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Heidi Ortolaza-Alvear Named New CEO of IWS Family Health

CHICAGO, IL – August 15, 2024 – IWS Family Health is proud to announce the appointment of Heidi Ortolaza-Alvear as the new Chief Executive Officer of Infant Welfare Society of Chicago (IWS Family Health), effective September 3, 2024. Heidi succeeds Jerry Isikoff, who is retiring after an exemplary tenure of leadership and service.

Most recently serving as Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Esperanza Health Centers, Heidi brings extensive experience in public health and social equity. Raised in Chicago and having lived in many of the neighborhoods that IWS Family Health primarily serves, Heidi feels deeply connected to the patient community and is excited to “come home.”

“I am deeply honored and energized to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer at IWS Family Health,” Heidi said. “In IWS Family Health’s origin story and 113-year legacy, I see an organization that isn’t afraid to solve big problems. An organization that deems it a moral imperative to care for those too often forgotten. I am committed to leading with courage and working with IWS patients, staff, Board, and partners to advance our mission.”

At Esperanza Health Centers, Heidi spearheaded initiatives that led to the opening of three new community health centers and a family medicine residency program, nearly doubling Esperanza’s reach. She also secured state and CMS approval for one of Illinois’ first PACE programs, helping seniors avoid nursing home placement. Heidi also brings experience leading policy and systems change to advance maternal and child health, having led strategy and impact at EverThrive Illinois. 

Holding undergraduate degrees from Carleton College and dual master’s degrees in social work and public policy from the University of Chicago, Heidi is well-equipped to lead this organization with a legacy of innovation for over 100 years into the next phase of its growth. Her academic background and career dedication to public health position her perfectly to advance the organization’s mission. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Heidi Ortolaza-Alvear as our new CEO,” said Richard Raskin, President of the Board of Directors. “Her vision, experience, and dedication to community health make her a perfect fit to lead IWS Family Health.”

Heidi will officially assume her role on September 3, 2024. The Board of Directors and the entire IWS Family Health team eagerly anticipate the leadership and innovation she will bring.

About IWS Family Health:  

IWS Family Health envisions a community of children and families with healthy bodies and minds. Our mission is to provide integrated, quality, and preventive healthcare services to children and their families, enabling them to lead healthy and productive lives. Committed to health equity and access, IWS Family Health strives to create a healthier future for all.

For more information, please contact: 

Michelle Di Benedetto | Chief Strategy Officer
(773) 782-5040
dibenedettom@iwsfamilyhealth.org
iwsfamilyhealth.org

About Us

IWS Family Health provides healthcare services, education, and support to children and families in the Chicagoland area.

Call us +1 (773) 782-2800

IWS Family Health provides healthcare services, education, and support to children and families in the Chicagoland area.

Call us +1 (773) 782-2800

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Join The Team

IWS Family Health is a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization (Tax ID #: 36-2167752). IWS Family Health is a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike and a member of the Illinois Primary Healthcare Association (IPHCA) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).

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Dr. Hayley Sparks

Pediatrician

Dr. Hayley Sparks is a board-certified pediatrician with a passion for providing high-quality, family-centered care. She earned her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. 

Before moving to Chicago, Dr. Sparks worked as a pediatrician and clinical instructor for Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she provided primary care for children in a busy community health center. Her favorite part of being a pediatrician is the relationships and trust she gets to build with her patients and families. She is excited to continue supporting children’s health and development as part of the IWS Family Health team. 

Outside of medicine, Dr. Sparks enjoys practicing yoga, reading poetry, and spending time outdoors with her husband and young son.

Anne Bradley

Senior Director of Human Resources
Anne Bradley joined IWS Family Health with more than 20 years of experience supporting both nonprofit and financial service organizations. She is passionate about creating a positive workplace where staff feel valued, engaged, and supported in their growth. Anne earned her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Boston University and her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The American University.  In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with Project Linus and at her local library. 

