25 YEARS
OF SETTING THE STANDARD
THROUGH THE YEARS
Uncover 25 years of events that shaped Greater Family Health. From the group that started it all, to the rapid expansion across the northwest suburbs, and everything in between.
Scroll down to see our journey.
January, 1988 - July, 2001
The Free Clinic
Primary health care services were offered to Elgin area residents via a free clinic which was housed at different locations over the years, including the basement of a local church, a store front on Route 31, and in the Community Crisis Center.
January, 1998
The Community 2000 Task Force Formed
Through an initiative known as the Community 2000 Task Force, local hospitals, nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, elected officials, and civic leaders came together to better understand the needs of residents in the Elgin area.
Their findings revealed a growing crisis: access to affordable healthcare had become one of the community’s most urgent unmet needs.
August, 1998
Greater Elgin Family Care Center is Incorporated
As a result of the Community 2000 Task Force, Greater Family Health (then known as Greater Elgin Family Care Center) was incorporated.
July 16th, 2001
The Provision of Care Begins
Greater Family Health took responsibility for the patients of the free clinic, and began providing quality, affordable primary health care services.
September 2001
Oral Health Care Services Begin at Elgin Community College
For years, volunteer area dentists provided adult restorative dentistry in ECC’s dental assisting program’s operatories. Upon request from the community, Greater Family Health took responsibility for the collaboration in September 2001.
September 2002
Greater Family Health Designated FQHC
Through a competitive New Access Point (NAP) application, Greater Family Health was designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and began receiving support from the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) in September 2002.
December 2003
Opening of the First Summit Location
In the winter of 2003 Greater Family Health moved out of its humble abode that was located on Wing Street in Elgin, to a new 5,000 square-foot building at 370 Summit St., then known as Summit Health Center.
For staff and the area’s underserved patients back then, it was a palace.
August 2005
Initiation of School Based Care
With the full support of the U-46 Board and executive leadership, Greater Family Health began providing primary health care services in school district U-46 schools. The collaboration has expanded over the years, with Greater Family Health eventually providing primary health care services, oral health care services, and behavioral health care services in several U-46 schools.
January 2007
Opening of a Second Health Center in Elgin
A comprehensive analysis of the greater Elgin area’s health care needs indicated that we needed to expand again. As a result, in January 2007, a second Elgin location was opened at 450 Dundee Avenue.
From that day onward, Summit Health Center focused on adult care, while the second location previously known as Seneca Health Center offered pediatric care, OB and Gyn, psychiatric services, WIC, family case management, and a full service laboratory operated by Laboratory Corporation of America.
December 2007
Joint Commission Accreditation
As a result of strategic planning, Greater Family Health decided to voluntarily pursue accreditation by The Joint Commission. Efforts to provide quality health care and compliance with the Standards of The Joint Commission were fulfilled when we first became accredited in December 2007.
September 2008
Children's Dental Clinic Opens
Again faced with data indicating that the area’s health care needs were not being met, and with the support of the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF), Greater Family Health opened the Children’s Dental Clinic in September 2008.
November 2008
Administrative Offices Opened
Due to several years of growth, multiple times the average for Community Health Centers in Illinois, Greater Family Health opened its Summit East administrative offices, housing the organization’s infrastructure.
May 2009
Walk-In Clinic Opened
After months of planning with Advocate Sherman Hospital’s (previously known as Sherman Health) Greater Family Health further expanded its long list of collaborations by opening its Walk-In Clinic in one of the medical office buildings operated by Advocate Sherman Hospital at 901 Center St, Elgin, IL.
November 2010
Family Case Management Begins
Upon encouragement of the Kane County Health Department, and at the request of the Illinois Department of Human Services, Greater Family Health began providing Family Case Management services for patients throughout northern Kane County in November 2010.
March 2011
Dental Clinic Begins Providing Adult Dentistry
Needs assessment results indicated that no area dentists provided preventative and restorative dentistry to adults under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. As a result, Greater Family Health secured grant funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, providing funds for the expansion of the Children’s Dental Clinic from 4 to 8 operatories. Thus, in March 2011, the “Children’s Dental Clinic” became the “Dental Clinic” and began offering comprehensive preventative and restorative adult dentistry.
