Daniel Ivankovich, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Chicago, was named a 2015 CNN Hero.
Dr. Ivankovich has treated more than 200 victims of gun violence in Chicago and spent many years helping the city's uninsured and underinsured residents obtain medical care. In 2010 he co-founded OnePatient Global Health Initiative, a non-profit organization to develop sustainable outreach, prevention and patient education programs in Chicago.
He runs three clinics in Chicago and performs more than 600 surgeries per year; 100,000 people have benefited from his program so far.
"For these communities, we're trying to build a future that's healthier, less painful and a whole lot more mobile," said Dr. Ivankovich in a CNN report. "My focus is to help them reach their potential and to just give them their life back."
Dr. Ivankovich is also a musician with the Chicago Blues All-Stars and treats aging Blues musicians, helping them navigate the healthcare system. In 2010, Dr. Ivankovich was named among the Chicagoans of the Year for his work in Chicago and charitable medical trips abroad; he spent time treating people in Haiti after an earthquake devastated the country.
According to Chicago Magazine, he brought two patients with spinal cord injuries from Haiti to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment.