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Chicago Women's Health
Rating Details »
Categories: Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Counseling & Mental Health
Neighborhood: Lakeview3435 N Sheffield Ave
(between Clark St & Cornelia Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 935-6126
- Nearest Transit:
-
Addison (Red)
Belmont (Purple Express, Brown, Red)
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
27 reviews for Chicago Women's Health
While proud to be an American I am of course, uninsured. Unfortunately that has kept me out of more than one doctor office over the years until my need overtook my wallet. A few Yelp searches and words from those I respect later, and I had my CWH appointment booked.
Welcoming, warm and respectful, the ladies at the CWH make all my other lady-doctor exams look like perfunctory, cold moments in life. No wonder it was a yearly appointment I dreaded. Not anymore. Between the long talk time spent with my practitioner, the various comfort elements in place (plastic not metal, ladies) and the best part - the sliding payment scale - I left knowing I'd return.
Some items of note: while the women at the CWH are not doctors, they are licensed practitioners. If a problem arises, there are doctors and referral systems set into place to guide you further. They perform all manner of testing and ask that the lab fees be paid (at cost, even) based on what you can swing. The clinic runs largely on donation so don't be cheap if you can afford it.
By the time I left, I felt more that I'd been to my chiropractor or acupuncturist. I felt cared for, worked with, understood and confident in their skills - not just moved along for the next patient.
Oh and one other thing - if you are particularly stressed out about your visit, head one door north to Nisei and take the edge off. Wink.
As a student who currently has subpar health insurance through school, this place is an oasis in a healthcare desert!!
The doctors at the school clinic were hasty and not informative enough for my tastes. I need to be able to ask questions!! Also, it was I-M-P-O-S-S-I-B-L-E to get the doctor or a pharmacist on the phone if I had follow-up questions or concerns.
Not so at CWH!!! The staff is super friendly, knowledgeable and non-judgmental. I have no problem getting a healthcare worker on the phone if I need someone to question or talk to about my concerns.
My actual appointment at the clinic was quick. Filled out the paperwork and was seen within 5 minutes of turning it back in at the counter.
This place is absolutely awesome! Someday when I'm not so broke I will definitely be donating money so that they keep up being a fabulous resource for the female community in Chicago!!
I have been a client of CWHC for over 10 years . I can't remember how I found out about it but I am more than glad I did. It's a hidden gem in Wrigleyville! Things I love about CWHC:
1) Incredibly helpful, wonderful, caring staff
2) Sliding scale: I have come here even when I had insurance!
3) Variety of services: I've had a general yearly checkup and also have had acupuncture. All great!
4) Walk-in Services: Although most visits are by appointment only, they have this wonderful walk in thing where you can go and wait at the office until one of the health care workers has a free moment to see you in between appointments. This is great for those sudden gyne problems.
5) The education as well as the health care: I have learned SOOO much about my body in the years I have been to CWHC. It's the place where I first saw my cervix (sniffle) and was (sniffle) awed by my own wonderful womanly self. Although that tiny little hole made me rethink the whole child birth thing, seriously it's a TINY hole.
I would have given them all 5 stars except recently I had an okay experience with them. I had a very bad UTI which became a kidney infection. When I went the first time to have this checked out I was prescribed one antibiotic which was not strong enough. CWHC staff called me and changed my prescription, BUT they called in the the wrong amount to the pharmacy. The pharmacy would not release the medication, meanwhile I am home with a temp of 105 F and my boyfriend is trying to get the antibiotics. The pharmacy and he tried calling CWHC but no one answered! They DEFINITELY need to get an emergency number for situations like that. The only number given for the prescription was the general voicemail number! If my boyfriend had not driven all the way back to CWHC to get the prescription changed I would have ended up in the ER that night!!
OVERALL: Go there! Be cared for the way everyone deserves to be cared for by health care professionals.
Saved my life
I heart them!