July 16th, 2011
10-Year Anniversary of Care Provision
On July 16th, 2011, Greater Family Health celebrated its 10th year of providing quality, affordable primary health care services to the residents of the greater Elgin area. In its first 10 years, Greater Family Health provided care to over 108,000 unduplicated patients through over 320,000 medical and dental encounters.
August 2011
Walk-In Clinic Relocates to the John Graham Pavilion
While creating open-access for pediatric and family medicine care for over 2 years, the Walk-In Clinic remained limited to only 6 examination rooms. With Advocate Sherman Hospital’s decision to close their Immediate Care Center at 901 Center Street, Advocate Sherman Hospital and Greater Family Health seized the opportunity to expand their collaboration and Greater Family Health leased the Immediate Care Center space for its Walk-In Clinic. Thus, on August 1, 2011, the Walk-In Clinic relocated to the John Graham Pavilion at 901 Center Street in Elgin, doubling the examination room capacity of our Walk-In Clinic.
October 2011
Grand Opening in McHenry
Since 2002, McHenry County has maintained a Governor’s Designation for Medically Underserved Area. After witnessing a yearly increase of patients traveling from McHenry to Elgin for health care services, Greater Family Health spent two years planning, developing and building a new access point for quality health care in McHenry. On October 11th, 2011, Greater Family Health opened its 5th full-time health center in McHenry, IL, thus furthering our mission to provide quality, affordable health care for all, including those without the ability to pay.
October 2011
A Sixth Health Center is Opened
On October 17th, 2011, Greater Family Health opened its 6th Health Center in the Medical Office Building of Advocate Sherman Hospital’s new campus, thus strengthening our collaboration with Advocate Sherman Hospital and furthering our ability to provide quality health care to all, including those without the ability to pay.
August 2012
New Location in Streamwood Opens
Opened on August 8th, 2012, what would be known as Streamwood Community Health Center created additional access to quality, affordable primary health care for the area’s uninsured, publicly insured and underinsured residents, all regardless of their ability to pay.
June 2013
Primary Care Medical Home Certification Achieved
At the conclusion of an unannounced site visit by The Joint Commission, Greater Family Health successfully achieved Primary Care Medical Home Certification at its pilot site in McHenry. Additionally, Greater Family Health remains fully accredited by The Joint Commission.
Our Community Health Center is the 5th (of 48) Federally Qualified Health Centers in Illinois to achieve PCMH Certification via piloting the initiative. Greater Family Health would then implement PCMH at all of its Health Centers over the next 18 months.
December 2013
New Location in Sycamore Opens
On December 18th, 2013, Greater Family Health assumed full responsibility for operating the Sycamore location, known as Center for Family Health from KishHealth System, thus converting the Health Center to the area’s first Federally Qualified Health Center. This endeavor expanded access to care, decreased disparities, improved health outcomes and addressed the unmet health needs of the community.
January 2014
New Location in DeKalb Opens
The Health Center in DeKalb that was known as Center for Family Health – DeKalb, opened on January 8th, 2014, and represents a collaboration between the DeKalb County Health Department and Greater Family Health. The DeKalb and Sycamore locations further expanded access to quality, affordable primary health care to the community.
February - April 2014
Closing of Summit East and Renovation of Slade Health Center
In December of 2013, Greater Family Health commenced a $1.1M renovation of what was known as Slade Health Center in order to accommodate the closing of Summit East and the relocation of Administration and the Call Center to Slade. The project involved 2 phases, which resulted in the move of Administration and the Call Center into a 5,200 square foot section and an entirely renovated clinical area of Slade Health Center including a new reception area, 14 spacious exam rooms, multiple offices, a common provider area, our own CLIA-waived laboratory and a full-service Patient Service Center/Laboratory operated by Quest Diagnostics.
