DANIEL IVANKOVICH MD

DANIEL IVANKOVICH MD Transforming Lives . . One Patient At A Time®
http://www.danielivankovich.com With all of his variable expertise, there is a connecting thread.

During his 20-year career, Dr. Daniel Ivankovich has focused on providing state-of-the-art spine, joint and fracture care to Chicagoans from all walks of life. Dr. Dan understands the crippling pain of arthritis that his patients suffer, having personally undergone thirteen knee surgeries himself. He's overseen 100,000+ patient visits and provides specialty care for twisted spines, degenerated joi

nts, sports injuries and broken bones. Having performed over ten thousand surgical procedures (which include spine and joint reconstruction, open reduction & internal fixation, arthroscopy and pain management), there are few surgical challenges that he can't handle. Additionally, Dr. Dan is a well-known public figure and humanitarian who's helped establish orthopedic outreach and patient education programs at virtually all of Chicago's safety-net hospitals. He's raised $2,500,000+ in committed grants and donations to help expand health care services in some of the poorest and most underserved communities in America. When wielding a scalpel with skill and precision squeezing, preaching on the day's relevant social issues or squeezing a blue note out of his six-string, integrity rules his reality. Dan Ivankovich delivers the goods with a street-savvy hipness and honesty that's nearly extinct in today's climate of inequitable health care policies, greed, corruption, and injustice. An award-winning physician that’s part bluesman, healer, philosopher & shaman, and, as Rock & Roll Hall-Of-Famer Bo Diddley said about Ivankovich, "He ain't from this planet."

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: Rest In Heaven, Ms. Gail Krueger . . There's constant reminders that we're moving further along in t...
04/17/2026

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: Rest In Heaven, Ms. Gail Krueger . . There's constant reminders that we're moving further along in this little thing called life. Nothing starker than the ever-growing roster of former classmates who have passed on into the next world. Was extremely saddened to hear of Gail Krueger's passing this week (https://tinyurl.com/4dd7hr5n). We both attended Glenbrook South High School and graduated together in 1981. At the time, we weren't close friends, but she was always very kind toward me. It's something that I'll always remember about her. Many years later, as social media re-connected many long-lost classmates from my youth . . Gail reached out to me. I was in total disbelief to hear the news that she was sharing. A very serious condition was diagnosed, and she hoped to pick my brain to see if there were any additional options that might improve her condition. As a surgeon, I'm always privy to much of the latest & greatest that's going on in the wide world of medicine. So, I shared a few thoughts and we remained in-touch. In the interim, Gail would reach out with updates on her condition . . But what was particularly inspiring was Gail's request for medical advice to help others from her community. In particular, those struggling with orthopedic conditions who needed help getting placement with the proper specialists. Needless to say, I was always happy to provide whatever insight I could . . But I was moved by the fact that Gail was taking the time to help others (despite struggling with serious health concerns of her own). It spoke volumes about her character but wasn't surprising in any way. I would often see her pictures coming through in my social media feed, and it was heartening to know that Gail was enjoying life and family to the fullest extent possible. Regardless, it makes me sad to witness somebody from my past succumb to a terrible illness. I'll say a prayer for Gail and her family. My deepest condolences to all . . Wishing you peace and love. If it’s within your means, please consider making a donation to Gail’s family via GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/25251ea3e).
www.danielivankovich.com

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Rest in Peace, Brother Aaron . . As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), reflecting on the me...
02/25/2026

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Rest in Peace, Brother Aaron . . As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), reflecting on the men who have been most impactful in shaping my medical universe is a fairly common occurrence. Within those thoughts, Dr. Aaron Rosenberg stands among a handful of deep thinkers who have provided spiritual guidance and clinical wisdom to this rebellious & wayward son. I've always held a deep love for Aaron . . Because he was brilliant, ever so passionate about music and most accepting of me and all the gifts (and baggage) that came along with the Doctor Dan package. I can honestly say that music was the common thread (and especially guitar) that drove our connection. When it came time to select fellowships that I would be interested in pursuing as an orthopedic sub-specialist, it was an obvious choice that Aaron was gonna' be my mentor (and in return, he got Chicago Slim as his fellow). It really didn't matter to me that he was a world-class specialist in complex hip & knee surgery, because I simply thought it would be a year well spent just to hang out with him and help a whole lotta' of patients in the process. Our agreement was that Aaron would teach me the finer points of orthopedic surgery . . and in return, his guitar playing would reach the next level under my guidance. It was a truly fantastic year filled with over-the-top surgeries and myriad shared conversations about our pantheon of guitar heroes (Hendrix, Clapton, SRV, Santana, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush to name a few). Many of our discissions extended outside the OR and into the ventilated corridor, where we would light up a smoke and ponder deeply about the finer points of guitar wizardry before being paged to get the next case started. Parallel discussion topics often delved into how Jimi Hendrix became Jimi by taking a little piece of every musician he admired and then running it through his filter to eventually become his own dazzling entity. That was my blueprint for evolving into the Blues Doctor we all know today. My time invested as Aaron’s fellow was priceless, as I’ll never forget the connection that we forged around music and orthopedics. Upon completion of our year together, we both achieved our desired milestones. Though I absorbed much technical skill, the greatest gift Aaron bestowed upon me was the encouragement to “follow my muse” and pursue the vision I had to launch clinics in Chicago's underserved communities that lacked access to these life-changing musculoskeletal services. My medical inspiration to make a difference in this world has been influenced by legendary giants of Chicago medicine: Anthony Ivankovich, Paul Meyer, Quentin Young, Jorge Galante, Daniel Hale Williams, Ronald DeWald and Aaron Rosenberg have all been amazing role models and exactly who I needed to guide me in my quest. Upon hearing of Dr. Rosenberg's recent passing (https://tinyurl.com/whwjjpw3), the immediate feeling was sadness & loss . . Which was quickly followed by THANKFULNESS. Can't really put into words the gratitude and love that I have for the man. Wherever I go and whatever I do to make a difference for patients who need my help, a little piece of Dr. Aaron Rosenberg will always travel with me . . In ever loving memory!
www.danielivankovich.com

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Happy Valentine's Day . . As per usual, just a couple of crazy kids enjoying life's wild & c...
02/15/2026

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Happy Valentine's Day . . As per usual, just a couple of crazy kids enjoying life's wild & crazy ride together. Despite our hectic schedules trying to squeeze the 4-M's (marriage, media, medicine & music) into a 24-hour day, we always make time for each other regardless. After greeting a beautiful Saturday morning sunrise in Miller Beach, we headed out for an early champagne breakfast Berry (Lansing, IL). Then, I took Karla's Jeep out for a wash/detailing and stopped by a couple of my faves en route . . Marilyn's Bakery (Hobart, IN) and Indie Indie Bang! Bang! (Miller Beach, IN) to grab some goodies for the lovely Dr. Karla. Mission accomplished and went to share the love before hittin' the road for another unpredictable Saturday in Doctor Dan World. Hope that everybody found time to share quality time with the love of their life (I know that I did). Have a beautiful Valentine's Day and remember to always keep love in your heart!
www.danielivankovich.com

DOCTOR DAN®'S BODY SHOP: Where Is The Next One Coming From? . . Each and every Winter during my career, there have been ...
02/13/2026

DOCTOR DAN®'S BODY SHOP: Where Is The Next One Coming From? . . Each and every Winter during my career, there have been literally thousands of fractures resulting from snow & ice disasters. I guess the thing that has always separated me from my colleagues is that I take the good with the bad. Everybody wants the sexy & glamorous injuries where we get to throw rods, plates, screws and fixators at the fractures and make beautiful constructs to stabilize them. Sadly, not everybody is interested in the mundane reality that Winter brings to the ER . . and that's thermal injuries (frostbite). Many of the patients who are most often afflicted with frostbite are those who are unsheltered (ie homeless). In Uptown for example, the closure of Weiss Memorial Hospital meant that a major warming center went offline. Sadly, this is the glaring result. Throughout the years at all my locations, I've treated myriad hand/arm, foot/leg thermal injuries. Just getting cases cleared up from this most recent Polar Vortex. Thought that I would share a glaring example of what prolonged cold exposure can do to unprotected fingers. If it's within your power to help those who struggle with Wintertime elements, please do your share whenever possible. Thank You & God Bless!
www.danielivankovich.com

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Enjoying Winter From My Peaceful Place . . As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), my appreci...
01/31/2026

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE®: Enjoying Winter From My Peaceful Place . . As I grow older (and hopefully wiser), my appreciation for every day of each season has evolved exponentially. Of all the times during the year, the coldest days of Winter offer me the solitude to think about life without having to endure constant distractions. Sadly, in our non-stop go society, gaining perspective and focus has become more of a luxury than standard equipment in our lives. Hope that each of you enjoy this beautiful day . . Wanted to share these thoughts and a magnificent January view of Lake Michigan with you.
www.danielivankovich.com

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: Remembering My Friend, Mr. Ken Settle . . When I first logged onto social media, I was excited abo...
01/31/2026

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: Remembering My Friend, Mr. Ken Settle . . When I first logged onto social media, I was excited about the opportunity to connect with other creative people and share ideas. Among the first with whom I forged a relationship with was Ken Settle, a renowned music photographer from Detroit (www.kensettlephotos.com). We quickly found myriad common threads of our lives that connected us . . Two major ones were Guitar Madness and Chicago Blues. Ken had an incredibly kind and cool way about him that made you feel like you'd been friends since kindergarten. His mind was sharp and his discerning eye was incredibly keen. We could begin a conversation about one topic, and then go off on tangents for hours. Definitely felt a kinship and cameraderie with Ken that truly makes his loss something that hit me like a ton of bricks. Posting an image of Ken, surrounded by a sampling of his iconic Blues photography that he's shared with me & Chicago Blues Society (www.ChicagoBluesSociety.org) over the years. This unfortunate loss serves as yet another painful reminder to routinely monitor your health and show appreciation for those you love & respect, because nothing is forever. Rest in Peace Ken (https://tinyurl.com/4s76t76m) . . May your creativity and kindness be something that lives on long after we're all into the next world.
www.ChicagoSlim.com

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: HOG POD (Chicago Music Scene Podcast) . . In my universe, fourth quarter of any year is always a c...
01/11/2026

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: HOG POD (Chicago Music Scene Podcast) . . In my universe, fourth quarter of any year is always a challenge to get everything lined up and completed. There's simply never enough time between the holidays, surgeries, family commitments, shows, interviews and all the craziness that surrounds being Chicago Slim and Doctor Dan (The Blues Doctor). So out of nowhere, I got invited to be a special guest on HOG POD. They wanted to delve deep into my history (a scary ordeal in itself) and cover all bases. From my family's arrival to the United States and growing up in Chicago (Edgewater & Uptown) and Glenview . . All the way to my ever-present endeavor of blending medicine, music and media into one absolutely chaotic 6'11" package, it's all here! There was no way I was gonna' try and recall everything without my long-lost (and found) Glenbrook South High School buddy (and bass player extraordinaire), Mike Ostrenga. When we all carved out a night to make the connection between myself, Mike Ostrenga and HOG POD hosts Pete Jansons, Bongo Mike, Chris Rhodes and Mike Dermont. The interaction, stories & laughs flowed like we had been friends for decades. I totally lost track and had zero idea that tape was rolling for almost 2-hours. Being the flamboyant loud-mouth that I am, it was decided to immortalize this time spent together as a two-part interview. We certainly covered a lot of ground: Fleeing Yugoslavia with my family and immigrating to the US . . How I've interfaced with Chicago since my arrival . . Musical escapades with my dearly departed Blues-Brother, "Killer" Ray Allison . . How Blues music saved my life . . Being mentored by many of my musical idols . . Transforming lives as the Blues Doctor . . Giving back to the city that I love (all this, plus the proverbial more)! Glad to hear that they've gotten such a great response from the HOG POD community. Now that we're into 2026 and I'm starting with a clean slate, I've got a clear head and ample time to share with my people. A special thanks to Beth Miller for coordinating like a pro and making this such a fun interview. Hope that you all learn something new about me and become inspired to help others during the course of your journey on this planet!
https://youtu.be/ZzC4HW26Kzk (Part 1)
https://youtu.be/hcNaBkwYW3k (Part 2)
www.ChicagoSlim.com

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: Saint Nick Is My Main Man For Gear . . All I want for Christmas is a snakeskin Park (amp) . . A sn...
12/25/2025

CHICAGO SLIM® SPEAKS: Saint Nick Is My Main Man For Gear . . All I want for Christmas is a snakeskin Park (amp) . . A snakeskin Park . . A snakeskin Park. Gee, if I could only have my snakeskin Park . . Then I could wish you, Merry Christmas (on my electric 6-string)!
www.ChicagoSlim.com

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE: Rest In Peace, Mr. "Groove" Holmes Ivankovich . . Dr. Karla and I just wanted to share that o...
12/13/2025

