2835 North Sheffield
Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60657
773.296.2400




    • Welcome to Northstar Healthcare

    NorthStar Healthcare and Dr. Daniel S. Berger has been offering state of the art medical care and research for over fifteen years in Chicago. We continue to provide cutting edge treatment and primary care for gay men and HIV-positive individuals. Northstar Healthcare provides the best caliber of care for our patients in Chicago. Patients travel from many areas around the United States to see our doctors and obtain our unique style of treatment.

    Within our high-tech research environment, you will find close hands-on compassionate care with years of experience. Our vibrant community clinic keeps medicine simple. However, Northstar offers an array of treatments focused specifically to the gay community including Medspa services, facial filling and hormonal replacement therapies.





    TRUVADA-
    Read the latest News on our Blog!
    Visit our blog site to read articles, post replies and messages and stay in touch with NorthStar!






    CLICK HERE FOR GREAT DISCOUNTS ON YOUR MEDICATION!
    Northstar History | Dr. Berger's Biography (founder) | Dr. Gonzales' Biography | Clinic Hours

    Our Services


    HIV Care and Treatment

    Northstar Medical Center distinguishes itself by its' history. Over 20 years, Dr Dan Berger has served and continues to play his role as principle investigator of more than 150 HIV-related clinical trials. There has not been a new HIV treatment for which our center has not participated in the work that led to its' approval.
    As such, our physicians have unique experience with HIV treatment, long before it hits the market, as we're involved in their research. Our philosophy is that since patients will be living hopefully a normal healthy life, they should have access and be treated with newer medications that are more life-style friendly, with lower side effects and lower pill burden.
    Northstar also incorporates advanced HIV antiviral therapy with hormonal treatments, nutritional counseling and psychological therapy. Our specialists are leaders in the field and well-known for their compassion.

    Hepatitis C

    Northstar Healthcare also specializes in Hepatitis C care and treatment. Developments of new treatment of Hepatitis C is currently undergoing a resurgance for more information read Dr, Dan Berger's published article in the May/June 2012 issue of Positively Aware. Two new direct acting medications for Hepatitis C have been recently approved improving one's chances for clearing Hepatitis C infection for many individuals. These new tjherapies, Incivek and Victrelis, are protease inhibitors that when used in combination with two other agents have greatly improved treatment success.
    Because of the rising prevelance of Hepatitis C infection both in patients with pre-existing HIV infection, as well as, patients who are infected only with Hepatitis C virus (mono-infection). Northstar has developed a specialized program dedicated to our patients with chronic hepatitis.
    Read the Positively aware article here

    The Medspa at Northstar

    North Star HealthCare proudly Introduces a new way to better you. The MedSpa at NorthStar offers advanced skin care solutions for superior hair removal. skin rejuvenation and microdermabrasion. Located conveniently, on-site, take advantage of taking body and skin care to the next level. Our procedures are fast, painless and effective.

    PPx Laser Skin Rejuvenation

    Have you considered advancing your skin to the next level? Consider Aesthera PPx Laser Skin Rejuvenation. Our FDA cleared therapy is the first no pain cosmetic procedure for the treatment of sun damaged and aging skin. Including brown spots, redness and broken capillaries, as well as unsightly veins. It takes only three to five minutes for facial rejuvenation and no down time, this procedure is perfect for those even with the most limited time. And of course, there are no anesthetic or numbing creams.

    Microdermabrasion

    Renew and Redefine your skin dependably using ExcellaDerm Microdermabrasion. This is a noninvasive exfoliating procedure performed individually or in a series for revitalizing and maintaining the skin’s appearance and smoothness. Taking only 30 minutes or so there is no recuperation after and can be used on both the face and body. This safe treatment will improve skin color, relieve clogged pores, increase circulation and refine the overall appearance of your skin for a more youthful glow. Use with PPx Laser Rejuvenation for maximum results.

