Durbin Meets with CEO of Lurie Children's Hospital, Dr. Shanley
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago CEO, Dr. Tom Shanley, to discuss a variety of priorities including the Senator’s violence prevention work under the HEAL Initiative, strategies to address health care workforce shortages, and expanding access to pediatric dentistry care. They also discussed the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) program, which provides federal funding for residency slots operated by Lurie’s to train new pediatricians and other specialists.
“As more and more children are exposed to traumatic experiences and gun violence, our HEAL Initiative could not be more important. Through the unwavering commitment of Dr. Shanley and other hospital leaders, and the power of collaboration, we have forged tangible progress in addressing the root causes of violence,” said Durbin. “In today’s meeting, we also discussed the need to close the gap in our health care workforce, and the need for more pediatric dentists. I look forward to our continued partnership and future collaborations to ensure Lurie Children’s Hospital is receiving the necessary federal funds.”
Launched in 2018 by Senator Durbin and 10 of the largest hospitals serving Chicago, the HEAL Initiative is a collaboration to address the root causes of gun violence through economic, health, and community projects in 18 of Chicago’s neighborhoods with the highest rates of violence, poverty, and health disparities. As part of the HEAL Initiative, Lurie Children’s has been active in promoting school- and community-based mental health services.
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