MY HEALTH CARE TEAM
Welcome to the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM). We are proud of the many people who make up our team and
will care for you. It can be hard to know all the people you meet at UCM and what they do. You can use this sheet to learn
more about some of the members of your health care team.
MY SURGICAL TEAM
Physicians: While at UCM, you will be cared for by a team of doctors. A senior doctor who is also a faculty
member of the University of Chicago, called the “attending physician” or “physician of record,” will supervise your
treatment and decide when you are ready to be discharged.
Residents and Fellows: The team of doctors caring for you will include doctors called “residents” and “fellows”.
These are licensed doctors getting more training in a medical specialty. They will work with the senior doctor to
decide the tests you need to diagnose your illness and order medicines for you.
Medical Students: Medical students at the UCM help take care of you as part of their training to become doctors.
They can be an important resource for you. Students are always supervised by doctors.
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs): APNs are nurses with extra training who work with your doctors to assess and
treat many medical problems. They can also provide you information and help plan your care with other members of
the health care team. Physician Assistants (PAs): PAs assess and treat many medical problems, working with a
doctor.
MY ANESTHESIA TEAM
Anesthesiologists: Anesthesiologists are doctors with special training to manage pain and make sure that you are
safe and comfortable during the surgery and recovery from anesthesia. They will work with you before, during, and
after the procedure.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs): CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who work with the
anesthesiologist and will also work with you before, during, and after the procedure.
MY INPATIENT TEAM
Nurses: Nurses are a vital link between you and the other people caring for you. They help convey your needs to your
care health team, and they help explain your treatment to you. Nurses give out medications and intravenous fluids,
perform treatments and plan your daily care. They also provide teachings about your condition and how to continue
treatment after your discharge.
Nursing Assistants/Medical Assistants: Nurses oversee patient care assistants who will check your “vital signs” (blood
pressure, pulse and your temperature) maintain your personal hygiene, assist with meals and help in other ways to make
sure that you’re comfortable during your stay.
Social Workers: Social workers can help you plan for discharge, identify sources of financial support, refer you to
community resources, give you advice related to your illness and arrange for proper care after you are discharged from the
hospital.
Therapists: There are various kinds of therapists. Physical Therapists help to maintain and/or restore physical function.
They help you learn to use your body though exercise. Occupational Therapists help you to build up and/or regain skills
needed for daily life. They work to help you be as independent as possible as quickly as possible. Respiratory Therapists
provide care to patients with breathing and/or heart problems. They help give oxygen and breathing treatments, manage
ventilators, and perform tests that evaluate lung function.
Care Coordinators: Care Coordinators are specially trained nurses that help create a plan of care that includes you as the
key decision maker. The Care Coordinator is a link between you and your insurance company. They answer to request for
current medical information as well as seek approval, from your insurance company for services you will need after you
leave the hospital.
http://surgery.uchicago.edu/
Revised Feb 2012