    PPx Laser hair Removal

    New technology brings advanced treatments with more effective, safer ways to help achieve results you desire. Introducing Aesthera PPx Laser Hair Reduction. An FDA approved permanent laser hair reduction that is safe, painless and effective. PPx therapy offers superior results in less time. Larger areas such as your back may only take up to twenty minutes. Offering a more hygenic treatment. PPx does not require any anesthetics or numbing creams. Best of all there is no down time and you may resume normal activities immediately post treatment.

    Facial Filling

    Click here to read Dr. Berger's Aricle on the effectiveness of Scupltra
    SCULPTRA is a favorite filler for rejuvenating facial skin. SCULPTRA is like a liquid facelift working both by filling in lines and wrinkles and by stimulating the body to produce new collagen and underlying tissue, thereby creating a fuller, more youthful appearance. SCULPTRA injections are one of the most frequent procedures we perform at NorthStar. Clinician Dr. Berger has been performing the since 2001 and treated countless patients.

  • Restores fullness of the face, creating a more natural appearance
  • Treats the deepest of wrinkles
  • Statistically significant increases in mean dermal thickness persisted throughout the 2-year study
  • Clinically proven safe and well tolerated
  • Biodegradable and biocompatible lactic acid polymer
  • Used internationally since 1999 as New-Fill in an estimated 150,000 patients in more than 30 countries

    • RADIESSE is a facial filler that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. The consistency of Radiesse is that of a creamy substance that comes in a pre-filled syringe. The results show an aesthetic improvement and provides an increase in cheek thickness in the treated area. Our experience of using Radiesse of less wide areas including correcting naso-labial folds, improving and lifting cheeks are appreciated and the visible results appear at the first treatment session, although a second treatment may often be necessary at achieving best results. Radiesse will not correct the underlying cause of the facial lipoatrophy, but will improve appearance in the treated area.



    BOTOX® Cosmetic is certainly not just for older age individuals but often younger men and women have taken advantage of the results one can achieve to maintain one's best facial and youthful appearance. If you are a man or women and think it's time to do something about those moderate to severe glabellar lines between your eye-brows, crows feet at the sides of one's eyes, and forehead lines, talk to us about BOTOX® so that you can become educated and pro-active about your appearance.


    Testosterone Therapy

    Click here to learn more
    HIV can cause a lack of energy, decreased sex drive, loss of muscle mass or even depression. You may benefit from a physician-monitored and controlled testosterone therapy regimen in addition to your HIV regimen. Click here to read more about testosterone replacement therapy.
    Read more about Testosterone Therapy here

    Nutritional Planning

    Consult with leading international HIV nutritionists including a bio-electric impedance analysis, assessment of body habits, discussion of intervention and treatment with vitamins, diet, anabolic therapies and other agents.


    Lab Testing

    Benefit from the latest technology in resistance testing to evaluate and manage the HIV Virus


    In-House Infusions and Immune Enhancement Therapy

    Offering the most current infusion therapies and immune boosting agents conveniently within the familiar settings and faces of our office. Our infusion room was created to make your experience as comfortable as possible.


    Lifestyle Issues

    Our Physicians and staff recognize your multi-faceted health concerns including:
  • physical fitness/ wellness
  • sexual function/dysfunction
  • smoking cessation
  • cholesterol and weight control
  • prostate and colo-rectal cancer screenings
  • syphilis and STD treatment
  • Hepatitis-the risk and transmission as well as available vaccination
  • Providing the latest in testing and treatment options for exposure



    • Psychiatrics and Stress Management

    Meet with one of our on-site psychologists whose focus includes Gay and HIV-related issues including:
  • Treatment and Support
  • Couples Counseling
  • Disease Management Counseling
  • Addiction
  • Sexual Identity



    • Patient Education

    We provide our patients and the community with knowledge and empowerment. With timely information on issues such as transmission and risk, medications, and side-effects, drug-use and socioeconomic issues, we give you the ability to make the best decisions regarding your health.


    On-Site Pharmacy

    Walgreen's pharmacy is connected to the clinic so that patients can fill prescriptions in complete privacy.


