Highland Park Neighbors Magazine Articles

Highland Park Community Foundation (HPCF) is proud to welcome Forward Focus Concierge Medicine as its newest Corporate Champion. With a mission rooted in relationshipdriven healthcare, wellness, and compassionate community engagement, Forward Focus brings a philosophy of personalized care that closely aligns with HPCF’s guiding principle: Give Where You Live.

“Corporate Champions play a really important role,” said Amy Small, HPCF Board Member. “They are companies that believe in supporting our community and help fuel our grantmaking throughout the year. It’s truly a partnership — we highlight their work and generosity, and in turn, their support helps us continue meeting the needs of local individuals and families.”

Founded in 2007 by Dr. Gary Schaffel, one of Chicago’s pioneers in concierge medicine, Forward Focus Concierge Medicine was created in response to what Schaffel recognized as a growing disconnect in modern healthcare. As medicine became increasingly corporatized — with overcrowded schedules, impersonal systems, and mounting pressure on physicians — both doctors and patients alike began searching for a more personal, relationship-centered approach to care. That vision became the foundation of Forward Focus.

“Our whole philosophy is really to be like family,” explained Dr. Daniel J. Goldstein, a physician at Highland Park Forward Focus’s Highland Park office. “The physicians have a much smaller panel of patients, which allows them to pay highly personalized attention and build meaningful relationships. We want people to feel comfortable, connected, and cared for when they walk through our doors.”

Since its founding, Forward Focus has grown into a trusted network of concierge medical offices serving the North Shore community, with three locations, ten physicians, dedicated nurses, and a highly trained support staff. Yet despite that growth, the practice has remained intentionally personal.

“What sets Forward Focus apart — our real ‘secret sauce’ — is not just the quality of medical care, but how that care is delivered,” Dr. Alina Elperin shared, who also practices at Forward Focus’s Highland Park office. “Every member of our team is chosen not only for expertise, but also for the ability to make patients feel seen, heard, and valued.”

Dr. Schaffel echoed that philosophy in a recent interview, explaining that the practice was built on “today’s medicine with yesterday’s values,” with strong physician-patient relationships at the center of care. “The trust that patients place in me is a privilege and responsibility that I do not take for granted,” he said. “It inspires me to care for patients as if they are family.”

Forward Focus officially opened its Highland Park office on January 5 and is already seeking ways to become deeply engaged in the community. In addition to medical services, the practice offers wellness and prevention programming, educational seminars with physicians and specialists, and new initiatives like a community walking club aimed at fostering both connection and healthy living.

“We’re very eager to become involved in Highland Park and Highwood,” said Dr. Smriti Goel, who also works at the Highland Park office. “If we’re serving the people who live here, then it’s important for us to give back here too.”

That commitment to local involvement is what led Forward Focus to HPCF. “We researched the Foundation and were impressed with the work being done,” Dr. Goel explained. “It was clear that HPCF is focused on helping people and families throughout the community. We wanted to support an organization that is actively addressing community needs.”

For Dr. Schaffel, building a successful organization has always been about people first; he believes lasting success comes from “getting the right people on the bus” and creating a culture where team members feel empowered to go above and beyond for patients. That culture extends throughout the practice — from physicians and nurses to billing specialists and front desk staff — creating an environment where kindness, attentiveness, and collaboration are valued just as highly as clinical expertise.

As Amy noted, Corporate Champions not only provide critical funding for HPCF grants but also help strengthen trust and visibility throughout the community. “When people see businesses investing in the Foundation, it shines a spotlight on the work we’re doing,” she said. “It reflects a shared commitment to Highland Park and Highwood, and that partnership helps all of us make a greater impact.”

HPCF is honored to welcome Forward Focus Concierge Medicine as a Corporate Champion and looks forward to their continued involvement in the community. Their dedication to personalized care, connection, and community engagement reflects the same spirit of compassion that drives HPCF’s work throughout Highland Park and Highwood. Businesses interested in becoming a Corporate Champion should contact Terri Olian, HPCF Executive Director, at terri@hpcfil.org.