Business Details
37 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Comprehensive Healthcare for Chicago Communities
Alivio Medical Center has been dedicated to serving underserved communities since its founding in 1989. Our mission focuses on providing culturally sensitive, comprehensive healthcare services to families and individuals facing barriers such as language differences, immigration status, and limited access to traditional healthcare institutions. With bilingual and bicultural providers, we offer services including primary care, pediatrics, dentistry, behavioral health, and family planning, ensuring care is accessible regardless of ability to pay. Our team emphasizes health promotion, education, and prevention, operating seven locations across Chicago and its western suburbs. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we maintain federal public health service status and receive HHS funding to support our commitment to equitable care.Over 36 years, we have expanded to include urgent care, school-based health centers, and specialized programs addressing maternal and child health, diabetes prevention, and mental wellness. Our providers combine extensive certifications and multilingual capabilities to serve diverse populations, including immigrants and low-income families. Through partnerships and community outreach, we address systemic healthcare gaps while maintaining accreditation under rigorous public health standards. Patient-centered care remains our priority, with personalized treatment plans and flexible scheduling options, including weekend hours and telehealth services. Our leadership team brings decades of experience in family medicine, pediatrics, and public health to guide our ongoing mission of healing and community support.
Services
Pediatrics
Dentistry
Family Planning
Behavioral Health
Nutritional Wellness
Urgent Care
Pharmacy Services
OB/GYN
Diabetes Management
School-Based Health
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- Bilingual providers serving Spanish-speaking and diverse communities
- Sliding-scale fees based on income and family size
- Integrated care combining medical, dental, and behavioral health services
- School-based clinics improving youth healthcare access
- 36 years of experience addressing immigrant healthcare needs
Associations and certifications
- Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b
- Deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n)
What people say
Bilingual staff
Affordable care
Culturally sensitive
Comprehensive services
Child-friendly environment
Services
Pediatric Care
Our board-certified pediatricians provide comprehensive care for infants through adolescents, including immunizations, developmental screenings, and chronic condition management. Three school-based clinics offer convenient access to care during school hours. Providers emphasize family-centered care with Spanish and Urdu language capabilities across multiple locations.
Dental Services
Bilingual dentists deliver preventive and restorative care for patients aged 3-18 years, including exams, cleanings, fillings, and emergency extractions. Specialized pediatric dental programs focus on early intervention and preventive education. Same-day appointments available for urgent dental needs during regular business hours.
Family Planning
Confidential reproductive health services include contraceptive counseling, STI testing, prenatal screenings, and PrEP referrals. Eligible patients receive free pregnancy testing and family planning services through state-funded programs. Providers offer same-day IUD insertions and comprehensive birth control options.
Behavioral Health
Multilingual therapists provide individual and family counseling for anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. Specialized programs address domestic violence recovery and perinatal mental health. Telehealth appointments available with psychiatrists offering medication management for chronic mental health conditions.
Nutritional Wellness
Registered dietitians offer personalized nutrition plans for diabetes prevention, weight management, and chronic disease control. Group classes teach healthy meal preparation and physical activity strategies. Bilingual Spanish-English providers deliver culturally appropriate dietary guidance for families and individuals across all age groups.
People
Jennifer Vargas
Alivio Medical Director
Board-certified family medicine physician with 20+ years experience leading community health initiatives. Specializes in cross-cultural care delivery and medical education. Directs clinical operations across six Chicago-area clinics while maintaining active patient practice.
Lorena Barragan
Family Medicine Physician
Advocate for underserved populations with expertise in chronic disease management. Completed residency at MacNeal Hospital and fellowship in women's health. Provides comprehensive primary care with Spanish language proficiency at Berwyn location.
Norma Westervelt
Pediatrician
American Board of Pediatrics-certified physician focusing on preventive care and adolescent medicine. Implements evidence-based vaccination programs and developmental screening protocols. Offers Spanish-language pediatric consultations at Berwyn Medical Center.
Estela Melgoza
Director of Behavioral Health
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with PhD in Community Psychology. Specializes in trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy. Oversees mental health services including school-based counseling programs and domestic violence support groups.
Mahamid Khan
Dental Director
Dentist with dual Illinois and Missouri licensure, specializing in pediatric oral health. Implements preventive dental programs for low-income families. Coordinates bilingual dental services across three clinical locations with focus on early childhood caries prevention.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance plans. Sliding-scale fees are available for uninsured patients based on income verification.
Are your services available in Spanish?
Yes, we have bilingual Spanish-English providers at all locations. Interpreter services are available for other languages.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Use our online self-scheduling system or call (773) 254-1400. Same-day urgent care visits are available during regular business hours.
Do you offer weekend hours?
Yes, select locations offer Saturday hours from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Check specific clinic hours for details.
What family planning services are available?
We provide free pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling, STI screening, and same-day IUD insertions through state-funded programs.
Are school-based health services free?
Services at our three school-based clinics follow the same sliding-scale fee structure as other locations, with free options for eligible students.
Reviews (5)
Rebecca Enriquez
Jan 22, 2022
Report
I would rate a 0. Had my son tested for covid 19 and only bother to leave a voice-mail stating they would mail out his test results, a week later they called stating he was positive. Like why would they send a letter? I called Alivio the same day I missed their call only for them to say they would leave my message with the nurse. When it's a positive result they should notify patients/guardian immediately. Thank God I quarantine my son. And I won't go into detail about their rude staff, bad customer service and worst waiting time just for the pediatrician to be in and out.
Tyler C.
Sep 12, 2021
Report
The other reviews are correct. This place sucks. I called for a appointment, never made it through the call and got sent to a answering machine days ago. Today 4 days after trying to schedule, you guys decide to call me back finally. They don't care about your health here.
Ria Laer
May 30, 2021
Report
Drs and nurse practitioners are nice and knowledgeable. Front desk staff is very dry, rude and dont even look you in the eye. Impossible to reach by phone, no one ever answers. They have online scheduling where you can message them: but theres no point, they dont respond until at least a wk later. They asked me to come in 15 min early and I was in there for an hr and 45min. I tried scheduling a dental appointment. They kept rescheduling me for literally 3 months. Had to go somewhere else. They really need someone to go in there and help them streamline their services and train their
Christian Flasza
May 26, 2021
Report
Yeah, current 1 star and previous reviews are correct in their evaluation of the establishment. I was feeling a bit under the weather and decided to get tested for COVID, as its only a few blocks away I figured Id just go here. Upon calling for an appointment I was told to be there at 10:30, easy enough. I walk to the facility at 10:20 and speak to one of the people at the front door. They usher me to their outdoor canopy where cars are idling waiting to either be tested or for their results. They ask for my ID and tell me to wait there. I thought this wasnt a big deal as once 10:30 came
Guadalupe Pedraza
Jan 02, 2021
Report
I literally would give it a zero star if I could. First in august the doctor didnt want to believe me that I had an ear infection. He gave me muscle relaxers instead. The infection got worse and I decided to go to another urgent care clinic where they in fact found an ear infection. Then today after I tested negituve for covid and came to urgent care to get a strep test at 10am, the two ladies in the front sent me back home stating they didn't start urgent care registration until 2 pm to start taking patients at 2:30. I get here at 2:00 pm and there's a line of 6 people. I ask the front ladies