Samantha Speaks

Chief Operating Officer
Samantha Speaks brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare and nonprofit organizations to her Chief Operating Officer role at IWS Family Health. She is passionate about strengthening systems so that patients and families receive the best possible care and support. Prior to IWS, she served as Executive Director of Chicago Operations at The Community Blood Center, where she focused on building stronger connections between healthcare services and community needs.  Samantha has a strong background in finance, compliance, and operations, but what drives her most is creating an environment where teams can thrive, and patients feel supported. Her leadership has helped organizations improve efficiency, enhance service quality, and expand their impact in meaningful ways.  She holds a Master of Science in Medical Informatics from Northwestern University, an MBA in Healthcare Management from American Intercontinental University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Speech Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

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Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC

Family Practice

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of children from birth through adolescence. Known for her warm, individualized approach to care, Cathy is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and their families—many of whom she’s supported through every milestone of childhood.

Cathy began her nursing career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She gained valuable experience working on the inpatient pediatric unit at Advocate Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Driven to deepen her impact, she returned to UIC to complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, earning her Master of Science in Nursing in 2005. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and has since devoted her career to providing expert care to diverse pediatric populations.

She is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, always staying at the forefront of pediatric healthcare.
Fluent in English and Polish, with conversational Spanish skills, Cathy connects seamlessly with families from many cultural backgrounds.

Outside of work, you can find her cheering on her son at soccer games, exploring new destinations, and enjoying quality time with her family. Her caring spirit and clinical excellence make her a trusted partner in every child’s healthcare journey.” 

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC

Family Practice

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University, where she cultivated her passion for holistic, patient-centered care.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Marixa connects deeply with diverse communities, ensuring every patient feels heard and supported. Outside of the clinic, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen—cooking, baking, and bringing people together over a homemade meal. A fun fact? Marixa has a knack for solving puzzles and putting things together—whether it’s a 1,000-piece jigsaw or helping patients piece together their path to better health.

Carlos Sian, PA

Physician Assistant

Carlos is a board-certified Physician Assistant who joined the IWS Family Health team in January 2024. He was born and raised in Antigua, Guatemala and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

His academic journey began at Saint Michael’s College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology alongside minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. Driven by a commitment to service, he devoted a year to volunteering as a medical assistant at a health clinic in Albuquerque, NM, through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. This experience solidified his interest in medicine, inspiring him to delve deeper into healthcare and ultimately leading Carlos to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences and Infectious Diseases from Boston University School of Public Health.

Following his MPH, Carlos dedicated several years to the public health sector, primarily serving as a linkage to care coordinator,  clinical research coordinator, and COVID-19 contact tracer. Moved by a need to help his community during the 2020 pandemic, he secured admission to and completed the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine PA program, earning his Master of Medical Science degree.

Carlos aims to integrate his public health training with his medical practice to bring culturally competent and inclusive medical services to all his patients, but specially the Hispanic/Latino and LGTBQ+ communities he serves. In his downtime, Carlos enjoys cooking, collecting plants, fostering dogs, playing video games, watching reality TV shows, and adding more stamps to his passport!

Dr. Tara Ioffe

Family Practice

Dr. Tara Ioffe is a dedicated and compassionate Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with a strong commitment to providing excellent care to her patients. She obtained her medical degree from Avalon University in Curacao and went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma. She has worked at the University of Chicago and most recently NorthShore University. She has since returned to Chicago and is thrilled to join the IWS Family Health team in 2023, where she will continue to provide excellent care to her patients.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ioffe has gained experience in diverse medical fields, such as immediate and urgent care medicine while working at NorthShore Immediate Care. She did clinical research at the University of Chicago. Dr. Ioffe strives to foster a secure and inclusive environment for all her patients. She believes in an integrated approach to medicine, dedicating her time to understand each patient’s unique needs.

During her leisure time, Dr. Ioffe indulges in reading a variety of books for pleasure, plays boardgames, and loves to explore Chicago with her spouse and young child.