Windel recognized for leading VNA’s efforts to expand access to quality, affordable care in the Chicago suburbs  

 Aurora, IL - Today, Crain’s Chicago Business named VNA Health Care President and CEO Linnea Windel to their list of 2023 Notable Leaders in Health Care. Each year, Crain’s recognizes health care leaders for their pioneering accomplishments and ability to adjust to crises. Windel was chosen by Crain’s for her leadership at VNA to expand its reach to provide quality, affordable healthcare to more residents in the Chicago suburbs.   

Windel has served as President and CEO of VNA Health Care since 1999, where she oversees all of VNA’s operations across its 16 locations. In the last year alone, she has led VNA through the opening of new clinics and services in Bensenville, Elgin, and Aurora, as well the groundbreaking of a 14,000 square foot facility in Joliet. She has positioned VNA for continued growth to serve 100,000 patients per year in the coming years, and recently launched a comprehensive five million dollar capital campaign to support this expansion. 

“It’s an honor to be recognized among so many leaders in the healthcare industry who are working tirelessly to ensure that people can get the care they need,” said Windel. “I am so grateful to our providers, staff, board members, volunteers, and partners who make the work we do as a Community Health Center possible, providing high quality care to all of those who seek it – regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. I look forward to our continued work to expand VNA’s services in the years to come, to help remove barriers, and to treat more patients in suburban Chicago.”   

Under Windel’s leadership, VNA has grown from four to 16 locations, and increased the number of patients served to 75,000 each year with plans for continued expansion. Whether it was providing on-the-spot, culturally and linguistically appropriate medical care to migrant families in September 2022, or distributing over 100,000 doses of COVID vaccine to help close gaps in vaccination rates facing communities of color, throughout her career, Windel has focused on addressing disparities in healthcare. An established thought leader, she recently penned an op-ed in Modern Healthcare about how FQHCs need partners in all sectors to address complex healthcare problems.   

The inclusion in Crain’s Notable Leaders in Health Care also recognized Windel’s significant civic and philanthropic work. She currently serves on the DuPage Health Coalition Board, the Kane County Health Advisory Committee and the Home Health, Home Services and Home Nursing Advisory Board of the Illinois Department of Public Health. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Aurora University. Under Linnea’s leadership, VNA has worked closely with the university to provide clinical experiences for their nursing and social work students, and provided COVID testing for students and staff at the height of the pandemic. In recognition of the partnership and Linnea’s work, she was given an honorary degree from Aurora University in 2022.  

For the full list of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2023 Notable Leaders in Health Care honorees, visit here. 

###  About VNA Health Care VNA Health Care is a Community Health Center (also known as a Federally Qualified Health Center) and serves more patients who live in the Chicago suburbs than any other Community Health Center. VNA provides care for more than 75,000 patients annually and is committed to improving health equity and decreasing disparities. VNA has served people regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for more than 100 years and 2022 marked its 20th Anniversary as a Community Health Center. To learn more, visit www.vnahealth.com