CHICAGO Doctor Cathy Creticos Recognized for Decades of HIV/AIDS Research and LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Marisol Vega
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CHICAGO Doctor Cathy Creticos Recognized for Decades of HIV/AIDS Research and LGBTQ+ Advocacy

CHICAGO — For more than 30 years, Dr. Cathy Creticos has been a leading figure in the fight against HIV/AIDS. From her early days treating patients at the height of the AIDS epidemic to her long-standing role at Howard Brown Health, Dr. Creticos has become a cornerstone in Chicago’s healthcare and LGBTQ+ advocacy community.

From Reluctant Physician to Life-Saving Leader

Dr. Creticos didn’t initially plan to pursue medicine — she had dreams of becoming a humanities professor. But a powerful realization led her to the University of Chicago, where she eventually specialized in infectious disease at the University of Illinois.

“Being a physician was something I could do to really contribute in a more concrete, meaningful way,” she recalled.

That decision placed her at the forefront of a historic medical crisis. In the 1980s, as HIV swept the nation, she joined the first clinical trial for AZT, the first FDA-approved treatment for HIV.

Decades on the Frontlines of HIV Care in Chicago

Dr. Creticos has led the HIV team at Howard Brown Health since 1995. Patients and colleagues alike describe her not only as a dedicated physician but also as a friend and ally — someone who brings compassion to every interaction.

Madrid St. Angelo, a long-time patient and HIV survivor, credits Dr. Creticos with saving his life:

“She literally has been a lifeline for me,” he said. “I met her in 1992 when I was very sick, and she has guided me every step of the way.”

Treating a Disease — And Fighting a System

Despite progress in medication and patient outcomes, Dr. Creticos emphasizes that barriers to HIV care persist — especially for vulnerable populations. She pointed to the complications of insurance changes and drug pre-authorization requirements as ongoing challenges.

“Even patients who want to take their medicine every day — if their job or insurance changes, they suddenly can’t access treatment.”

She also called attention to the stigma that still surrounds HIV/AIDS, which often prevents people from seeking preventive care like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

Education and Empathy as Key Tools

Dr. Creticos believes that education is the path to ending stigma and reducing infections. She works tirelessly to inform both patients and the broader public that HIV doesn’t discriminate.

“There’s nothing particular about a certain type of people — that’s just hogwash,” she said. “HIV is a virus. It can infect anybody.”

With advances in science, there’s even hope for treatments that could allow people to control the virus without daily medication — but she stresses that compassionate care must remain at the heart of medicine.

A Lasting Legacy in Chicago’s LGBTQ+ Community

More than just a doctor, Dr. Creticos is seen as a trailblazer, mentor, and inspiration in the LGBTQ+ community. Her decades-long service continues to shape public health in Chicago.

“She’s a friend, a mentor, an inspiration,” said St. Angelo. “I wouldn’t be here today without her.”

Her journey — from academic dreams to battling a global health crisis — has made a permanent mark on thousands of lives.

Have someone like Dr. Creticos in your life who’s made an impact?
Share their story with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — we want to hear from you.

Marisol Vega

Marisol Vega

Marisol writes about how city decisions affect everyday people. From housing and schools to city programs, she breaks down the news so it’s easy to understand. Her focus is helping readers know what’s changing and how it matters to them.

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