Pillars And Community Nurse Health Center Have Merged

LA GRANGE, IL – Two of the largest, longest-running organizations in the western and southwestern suburbs—Pillars and Community Nurse Health Center—have officially merged as of Jan. 1. According to a release, the new organization, Pillars Community Health, is one of only a few organizations in the state to integrate primary medical and dental care with mental health and social services.

“In my 10 years working with this organization through predecessor agencies, I have never experienced a
more exciting time for our community,” Zada Clarke, chair of the board of directors, said in a release. “We are now able to provide more comprehensive care for individuals and families. And we anticipate the merger will also help us produce better outcomes for our clients and patients, as it means people with overlapping needs can find help for multiple issues in one place.”

According to the organization, the integration means the organization is both a 501(c)3 and a Federally Qualified Health Center, employing nearly 300 staff. In addition, the organization manages The Community
Healthcare Network of the Western Suburbs, as well as The Community Shop, a donation and resale center in La Grange.

“It is such a privilege for me to lead this newly merged, innovative organization,” Angela Curren, JD, LLM, president and CEO, said in a release. “We envision communities where all people have equal access to the care they need, when they need it. To that end, we are committed to eliminating barriers to care such as language, income, or stigma.”

According to the organization, some services are available free of charge; others are offered on a sliding fee scale. They also accept Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance plans. Many services are available in both English and Spanish; some services are offered in Arabic. Language assistance lines are available in our Health Center, and sign language interpreters can be called upon for assistance.

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