Loyola University Chicago, High School Health Care Partnership Receives $1.7 million gift

CONTACT
Gabby Abbott
gabbott3@LUC.edu

CHICAGO—Loyola University Chicago was recently awarded a $1.7 million gift from the Westlake Health Foundation to sustain and strengthen its programs at the School-Based Health Center (SBHC). Operated at Proviso East High School by Loyola’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing since 2002, the SBHC provides Proviso East students with access to comprehensive, community-based health care at no cost while also preparing the next generation of health professionals. 

A substantial portion of the gift, totaling $1.36 million, will support Loyola Nursing’s delivery of primary care, immunizations, school physicals, chronic condition management, mental and behavioral health services, and preventive care—addressing barriers to access and advancing health equity in Proviso Township.  

“The SBHC is an example of how we put our mission to provide equitable health care into action,” said Loyola Nursing Dean Lorna Finnegan. “The breadth of services we provide at Proviso East helps students and families live healthier lives, and our nursing students get real-world experience in community health care.”  

Integrated with this comprehensive primary care framework are health promotion initiatives that strengthen students’ overall well-being. One such program, Nutrition Revolution, pioneered by the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, received $322,000 to continue its innovative nutrition education efforts. A hallmark of the program is the Lunch Bunch, which brings students together in a dedicated space to prepare lunch, featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients selected by Parkinson dietitians and dietetics students, unlocking the flavor and health benefits in surprising new ways. 
 
“Good nutrition is critical for an individual’s health and for the health of the entire community,” said Elaine H. Morrato, professor and founding dean of the Parkinson School. “In today’s landscape of misinformation, connecting students directly with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who can provide evidence-based answers to common questions and deliver nutrition therapy within an easily accessible School-Based Health Center is a crucial step toward advancing better health for all. Our Dietetics faculty, staff, and students are honored to partner with Proviso East students and to be supported by the Westlake Health Foundation.” 

The SBHC serves as a living laboratory for Loyola students from multiple schools, providing interprofessional education and workforce development. Students from Loyola Nursing, the Parkinson School, the Stritch School of Medicine, and the School of Social Work collaborate under faculty supervision, learning to deliver coordinated, culturally responsive care.   

This model strengthens the pipeline of future clinicians prepared to serve adolescent populations and practice in integrated-care environments. 

Learn more about the SBHC on Loyola Today.  

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About Loyola University Chicago
Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes—including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences—Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country’s most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Header image: Jennifer Kedzierski, left, a Loyola Nursing community clinical nursing instructor, and Christella Reyes, right, a Loyola Nursing student, walk down the hall at the Proviso East High School with food for the day’s Lunch Bunch. The program, run by the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, is part of Loyola’s School-Based Health Center at Proviso East. (Photo: Lukas Keapproth)