Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER - Chicago, Illinois
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program

What is it?
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program provides comprehensive mental health care in American Sign Language to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind children and adults, as well as their hearing family members, in the six-county Chicago area and beyond.

Who is it for?
One of the nation's most underserved populations - deaf and hard of hearing children, adolescents, and adults who communicate using American Sign Language.

Why do they do it?
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program began more than 25 years ago, when community leaders saw a critical unmet need for mental health services for deaf children and adults living on Chicago's North Side. Over the years, it became clear that mental health issues are closely tied to a number of other diseases. The program's mission has broadened to provide holistic care in recognition of this mind-body connection.

Impact: The program touches more than 500 deaf people each year. Currently, the program provides face-to-face and telepsychiatry behavioral health services and health education classes at multiple sites throughout a six-county area. The hospital has also developed the nation's first ASL interactive health education Web site at www.advocatehealth.com/deaf.

Contact: Toby Perlman, Ph.D.
Manager of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
Telephone: 773-296-3241
E-mail: Toby.Perlman@advocatehealth.com