Endeavor Health

EVANSTON, Ill., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Endeavor Health is part of a trial aimed at diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head impacts, in living patients. Among those with highest documented risk of CTE are professional athletes, including football players and boxers. Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed via autopsy. If doctors were able to diagnose those patients while living, it could open new doors to address suicidality, depression and other symptoms they may experience. "We hope that if we can diagnose CTE in people who are living, then we can one day treat it or prevent its progression," said neurosurgeon Julian Bailes, MD, Arlene and Marshall Bennett and Joseph A. Tarkington, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery at Endeavor Health Neurosciences Institute, who has been studying CTE for more than 20 years. "You can't help a patient with their disease if you can only tell them they have it when they're dead." This new diagnostic trial will confirm if doctors can diagnose CTE via a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, a nuclear imaging test that uses radioactive drugs called "tracers" to show how organs and tissues are performing. In patients with CTE, tau and amyloid proteins are broken down and accumulated in the brain. The tracer looks for tau and amyloid proteins in the brain and when it binds to them, it emits radioactivity. Doctors look to scan for dementia and other cognitive problems this way. "A PET can allow us to detect changes occurring in the brain that are not possible with other kinds of imaging," said Chad Yucus, MD, a neurologist specializing in dementia and principal investigator for the trial at Endeavor Health. "We're looking for any common sign that could help us spot this going forward." CTE is a risk for anyone who suffers repeated blows to the head, such as military personnel, victims of domestic violence and professional athletes. The repeated blows cause compounding damage and scarring on the brain. "This injury is not like when somebody gets in a car accident and hits their head on the windshield in a single event," Dr. Bailes said. "Rather this is a different type of brain injury where the brain gets hit thousands of times, so-called repetitive traumatic brain injury." Dr. Bailes began studying CTE with his colleague, Bennet Omalu, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh. Director Ridley Scott would eventually make a movie about their research called Concussion, starring Will Smith as Dr. Omalu and Alec Baldwin as Dr. Bailes. He's now proud to work with Dr. Yucus and colleagues conduct this multi-site diagnostic trial that could give doctors the groundbreaking ability to diagnose CTE while there's still time to do something about it. He said the ability to diagnose the condition in living patients could lead to better preventative measures and possibly drugs that could treat CTE. "The hope is that if we can diagnose it while the patient is living, maybe we can treat some of the symptoms or limit their progression," said Dr. Bailes. "This could open many new doors to help those who suffer with the chronic effects of prior brain injury." About Endeavor Health Endeavor Health℠ is a Chicagoland-based integrated health system driven by our mission to help everyone in our communities be their best. As Illinois' third-largest health system and third-largest medical group, we proudly serve an area of more than 4.1 million residents across seven northeast Illinois counties. Our more than 28,300 team members, including more than 1,900 employed physicians, are the heart of our organization, delivering seamless access to personalized, pioneering, world-class patient care across more than 300 ambulatory locations and nine hospitals, including eight Magnet-recognized acute care hospitals – Edward (Naperville), Elmhurst, Evanston, Glenbrook (Glenview), Highland Park, Northwest Community (Arlington Heights), Skokie and Swedish (Chicago) and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital (Naperville). For more information, visit . Contact: Baylee Pulliam (859) 619-4087 [email protected] SOURCE Endeavor Health 21% more press release views with Request a Demo

