About ACCESS

Founded in 1991 to provide primary and preventive care services in targeted areas on Chicago’s South and West sides with high levels of poverty and poor health outcomes, ACCESS has grown into a diverse network of 34 health centers that serves nearly 165,000 patients each year across Chicago and suburban Cook and DuPage counties. 

As the  nation’s sixth largest network of federally qualified health centers, ACCESS continues to innovate and evolve its care delivery model to address the total health needs of our patients.  By taking a comprehensive, integrated approach to our medical practices, ACCESS is able to bring together the right services and resources at the right time to support our patient’s overall health and wellness.  

We believe that to successfully improve our patients’ health outcomes, we must be able to address any social determinants of health (i.e., food, transportation, housing) that may be negatively impacting their ability to have a healthy quality of life. Whether it’s food assistance to ensure a diabetic patient in need has access to healthy, fresh food or providing free transportation to a single mom with three kids trying to ensure her family stays up-to-date with their school physicals, we strive to remove any barriers that may be impacting their ability to live a healthy, happy life. 

Recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, ACCESS is also focused on improving our patients’ overall experience. From making racial justice and health equity a strategic priority both within and outside our walls to educating our staff on how to become a trauma-informed practice, we want all of our health centers to be trusted, safe spaces where our patients can feel comfortable and properly cared for. Many of our care team members live and work in the communities we serve and understand our patients’ cultural and linguistic needs. By understanding the unique needs of each community we serve, we can successfully support our patients and create healthier communities.