CHICAGO, 2016-1-5 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announces the retirement of Dr. John Zautcke, head of the University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC) Clinic at O’Hare International Airport. He will step down from his position today after 20 years on the job.
Only a handful of airports in the United States have full service medical clinics that serve travelers and employees.
Zautcke, who was born in Oak Lawn and who grew up in Park Ridge, began his medical career as a staff emergency physician at the UIC 26 years ago after graduating from Marquette University and the UIC Medical School.
Today, in addition to Dr. Zautcke, the clinic employs three other doctors and two advanced practicing nurses (APN) or Nurse Practitioners. It also employs four radiology technicians who take x-rays and who are cross trained to be medical assistants.
Dr. Zautcke will be missed by his airport employees as well as his dedicated staff.
Veteran clinic radiographers Rose Ferri and Saman Idris agree that Zautcke is “the best boss ever.” “He’s very good with patients. He really cares and wants to help everybody,” they said.
Zautcke’s successor is Dr. Joseph Colla, a director in Emergency Medicine at UIC. He’s excited to take the helm at the clinic and knows he has big shoes to fill.
“[Dr. Zatucke] John has done an amazing job keeping the clinic running for 20 years,” said Colla, who officially takes over at the clinic on January 1, 2016.
“We want to thank Dr. John Zautcke for his dedication to the health and safety of the O’Hare community,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “The UIC Clinic is a tremendous service for the City and to the traveling public. We wish him the best in his future endeavors and welcome Dr. Colla to O’Hare.”
“I am honored and it’s been an absolute pleasure to have worked and serve the O’Hare Community. If I could do it all over again, I would not do one thing different,” Zautcke said. “I want to thank all the people who helped me make it happen and all the support we got from the Commissioners over the years, the rest of CDA, O’Hare managers and all the workers and passengers. I will miss you all.”
The UIC Clinic at O’Hare is located in Terminal 2, past a security checkpoint, across from the Kids on the Fly play area. It offers urgent care as well as occupational medical services. For hours of operation, click here.
The CDA Media Relations office number is (773) 686-3700. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
SOURCE: Chicago Department of Aviation
###
Dr. John Zautcke (center) is flanked by UIC Clinic radiographers Rose Ferri and Saman Idri