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The Delavan Times Reaches 150

Published in The Delavan Times on September 4, 2024

The Delavan Times is 150 years old! On September 5, 1874, Joseph F Reed, published the first issue of The Delavan Times, from an office upstairs over the post office. We believe that was the building torn down years ago, which had housed a barbershop for many years

Ed Creager was a barber in Delavan, the Creager Barbershop being a Delavan landmark for 65 years Ed taught each of his four sons the art of barbering, careers some followed most of their lives, each operating his own shop.  Mr. Reed announced his policies as "The Best Interests of Delavan and Vicinity; the Promotion of Intelligence and Morality; the Support and Maintenance of Republican Principles " He published his "Journal of Today" every Saturday morning The subscription price was announced as $1 50 per year - -Invariably in Advance

The Delavan Times was not the first newspaper published in Delavan. The initial newspaper to be published was the Delavan Advertiser This newspaper first appeared November 30, 1867, as an independent newspaper under the management of C R Fiske It was printed in a building on the west side of Locust Street where the Christian Church was later located After two years, Mr. Fiske, sold the paper to John Culbertson With Culbertson's strong Democratic ideas, it was not long before the editorial comments were a little spicy It is unfortunate we have only the one side of the debate As far as we know, there are no copies of the Delavan Advertiser in Existence

During the campaign of 1872, the Advertiser supported Charles O'Connor for president, probably the only newspaper in the state for that candidate Mr. Culbertson, who published the paper for nearly 40 years, sold to T H. Smedley, who later disposed of it to Keefe and Keefe

In 1874, the Delavan Times was a four-page, eight column paper, a large portion of which was set in six-point type No local news was carried on the front page, which was devoted exclusively to state, national and foreign news The Times, because of competition, carried more than a little spice in its editorials and soon commanded a great deal of favorable comments, developing a large circulation for a country weekly

In 1874, you could purchase one column of advertising space in The Times for one full year for a cost of $75 00 The newspaper carried a column called "Times Jottings", which contained items, such as we use today in our "Around the Town" column, Sandra's Scrapbook, "Main" Street and other various featured columns

One very popular column was "Main" Street With Oddy, which was begun in 1942 by Miss Ella Ryan She started her weekly column in The Times as a "letter from home" to all the boys who had entered military service. She thought the servicemen could keep up on happenings in the old hometown by reading about what their former neighbors and friends were doing It proved to be very successful and the boys and their comrades thoroughly enjoyed it

Some of the items carried in the first issue of The Delavan Times (September 5, 1874) were Four dressmaking establishments ply the needle in Delavan Reinheimer is building an awning in front of his clothing store Green Valley is building a $4,000 schoolhouse, a parsonage and six or seven dwellings Locust Street in the vicinity of the Post Office while the evening mail is being distributed makes quite a respectable Broadway

The Church Directory lists the following churches Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist, Universalist and Catholic

Advertisers in the first issue of The Delavan Times included John Petri, Watchmaker; W T Humberstone's New Photograph Gallery; L T Cheever at the post office, who had in stock School Books, Black Books, Miscellaneous Books and all kinds of stationary; W Steward, Dry Goods, Wallpaper, Groceries, etc. , etc. ; S M Reinheimer, Dry Goods, Books and Shoes; Starz and Lux, City Mills; A Stubbs & Company, Young America Milling; J L Orendorff & Company, Jewelry House; J M Garrett, New Furniture House; Frank's Boot and Shoe House; P B Few, Dealer in Groceries and Provisions; J B Phillips, Dealer choice groceries; L S Reed & Company, Fresh new dry goods, carpet, oil cloth, groceries, crockery, etc. ; Maclay and Maclay, Druggists and apothecaries; W H Phillips, General insurance and Real Estate, with offices upstairs in Smith's Bank Building; C J Anderson, Shelf Hardware, Guns and Revolvers, Tin Shop; A Culver and Son, News Depot and Restaurant

During the years of the first Tazewell County Fair, the Times was published daily The Tazewell County Fair was held on the grounds where Delavan District 703 Schools are now located at the south edge of town along Locust Street It was held in Delavan for 40 years, disbanding in 1919

