Health care heroes you should know about

Dr. Daniel Ivankovich is an orthopedic surgeon who treats patients in Chicago's troubled neighborhoods, regardless of their ability to pay.

Dr. Daniel Ivankovich is an orthopedic surgeon who treats patients in Chicago's troubled neighborhoods, regardless of their ability to pay.

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK/Getty Images for CNN

In 2010, Ivankovich co-founded the nonprofit OnePatient Global Health Initiative. Today, the group runs three clinics in Chicago, and Ivankovich performs more than 600 surgeries a year.

In 2010, Ivankovich co-founded the nonprofit OnePatient Global Health Initiative. Today, the group runs three clinics in Chicago, and Ivankovich performs more than 600 surgeries a year.

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK for CNN

Ivankovich started his efforts after years witnessing countless people struggling to get medical treatment because they did not have insurance or were under-insured. They were put on wait lists for months, even years, just to receive basic procedures, and their injuries got worse.

Ivankovich started his efforts after years witnessing countless people struggling to get medical treatment because they did not have insurance or were under-insured. They were put on wait lists for months, even years, just to receive basic procedures, and their injuries got worse.

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK for CNN

Ivankovich says more than 100,000 people have benefited from his program. "I know I can't fix everybody," he said. "My goal is to be the battering ram to help break down the barriers to get these patients the care and the resources they need."

Ivankovich says more than 100,000 people have benefited from his program. "I know I can't fix everybody," he said. "My goal is to be the battering ram to help break down the barriers to get these patients the care and the resources they need."

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK for CNN

Ivankovich: "Oftentimes when a patient's finally made it to our clinic, they tell me they've been hung up on by 10 or 12 other physician providers because they don't have insurance. It's heartbreaking when you hear the struggles that the patients have to go through for the basics."

Ivankovich: "Oftentimes when a patient's finally made it to our clinic, they tell me they've been hung up on by 10 or 12 other physician providers because they don't have insurance. It's heartbreaking when you hear the struggles that the patients have to go through for the basics."

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK for CNN

His nonprofit operates two clinics on the South Side of Chicago and another on Chicago's North Side. Ivankovich says they never turn away a patient.

His nonprofit operates two clinics on the South Side of Chicago and another on Chicago's North Side. Ivankovich says they never turn away a patient.

Jessica Koscielniak for CNN

Ivankovich and his group treat conditions such as fractures and spinal reconstruction, and they do major joint reconstruction, primarily hips and knees.

Ivankovich and his group treat conditions such as fractures and spinal reconstruction, and they do major joint reconstruction, primarily hips and knees.

JESSICA A. KOSCIELNIAK for CNN

Ivankovich hopes to expand his nonprofit's focus to include preventive health care. "Our goal is to make every patient we touch an agent of their own wellness and health."

Ivankovich hopes to expand his nonprofit's focus to include preventive health care. "Our goal is to make every patient we touch an agent of their own wellness and health."

Jessica Koscielniak for CNN

Healing patients in Chicago's troubled neighborhoods

Story highlights

Four amazing people show how one idea can make a difference in the health care world

Watch the Top 10 Heroes honored on "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" now on CNNgo

Nominations are open for 2016 CNN Heroes

CNN —

It’s hard to believe, but there are doctors out there who treat patients without insurance or who actually spend their time exercising with their patients.

Some doctors just seem to care a little more.

And we’re not only talking about doctors. Ever wonder how single parents fighting cancer cope with the responsibilities of raising children? There’s a group that helps with that.

Here are the stories behind four extraordinary individuals who saw a need in the health care industry – and then did something about it.

Treating the sick and injured, no matter what

For 20 years, Dr. Daniel Ivankovich witnessed countless people struggling to get medical treatment in Chicago because they had no insurance or were underinsured. They were put on wait lists for months, even years, just to receive basic procedures, and their injuries got worse.

“I thought to myself, this is happening in America?” he said.

cnnheroes daniel ivankovich_00005704.jpg

Top 10 CNN Hero Dr. Daniel Ivankovich

01:58 - Source: CNN

So Ivankovich vowed to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2010, he co-founded the nonprofit OnePatient Global Health Initiative.

