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Dr. Anne Marie Ditto, an allergist at Northwestern, proves that volunteering at a community clinic does not have to be a burden to one's schedule. She devotes two half days a month at a free clinic where she educates her patients about asthma treatment and management while maintaining a full time appointment and schedule at NMFF. She is joined by a medical student rotating on allergy who examines the patients under her watchful eye.
Dr. Ditto is a mentor to her students and patients alike. The 8 hours a month she devotes to her volunteer service directly translate into better long-term health of an entire community and inspiration for young physicians in training. She hopes that soon other Northwestern colleagues will be able to further expand the free services offered at Community Health.
How did Northwestern's collaboration with CHC start?
"The Northern Illinois Chapter of the American College of Physicians strongly supports participation of internists in providing voluntary care for those in need. It has been my privilege as Governor for the past several years to work with CommunityHealth to recruit many of our members to give their time to this community-based organization. ACP support of CommunityHealth goes back to it beginning. Dr. Serafino Garella, one of my predecessors as Governor, was one of the initiators of CommunityHealth on the West Side. Their present medical director is another of our Chapter members, Dr. Babs Waldman. Why do our members respond to the call and work at CommunityHealth? It is because they are internists and we take care of people with needs."
- Jim Foody, MD, FACP
Governor, Illinois Northern Chapter
American College of Physicians
Interested in joining Community Health? Email us!
- Kelly Tondini, Community Health
- Anne Ditto, MD
About Dr. Ditto:
Dr. Anne Marie Ditto has been with Northwestern for nearly 22 years. She joined the NMFF staff 16 years ago and currently works as an allergist in an outpatient clinic. Her clinical interests include asthma, food allergy including eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as urticaria (hives). Dr. Ditto has been volunteering at the Community Health for nearly a year now. Along with one of her former fellows, she started an asthma clinic where she treats uninsured patients as well as educates them about their disease. For more information about Dr. Ditto’s publications, please visit her Faculty Profile. Outside of work she is currently training to become a certified Pilates instructor.
