Erika D. Hutz, DO

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Get to know Geriatrician Dr. Erika D. Hutz, who serves patients in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Hutz is a board-certified internist and geriatrician with Swedish Medical Group in Chicago, Illinois. Her clinical interests include dementia, geriatrics, incontinence, memory loss, delirium, falls, mobility disorders, polypharmacy, unexplained weight loss, and frailty.

“Maintaining independence and quality of life for my patients is of utmost importance to me. I work with an interdisciplinary team to set and achieve goals with my patients. I educate my patients about how to stay healthy, active, and connected” expressed the doctor, who can also be found on staff at Swedish Hospital.

Following the completion of her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University, Dr. Hutz went on to further her training. She performed her residency at Swedish Hospital, and her fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.

Board-eligible in geriatric medicine, she is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (AOBIM). The AOBIM is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in adults.

“A big part of geriatrics is preventive medicine. Something I do with all of my patients is comprehensive physical and cognitive testing. This way, I’m able to pick up if a patient is starting to develop some memory issues or if a patient is at risk for falls, etc. I sit down with all of my patients and go through every single medication that they’re taking. Sometimes patients are taking 20 different medications. They don’t know what they’re taking and they don’t know why they’re taking them. I work very closely with physical therapy for mobility issues and also for incontinence. It’s about being proactive. I don’t want to wait for a bad fall or a broken bone” stated Dr. Hutz.

Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a specialty that focuses on the health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. A geriatrician is a health care provider who focuses on patient well-being, independent functioning, and quality of end-of-life care.

On a more personal note, Dr. Hutz speaks both English and German.

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