Today, Ivankovich runs three clinics in Chicago and performs more than 600 surgeries a year. He says more than 100,000 people have benefited from the program.

This year Ivankovich is among 10 CNN Heroes who will be honored at an all-star tribute airing on CNN on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. ET.

“I know I can’t fix everybody,” he said.

“My goal is to be the battering ram to help break down the barriers to get these patients the care and the resources they need.”

How do single parents with cancer raise kids?

Jody Farley-Berens' nonprofit provides assistance to single moms in the Phoenix, Arizona, area who are battling cancer.

Jody Farley-Berens' nonprofit provides assistance to single moms in the Phoenix, Arizona, area who are battling cancer.

John Nowak/CNN

Nearly 12 million parents in the United States currently are raising kids on their own. When single parents face a devastating illness such as cancer, everyday needs like cleaning and cooking can become a struggle.

Nearly 12 million parents in the United States currently are raising kids on their own. When single parents face a devastating illness such as cancer, everyday needs like cleaning and cooking can become a struggle.

John Nowak/CNN

Since 2006, Farley-Berens and her network of volunteers have given practical, financial, and emotional support to more than 300 parents and their children.

Since 2006, Farley-Berens and her network of volunteers have given practical, financial, and emotional support to more than 300 parents and their children.

John Nowak/CNN

The group focuses on day-to-day support, such as bringing prepared meals and supplies for the home, doing housecleaning and paying bills. "It's that old-fashioned mentality of neighbors helping neighbors," Farley-Berens said.

The group focuses on day-to-day support, such as bringing prepared meals and supplies for the home, doing housecleaning and paying bills. "It's that old-fashioned mentality of neighbors helping neighbors," Farley-Berens said.

John Nowak/CNN

Farley-Berens saw the need firsthand, when her childhood friend — a single mother of four— battled breast cancer. "Paying the bills, cleaning her home, making dinner for her kids -- all of that became a real struggle. ... I just tried to do those little things that I hoped would relieve her of some stress," Farley-Berens said.

Farley-Berens saw the need firsthand, when her childhood friend — a single mother of four— battled breast cancer. "Paying the bills, cleaning her home, making dinner for her kids -- all of that became a real struggle. ... I just tried to do those little things that I hoped would relieve her of some stress," Farley-Berens said.

John Nowak/CNN

Farley-Berens says her group aims to help parents "focus on what's important, which is their health and their family." She hopes to start new chapters of Singleton Moms in other states.

Farley-Berens says her group aims to help parents "focus on what's important, which is their health and their family." She hopes to start new chapters of Singleton Moms in other states.

John Nowak/CNN

Farley-Berens: "It's my hope that Singleton Moms can bring joy -- and say to cancer, "You can't defeat us. We are still going to be strong and we're going to celebrate life. And you can't take that away from us."

Farley-Berens: "It's my hope that Singleton Moms can bring joy -- and say to cancer, "You can't defeat us. We are still going to be strong and we're going to celebrate life. And you can't take that away from us."

John Nowak/CNN

Being there for single parents with cancer

When single parents face a devastating illness such as cancer, everyday needs like cleaning and cooking can become a struggle.

Jody Farley-Berens saw the need firsthand, when her childhood friend faced that situation.

“Making ends meet is insurmountable,” said Farley-Berens.

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“There are so many doctors’ appointments, co-pays, surgeries, prescriptions. And then the inability to work – any savings that there may have been is gone very quickly.”

Jody Farley-Berens helped start Singleton Moms to support single moms battling cancer. Since 2006, the nonprofit has provided assistance to more than 300 parents in the Phoenix area.

Top 10 CNN Hero Jody Farley-Berens

01:49 - Source: CNN

She did all she could to help. After her friend passed away, Farley-Berens helped start a nonprofit dedicated to assisting others in similar circumstances.

Since 2006, Singleton Moms has provided practical, financial and emotional support to more than 300 parents in the Phoenix area. She also is singled out as a CNN Top 10 Hero at this year’s all-star tribute.

Doctor: We all deserve health care, including the homeless

For 23 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been doing street rounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bringing medical care to the homeless.

For 23 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been doing street rounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bringing medical care to the homeless.