June 2015
New Location in Hanover Park Opens
On June 15th, 2015, Greater Family Health and Alexian Brothers Health System, now known as AMITA Health, expanded their collaborative work via the opening of a location in Hanover Park that became known as Lake Health Center at 1515 E Lake St, Hanover Park, IL. The opening of this Health Center furthered our commitment to provide quality, affordable health care for all, including those without the ability to pay.
August 2015
New Location in Wheeling Opens
On August 24th, 2015, Greater Family Health opened a location in Wheeling, that was known as Creekside Health Center, at 300 McHenry Rd, Wheeling, IL, which was the result of over a year of planning that culminated in the funding of a New Access Point application from the Health Resources Services Administration. This location offers high-quality, affordable primary health care services to the residents of Wheeling, Prospect Heights and the surrounding communities.
February 2017
Advent of BHI Program
In November 2014, Greater Family Health was invited to participate in a Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) national pilot program through funding received from the Bureau of Primary Healthcare (BPHC). Due to the success of our pilot program, the organization was eager to expand the program to its other Health Centers. In February of 2017, thanks to the generosity of the McHenry County Mental Health Board, Greater Family Health was able to replicate its successful BHI program at our Health Center in McHenry. BHI programs fully integrate medical and behavioral health services to more comprehensively and efficiently address the range of issues that patients bring to their primary care providers. Integrated health care services produce improved health outcomes and provide a cost-effective approach to caring for people with multiple health care needs.
November 2017
Hypertension Control Champion
For our work to control the blood pressure of 80% of our hypertensive patients, Greater Family Health was recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a 5-year recognition as a Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion. Greater Family Health was 1 of 24 health care providers to win this award. This achievement is one of many examples that demonstrate our continued commitment to improving the lives of our patients.
December 2017
Expansion of 450 Dundee Avenue in Elgin
With the goal of providing health and dental care to more families in the Elgin area, Greater Family Health embarked on a project to expand 450 Dundee Avenue in Elgin. As a result of this expansion, this Health Center now has 3 additional dental operatories, for a total of 12. The upper level now houses the Obstetrics and Gynecology practice and includes 10 medical exam rooms, as well as other staff offices and administrative areas.
May 2018
The Big Move: Phase 1
After completing the expansion of 450 Dundee Avenue, Greater Family Health staff began preparing for the Big Move. The Big Move involved the relocation of what was previously known as Summit Health Center and Slade Health Center, into a new building on 373 Summit Street in Elgin. This new location opened on May 21st, 2018 and was known as the new Summit Health Center. It is our largest Health Center with 22 exam rooms, 14 family medicine practitioners, and 2 behavioral health practitioners.
July 2018
The Big Move: Phase 2
Shortly after completing Phase 1 of The Big Move, renovations were started on the old Summit Health Center location for the purpose of housing administrative offices.
Renovations were completed and on July 27th, 2018, our administrative offices successfully moved into the new Administrative Office at 370 Summit Street.
This location houses several administrative department including Accounting, Billing, Call Center, EHR and EMR, Human Resources and Marketing and Outreach.
April 2019
Launch of MAT Services at Sycamore Location
In April 2019, we successfully began offering the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorders to eligible patients at our Health Center in Sycamore. MAT is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Community Health Centers like us are uniquely well positioned to help address the opioid epidemic in our communities.
July 2019
Expansion of MAT/SUD Services to 373 Summit Street
In July 2019, our MAT services were expanded to 373 Summit Street in Elgin. MAT is integrated with our existing primary care and behavioral health care services. This integration facilitates access for patients who are worried about the stigma of seeking addiction services, therefore increasing patient access to this needed service.
August 2019
Achieved Multiple National Awards for Quality of Care
Our 2018 outcomes on Bureau of Primary Health Care Clinical Indicators were recognized as among the best of all FQHCs in the United States and Illinois – for the 6th year in a row! The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recognized our organization as a National Quality Leader, Health Center Quality Leader-Gold, Advancing HIT For Quality awardee, and Clinical Quality Improver on August 20, 2019. The Awards are in recognition of our excellence in the clinical care of its over 51,000 patients.