Harlow Lofton-Mosley, 5, was treated for leukemia at UChicago Medicine Comer Children's hospital. (Jordan Porter-Woodruff) The University of Chicago Medicine and the Biological Sciences Division got to tell many stories about research, milestones and successes in 2025. Here’s a roundup of stories that resonated on social media and with readers of The Forefront and Biological Sciences Division blogs. News UCMC cancer program ranked Illinois’ best The University of Chicago Medical Center was recognized in 10 specialties in U.S. News & World Report ’s 2025-26 Best Hospitals rankings. The cancer program maintained its No. 12 ranking and was named the best in Illinois for the third year in a row. The gastroenterology and GI surgery program moved up five places to No. 20, and the Medical Center received “high-performing” ratings in 17 common procedures and conditions. Comer Children’s celebrates 20 years In February, the University of Chicago Medicine health system marked two decades since Comer Children’s Hospital opened its doors. The facility in October was ranked the No. 2 children’s hospital in Illinois for the fifth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report . In addition to launching breakthrough treatments, the hospital is also home to countless stories of recovery, including Harlow Lofton-Mosely, 5, who recently completed chemotherapy for leukemia. $715 million investment in community benefits Every year, the health system details how it invests in the health of the communities it serves through outreach, grant programs, strategic partnerships and collaborations. The latest annual Community Benefit Report outlined support and services provided to communities on Chicago’s South Side and in the south suburbs. Five flight nurses from the University of Chicago Medicine Aeromedical Network recently became new moms. (Tim Olk) Flight nurses become new moms Five flight nurses from the University of Chicago Medicine Aeromedical Network (UCAN) share a unique bond: They all had babies within months of each other — and a sixth little one is on the way. UCAN, which recently marked 40 years in operation , is the only hospital-based medical helicopter program in Chicago. Match Day brings cheers, tears and a new record University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine students learned their residency placements during the annual Match Day celebration in May. A record 17% matched into psychiatry, reflecting a growing interest in mental health fields influenced by the pandemic. Growth With more than a year to go until opening, the 575,000-square-foot, seven-story cancer pavilion is moving along on time and on budget. Cancer pavilion progress builds momentum UChicago Medicine’s new cancer pavilion is taking shape. Guests at a February ceremony added more than 3,400 heartfelt messages to a structural beam hoisted atop the building. Set to open in 2027, the pavilion will house leading-edge technologies and design , said Marco Capicchioni, UChicago Medicine’s Vice President of Planning, Design, Construction and Real Estate. UChicago Medicine expands Cancer Network nationally UChicago Medicine has expanded the UChicago Medicine Cancer Network to reach more patients. AdventHealth Cancer Institute Shawnee Mission in suburban Kansas City is the first national affiliate , offering advanced treatments, expert second opinions and access to UChicago Medicine clinical s. New homes for quantum medicine, collaborative discovery A $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren launched the Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine to visualize biology with the power of highly powerful computation. Additional discoveries will be nurtured at Hyde Park Labs , a 300,000-square-foot laboratory facility that opened in September to advance research and entrepreneurship. More space coming to Crown Point After less than two years in operation, UChicago Medicine’s Crown Point multispecialty facility is growing to meet demand in Northwest Indiana. A 7,442-square-foot expansion will add 18 exam rooms, five pre/postsurgical bays, two procedure rooms and another operating room. Patient stories Oliver Staub, 2, underwent two complex surgeries at UChicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital that reattached his head to his spinal cord. Miraculous surgery after severe spine injury After a devastating car accident, 2-year-old Oliver Staub is moving his limbs again. Mohamad Bydon, MD , reattached the toddler’s head to his spine during two complex surgeries at Comer Children’s. Bydon, who is Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery, called Oliver’s ongoing recovery a “unique and special case … beyond our wildest expectations.” Heart transplants mark big milestones Nataly Paramo received a new heart last December , just in time for Christmas. The 15-year-old was the first heart transplant patient served by the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance — a collaboration among UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s, Advocate Children’s Hospital and Endeavor Health. (Another big milestone happened in September: UChicago Medicine’s Heart & Vascular Center celebrated its 1,000th heart transplant .) Stem-cell treatment stops man’s seizures A groundbreaking operation that