Krisanne Johnson for CNN

When he started in 1992, he dressed like a homeless person in order to connect with the men and women who had been excluded from his care. "I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country," Withers said.

When he started in 1992, he dressed like a homeless person in order to connect with the men and women who had been excluded from his care. "I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country," Withers said.

KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN

Withers' one-man mission has since expanded to a citywide program called Operation Safety Net that includes a mobile van, drop-in centers and a primary health clinic, all where the homeless can access medical care. The group also does home visits to people who have transitioned off the streets.

Withers' one-man mission has since expanded to a citywide program called Operation Safety Net that includes a mobile van, drop-in centers and a primary health clinic, all where the homeless can access medical care. The group also does home visits to people who have transitioned off the streets.

KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN

Withers and his group have reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing. Withers met Lois -- pictured here, receiving a home visit -- when she was living on the streets.

Withers and his group have reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing. Withers met Lois -- pictured here, receiving a home visit -- when she was living on the streets.

KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN

Medical students come from all over the country to work with Withers and Operation Safety Net. "When (students) can see a street person succeed and not just get locked in that hopeless category, their vision changes. The street classroom really ignites, or reignites, what their passion is. ... And they carry that forward."

Medical students come from all over the country to work with Withers and Operation Safety Net. "When (students) can see a street person succeed and not just get locked in that hopeless category, their vision changes. The street classroom really ignites, or reignites, what their passion is. ... And they carry that forward."

KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN

Withers is also fostering a global "street medicine" movement through his nonprofit, the Street Medicine Institute, which supports communities in starting programs of their own. "In the way I'd like to see things, every person who is still on the streets will have medical care that comes directly to them and says, 'You matter.' "

Withers is also fostering a global "street medicine" movement through his nonprofit, the Street Medicine Institute, which supports communities in starting programs of their own. "In the way I'd like to see things, every person who is still on the streets will have medical care that comes directly to them and says, 'You matter.' "

Krisanne Johnson for CNN

Withers: "It's something that we should take pride in when we can actually treat people the way we would want to be treated."

Withers: "It's something that we should take pride in when we can actually treat people the way we would want to be treated."

KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN

Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless

Dr. Jim Withers used to dress like a homeless person. On purpose.

Two to three nights a week, he rubbed dirt in his hair and muddied up his jeans and shirt before walking the dark streets of Pittsburgh, searching for the very people he was trying to emulate.

Withers wanted to connect with those who had been excluded from his care.

cnnheroes jim withers_00013027.jpg

Top 10 CNN Hero Dr. Jim Withers

01:51 - Source: CNN

“I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country,” he said.

“Young, old, people with mental illness, runaway kids, women (who) fled domestic violence, veterans. And they all have their own story.”

Homelessness costs the medical system a lot of money. Individuals often end up in emergency rooms, and stay there longer, because their illnesses go untreated and can lead to complications.

Withers’ one-man mission became a citywide program called Operation Safety Net. Since 1992, the group has reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing.

In addition to street rounds, the program has a mobile van, drop-in centers and a primary health clinic, all places where the homeless can access medical care.

Withers is also fostering a global “street medicine” movement. His nonprofit, the Street Medicine Institute, supports communities in starting programs of their own. Its network includes dozens of teams in the United States and around the world.

Withers will be honored as a Top 10 Hero during “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.

What? Doctors who exercise with patients?

Ohio cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir thought he was doing everything he could to help his patients.

He spent extra time during appointments, listening to their issues and giving advice on how to live a healthier life.

CNN Heroes Sabgir 1

CNN Hero Dr. David Sabgir

01:48 - Source: CNN

“But in the end, I just wasn’t successful at encouraging them to get out there and get physically active,” said Sabgir, who was also recognized earlier this year as a CNN Hero.

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Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in America. But 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable with more exercise and simple lifestyle changes. Yet Sabgir found that only 5% of his patients were getting the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity.

“I was frustrated,” he said. “So one day I asked a few patients to meet me and my family in the park to take a walk.”

At the first walk in 2005, 101 people showed up.

Today, Sabgir’s nonprofit, Walk with a Doc, has expanded to more than 160 chapters around the country. Doctors and patients walk together in local parks on a regular basis, continuing the health conversation and getting fit.