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Chicago Docs...? Any suggestions?

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Posted 1/16/2008 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

It's been a while since I've posted on here--mainly because after my last resection in October '06 I got healthy!!!! I've been in remission since then, with very few problems (yay!) and have been getting back to life. I got healthy enough that in October of '07, I decided to move away from Maryland (where I was born and raised) to the Windy City! It's wonderful out here--and really cold--but I'm having a great time. I'm so glad that my Crohn's didn't hold me back from this move. At my sickest, I was convinced that Crohn's had "ruined" my life and was going to dictate what I could and couldn't do forever!

Anyhow, I'm in Chicago and finally got a job, and more importantly: HEALTH INSURANCE! And now I'm in search of a new GI doc. I'm a little skittish about new docs--I had a really awful one when I was first diagnosed and went through hell with him. Then I found a great doc who I loved so much that I got teary eyed when I had my last appointment with him!

I was curious if there are any Crohnies out there in Healing Well land who have any suggestions for docs... It's a shot in the dark, but I figured if anyone knows good docs, the great people here do.

Any suggestions or tips for finding a new doc would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks so much, and I wish health and happiness to everyone! Also, if anyone has questions about anything, go ahead and ask--I went through so much crazy stuff throughout my diagnosis, fistulas, Remicade, surgeries, etc etc etc...(it was a rough, rough road for me!)--I hope I can help anyone the way that everyone on here helped me in my time(s) of need!

Thanks again!

-Sarah

Posted 1/16/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats to you Sarah!! You sound like my 25 year old Daughter. She reached remission her final year of College, found a good job with Health Insurance and then transferred her Michigan job to New York City to give living in the Big City a whirl. She has been there almost 2 years now and before she goes totally broke will probably be moving again and I think her next move is to Chicago possibly this Summer. I'll be looking in on your post and take note of any Chicago GI's recommended since the info might come in handy for my Daughter.

Enjoy Chicago! My Daughter loves Chicago and visits there quite frequently since many of her dear hometown/college friends settled there after Graduation from College since the job market really s*cks here in Michigan!
Posted 1/16/2008 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
I was recently at a lecture with a GI named Dr. Reuben (spelling might be off). I don't know where exactly in Chicago he practices, but he was absolutely amazing. I think every Crohnie in the audience was wishing they had him for a GI. Yay for having insurance again!
Posted 1/16/2008 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am originally from Chicago...you have a lot of great options there. Dr. Hanauer's group at Univeristy of Chicago is supposed to be outstanding. My brother is an ER doc and he really likes his good GI friend Bennet Plotnick in Skokie, who takes care of a ton of Crohn's patients. I don't know what part of the city you live in. You can also call the Crohn's foundation for doctor referrals. ( ccfa.org ) Good luck and let us know how you do!
Posted 1/16/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Sarah, I am in the suburbs and love my Doctor if you want his name I will email to you... Not sure where you live but he is in Aurora and Naperville (has 2 offices) Karen
Posted 1/16/2008 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I saw Dr. Cohen at University of Chicago for a second opinion before my surgery.  He seemed to be very nice and knowledgable.  I'm going back to my doctor in Northwest Indiana simply because it is just too difficult to get there for appointments, but I believe there are a few good doctors at UofC for us. 
Posted 1/16/2008 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. Hanauer at U of Chicago is one of the top Crohns specialists and researchers in the country, but I doubt he is that involved with patient care. However I would imagine any of the GIs associated with U of Chicago are closely affiliated with him and you probably could not go wrong there.

Posted 2/1/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)

Ally, my daughter, sees Dr. David Rubin at the University of Chicago. I believe Dr. Hanuer is more involved with research now. Dr. Rubin is a fantastic doctor, person and friend. He saved Ally's life and is such a valuable person in her life. I would either see him or any of the other fantastic doctors there that he recommends.

Posted 2/1/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
I see Dr. Hanauer at the University of Chicago and he's amazing. I'm not sure whether or not he accepts new patients. Any member of his group would be a good choice though.
Posted 2/2/2008 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. David Rubin at the University of Chicago.....he's in the same group as Dr. Hanuer. You cannot go wrong with David not only is he a great doctor but he is a kind and compasionate man who really cares about his patients. He has been there even in the "off hours" when I have had problems.

David Rubin, MD
5841 S. Maryland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-6140

You can also see him on the Crohn's and Me website (and Ally's law mom's daughter too!)
http://www.crohnsandme.com

Also, CCFA (Crohn's and Colitis Foundation) is having their yearly conference in Chicago Saturday March 29th. There's 16 lectures for patients to choose from. Here's the link to the brochure: http://www.ccfa.org/media/pdf/CCFA_PatFam_2008_8.pdf

Also planning on doing an after work get together in Chicago in April at a local bar yet to be deterimined.

Email me if you have any questions-
Erica
[email protected]
Posted 2/11/2008 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I've been seeing Russell Cohen at the U of Chicago for years and wouldn't go to anyone else - unless it was someone else in Hanauer's group. 
Posted 2/12/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Dr. Michael Goldberg who practices as part of Evanston Northwestern Hospital is probably one of the best guys you can get. He travels nationally to talk on Crohn's and the entire staff/GI lab is always fantastic. It's a hassle to get remicade because they "only do one a day" (which is not true and a huge inconvenience to a college student like me) but I still trust the nurses and doctors there a ton.
Posted 2/16/2008 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
HI Sarah-

Here's a great way to interview doctors in Chicago-go to the CCFA Conference and hear some of the top docs talk....It's on March 29th in Rosemont (near O'Hare). I will be there it'll be my 3rd year going. Although my doctor (Dr. David Rubin) will not be speaking this year he is the course director for the whole thing. If you plan on attending let me know and we can meet up I can even introduce you to Dr. Rubin (If I can chase him down!).

Take Care, Erica

http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/illinois/media/pdf/IL-Patient-Family-Conference.pdf

patient/family registration:

http://www.register123.com/event/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformid=0x514996d34f

or you can go to
http://www.ccfa.org/chapters/illinois/
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