stock, wire transfers and charitable IRA rollover contributions. For questions about these ways to give, contact Cathy Junia at cjunia@eriefamilyhealth.org.

100 percent of your donation to Erie Family Health Foundation goes directly to Erie Family Health Centers.