Musicians' Health
Blues Is The Healer
Our Mission
Blues Musicians face many challenges while trying to navigate the health care system. We strive to educate and help musicians, particularly those who are too young for Medicare, access health care. Spearheading the endeavor is Dr. Daniel Ivankovich, a internationally acclaimed orthopedic trauma and spine surgeon and co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist for the Chicago Blues All-Stars. Doctor Dan has had the opportunity to meet and study with the blues greats and realized that many of them, after lifetimes of dedicating themselves to their art, were in poor health and unable to afford insurance or proper health care.
What We Do
Our mission is to provide outreach, education, and empowerment to musicians of all genres who strive to improve their quality of life via promotion of healthy lifestyles.
WHo We Are
Dr. Daniel Ivankovich, known locally as “Doctor Dan” or “Chicago Slim,” dedicates much of his time and effort to helping Chicago based blues musicians navigate the health system, often providing free care through his non-profit, OnePatient-Global Health Initiative. A one-time college basketball star at Northwestern University with dreams of going pro, Doctor Dan turned to medicine and blues music after a career-ending knee injury.
Karla Ivankovich Ph.D is the co-founder and president of OnePatient-Global Health Initiative. With a doctorate in psychology, Karla’s primary role is to provide executive oversight for OnePatient-Global Health Initiative through outreach programming, mental health assessment, overall strategic planning, financial and staff management, organizational development, program operations, and clinical compliance.
Our Events
Chicago Blues Society and OnePatient are launching seminars to promote health and wellness for ALL musicians. Included are health screenings, speakers, and soul-healthy buffets.