In 1880, The times was acquired by the frim of Boyd and Quigley and sold a short time later to Newman and Beatty Mr. Newman left the firm and Guy Beatty operated it alone until 1889 Then, his brother, J ,, - j Starr Beatty purchased the Tazewell County Press, a third newspaper, which had been started by Mr. Reed The Times and Press were combined at the Delavan Times-Press In 1895, Starr Beatty became the sole owner, changing its name to The Delavan Times-Press it became the outstanding Republican Organ of Tazewell county In 1919, the name was changed again because of a consolidation to Delavan Advertiser- Press

In 1928, when J Ross Arnold acquired the paper, he changed the name to The Delavan Times Mr. Arnold operated the newspaper until 1953 During his tenure, several newspapers in neighboring towns around Delavan were printed in The Delavan Times printing plant and Mr. Arnold operated a job press almost daily, printing envelopes, stationary, handbills, posters, invoices, etc. for his customers In 1954, Arnold sold the newspaper to James Foster, a former Peoria Journal Star employee Over the next several years, Foster hired several transient editors, among them, Roland Gray, Kenneth MacLeod and Robert Schenk

In 1963, Delavan was going to lose their newspaper as Mr. Foster was no longer interested in keeping it. Ruth Marie Arnold Larimore, daughter of J Ross Arnold, was able to lease the business from Foster and keep the newspaper going Ruth Marie and her husband, Harold, later purchased the building and the business She continued to operate as editor until 1998, when she turned the reins over to their eldest daughter, Sandra Larimore Denman, the present editor

During Ruth Marie's editorship, she continued to publish the popular "Main" Street column, wrote Ink Smudges and lots and lots of news items of community The Times reached an all-time high readership of approximately 1200

Also during Ruth's editorship, the printing of the paper was shifted from the local printing plant in the Times building to another site The Astoria Argus, where Mr. Arnold learned the printing trade, printed it for a time and then, it was printed at Martin Publishing in Havana up until a year or so ago It is now printed at P&P Press in Peoria Mr. Arnold had operated newspapers in Vermont and Ipava and had worked for the Canton Daily Ledger for a time before coming to Delavan

Delavan has changed a lot in the last 25 years since Sandra has acquired ownership The paper is still published weekly (on Wednesday) It is delivered by mail and goes to subscribers in 33 different states Florida> New York, New Mexico, Colorado, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Nevade, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Missouri, California, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa, Georgia, Minnesota, Louisiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Montana, Rhode Island, Wyoming and Connecticut It also is mailed to subscribers in about 75 towns and cities in Illinois Delavan news gets around! Many consider The Delavan Times as their link to their old hometown

There are few businesses up and down "Main" Street This, coupled with the electronics of today's society, make publishing a community newspaper almost an impossible chore This newspaper welcomes news items--send us your news of engagements, marriages, births, promotions, vacations, reunions, anniversaries, birthdays, graduation

The Delavan Times is still a "home" newspaper Support it supports your town! We are located in the middle of the 300 Block of Locust Street in Delavan's historic business district

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Press Releases
 
 
 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Illinois Pharmacists Association
Garth Reynolds, BSPharm, RPh, MBA, FAPhA executive director
217-522-7300
greynolds@ipha.org
www.ipha.org

 

Illinois Pharmacists Association
celebrates passage of HB4154 and launch of the Illinois Pharmacist Readiness and Orientation Program (ILPRO)

 

 Legislation modernizes pharmacist licensure through an education-focused approach to Illinois pharmacy law and practice readiness
 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) today celebrated the passage of House Bill 4154, landmark legislation that modernizes pharmacist licensure in Illinois by transitioning from a standalone pharmacy law examination requirement to an approved Illinois pharmacy law education and assessment program.

To support implementation of the legislation, IPhA is developing the Illinois Pharmacist Readiness and Orientation Program (ILPRO), a comprehensive educational program designed to prepare pharmacist licensure applicants for safe, effective, and compliant practice in Illinois.

HB4154 represents one of the most significant pharmacist licensure reforms in Illinois in decades. The legislation transitions Illinois from reliance on the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) to an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-approved Illinois pharmacy law education and assessment model, while maintaining the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) as the national competency standard for entry-level clinical competency. The new licensure pathway moves beyond a single high stakes examination and emphasizes a structured educational experience grounded in Illinois law, professional responsibilities, patient safety, and real-world practice readiness.

"Pharmacists entering practice need more than the ability to pass an examination; they need a strong understanding of how Illinois law applies to patient care and professional practice," said Bedrija Nikocevic, PharmD, BCACP, President of the Illinois Pharmacists Association. "ILPRO creates a more meaningful and practical pathway to that knowledge while maintaining rigorous standards for licensure. It will provide future pharmacists with a strong foundation in the laws, responsibilities, and professional standards that define practice in Illinois. That benefits patients, strengthens the profession, and promotes public safety."