They are hard to get a hold of, but they're run by volunteers. And they only have one doctor on staff, so for real concerns, ask for a referral elsewhere. Your standard pap smear or any other services they provide? Great choice!
I went to CWHC annually from 2001 through 2007 for my yearly exams and also for a couple of emergency-contraception visits. I was always pretty happy with my experiences there, and I even got to take home a plastic speculum to use for at-home exams. CWHC is very big on self-empowerment and education. The only iffy experience I had was back in 2004 (I think) when a clinic worker kinda scraped the interior of my vagina with a speculum and it bled a bit...ouch ouch ouch. (Sorry if this is TMI!) It wasn't a big deal...everything was okay.
Overall I am impressed with the way they do things. I work for Planned Parenthood in the Twin Cities now, and my main clinic is a PP (which I also really like). But CWHC is more focused on fertility-awareness and has more of a "Wanna see your cervix?" kinda attitude than PP does. I do recommend them, especially since they aim to help women with zero health insurance (and I was in that category the entire time I lived in Chicago).
I really cannot say enough about this place. First I was a client and never in my entire adult life did i experience such warmth and sensitivity towards my woman parts. my vagina loves this place! they actually know what the f-ck they are doing when it comes to annual exams. they give you mucho time to get to know you, then they tell you what they are doing while they are doing it during the exam. they are so knowledgeable and the service in general is outstanding.
They also provide many other services such as acupuncture, counseling (I volunteered as a therapist for awhile), workshops, groups, artificial insemination services, sex education. definitely check out their website for all they have to offer. I have referred all of my friends here and they all say the same thing.
Thank goddess for CWHC!
In a moment of "where the hell is my period" desparation, I turned to the CWHC for an exam and test. The women were wonderful. I was nervous and hysterical for quite some time and she literally let me cry on her shoulder and talk through various stresses in my life. Come to find out, my period was stressed out too! (phew!) I felt so comfortable and safe there, and as someone without health insurance, they offer a sliding pay scale and a "pay whatever you can" attitude which was stellar.
Further, I loved that they offer services to transgender people--it's definately a safe and understanding environment that harbors good healthcare.
I'm torn. My actual exam was as fabulous as could be but my experience before being led back into the exam room made me want to get up and leave. I arrived 30 minutes early to fill out paperwork and all that. I sit down at 12:15 and wait...and wait and wait. Forty-five minutes later (15 minutes after my exam was scheduled to start) someone comes into the waiting room and sheepishly hands me papers to fill out. I fill out my paperwork and shortly after was taken back for my appointment.
Seriously, ladies? I saw you all laughing and taking pictures of each other while three patients sat in the waiting room without so much as a nod or a hello. Bad bad bad.
Lucky for Chicago Women's Health, Roxy is the best. She made me feel comfortable and asked numerous times throughout everything if I had any questions, etc. By the time I walked out, I was suprisingly calm. Until I had to wait 20 minutes for a southbound 22. Then I looked at my watch and saw that it was 2:30. Argh!
The "pay what you can" system is a life saver. I actually paid more than I could afford but my experience (aside from the waiting room debacle) was worth it. I'm going to assume the staff of CWH was just having an off day. Even though I was so aggravated I wanted to punch someone, I will most certainly go back.
The staff at CWHC are swell. They take the time during your exam to learn about you, any health problems, specific concerns - there is no rushing, no eye rolling, no judgment , which I have definitly experienced at other "woman focused" health centers. The sliding scale pay system has been a help in leaner times, too.
Also! CWHC offers one of the nation's few health programs focused on serving transgender men and masculine/butch/gender queer women. How excellent is that?
They are absolutely the best women running the best women's health care facility I've ever been too. There is a sliding scale for folks strapped on cash or without insurance. They're kind and flexible as well, for said insurance-less people; no jerk collections calls coming from here.
This is an environment based entirely on empowering individuals of all stripes and shapes.
Provides counseling, support groups, gynecological services, STI services ets. Really the best care facility I've ever, ever been to.
