From the CEO
Focused on our community
Greetings Friends,
With the holiday season now behind us it’s been great seeing so many of you in meetings and across the IMD the past few weeks. After a well-deserved rest, our team has wasted no time starting the year strong with a focus on community and giving back.
We began on January 22 when the IMD hosted its first Youth Opportunities Fair at Malcolm X College, a chance for students to meet face-to-face with organizations and learn more about summer and employment opportunities with IMD institutions. This event was spearheaded by our Education Council, one of many community councils offering the IMD community the opportunity to collaborate around areas that are important to all of us.
Table at the 2025 IMD Youth Opportunities Fair.
On February 4, the IMDC took its first excursion of the year to The Chicago Lighthouse to learn more about the services and programs they provide for people living with a disability. Founded in the IMD in 1906, The Chicago Lighthouse has expanded to include job training and placement, a low vision clinic, manufacturing facilities, fitness events like Rise to Shine, and most recently Foglia Residences, an inclusive housing development that prioritizes accessibility for the visually impaired and veterans.
And on February 6, we announced our first IMDC Scholarship Program, a way for local students who plan to continue their education to earn merit-based $1,000 scholarships. To learn more, or to watch an info session that walks you through the policies and application, click here. The deadline to apply is Friday March 7, so please share the information with the young people in your life, and good luck!
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We’ve also begun planning for a future park in the IMD at 2023 W Ogden Ave, right in the heart of the IMD and surrounded by some of our biggest and most popular destinations. Adding more green space to the IMD is one of our strategic goals and our project team from Site Design Group has already started reaching out to stakeholders to get their input for what they want to see. Keep an eye out for more information about this project as it develops.
The IMDC is also hiring a new Chief Financial Officer to join our growing team. To view the job listing or apply, click here.
On behalf of the IMD Commission, I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy Presidents’ Day, Happy Black History Month, Happy Women’s History Month. and I’ll see you around the IMD!
Sincerely,
Allyson Hansen
CEO and Executive Director
2024 in the IMD
Apply Now: IMDC launches Scholarship Program
On February 6, the IMDC announced our Scholarship Program, a new initiative offering financial support to Chicago youth who plan to continue their education and demonstrate academic excellence.
The IMDC will award up to ten (10) merit-based $1,000 scholarships to local high school, higher education, and graduate students. Read on to learn more about who qualifies and how to apply.
Qualifications
- Have demonstrated academic excellence, strong leadership qualities, and a commitment to community service;
- Are accepted into or are currently enrolled in an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate program;
- Are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status;
- Reside in one of the following zip codes: 60605, 60607, 60608, 60609, 60612, 60616, 60620, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60639, 60641, 60642, 60644, 60647, 60651, 60652, 60661.
Applications
A complete scholarship application should include:
- Application form;
- Offer letter or proof of enrollment at a qualifying college or university;
- Three (3) letters of recommendation;
- GPA verification or college or university transcript;
- Complete responses to three (3) short essay prompts;
- Proof of residency in one of the zip codes referenced in “Qualifications.”
Review Process
There is a two-part evaluation process:
- All applications are anonymized and reviewed by IMDC staff to ensure an unbiased and transparent vetting;
- Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an in-person interview to determine final selection.
Documents
Visit one of the links below to download the Scholarship Application and Scholarship Policy:
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted by email or mailed:
scholarships@medicaldistrict.org
Scholarships
Illinois Medical District Commission
2100 W Harrison St
Chicago, IL 60612
Deadline
Friday, March 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. CT.
Questions
For more information about the IMDC Scholarship Program, or for questions about the application process or eligibility requirements, contact scholarships@medicaldistrict.org.
Planning begins on future park in the IMD
Aerial view showing the location of the future park, situated on a triangle parcel in the IMD.
Last year, the IMDC selected Site Design Group as the team to lead the planning for a future park in the IMD at 2023 W Ogden Ave.
This future park location is at the heart of the IMD, directly across from the Gateway retail center, Cook County Health, and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
Street view showing the location of the future park, located between CCH and the Gateway.
Adding additional public spaces and green space is one of IMDC’s strategic goals, originally identified as part of our Master Plan, and more recently, in our Bike and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.
Our first new public space, the IMD Welcome Plaza, debuted last year, and is located at 1900 W Harrison St, across from the Hyatt Place IMD, Stroger Hospital, and Atrio Apartments.
We’ve also joined with COVID-19 Monument Commission to place a dandelion-inspired memorial at the site to honor the essential workers who gave their all during the global pandemic. The monument was recently featured in the Chicago Sun-Times, WBEZ, and Block Club Chicago.
Preliminary concept options provided by Site Design Group.
Outreach has already begun to IMD stakeholders and councils to gauge interest in the different concepts and directions for the park, and the project team has already been receiving valuable input to help guide their work.
Keep an eye out for any future community meetings to let your voice be heard. For any questions, contact Chris Fahey, Director of Real Estate Operations, at cfahey@medicaldistrict.org.
2025 IMD Youth Opportunities Fair
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On January 22, we hosted the first IMD Youth Opportunities Fair at Malcolm X College, a targeted initiative designed to introduce young people to career possibilities within the IMD.
The fair created connections between students and industry leaders and academic institutions while providing hands-on learning experiences to inspire future healthcare and life sciences professionals. Representatives from dozens of public and private organizations took time to meet with hundreds of students who came from far and wide, eager to discuss extracurricular opportunities with friendly staff.
Malcom X College President David A. Sanders (left) greets the first student with IMDC staff Nicole Vahl, Cathy Kwiatkowski and Karen Ewing.
The event was organized through our Education Council, one of many community councils created by IMDC as collaborative spaces for like-minded stakeholders to share information and advance initiatives that benefit the IMD and neighboring communities.
The IMD Community Councils create connections between IMD’s strategic goals and local community needs while encouraging active participation and innovative partnerships. The councils provide space for discussion and action which ensures that the IMD remains responsive to the needs of its various healthcare institutions and 90,000 daily visitors.
An Illinois State Policy officer talks with a student.
The Education Council was formed to help educators broaden access to educational and professional pathways in healthcare, life sciences, and amplify the great work happening every day in schools located in around the IMD. Recognizing the importance of early exposure, the council devised the Youth Opportunities Fair.
To learn more about the Education Council, or to join future meetings, contact Nicole Vahl, Health and Science Program Manager, at nvahl@medicaldistrict.org.
Now Hiring: Chief Financial Officer
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The IMDC is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to join our growing team.
The CFO will lead the IMDC’s financial strategy to ensure sustainable financial health to support IMDC’s strategic initiatives. As a key member of the Leadership Team and working in concert with the CEO and Executive Director, the CFO will drive financial performance, oversee budgeting processes, advise on key business and strategic decisions, and work with the IMDC board of commissioners.
To learn more or apply, click here.