September 2019
Expansion of Hanover Park Location & Provision of SUD Services
The exciting renovation and expansion of what was previously known as Lake Health Center, began in July 2019 and was completed in September 2019. The expansion resulted in the addition of 2 exam rooms, a large group therapy room, a larger provider area, a more functional laboratory and better accommodations for support staff.
These additions will allow us to serve more patients at our Health Center in 1515 E Lake Street in Hanover Park and to provide Substance Use Disorder Services, including Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders.
March 2020
Expansion of Streamwood Location
Always a popular health center with residents of the surrounding communities, we soon realized that our Health Center in Streamwood was far too small and not able to accommodate the volume of care and breadth of services we desired to offer in it. The organization deployed its own resources to add 8 examination rooms, an additional laboratory and practitioner work area, an expanded staff common area and multiple offices. The exciting expansion began in October of 2019 and was completed in early March 2020. The Health Center now offers a wider array of services, and far more space for care provision.
April 2020
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the pandemic, the entire organization worked tirelessly to care for our patients and provide the care that they needed. We wanted to make sure that we were offering the best quality of services as they became available. On April 21, 2020, we expanded our services to include COVID-19 testing in Elgin, McHenry and Sycamore. Testing is now available at 7 of our 9 locations and offers three types of possible tests: Serological Antibody, Nasal Swab and BinaxNOW Rapid Test.
Greater Family Health remained open and caring for patients throughout the entirety of the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, we already had a robust infection control policy, which we continued to implement. We also instituted universal masking because our patient’s health and safety was our number one priority. In April, we also rolled out Virtual Visits so that our patients could access care even if they could not come out and visit us in person.
Eventually, as vaccines were developed and distributed, we worked to vaccinate our staff, then partnered with our communities to vaccinate first responders, and eventually provided vaccines and boosters to all patients.
July 2020
Advent of HIV/AIDS Grant-Funded Prevention and Care/Treatment Program
Upon being approached to address an unmet need in the community by several grant funding organizations, we embraced the offer and seized the opportunity to address this need. We began offering high-quality, affordable and excellent clinical care/treatment services, care management, and prevention services to the community. Through our skilled practitioners including a Board-Certified Infectious Disease physician and Certified HIV Medicine Specialist, outreach professionals and Case Managers, Greater Family Health becomes the premier provider of HIV/AIDS services in the entire northwest region of Chicagoland.
May 2021
The Name Change
Due to rapid growth in various communities, the organization made the decision to rebrand and unite all existing locations under one name: Greater Family Health.
July 2021
Renovation of the Lower Level of 450 Dundee Avenue
Greater Family Health renovated the space in the lower level of 450 Dundee Avenue in Elgin, IL. This Health Center has been serving pediatric patients for many years. It is where thousands of area children receive essential care such as school physicals, immunizations, sick care, laboratory testing and much more.
This freshly renovated space features a new waiting room and upgraded patient rooms featuring beautiful furniture to accommodate our patients, comfortably and safely. The reception area has also been completely refreshed with new cabinetry and counters which easily facilitate check-in, scheduling of future appointments, and enrollment in health benefits.
July 2021
20-Year Anniversary of Care Provision
On July 15th, 2021, Greater Family Health celebrated its 20th year of providing quality, affordable primary health care services. Greater Family Health professionals were joined by several dozen community partners, funders, and Board Members to celebrate.
March 2022
New Location in Palatine Opens
Greater Family Health opened of its 10th location, in Palatine, Illinois on March 7th, 2022. The new Health Center is located at 345 W Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL.
The Health Center in Palatine offers adult and senior care, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, therapy/counseling, Medication Assisted Treatment and patient support services.
The Health Center in Palatine features 8 examination rooms, 1 behavioral health office, 5 practitioners and a full-service laboratory operated by LabCorp
April 2022
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding Awarded
Greater Family Health was awarded Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Outpatient Early Intervention Services Program funding, beginning May 1, 2022, in order to expand its existing array of services offered to low-income, uninsured, and underserved people with HIV.