implanted lab-grown stem cells into Jonathan Nemeth’s brain has quieted his disruptive seizures . Nemeth, 22, was part of the first clinical trial in humans to study how these “truly restorative” cells could help people with drug-resistant epilepsy, said Peter Warnke, MD , Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at UChicago Medicine. Crystal Hendricks-Kretzer, pictured with her dog, Persephone, enrolled in a clinical trial as part of her treatment for triple-positive breast cancer at the UChicago Medicine. (Mark Black) Clinical trials for cancer deliver real-life breakthroughs Crystal Hendricks-Kretzer and John Balogh participated in clinical trials that — and they’re both now cancer-free. Their stories motivate Hedy Lee Kindler, MD , Associate Dean for Clinical Research, Human Subjects, in the Biological Sciences Division, who is working to expand and fast-track more clinical trials. Research The healing power of food Multiple UChicago studies examined how food affects health. Among the findings: a typical Western diet prevents gut microbiome recovery after taking antibiotics; eating more fruits and vegetables supports good sleep ; and zeaxanthin — a plant-derived carotenoid found in spinach, kale and orange peppers — can strengthen the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells. The dinosaur mummy nicknamed “Ed Jr.,” was covered by floodwaters some 66 million years ago. (UChicago Fossil Lab) Ancient animals offer modern-day insights Advanced imaging and fossil analysis helped UChicago teams uncover how duck-billed dinosaur carcasses from 66 million years ago were preserved as “mummies,” and to reconstruct the Edmontosaurus annectens with intricate details. Elsewhere, UChicago researchers found that dentine, the inner layer of teeth that transmits sensory information to nerves, evolved from sensory tissue in the armored exoskeletons of ancient fish. Liquid biopsy breakthrough for colorectal cancer UChicago researchers have developed a more sensitive liquid biopsy test that uses RNA instead of DNA for detecting cancer. Using blood samples from patients with colorectal cancer, the test was able to detect the earliest stages of the disease with 95% accuracy, vastly improving on commercially available noninvasive testing methods. AI boosts clinical efficiency, curbs burnout “Ambient” tools powered by artificial intelligence can listen in and take notes during medical visits. The result: lower burnout for clinicians and measurable cuts in time spent entering data into electronic medical records, according to UChicago Medicine teams that contributed to two papers in JAMA Network Open . The efficiency also supports more face time with patients. Expert insights and advice UChicago Medicine offers advanced mammogram tools and easy scheduling. (Nancy Wong) A more comfortable (and less scary) mammogram Mammograms are a key tool for detecting breast cancer, but they can also cause anxiety. To help ease fears, oncologist Sarah Shubeck, MD , MS, answered common questions she hears about the screening. Patients can also benefit from a range of new mammogram technologies that offer greater speed, precision and comfort . How to avoid the nasty norovirus Norovirus is most commonly known as the stomach flu, but it’s not caused by the influenza virus. This highly contagious virus generally spreads via hand-to-mouth contact about 12 to 36 hours after exposure. Cases are rising early this season; learn how to protect yourself . Facts about liver, lung and GI cancers Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are some of the most commonly occurring cancers, and they’re part of a growing number of cancers being diagnosed in young people . Experts shared need-to-know information about GI cancer , as well as liver and lung cancers — plus key warning signs and ways to reduce your risk. Edith Renfrow Smith, 111, a participant in UChicago’s SuperAging Research Initiative, with Emily Rogalski, PhD. (Nancy Wong) Staying healthy in old age How do genetic and lifestyle factors shape a person’s later years? Researchers at UChicago’s Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Research Care Center and across the university are studying the ways , as well as how doctors can spot trouble and intervene earlier. A geriatrician at the South Shore Senior Center also shared easy tips to stay active at any age . Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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Atraverse Medical also approaches first 2,000 successful clinical procedures using the company's innovative HOTWIRE™ radiofrequency (RF) guidewire. SAN DIEGO, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Atraverse Medical, a medical device company pioneering next-generation left-heart access technology, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA for its fully integrated HOTWIRE™ Transseptal Access System. Continue Reading Atraverse Medical Secures FDA 510(k) Clearance for HOTWIRE™ RF Generator & Fully Integrated Transseptal Access System. Post this The HOTWIRE™ Transseptal Access System includes the HOTWIRE™ RF Generator featuring impedance-guided shutoff after transseptal crossing — mitigating the risk of uncontrolled energy delivery after accessing the left atrium — along with an ability to activate energy within the sterile field, combined with the HOTWIRE™ RF Guidewire, a zero-exchange left heart access guidewire with universal sheath compatibility. The novel system includes the HOTWIRE™ RF Generator (August 2025) featuring impedance-guided shutoff after transseptal crossing — mitigating the risk of uncontrolled energy delivery after accessing the left atrium — along with an ability to activate energy within the sterile field, giving more precise control to clinicians. The FDA 510(k) cleared HOTWIRE™ RF Guidewire (May 2024) has been utilized successfully in nearly 2,000 clinical procedures to date, and these new features are designed to enhance procedural control and workflow efficiency with an end-to-end, zero-exchange, sheath-agnostic solution. The fully integrated HOTWIRE™ Transseptal Access System includes: HOTWIRE™ RF Generator: The first and only left-heart access system with impedance-guided technology that halts energy delivery upon transseptal crossing, minimizing unnecessary RF exposure in the left atrium, and enabling user-controlled energy activation in the sterile field. HOTWIRE™ RF Guidewire: A zero-exchange guidewire with universal sheath compatibility, with a proprietary tip architecture that enhances echocardiographic visualization by 25%, and a reinforced core wire and polymer jacket with twice the rail stiffness of leading competitors for controlled advancement of large bore sheaths Dr. Devi Nair, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at St. Bernard's Heart and Vascular Center and world-renowned key-opinion leader, conducted the first clinical cases with the full HOTWIRE™ system and will be presenting data at the upcoming AF Symposium on her experience. "Gaining safe and precise access to the left atrium remains one of the most critical steps in both electrophysiology and structural heart interventions," said Dr. Nair. "In my clinical experience, the HOTWIRE™ system delivers a level of control, accuracy, and procedural ease that meaningfully elevates the transseptal workflow. I look forward to sharing these results at the AF Symposium, for I believe this technology represents a true advancement in transseptal access." "Historically speaking, the challenges and risks associated with needle-based left-heart access have been a frustration," commented Dr. Mark Metzl, Section Chief, Cardiac Electrophysiology at Endeavor Health. "The fully-integrated HOTWIRE™ system meets these issues head on and delivers control, visibility, and efficiency — simplifying the process and improving workflow in our centers." "The FDA clearance of the HOTWIRE™ system is a significant milestone for Atraverse — one made possible by the unwavering dedication, ingenuity, and technical excellence of our development team," said Eric Sauter, Co-founder, Co-inventor and COO of Atraverse Medical. "After three years of focused innovation, our integrated end-to-end system and intentionally-engineered RF generator now provides a seamless solution to a long-standing clinical challenge — unlocking new opportunities for commercial success and meaningful impact for clinicians and patients." Cleared by the FDA in May 2024, the HOTWIRE™ RF Guidewire has been used in nearly 2,000 successful clinical procedures across diverse physician workflows as part of a limited market release. The device enables zero-exchange left-heart access and serves as a rail for catheter-based therapies. With universal sheath compatibility, HOTWIRE™ is designed to optimize transseptal access, streamline procedural workflows, and improve patient outcomes with the best-in-class platform for left-heart access. ABOUT ATRAVERSE MEDICAL Atraverse Medical is a medical device company pioneering next-generation left-heart access and optimized RF technology. The company's proprietary HOTWIRE™ system, featuring universal sheath compatibility, is designed to enhance outcomes and streamline workflows for physicians treating cardiovascular disease in millions of patients worldwide. Based in San Diego, CA, Atraverse was formed in July 2022 by Dr. Steven Mickelsen, John Slump, and Eric Sauter—the same founding team that created FARAPULSE (acquired in June 2021). For more information, visit . SOURCE Atraverse Medical 21% more press release views with Request a Demo