ILPRO is currently in the final stages of development and will provide comprehensive education on Illinois pharmacy law, controlled substance requirements, professional standards, pharmacist authorities, patient care services, inspection readiness, common compliance issues, and other topics essential to practice in Illinois. IPhA is working closely with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy, and Illinois colleges and schools of pharmacy to ensure successful implementation.

"This legislation is particularly meaningful for student pharmacists, recent graduates, and pharmacy residents entering the profession," said Ashley McKechan, PharmD, IPhA executive fellow. "ILPRO will help candidates understand not only what Illinois law requires, but why those requirements exist and how they apply in everyday pharmacy practice. The result is a licensure pathway that is rigorous, relevant, and focused on real world readiness."

IPhA extends its sincere appreciation to Representative Natalie A. Manley and Senator David Koehler for their leadership in advancing this vital legislation. The association also thanks the many legislators, Illinois colleges and schools of pharmacy, student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, practicing pharmacists, employers, regulators, and other stakeholders whose advocacy and support helped make this effort a success.

"Illinois has long been a national leader in advancing pharmacy practice”, said Garth Reynolds, BSPharm, RPh, MBA, FAPhA, executive director of the Illinois Pharmacists Association. “HB4154 continues that tradition. ILPRO represents a new approach to licensure preparation that combines education, assessment, and practice readiness in a way that better serves future pharmacists and the patients they will care for. Our goal is simple: when a new pharmacist begins practicing in Illinois, we want them informed, grounded, and ready. That is what this program is built to deliver."

By shifting the focus from examination preparation to competency-based education and assessment, Illinois is creating a licensure pathway that better prepares pharmacists for the realities of modern practice.

Following enactment, IDFPR will release additional guidance regarding implementation timelines, applicant eligibility, transition procedures, and expectations for current and future licensure candidates. Additional information concerning ILPRO will be available at
ipha.org.

###
 

About the Illinois Pharmacists Association

The Illinois Pharmacists Association (IPhA) is the statewide professional association representing pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, student pharmacists, and pharmacy stakeholders across Illinois. As The Voice for Pharmacy in Illinois, IPhA is dedicated to enhancing the professional competency of pharmacists, advancing the standards of pharmacy practice, improving pharmacists effectiveness in assuring rational drug use in society, and leading in the resolution of public policy issues affecting pharmacists.

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Illinois State Medical Society
Aaron Franco, communications director
(312) 520-9802
aaronfranco@isms.org
 

'Transparency in Downcoding Act’
unanimously clears Illinois legislature 

 

 The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 3114, the “Transparency in Downcoding Act,” by a vote of 111-0 Wednesday evening, following a unanimous vote out of the Senate earlier in the month. The bill, which would prohibit health insurance companies from automatically coding a health service at a level lower than what patients received, was supported by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS).

“This bill is another example of how Illinois leads the way in passing laws that improve access to medical care, making the state a more attractive place to practice medicine,” ISMS president Dr. Tripti Kataria said. “Once signed into law, the Transparency in Downcoding Act will bring greater clarity to the claims process, establish a clear and accessible pathway for disputing downcoded claims and ensure that a live person — not an automated system — is reviewing medical claims and their accompanying clinical documentation.”

“The Illinois State Medical Society wants to thank all lawmakers who stood with physicians and patients to support this bill as it passed the Senate unanimously. We especially thank sponsors Sen. Dave Koehler and Rep. Sharon Chung for their leadership, and we are hopeful that Gov. J.B. Pritzker will sign this bill into law as Illinois continues advancing policies that support patients and healthcare providers,” Dr. Kataria said.
 

Key Provisions of the Transparency in Downcoding Act
 (SB 3114/HB 4735):

  •  Prohibits a health insurance issuer from using an automated process, system, or tool to downcode a claim
  • Ensures that a live person — not an automated system — has done a complete and thorough review of claims and accompanying clinical documentation before a downcoding decision is made
  • Ensures that a physician will be clearly notified when a claim has been downcoded and reimbursed at a lower level, including the clinical reason for downcoding
  • Requires health insurers to establish a clear and accessible process for disputing downcoded claims. That means appeals must be reviewed by an individual with experience with the medical condition being managed and the services being downcoded using the most up to date AMA CPT® Coding Guideline, and  
  • Prevents health insurers from using downcoding to discriminate against physicians who commonly treat patients with complex or chronic conditions.

