Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Healthcare Partner in Chicago
For nearly five decades, Chicago Women's Health Center (CWHC) has provided affirming, client-centered healthcare to women, trans individuals, and young people. Our collaborative approach prioritizes patient autonomy, offering comprehensive services including gynecology, trans health, counseling, and alternative medicine. All care operates on a self-determined sliding fee scale, ensuring accessibility regardless of financial means. With over 6,000 annual clients, we combine clinical expertise with health education to foster self-advocacy. Our team of licensed professionals and specialists maintains a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive framework across all programs.As a community-driven organization since 1975, we continually adapt services to meet evolving healthcare needs while upholding core values of justice and accessibility. Our physical space in Uptown Chicago features accessible facilities and HIPAA-compliant telehealth options. We maintain partnerships with local organizations to expand service reach and accept multiple insurance plans while offering flexible payment arrangements. Through transparent communication and client involvement in treatment decisions, we build trust and long-term health empowerment.
Services
Gynecology Services
Medication Abortion
Trans Health Services
Counseling
Acupuncture
Sliding Scale Fees
STI Screening
Hormone Therapy
Alternative Insemination
Pregnancy Testing
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We offer sliding fee scales ensuring care accessibility for all income levels
- Our trauma-informed providers specialize in LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare
- We combine clinical expertise with comprehensive patient education programs
- Our team includes specialists in gender-affirming hormone therapy and care
- We maintain accessible facilities with both in-person and telehealth options
What people say
Affordable sliding scale
Inclusive environment
Knowledgeable staff
Supportive counseling
Gender-affirming care
Services
Gynecology Services
Our gynecology services provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare through longer appointments emphasizing preventive care and patient education. Services include annual exams, STI testing, contraceptive counseling, and menopause management. We serve cisgender women, transmasculine individuals, and genderqueer clients with a focus on respectful, individualized care.
Medication Abortion
We offer medication abortions for pregnancies under 11 weeks using a two-step process with mifepristone and misoprostol. Our trauma-informed approach includes comprehensive counseling and aftercare support. Services are available to clients aged 18+ with proper documentation, including follow-up care and financial assistance options for those in need.
Trans Health Services
Our trans health program provides gender-affirming hormone therapy, voice coaching, and STI screening through an informed-consent model. Services include HRT initiation and monitoring, injection tutorials, and support groups. We serve clients aged 18+ with specialized care coordination and sliding-scale fees.
Counseling
We offer individual, partners, and group counseling services addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and gender identity concerns. Our feminist-relational approach includes sliding-scale fees from $150/session down to $15. Services include letters of support for gender-affirming care and virtual telehealth options with HIPAA-compliant platforms.
Acupuncture
Our acupuncture services use traditional Chinese medicine to treat chronic pain, stress, and reproductive health concerns. Supervised interns from Pacific College of Health and Science provide treatments on a sliding scale from $80-$25. Sessions include comprehensive intake assessments and personalized treatment plans using sterile, disposable needles.
People
Riya Desai
Board Member
Public health administration expert with experience in healthcare equity and nonprofit leadership. Graduated from Cornell University with dual degrees in public policy and economics. Focuses on improving healthcare access for marginalized communities.
Hannah Garrett
Board Member
Oncology nurse practitioner with expertise in patient-clinician collaboration. Current clinical content trainer for genetic testing company. Advocates for shared decision-making models in healthcare delivery systems.
Dr. Stephanie Madden
Board Member
Licensed acupuncturist and integrative medicine specialist. Founder of Copper Wellness Center in Chicago. Doctoral research focused on chronic pain management and psychosomatic therapies. Committed to holistic patient care approaches.
Tameka Walton
Finance Chair
Nonprofit administrator and founder of Black women's health organization. DePaul University public policy graduate with expertise in community health initiatives and wellness program development.
KT Hawbaker
Board Member
Communications professional with social justice focus. Former Chicago Tribune writer and marketing director. Advocate for survivor rights with legislative policy experience. Uses storytelling to advance healthcare equity.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Humana PPO, and United PPO for gynecological and trans health services. Counseling services are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO.
Are your facilities wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our Uptown Chicago facility is wheelchair accessible. Please notify staff when scheduling to ensure proper entrance access.
Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
Some programs offer evening availability. All visits require advance scheduling with limited weekend hours available for specific services.
What birth control methods are available?
We provide cervical cap, condoms, diaphragm, oral contraceptives, Nuva Ring, patch, IUDs, and spermicidal gel with comprehensive counseling on all options.
Can I get emergency contraception?
Yes, we provide emergency contraception within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Please call immediately to schedule an appointment.
Do you offer prenatal care?
We no longer provide prenatal services but offer referrals through our Alternative Insemination program for pregnancy support and care coordination.
Videos
