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NorthStar
Medical Center
History, Purpose, Philosophy
NorthStar Medical Center is a state-of- the-art
comprehensive treatment and clinclal research center,
specializing in the treatment of HIV, AIDS and disease
of the immune system. This treatment facility was previously
known as the Chicago Center for Special Immunology
founded by Dr. Daniel S. Berger in 1991. At that time,
Dr. Berger began to arduously move his existing HIV-centered
practice-base from Andersonville into the Lincoln Park
community. When the center initially directed itsГ• attention
to early intervention against HIV infection and the
development of AIDS, many people both within and outside
the medical profession doubted the merit of such an
effort. Treatment criteria were uncertain and some of
the extensive testing procedures were of questionable
utility. The availability of anti-viral drugs was limited
and their efficacy and toxicity subject to much speculation.
The consensus in the public health sector was to focus
on laboratory research on the one hand and treatment
of late-stage disease with sub-optimal therapy and prophylaxis
of opportunistic infections, on the other. Early intervention,
let alone, combination therapy for HIV-infection
was considered highly speculative and not generally
prescribed. However the philosophy at the center, although
not understood by the community, held that early intervention
and aggressive combinations were necessary. This was
based on the example of treatment for cancer, tuberculosis
and other infections, also treated with combinations,
as monotherapy for those diseases were also ineffective.
The
Center's response to the general skepticism was to privately
create a clinical research and treatment center dedicated
to early intervention with special focus. The first
focus is a commitment to basic medical principles including
meticulous diagnosis, aggressive preventive medicine,
carefully monitored therapy and team-oriented holistic
case management. The second is the flexible and forward-looking
use of state-of-the-art medical technology and promising
new drugs. Ahead of the consensus of the time, the Chicago
Center for Special Immunology, offered its' patients
aggressive therapeutic options instead of the pervasive
fatalism then present. At that time period other physicians
told their patients to come back for return visits when
they would become sick. Meanwhile, Dr. Berger presented
one of the first combination studies utilizing AZT and
ddI at the International Conference on AIDS in Amsterdam
during the summer of 1992. In time, pioneering efforts
clearly demonstrated that the course of HIV disease
could be profoundly and positively altered by the use
of early intervention strategies including strengthening
nutritional status and by preventive treatments directed
against opportunistic infections.
This
center continues to function under the direction of
Daniel S. Berger M.D. In
the remarkably short period of time since the Chicago
center's existence, numerous publications and presentations
have ensued at national and international conferences.
The Center has been recognized both nationally and internationally
as being on the "leading edge" in the treatment and
research of HIV disease. Dr. Berger has presented several
oral platform presentations at the International Conference
on AIDS such as in Geneva, Switzerland and Vancouver,
British Columbia.
With
its staff of loyal and dedicated individuals, the clinic
provides many extra services. The continuum of care
offered to its' patients include access to and participation
in the latest of many of the most promising new therapies
through research protocols of antiretroviral therapies
and immune response modifiers. Nutrition seems to be
an evolving field and as HIV therapeutics change; fat
redistribution, lipodystrophy and wasting are areas
that require special attention by the physician with
each individual patient. A leading national expert in
diet and nutrition offers nutritional assessment and
counseling. Psychological therapy is available by compassionate,
sensitive and insightful psychologists. Intensive monitoring
of laboratory data occurs to objectively guide therapeutic
and individualized decision-making while additional
in-house high-tech intravenous therapies are easily
obtainable, when so indicated. These include treatments
for Kaposi's sarcoma, CMV and blood disorders. Finally,
advice and counseling to assist in the understanding
and maneuvering through medical insurance and socioeconomic
related problems is available from experienced management
staff
However,
while NorthStar prides itself by being a busy space
it is also known for offering its' patients unique,
quality care and hands-on attention. Many of the staff
ARE long-term members and have been dedicated to becoming
an integral part of the care; this has further ensured
for the maintenance of steady and stable, continuity
of care. Thus the center has a particular enhanced "family-like",
yet sophisticated environment. The overall net effect
results in making NorthStar one of the leading HIV treatment
centers of the metropolitan Chicago area.
With an emphasis on responding to the challenge of HIV
disease, the staff of NorthStar publishes a national
quarterly newsletter AIDS Infosource dedicated to educating
the community and health care providers on current diagnostic,
therapeutic and investigational approaches to patient
care. Our holistic, team-treatment approach assures
that we address the wide range of patient needs. NorthStar
Medical Center offers a leading Гђedge aggressive approach
to the treatment of HIV disease in a unique environment
often rare in healthcare today that is dominated by
HMO chaos. The center believes that compassionate care
does exist in a friendly yet knowledgeable and refined
environment.
AIDSINFOSOURCE
Is dedicated
to all those affected by HIV. Under the direction of
Dr.
Daniel Berger,
will continue to provide the latest and upcoming news
in scientific research in the area of HIV and AIDS.
We will continue to be a source of information for the
community and care givers.
Any further information can always be obtained by contacting
North Star Medical Clinic at 773-296-2400.
What
is AIDS Infosource?
AIDS Infosource is a non-profit educational
resource for all persons affected by AIDS as professionals
and laypersons alike.