####
 

Founded in 1840, ISMS is a professional membership association representing Illinois physicians in all medical specialties, and their patients, statewide.


 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Ride Illinois
Dave Simmons, executive director
(630) 216-9282
info@rideillinois.org

 

Illinois legislature passes landmark Stop Super Speeders bill to prevent deadly crashes from worst-of-the-worst speeders 

 


Springfield, IL — On March 20, the Illinois legislature passed Stop Super Speeders legislation (HB 4948), advancing a major new tool to prevent deadly speeding crashes and protect communities from repeat reckless drivers. The legislation now heads to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk for signature.

By implementing ISA technology for repeat dangerous speeders, Illinois aims to:

  • Prevent deaths and serious injuries by limiting the ability of super speeders to drive at lethal speeds.
  • Deter dangerous driving and promote long-term behavioral change.
  • Provide a targeted, prevention-focused intervention that prioritizes public safety while preserving mobility.

The bill establishes an Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) Program for drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked after two convictions for excessive speeding, defined as driving 26 mph or more above the speed limit and creates a fund to subsidize the cost for low-income drivers. Under the program, eligible drivers may apply for a restricted driving permit that allows limited driving privileges only if their vehicle is equipped with ISA technology that prevents them from exceeding posted speed limits, providing an alternative to full license suspension or revocation.

The bill targets the small number of drivers responsible for a disproportionate share of deadly crashes while still allowing people to drive for work, school, and daily life.

The legislation passed the Illinois Senate by a 49-9 vote after previously passing the Illinois House 77-24.

Families for Safe Streets (FSS) members—victims and survivors of traffic violence—are leading nationwide advocacy efforts to advance Stop Super Speeders legislation.

Research shows that repeat reckless speeders are significantly more likely than typical motorists to be involved in fatal collisions, while traditional enforcement methods such as license suspension have proven largely ineffective. Nationally, an estimated 75 percent of drivers with suspended licenses continue to drive.

Advocates Say:
“Yesterday’s vote is a powerful acknowledgment that Illinois can no longer accept preventable roadway deaths as inevitable,” said Amy Cohen, Founder and President of Families for Safe Streets, whose 12-year-old son was killed by a speeding driver. “This bill focuses on the small number of repeat speeders who put every family at risk and uses proven technology to stop dangerous behavior before tragedy occurs. We urge Governor Pritzker to sign the bill into law so that Illinois can lead the nation in saying clearly: preventable speeding deaths must stop.”

“I survived a crash that changed my life, and I carry that reality every day,” said Rudy Faust, an Illinois crash survivor and Families for Safe Streets advocate. “No one should have to learn through tragedy what we already know how to prevent. This bill is about stopping the behavior that destroys families before it ever happens. I’m incredibly grateful to our bill sponsors, Representative Marti Deuter and Senator Julie Morrison, and everyone who made this possible. I am proud to see Illinois take a step towards real safety, because every single preventable crash we stop is another family spared this pain.”

“The devastating impacts of speeding drivers have forever altered the lives of too many Illinoisans,” said Dave Simmons, Executive Director of Ride Illinois. “Ride Illinois commends Representative Deuter, Senator Morrison, and the members of the General Assembly who supported HB 4948. We urge Governor Pritzker to sign this legislation into law to help prevent future crashes caused by excessive speeding.”

Bill Sponsors Say:
“Driving at high speeds is dangerous, plain and simple,” said State Representative Marti Deuter (D-Elmhurst). “What we’re doing is creating an option for those who have been convicted of driving at these dangerously high speeds that allows them to continue contributing to their communities while keeping our streets safer.”

“Driving recklessly puts everyone on the road at risk,” said State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “We need to continue our efforts to ensure high-risk drivers do not put others in danger.”

Evidence from jurisdictions already implementing ISA programs demonstrates that the technology can dramatically reduce dangerous speeding and prevent deadly crashes, similar to how ignition interlock devices have successfully reduced repeat drunk driving offenses.

Illinois is the latest state to advance the growing national Stop Super Speeders initiative.  Similar legislation has been enacted in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Washington State. In 2026 legislatures in Hawaii and Maryland passed Stop Super Speeders bills, while Georgia enacted its law earlier this month after Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 160. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also recently announced that Stop Super Speeders legislation would be included in the New York State budget. Another 14 states are considering legislation this year.

