New UChicago Medicine River East facility to offer high-quality outpatient care

The University of Chicago Medicine will open its new $20 million outpatient care center in Chicago's River East neighborhood on Feb. 24. The facility, at 355 E. Grand Ave., will offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services.

The Hyde Park-based academic health system consolidated its two Streeterville locations -; at 150 E. Huron St. and 680 N. Lake Shore Drive -; into the new 40,000-square-foot site. The location doubles the space of the previous clinics combined, and dramatically increases UChicago Medicine's presence in the popular downtown neighborhood.

We're bringing the forefront of medicine into more patients in this community. This new site is part of our healthcare mission to expand access to our world-leading care and clinicians. It will provide greater healthcare options, and most importantly, increase convenience to more patients."

Sharon O'Keefe, President of the University of Chicago Medical Center

UChicago Medicine River East will offer high-quality outpatient care in more than a dozen specialty areas, including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, family medicine, GI (gastroenterology), gynecology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, non-chemotherapy infusion, nephrology (kidney care), obstetrics/gynecology, plastic surgery/cosmetics, rheumatology, psychotherapy, sleep medicine, pulmonology, weight management and urology.

The center includes about three dozen exam rooms, where doctors can perform a number of outpatient tests, such as cardiac stress tests and advanced laser treatments. There also will be a voice center, with state-of-the-art treatment for voice and airway disorders.

The River East site was previously a gym, but architects and hospital planners transformed the space into a bright, modern, art-filled facility. Features include spacious exam rooms with sliding wooden doors, a contemporary waiting area with floor-to-ceiling windows and state-of-the-art medical equipment.

The center also is equipped with new technology to make visits more convenient for patients. User-friendly kiosks are available for check-in and payments. The waiting area has work desks with charging outlets. Mobile check-in is offered on the MyChart app, and push notifications can be sent if earlier appointments open up. Tests and doctor visits can be streamlined to save patients' time.

The construction incorporated many environmentally friendly features, including the use of recycled raw materials and lights that adjust based on natural lighting in the space.

"Our new location brings this superior care closer to where many Chicagoans live, shop and work," said Shari Snow, MD, executive medical director of UChicago Medicine River East. "People throughout Chicago value the cutting-edge innovation and excellence of care that UChicago Medicine delivers."

As part of a partnership with Solis Mammography, a state-of-the-art mammography center is schedule to open in the River East location later this year.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the project in November 2018.