- Experts Guide
- Graphic Standards & Visual Identity
- News Releases
- NIU in the News
- Northern Today
- Resources for
Campus Communicators - Web Presence Project
- Contact Us
- Media Relations & Internal Communications Home
News Release
Contact: Mark McGowan, NIU Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-9472
August 16, 2004
NIU’s Tri-County Community Health Center
welcomes new director
DeKalb — Kathy Antunovich spent most of the last quarter-century working as a nurse practitioner at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital and its Ambulatory Care Network, but left the job with three career-expanding goals in mind: teaching, researching and managing.
Northern Illinois University’s Tri-County Community Health Center offers all three.
Antunovich, who succeeded clinic co-founder Mary Uscian as director July 1, calls the operation of the NIU School of Nursing “a wonderful place and a wonderful opportunity for me, personally and professionally.”
“Tri-County has a marvelous history,” Antunovich said. “I’m coming on the heels of nurses who have actually made a little history with this particular clinic. It’s nurse-managed, and all the providers are nurses. The nurses who had this idea, and obtained the funding, were really trendsetters.”
“We are very excited about Kathy’s appointment,” said Brigid Lusk, acting chair of the School of Nursing. “I envision that she will continue the ground breaking work of Mary Uscian, in support of nursing education and patient service. Her leadership will promote the center’s mission through outreach of its services and enhancement of student education.”
About 15,000 different people of all ages from DeKalb, Ogle and Lee counties have sought treatment at the bilingual clinic since it opened in 1994. Ninety-nine percent are classified as low-income; one of three is a minority.
No one is turned away for an inability to pay.
The clinic’s work has earned the financial support of generous community benefactors who have contributed and pledged more than $2.25 million in recent years, crucial support after the 1998 expiration of the federal grant that created the clinic.
In 2001, U.S. Speaker of the House and NIU alum J. Dennis Hastert helped to identify more than $450,000 in the federal budget to help Tri-County buy much-needed medical, educational and office-related equipment.
Antunovich’s plans include attracting more patients to the Malta-based clinic and expanding its educational component.
“I want to increase the number of people we serve. We are here to serve, and we offer personalized care, something patients might not get at another clinic. Hopefully, most of them use us faithfully and like the care we give,” she said. “We take special care with our Hispanic community to make sure we’re meeting their particular needs. We have Hispanic nurses and receptionists who can communicate well.”
The clinic is a “prime research site,” she added.
“Not only can nurses do research here,” Antunovich said, “but we’d also like to see doctors, residents, med students and other allied health professionals, such as nutritionists and pharmacists. This is a vibrant place.”
Born and raised in California, Antunovich earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at California State University in Los Angeles. She then enrolled in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s master’s degree program for family nurse practitioners.
As a part-time faculty member in the School of Nursing, part of the NIU College of Health and Human Sciences, she also will begin teaching graduate courses this fall.
# # #