This is the kind of place every woman should know about, so I am updating. One year later, still phenomenal care and service.
Keep your undercarriage cared for, ya know? Seriously.
Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, female healthcare. Available on a sliding scale for those without insurance.
Yes, you heard right. No woman in this city should have to deal with subpar care due to lack of insurance.
GET HERE. As if your life depended on it. It does.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/12/2007
Ok, I do have very good insurance (Thank you Employer). However, sometimes you just want someone to… Read more »
I no longer have health insurance which is why I ended up here. The waiting area was very comfortable and relaxing. I arrived 15 minutes early to fill out my paperwork and was escorted back within 5 minutes The health care worker (cannot remember her name) & I sat in the exam room while she read my perwork. It took longer than I expected, but she was thorough. The part I did not like was sitting topless discussing why I should give myself home breast exams. Cool, but can I put my bra on at least?!?! The exam was finished for a good 5 minutes while we sat and chatted about lumps, tissue, etc while I am still topless. I know we're all women, but sitting there with my breasts out after the exam was complete was odd. The sliding scale is awesome so I will be back.
Love my girl parts.
I really do.
When they work, they work well. When they fail, they fail miserably. I began going to CWH when I didn't have health insurance. Planned Parenthood is an option, but CWH is nothing like that gyno mill. The folks here are warm, welcoming, kind and not the least bit judgmental. Exams are very, very reasonably priced. As others have mentioned, there is a sliding scale. CWH offers awesome fertility awareness classes, information about obtaining donor sperm and a wealth of other reproductive information and information about your vagina! It should also be noted that CWH is very lesbian friendly. Yes, I said it. Come on. We're all adults and can handle a little vagina talk now and then. And if you're really interested in what things look like down there, the very thorough nurse practitioner will give you a mirror during the exam. Love your bodies ladies.
Strangely enough, this place is one of the things that makes me miss Chicago the most. That's right! I miss a gyno clinic. I don't know anyone with a cervix who looks forward to their annual ladyparts exam, but this place actually made it a pleasant experience... Or, as pleasant as any medical exam could be. The workers are friendly and knowledgeable, the environment is relaxed and comfortable, and they have a sliding payment scale.
Come on, New York City, grow a pair (of ovaries) and open something like THIS place.
Have been coming here for 16 years and will continue to do so as long as I can. I have always received exceptional care. It's the place you wish all your other doctors could be like.
The health-workers have very extensive knowledge and are always advising on number of approaches to your health care. The appointments are never cut short, it never feels like you are a number. all your questions are answered without annoyance.
A truly comforting place, even if pelvic exams are not considered a fun activity. Even though I have good insurance now, it is good to know that there are places where you can go if you were in a bind. When I was in school, they were always willing to work out a sliding scale fee.
If I had a million bucks, I would give them a big chunk.
I had a truly awful experience here...an experience that I would like to never repeat, ever, in my lifetime. Needless to say, I will never go back.
I made my appointment and they explained the whole sliding scale to me. Great. Fine. I could pay so it wasn't a big worry for me.
I met with a counselor at the appointed time to discuss the process. The counselor carefully explained the program, asked me a few questions and told me about a support group they ran for single lesbians and lesbian couples. I told her that I was not gay, was not in a relationship, but wanted to do this on my own. Suddenly her manner changed. The fertility services, as I interpreted from her body language, were not meant for straight single women. I was not a member of the community, and she did not make me feel welcome. The funny thing was that one of my closest friends in Chicago, a lesbian mom, had recommended this place to me. I was so disappointed.
I became increasingly uncomfortable as she starting pulling back from the discussion. I hurried to end our conversation and got out of there as quickly as I could.
I have since found a clinic that has not once passed judgement on me. They did not assume my gender preference, they didn't ask and they don't care. They have been incredibly helpful, empathic, and professional. They are everything I expected CWH to be.
I would have given one star but for the inexpensive care they provide at a sliding scale. Healthcare is for everyone. Fertility services? Not so much.