CELEBRATING LIFE AND LOVE: Rest In Peace, Mr. "Groove" Holmes Ivankovich . . Dr. Karla and I just wanted to share that our darling Holmes has moved on to his next great adventure. Obviously, heartbroken would be an understatement of the year, but we have shared much love and some incredible memories that we'll not soon forget. Holmes and I connected in some crazy ways from when he was a youngster . . He dug organ music (hence "Groove" Holmes) and we spent countless hours listening to Hendrix, Zappa and Muddy Waters together. Whenever I played guitar, he would often start singing/howling along . . It was uncanny. Holmes was definitely my "Spirit Animal" with all of the craziness that he was able to pull off on an almost daily basis. He was super-intelligent, yet simultaneously left me scratching my head on many occasions with his ridiculousness and overall lack of common sense. Standard Poodles are not known for their longevity, yet despite his medical trick-bag . . Holmes was well on his way to 13 years of age (91 dog years would be a nice, long life for a Standard by any measure). Towards the end, daily activities just became more and more challenging (even with the pharmacopeia that Dr. Karla and I were using to manage his aches and pains). Yesterday, he just wasn't able to lift himself up off the floor by himself. So we knew that it was time. Even though he was wagging his tail and devouring every treat we put his way, it wasn't right for him to suffer just so we could love him that much longer. I dosed Holmes with prednisone so that he could be mobile and enjoy today in it's fullest. Holmes got scrambled eggs and ham for breakfast and ice cream with chocolate covered peanuts (his favorite) for lunch with all kinds of delicious treats throughout the day. Dr. Karla got us connected with Lap of Love way in advance so that when the time came, Holmes could be laid to rest with dignity among all the love that he was accustomed to enjoying every day of his life. It certainly wasn't easy for anybody, but Holmes moved on peacefully and without any pain. I'm sharing some of my favorite pictures of Holmes and will like be posting others plus video in the coming days. Like anything else in life . . Appreciate those you love while they're here. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
www.danielivankovich.com

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: RIP Tina Denee Moffett . . Circle of Life completes for my dear friend, Ms. Moffett, but I remain ev...
10/25/2025

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: RIP Tina Denee Moffett . . Circle of Life completes for my dear friend, Ms. Moffett, but I remain ever so thankful that our paths had a chance to cross in the process. She was my OR co-pilot and friend Hospital of Cook County. I can recall fondly as if it was yesterday, arriving to PHCC with a mission to build surgical volume and marching orders to knock down the long orthopedic waiting list that was legendary within the Cook County Bureau of Health. It goes without saying that not everybody was thrilled at the prospect of helping me to ramp up services, but Tina made it clear early on that she wanted to do her part in helping her South Side community get the best possible care. When you get an opportunity to work with people day-in and day-out on the front lines of a place like Provident Hospital, you learn to trust each other and have each other's back. Tina always went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that we were ready to roll, and we accomplished much together (3-5 cases every day I was scheduled in the OR). We told countless jokes, shared stories about our lives and brainstormed on how to build an orthopedic program that could help as many underserved Chicagoans as possible. When the time came for me to move on to the next big challenge, I very much wanted Tina to come with me. Unfortunately, she was vested deep into her pension with Cook County and couldn't make a huge change at that stage of her career. Regardless, our friendship was forever, and Tina remained a supporter who cheered loudly with every new program we built and award that I received. I can't tell you how sad I was to hear of Tina's passing. She's somebody who I will always remember with a smile when I think about our time together.
www.danielivankovich.com

08/11/2025

DOCTOR DAN® PRESENTS: Doctor Dan and Dr. Karla Ivankovich Live on WGN-TV (Chicago) . . Many thanks to award-winning journalists, Mr. Sean Lewis and Ms. Jewell Hillery, for having us on as guests at WGN-TV (Channel 9). We had a great time covering current initiatives from OnePatient® and Preston Bradley Center®. Chicago is a world-class city that deserves amazing programs for its residents. We come to work every day focused on improving the lives of children, the elderly and other at-risk Chicagoans who often get overlooked by the system. Stay tuned as we keep moving forward with our plans to re-imagine Preston Bradley Center into a destination that we can all be proud of calling our own!
www.danielivankovich.com

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: Always on My Best Behavior When Representing the Mothership . . Had an amazing day at WGN-TV. Mr. Se...
08/10/2025

DOCTOR DAN® SPEAKS: Always on My Best Behavior When Representing the Mothership . . Had an amazing day at WGN-TV. Mr. Sean Lewis and Ms. Jewell Hillary were both gracious hosts with tons of great questions about our programs at OnePatient and Preston Bradley Center. Dr. Karla was equally fantastic with her engagement and answers. As the conversation got fluid, and I became more and more animated in my description of programming . . Took particular attention in keeping my language colorful, but just not dropping any random f-bombs (definitely not wanting to singe the genteel ears of all those prime-time viewers watching with family). All-in-all, today's interview went great (I'll be posting it later today), and for all 5 minutes and 48 seconds Doctor Dan was a very well-behaved boy. Dr. Karla even bought me Stan's Donuts right afterward for a job well done . . Primum Non Nocere ! ! !
www.danielivankovich.com
Hillary

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