AIDS Infosource spans a range of needs
which include (but are not limited to), Medical abstracts
and articles, Clinical treatments, conference coverage,
therapy options, current news, professional commentaries,
insurance and pharmaceutical information, and politics.
AIDS Infosource has been an informative
quarterly newsletter for the last three years.
AIDS Infosource is under the direction
of Dr. Daniel S Berger
MD, FACN medical director for the NorthStar Medical
Center and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
at University of Illinois at Chicago. This web site
is an extension of the current AIDS Infosource
newsletter. NorthStar Medical Center is known for aggressively
applying the latest technology in HIV research to their
patient's care..
AIDS Infosource is dedicated to all persons
affected by HIV and AIDS. It is a dynamic instrument
that is ever changing and progressive, highlighting
new information from all sectors in the battle against
AIDS.
AIDS Infosource was developed as a non-profit
operative. This web site is part of a continuing commitment
to bring the latest treatments to the forefront and
research that translates to a promising future. The
physicians and staff provide and promote patient care
in various avenues of medicine and maintain a state-of
-the-art clinical trial and research facility.
AIDS Infosource is a highly informative,
in depth, website. It is suggested that you start in
the help section to give you a detailed overview on
the use of this site to derive the greatest benefits
with your browser.
AIDS Infosource will be instrumental in
this battle against AIDS. We welcome written contributions
to the newsletter and to the web site.
AIDS Infosource information regarding
contributions or subscriptions may be directed to:
Daniel
S. Berger, MD, Editor
AIDS Infosource
2835 North Sheffield
Avenue, Suite 104, Chicago, IL. 60657
Daniel
S. Berger M.D.
 Daniel
S. Berger M.D., Medical Director of NorthStar Medical
Center is Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at
the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Berger has
been Medical Director of the Center for Special Immunology
in Chicago from 1992 to April ‘98. Nationally recognized
as a leading AIDS healthcare physician, he is a full
time practitioner and has cared for over I 000 patients
with HIV disease.
Dr.
Berger is actively involved in clinical research and
has served as principle investigator in more than thirty
HIV/AIDS clinical trials. He has authored numerous abstracts
and articles on many HIV relaed topics and is the author
of a book chapter on nutritional support for AIDS Wasting.
His major interests include antiretroviral therapies,
immunologic response modifiers and the treatment of
wasting syndrome. Prominent in the field, Dr. Berger
is a frequent presenter at national and international
AIDS conferences.
Dr.
Berger founded and presently serves as Editor for AIDS
Info Source, a national AIDS newsletter whose mission
is to provide education to the community regarding many
HIV- related issues. He lectures to a wide range of
audiences nationally including community forums and
physician or medical symposiums. He has served as a
faculty consultant on various advisory boards for several
pharmaceutical companies. Recently, Dr Berger was appointed
to a national panel to make recommendations to revise
the definition of and formulate new criteria for AIDS
Wasting.
Dr.
Berger earned his MD at the University of Health Sciences/the
Chicago Medical School and completed his residency in
internal medicine at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.
Gregory
Sarlo
Gregory
Sarlo is a licensed clinical psychotherapist who specializes
in working with those individuals and couples impacted
bv HIV. He has been working with the HIV population
since 1987. Gregory started the Living With HIV groups
at several local community health centers in the city
in order to help the individuals, couples, and families
in the community by giving support to those impacted
with HIV.
Comprehensive
treatment serves as a wonderful approach in helping
those impacted with HIV lead healthier and happier lives.
Through emotional and psychological intervention, we
can assist the most modem medical treatments available
to fight HIV and AIDS. Individuals impacted with HIV
and AIDS lead lives that change at a very rapid pace.
Sometimes more rapid than they can keep up with. These
rapid changes can cause a significant amount of stress
in the individual’s life, their loved ones lives,
as well as their own families. Nevertheless, stress
and its associated negative effects on the body can
be managed. Through a safe, holding, confidential, and
supportive environment, psychotherapy can serve as a
facilitator to work through these stressful times and
those which come about due to the social and psychological
impact of HIV.
Dr.
Cheryl L. Mejta
Dr.
Cheryl L. Mejta is a licensed clinical psychologist
who specializes in the psychological aspects of chronic
illnesses and disorders. She has worked in the field
of HIV/AIDS since 1984, exploring ways for people impacted
by HIV/AIDS to create supportive, healthy, and life-enhancing
environments for themselves.
Psychological
interventions can serve as useful adjuncts to medical
treatments for HIV/AIDS. Identifying and expressing
feelings and reactions to HIV disease and treatments
can help people better cope with the changing course
and impact of HIV/AIDS on their lives. In coming to
terms with the meaning of HIV/AIDS for their lives,
people often are challenged with assessing how they
have been living their lives. By using psychotherapy
to identify and resolve areas of conflict which interfere
with leading satisfying lives, people can improve the
quality of their lives.
Dr.
Cheryl L. Mejta strives to maintain a collaborative
partnership with her patients, working with them to
identify, understand, and change patterns and strategies
in their lives which no longer work. Tbrough the psychotherapeutic
process, patients acquire cognitive and behavioral skills
which can empower them to manage present and future
issues they may encounter. Patients explore their lives
and acquire new skills to better manage their lives
in an atmosphere of safety and confidentiality.
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