If you care about your cervix, drag the ol' girl over to the Chicago Women's Health Center.
I've had nothing but positive experiences with the amazing staff of doctors and health workers here. All are truly dedicated to women's health issues, as well as expanding the education of clients about their OWN bodies. "Would you like to insert your own speculum? Would you like to see your cervix?" are two frequently asked questions at CWHC (and by the way, say YES to both!) and the staff are incredibly helpful in answering any questions you may have. Sliding scale and acceptance of public aid card is a huge bonus for those of us who are not well-to-do. Only criticism is that it is sometimes hard to get an appointment.
This is an amazing place, offering high-quality, non-judgemental, supportive "Lady Care" to all women in the community regardless of ability to pay.
I can't speak about pre-natal and obstetric care, but I can say that this is the best place to get your annual visit done. I will be going here even when I'm no longer a starving artist.
I have been going to CWHC for a few years, and they have always been very helpful with my basic ob/gyne care and blood tests. They will always sit down with you for a few minutes and go over any questions. Try to sit with their nurse practitioner if you have a more serious concern, and she will work with their doctor. They are WAY more helpful than the Chicagoland Planned Parenthood clinics. The only other drawback would be if you need to make an appointment, or get info on your tests, you may have to call back a few times.
I was lucky enough to have a friend refer me to CWH two years ago and I'm so thankful that she did. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive, and they truly care about their patients. They are mostly nurse practioners, practicing under a physician, who reviews all their charts and labs. They are very thorough with each exam. They work out payment options with each patient individually, based on insurance (or lack there of) and can arrange a sliding scale fee that can fit each patient's personal finances. I highly recommend going there for all your womanly exams and check-ups. By the way, I hate needles, and my nurse was so gentle drawing my blood work, amidst my cringes and white knuckles. I cannot say enough great things about this facility.
i agree with the reviews of it being warm, welcoming, "women helping women". The sliding scale is great--I did however have a very bad experience there, mainly as the practioneers are NOT Drs and many are (i think they call themselves) "health workers". They werent too up on different treatment options.
I wuld recommend it for basic services, but if you dont feel comfortable go to a MD
a friend told me to go to this place when i first moved to the city.
these people are amazing! they are so helpful and understanding.
i love going here. im never nervous.
i tell all my friends to go here if they dont have insurance or are looking for a good clinic.
Woman-positive gynecology and counseling on a sliding income-based scale? Yes, please! I can't recommend this place enough.
Amazing place! Feminist health care for women by women and at a sliding scale. You are invited to be an active participant in your health care, and you are treated with the utmost respect. These women really care about you. They have counseling too, at a sliding scale fee, alternative insemination for lesbians and single women, an outreach program, a small take-action center, and all sorts of classes and information. Everyone should go here and donate lots of money to this non-profit organization.
Once you get past the fab-u astroturf-esque carpet and retro paneling, this is truly a great place. A feminist oasis in the desert....Seriously though, they offer supportive womens' services from the inside out - from counseling to gyne. My experiences here so far have been awesome - and its on a sliding scale. I can't tell you how great it has been to find a place that is helpful, sensitive, supportive, unpretentious and affordable.
I have been going to the Chicago Women's Health Center for the past 6 years. I love everything about this place, from their philosophy of empowering women through knowledge of their own body to the sliding-scale payment structure to the fact that their annual fund raiser takes the form of "Massage Drives." This is not your typical Gyn office. Trained and certified practioners give the exams. Gowns are optional, and, you are even invited to insert your own speculum. If something abnormal is found, a medical doctor is called in. Every practioner I have ever spoke with has been a wealth of information and made me feel very comfortable. They also offer all sorts of health education classes, counseling, and emergency contraception. The non-profit CWHC is a labor of love for those that work there - and it shows. Although I have moved out of the area, I will keep going back to see them. If possible, get an appointment with Terry or Louise. http://www.chicagowome...