The bill now heads to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk, where he will have 60 days to sign, veto, or allow the legislation to become law without his signature.

About Ride Illinois
Ride Illinois is an effective nonprofit organization dedicated to making Illinois a safer, more connected state in which to ride a bicycle. We champion people who ride bicycles by advancing accessibility, equity, and opportunity – so adults and children can move about freely and confidently in communities of all sizes.
Learn more at https://www.rideillinois.org/

About Families for Safe Streets
Families for Safe Streets is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending traffic violence by supporting victims’ families, educating communities, and advocating for safe streets policies that save lives.  
Learn more at https://www.familiesforsafestreets.org/stop-super-speeders 

 
 
 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Fox Valley Review / OrganoSys Media Group
submit@foxvalleyreview.com
https://foxvalleyreview.com 

 

Fox Valley Review announces NIL partnership with Roosevelt University true freshman quarterback Tony Chahino 

Strategic collaboration highlights the intersection of athletics, leadership, and storytelling in the Fox Valley


Saint Charles, IL — May 1, 2026 — Fox Valley Review, a regional arts, culture, and ideas magazine, is proud to announce a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Tony Chahino (@tchahino on X, and @tony_chahino on Instagram), the standout quarterback for Roosevelt University. This collaboration marks the publication’s first athlete partnership and signals a broader commitment to elevating the voice and story of the modern student-athlete.

More than a traditional endorsement, the partnership represents a strategic alignment between performance and perspective, bringing together one of the region’s rising athletic leaders with a publication dedicated to thoughtful storytelling and community engagement.

Chahino is no stranger to the Fox Valley. A native of Geneva, Illinois, his name has carried weight in the community since his high school days, when he led the Geneva Vikings to the 2024 IHSA State Championship game as their starting quarterback. That run did not just energize the town, it cemented Chahino as a hometown figure whose rise has always felt shared by the people who watched it begin.

Widely recognized for his leadership on and off the field, he has emerged as a defining presence within Roosevelt University’s football program. His discipline, work ethic, and command of the game have positioned him as not only a top-performing quarterback, but also as a role model for young athletes across the region.

Through this partnership, Fox Valley Review will develop a series of editorial features, digital content, and community-facing initiatives that highlight Chahino’s journey, offering readers a deeper look into the mindset, preparation, and character behind the position. The collaboration will include a flagship feature story, a dedicated athlete profile, and integrated storytelling across the magazine’s platforms.

“This partnership reflects where we believe the future of regional media is headed,” said Dr. Baudelaire Ulysse, Editor-in-Chief of Fox Valley Review. “We are not simply sponsoring an athlete; we are building a platform around a voice. Tony represents a powerful combination of discipline, leadership, and purpose, and we’re excited to help tell that story in a way that resonates with our readers and our community.”

Chahino echoed that vision, noting the opportunity to connect with audiences beyond the field. “I’m honored to partner with Fox Valley Review,” he said. “This is about more than football; it’s about sharing my journey, representing my community, and hopefully inspiring others who are working toward their own goals.”

The partnership also reflects a broader shift in how Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities are being approached. By centering storytelling, intellectual engagement, and community presence, Fox Valley Review aims to redefine the role of NIL collaborations, moving beyond visibility toward meaningful connection.

As part of its expanding media ecosystem under OrganoSys Media Group, Fox Valley Review continues to explore new ways to bridge culture, education, and public life. This partnership with Chahino represents the beginning of a new initiative focused on athlete storytelling and regional influence.

Additional features and content related to Chahino will be released in upcoming issues and across digital platforms.

About Fox Valley Review
Fox Valley Review is a regional arts, culture, and ideas magazine rooted in the Fox Valley. Through essays, features, and visual storytelling, the publication captures local stories with global resonance, connecting community voices to broader conversations in education, culture, and public life.
 

 
 
 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Aaron Franco, communications director
(312) 520-9802
aaronfranco@isms.org
 

Chicago anesthesiologist begins term as president of Illinois State Medical Society

 
CHICAGO – Tripti C. Kataria, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., is the new president of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) following its recent annual meeting. Dr. Kataria will become the first woman of color to hold this office.