    Click here for Walgreen's Store Locator
    Click here to refill a prescription





    Northstar History | Dr. Berger's Biography (founder) | Dr. Gonzales' Biography | Clinic Hours

    Videos


    HIV Update from CROI 2009 Part 4 with Dr. Daniel Berger (Drug Resistance and New Infections) Dr. Berger talks about studies related to drug resistance and how this and other factors affects new infection rates.

    HIV Update from CROI 2009 Part 3 with Dr. Daniel Berger (PEP and PREP) Dr. Berger discusses PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) and PREP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis)



    HIV Update from CROI 2009 Part 2 with Dr. Daniel Berger Dr. Berger of NorthStar participated in the CROI 2009 HIV/AIDS conference. In this second part Dr. Berger talks about integrace inhibitor studies comparing icentra with kaletra.

    Dr. Berger talks about Martin Delaney HIV Update from CROI 2009 Part 1 with Dr. Daniel Berger




    Northstar History | Dr. Berger's Biography (founder) | | Clinic Hours

    Research


    Research and Clinical Trials at Northstar Medical Center

    What is a Clinical Trial or Study?

    A clinical trial is a research study that generally often investigates and compares two treatments and takes place at special clinics or Universities. A particular study example may compare the once daily pill Atripla to another HIV cocktail. Sometimes all therapies within the study are fully FDA approved and sometimes they are “partially” approved for another indication. In other words, a treatment may be approved for one type of patient but now being looked at for a different category or stage of the patient. Also, sometimes a treatment is “fully investigational”, not approved yet, but usually other studies have already been done to validate and that the treatment has a good rationale for studying it. In this case, smaller studies may have been done that appear promising.

    When a patient enrolls in a clinical trial, he or she not only gains from getting access to cutting-edge treatment, but also contributes to the wealth of knowledge that other future patients and practitioners use to learn about treatment. Thus the patient in a study helps and makes significant “worldly” contributions.

    Who Can Participate?

    Both patients from Northstar and patients from other practices or clinics are welcome to inquire about participating in a variety of studies.

    Are The Treatments Provided?

    When enrolling in a study, patients have the potential of obtaining free treatment, depending on the study. In “Naïve Patient” studies, in other words, patients who have never been on HIV therapy and are starting treatment on first treatement, these types of protocols provide the complete HIV treatment cocktail for free and some physician visits may be included (specifically those paid for by the sponsor). In the situation where a patient is getting a new treatment, after failing his/her current cocktail, or whose viral load is > 1000 while on treatment, the study drug is provided, sometimes with other meds but, in most instances, the patient’s insurance or ADAP would cover the remaining backround treatment.

    Northstar Clinical Care

    Unique to Northstar, consistent with a philosophy of providing the highest standard of care, our patients are more often seen by the physician then would be expected or mandated by the study. Northstar is known for its high quality, hands-on care and patients of Northstar or patients coming to the clinic to participate in a clinical trial have the advantage of gaining access to Northstar’s team approach. The physicians at Northstar are HIV specialists and are also able to help manage other medical issues. However, outside the normal protocol, and for other medical issues not related, those are generally needed to be covered by insurance.

    Is There Payment of Compensation to the Patient?

    Sometimes, when a study requires the patient to be in the clinic for several hours, the study may pay a stipend for the patients time. Also, in some cases, money for transportation may also be provided. In rare cases, when a study requires a full day at the clinic, more money is generally offered to the patient to offset that individuals time and service.





    Northstar History | Dr. Berger's Biography (founder) | Dr. Gonzales' Biography | Clinic Hours

    Contact Us


    First Name:*
    I am a current patient:*
    Please select your doctor if you are a patient:*
    I would like to request an appointment for:*
    I would like to schedule it on:*
    Date:*
    Time of Day:*
    Email:*
    Phone:*
    Please enter any message below:*
    Verification No.:*
    contact form faq verification image





    Northstar History | Dr. Berger's Biography (founder) | Dr. Gonzales' Biography | Clinic Hours