The CORE Center provides comprehensive medical and psychosocial health care for people affected by HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases regardless of their ability to pay. The Center is focused on ensuring a patient centered environment. The programs offered are all-inclusive and range from screening and intake to research and treatment. The services include:
A central appointments service that can help you access services within the Center; the telephone number is (312) 572-4500
Can be accessed as a registered patient of The CORE Center.
HIV Primary Care
Can be accessed by walk-in or medical referral after registration by appointment.
Can be accessed by registered CORE Center patients by referral from their provider. Offered only on Thursdays.
Can be accessed by registered CORE Center patients by referral from their provider.
* These services may be obtained if deemed necessary by your provider. A referral is required before these services may be scheduled.
Your assigned case manager, counselor, or primary care provider can help you access the many social services provided by the staff at the Center.
Case Management. Provided by degreed professionals. They are responsible for assisting CORE Center consumers with referrals and guiding them through the entitlements system. They can assist with issues concerning insurance, disability, housing, transportation, financial assistance and ADAP enrollment.
Chemical Dependency. Addictions counselors offer support via assessment, treatment referral, and harm reduction programs to those who seek help with the issue of addiction.
Mental Health. Assessment, counseling, psychotherapy, support groups, psychiatric evaluation and medication management are all offered here by qualified staff members.
Pastoral Care. Chaplains offer spiritual guidance. This service can be most easily accessed through your case manager.
Legal Assistance. This service can be accessed by appointment through your case manager, or the front desk after registration.
Peer Counseling. Peer advocates assist newly diagnosed patients to navigate the services at the CORE Center. They offer general guidance and support to patients seeking their assistance and advice.
Support Groups. Support groups are offered throughout the week that are gender, issue, and topic specific. The CORE Center also offers Chemical Dependency Group meetings. If you have an interest in attending groups contact your case manager for a referral.
Volunteer Program. The volunteer program provides many services including but not limited to: Art therapy, Resource Center assistance, clinic assistance, and visitation at the John H. Stroger Hospital.
Patient Advocacy. This program was set up to help consumers answer questions you may have about CORE Center's policies and procedures. The advocates serve as liaisons between you and the CORE Center administration. An advocate is available during clinic sessions to provide information and to assist you in resolving any problems that may arise during your visit at the Center. Patient advocates can also assist you with the patient grievance process.
Conducted at the CORE Center to improve our understanding of infectious diseases.
Clinical research, medication trials, and behavioral science research, are l available to all patients who meet study requirements, including pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents. These studies often involve new medications, vaccines, interviews, and a host of other therapies. All studies are voluntary and available at no cost to patients. For more information about what is available and how to participate, the research clinic staff is available on 2 West to answer your questions.
Staff members, peer advocates, and volunteers are all involved in patient education at the CORE Center.
There are counselors available to provide general disease information. The CORE Center website offers links to informational and educational sources for general medical and HIV disease information. The web page is found at http://www.corecenter.org. There is also a Resource Center located on 1East next to the Screening Clinic.
Accessible to all patients of the CORE Center and is located on the first floor next to the Screening Clinic waiting area.
The Center has two computers equipped with Internet access, disease specific brochures, literature and the latest publications of local periodicals. The Center is staffed by volunteers who are available during business hours. The volunteers can answer questions about the computers, and to help clients locate literature based on their needs.