Dr. Kataria earned her medical degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, then completed an anesthesiology residency at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. She also earned
an M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

As a part of Physician Anesthesia Consultants physician group, Dr. Kataria practices as an independent attending anesthesiologist at community teaching hospitals, free-standing surgical centers and private physician offices throughout the Chicagoland area.

She has been an active member of ISMS for more than 15 years, most recently serving as president-elect. She has also served as speaker, vice speaker and chair of the Governmental Affairs Council. Dr. Kataria is actively involved in leadership roles within the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), and the Illinois Society of Anesthesiology (ISA), where she previously served as President from 2020-2021.

Dr. Kataria’s term as president will run through April 2027.
 

##
 

Founded in 1840, ISMS is a professional membership association representing Illinois physicians in all medical specialties, and their patients, statewide.


 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2026

Media Contact Information:
Aaron Franco, communications director
(312) 520-9802
aaronfranco@isms.org
 

Three outstanding Illinois physicians recognized
Illinois State Medical Society announces award winners


CHICAGO – The outstanding contributions and commitment of three Illinois physicians were recognized by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) during its annual meeting this past weekend. The doctors are recipients of awards that celebrate the achievements of Illinois physicians in the fields of medicine, education, advocacy and volunteering. These three physicians were chosen for recognition among the many quality nominations received.

Physician of the Year
An addiction medicine physician whose advocacy and education work have had a profound impact on the community, Ruchi Fitzgerald, M.D., is the recipient of the 2026 ISMS Physician of the Year award.

Dr. Fitzgerald is the service chief for PCC Community Wellness Center-MacNeal Hospital’s addiction medicine consult service and an associate professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at Rush Medical College. As a family physician and addiction medicine specialist, she has expanded the scope of services for pregnant women experiencing substance use disorder across diverse settings. She has spent her career focused on advancing equitable addiction treatment, reducing the stigma of addiction for new mothers and increasing access to evidence-based treatment for underserved communities, including those on Chicago’s West Side.

Beyond the hospital setting, she has contributed clinical expertise to policy reforms regarding perinatal substance use disorder treatment in Illinois and served as a subject matter expert for the White House Office on National Drug Control Policy.

Physician Leader of the Year
A nationally recognized educator, researcher and specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, Archana Chatterjee, M.D., PhD, is the recipient of the 2026 ISMS Physician Leader of the Year award.

As Dean of the Chicago Medical School and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Rosalind Franklin University, she ushered the institution through the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and secured the school’s first eight-year Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accreditation in over two decades. Under her tenure, the school also saw increased student enrollment, expanded clinical partnerships across multiple states and the tripling of endowed scholarships for under-resourced students.

Dr. Chatterjee is a nationally recognized authority in pediatric infectious diseases and vaccinology, serving on the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee and multiple other advisory bodies. Throughout her 30-year career, she has coauthored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and led more than 120 clinical trials, contributing to the licensure of many life-saving vaccines used worldwide. Her selection also recognizes a trailblazing career: Dr. Chatterjee is the first woman and person of color to serve in her current role, and she is the first woman of South Asian descent to serve as dean of a LCME-accredited medical school.

Physician Volunteer of the Year
For his work as an orthopedic surgeon and for his commitment to expanding global access to specialty surgical care, Andre Ivy, M.D., is the recipient of the 2026 ISMS Volunteer Physician of the Year award.

Dr. Ivy is an orthopedic surgeon at Duly Health and Care who specializes in hand and upper-extremity surgery. An international fellowship in the East African country of Tanzania led him to found a nonprofit called HandZania in 2019. Since then, Dr. Ivy has worked to bridge the gap in surgical care for a country that previously lacked a single specialized hand surgeon.

Through the nonprofit, Dr. Ivy conducts recurring training missions and provides long-term mentorship to local surgeons in Tanzania. His exchange model also brings Tanzanian surgeons to the United States for three-month immersions, where they live with his family, train at his practice and travel around the country learning from other hand surgeons.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Ivy views international service as one way to make an impact on the world while embodying the highest professional ideals of service, education and humility.
 

###
 

ISMS recognizes physicians in these award categories every year at its annual meeting for members. These awards were created to recognize and show appreciation for individual Illinois physicians for their commitment to serving their patients and community.

If you know of an Illinois physician who should be nominated for a future award, please contact our Membership Division by email.

Founded in 1840, ISMS is a professional membership association representing Illinois physicians in all medical specialties, and their patients, statewide.


 

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