FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 11, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
RoiAnn Phillips, Communications Director
roiann.phillips@phimc.org / tel. 708.466.2650
Health Justice: Thirty Years of Commitment
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago marks 30 years
working at the intersection of public health and social justice
CHICAGO – Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) proudly celebrates its 30th year working to promote health justice and strengthen public health through innovation and partnerships that align people, strategies, and resources. To mark this moment, PHIMC’s Board and Staff are hosting a 30th Anniversary Reception on November 14, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the American Writers Museum (AWM).
As one of the most unique Chicago museums downtown, AWM’s mission is to celebrate the enduring influence of American writers on history, identity, culture, and people’s daily lives. Reception guests will enjoy the company of Chicago’s public health leaders with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, public health trivia, photo opportunities with superhero capes, writing prompts with old fashioned typewriters, and music.
Founded in 1994, PHIMC originally served as an exclusive partner for the Chicago Department of Public Health. Over time, the organization has evolved and now provides leadership across Illinois to a broad range of projects that bring to life a vision of systems that impact how we live, work, and play as compassionate, affirming, and racially equitable, supporting health and well-being for all people.
For 30 years, PHIMC has worked across the city, state, and nation to ensure that people in need have access to the care and services they deserve. As a convener and facilitator of collaborations, PHIMC works with organizations serving individuals living in communities marginalized by a long history of oppression. The organization’s efforts improve access to education, health, and social services that affirm and support LGBTQ+ youth, people struggling with substance use disorders, justice impacted individuals, people living with or at risk for chronic disease, and others facing systemic discrimination. While the context for this work has shifted over the past 30 years, the commitment of PHIMC staff, partners, and allies remains.
“For thirty years, through two pandemics – HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 – navigating the ever-present public health crisis of racism,” said Karen A. Reitan, PHIMC President and CEO, “PHIMC has led the way, strategizing with policymakers and community partners to reduce harm, stem the spread of disease, dismantle stigma, and strengthen communities. Now is the time for us to gather, and raise a toast to our enduring vision for health justice.”
PHIMC Board President Casey Horton adds, “PHIMC’s staff, board, and supporters are deeply committed to making the world a better place. They listen closely, trusting people to know what they need, and design programs that place those most impacted at the heart of their work.”
PHIMC remains committed to deconstructing racist systems, preventing trauma, addressing the root causes of poor health, and ensuring its team is collectively moving the needle to achieve health equity and finding the way to justice.
Quatrro Business Support Services sponsors PHIMC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration along with Marc Realty, LLC, and S. Wolf & Associates.
Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC) advances health justice and strengthens public health through innovation and partnerships that align people, strategies, and resources. Through organizational development, systems transformation, fiscal management, and program implementation, PHIMC leads efforts to ensure systems are compassionate, affirming, and racially equitable, supporting health and well‐being for all people.
###