The funding allows Greater Family Health to further identify, support and care for those with HIV residing in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, McHenry, and the northwest portion of Cook counties in Illinois.
July 2022
New Location in Franklin Park Opens
Greater Family Health opened its 11th Health Center at 10225 Grand Avenue, Franklin Park, IL, on July 25th, 2022
Designed to meet the considerable primary health care needs present in Franklin Park, Northlake, Schiller Park, Stone Park and the surrounding adjacent suburbs, the Health Center offers adult and senior care, pediatrics, therapy/counseling, laboratory and a variety patient support services.
Opened with extensive support from Leyden Township ad Edward-Elmhurst Health, the Health Center features 15 accommodating examination rooms, 2 behavioral health offices, a full-service laboratory operated by LabCorp, and a CLIA-waived laboratory for point-of-care testing.
August 2024
Expansion of Streamwood Location
Greater Family Health expanded its health center in Streamwood, IL, a milestone made possible through the dedicated efforts of Illinois State Representative Fred Crespo.
The expansion increased the number of exam rooms from 9 to a total of 16. an additional provider area was added as well as a larger lunchroom for staff.
The increased expansion now allows for over 2,700 patients per month.
November 2024
Awarded Behavioral Health Service Expansion Grant
Greater Family Health was selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as one of 400 Community Health Centers nationwide to receive the Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) Award.
This significant $240 million grant aimed to launch and expand behavioral health care services across 400 Community Health Centers. These Health Centers collectively provide primary care to over 10 million patients, most of which are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid.
With this grant, Greater Family Health expanded the availability of behavioral health appointments, including outpatient therapy and psychiatry for patients of all ages and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services and Medication-Assisted-Treatment (MAT) for patients 18 and older.
January 2025
New Call Center Opens
Having outgrown the space located at 370 Summit St., in Elgin, the Call Center moved to its new location near our headquarters in Hoffman Estates in January 2025.
This new space will allow for the Call Center to grow to continue to support the organization’s needs. In October 2024, the Call Center received just under 50,000 calls, which is the highest number of calls since January 2022!
July 2025
Advent of Better Birth Outcomes - Comprehensive Program
Greater Family Health was awarded the Better Birth Outcomes – Comprehensive (BBO-C) grant for Suburban Cook, Kane, and McHenry Counties.
BBO-C is a statewide program (outside the City of Chicago) developed by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. It focuses on serving pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants through comprehensive, one-on-one nursing assessments and personalized support. The goal of BBO-C is to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, especially in underserved communities.
August 2025
New Location in Des Plaines Opens
Greater Family Health opened its 12th location, in Des Plaines, Illinois on August 18th, 2025. The new health center is located at 1515 Lee St., Des Plaines, IL.
This facility offers adult and senior care, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.
The Des Plaines location features 12 examination rooms, 5 practitioners and a full-service laboratory operated by LabCorp.
April 2026
Expansion of Palatine Location
In the Spring of 2026, just 4 short years since it opened, Greater Family Health’s location in Palatine was expanded to accommodate growing demand.
Since 2022, the Palatine site has provided more than 61,000 visits to over 25,000 unique patients, a level of demand that quickly outgrew the original footprint of the clinic. What once housed eight exam rooms has now expanded to 14 total exam rooms, allowing the care team to better serve patients in a more comfortable and efficient environment.
July 16, 2026
Greater Family Health Celebrates 25 Years of Care
On July 16th, 2026, Greater Family Health celebrates 25 years of service provision. What began as a grassroots effort to address Elgin’s fragmented health care landscape of the time has since grown into a network of 12 health centers serving over 70,000 patients across the northwest suburbs every year.
Since 2001, we’ve provided over 2,830,000 appointments, and served over 269,829 patients since July 1st, 2010.
BE A PART OF THE LEGACY
Care to live greater? Consider contributing to the next 25 years of Greater Family Health’s history. Your donation will help us provide the underserved with quality and affordable healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay.