The University of Illinois at Chicago-A Major Research University
The University of Illinois at Chicago is a major academic research center created in 1982 by the merger of University of Illinois Chicago Circle and the University of Illinois Medical Center Campuses. Since then it has grown to 25,000-student campus just west of downtown Chicago with an annual budget of $1.3 billion. UIC research productivity has grown extremely rapidly fostered by a series of strategic investments. In 1998, total research expenditures were $96.8 million; by 2005, research expenditures had grown to $237 million, an increase of 145%. UIC is committed to the continuation of this rapid growth that is moving UIC into the top rank of US research universities.

The Urban University
Clinical investigators at UIC work in the context of an overarching commitment to serving the population of Illinois, particularly those living in the greater Chicago area. Contributions to the health of the people of Illinois are made through the efforts of the UIC Medical Center (UICMC) and the full complement of Health Sciences Colleges at UIC: the School of Public Health (SPH) and the Colleges of Applied Health Sciences (CAHS), Dentistry (COD), Medicine (COM), Nursing (CON), and Pharmacy (COP). A major expression of the urban university is the University-Community Partnerships of the Great Cities Initiative comprised of hundreds of close relationships between urban communities and UIC faculty, staff and students. Improving the health of local communities, especially those of vulnerable and underserved populations, is one focal area for these relationships.

University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics
The University of Illinois Hospital is a major source of health care for the diverse patient population on the West Side of Chicago and also serves as the primary teaching site for the University of Illinois medical school, which is the largest and most diverse in the nation. The hospital has ~450 beds (of which ~80 are intensive care beds) and generally runs at 75-80% occupancy. There are nearly 20,000 hospital discharges and the ER sees about 60,000 patient visits annually. The ambulatory clinics will register approximately 440,000 patient visits per year of which ~50,000 are at community sites distant from the main campus. The Jesse Brown VA hospital (formerly the Westside VA hospital) is the primary in-patient facility serving veterans in the Chicago area and has strong academic links to the University. The hospital has 200 beds and generally runs at 70% occupancy. There are ~9,000 discharges from the JBVA hospital annually and the outpatient clinics account for ~300,000 patient visits. Although the University hospital provides a full range of clinical services, there are nationally recognized programs in bariatric surgery, organ and bone marrow transplant, ophthalmology, neonatal care, and neurosurgery and stroke. The imaging capabilities include 3T and 9.4T MRI magnets, multislice CT scanning, and PET capability. Both the University and the VA hospitals are in the midst of major building expansions.

University of Illinois Department of Ophthalmology
The University of Illinois Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is dedicated to combating vision loss and blindness by providing the most advanced and compassionate patient care, conducting exemplary research, and offering the best possible physician education programs. The Eye Center and its satellite clinics see more than 50,000 patients each year, offering general eye care and services in 11 subspecialties. The department is consistently ranked among the best hospitals for eyes by U.S. News & World Report , and physicians in our department are named among the Best Doctors in America™every year. Department faculty conduct a wide range of laboratory-based and patient-based research studies in ophthalmology. NIH recently ranked the department 10 th nationally in overall research funding to ophthalmology departments. More than a dozen clinical studies and trials are regularly underway in the department as well, including six NEI-funded study centers. Medical students, residents and clinical fellows receive training in the department under the direction of 30 full-time clinical and research faculty, many of whom are recognized as leaders in their area of specialization. The department's residency program is among the most sought after in the country, with 600 applications for the six positions available in 2004. The Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, founded in 1858 and now known as the University of Illinois Eye Center, is the oldest unit within the University of Illinois at Chicago. As it approaches its 150th year, the department carries forward its internationally renowned tradition of excellence as a leader in ophthalmic care, physician training and vision science.

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