Physician receives surprise recognition by Rep. Peter Roskam

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam recently honored Thomas Cornwell, MD, the founder of Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group HomeCare Physicians, for his work.

Cornwell was recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 6 in the Congressional Record for his selfless service to the residents of DuPage County and his contributions to seniors across the U.S. He was also the guest of honor at an annual ESSE Adult Day Services dinner where he was surprised by the congressman.

"This was an incredible surprise," says Dr. Cornwell. "Rep. Roskam read a letter about the value of the program and the work we do on behalf of patients and the community. I was humbled and so grateful."

Dr. Cornwell, a family medicine and palliative medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, has served in his role with HomeCare Physicians for more than 20 years. During that time, he has made more than 32,000 house calls to more than 4,000 patients.

"My goal is to ensure my patients have convenient access to the care they need," he says. "Home centered care can dramatically improve the quality of life for complex and homebound patients, their families and caregivers, while also decreasing health care costs by avoiding costly hospital visits or nursing home placement."

In 2017, Dr. Cornwell received $15 million in private funding to spread this model of home care, and he is using this funding to teach other physicians how to do what he does.