John R. Principe M.D.

"Doctor John's" educational foundations were obtained at St. Rene Goupil Grammar School and St. Laurence High School. His excellence in expression became apparent in high school: graduating 4^th in his senior class, John received gold medals in English composition and the Spanish Language.  As a recipient of the William J Cook Scholarship, he was able to attend Loyola University Chicago.  He took classes in the premedical sciences and theology at Lakeshore campus. Under the guidance of his beloved pediatrician, Aldona K Rugis, he was guided to a medical career over the priesthood. Practical experiences in medicine began during high school summers; employed at Mercy Hospital as an orderly and then as a clerk in radiology, John got first hand experience with patient care. Through his own personal illness and contact with an empathetic wonderful physician, Eugene DiMarco, MD, John got his next critical skill that would form his future, an education in being a patient.  He graduated from Loyola University, Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Entering Rush Medical College in 1979, John worked hard at mastering the basic sciences, but was frustrated with the pace of conventional schooling. He was privileged to be chosen as a 1983 Post-Sophomore Fellow in the Department of Pathology and spent the next year applying his basic science knowledge by conducting autopsies and as an anatomy teaching assistant in the medical school. Application of these ancient traditions ignited the passion that John has for educating. During his residency and subsequent years as a faculty member at Rush and the University of Illinois, he received numerous teaching awards. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, John has a desire to contribute to society on a local level: he does so with WellBeingMD, his private practice in Palos Heights, Illinois, that is dedicated to the compassionate, practical care of the patient with an emphasis on wellness and nutrition.  His experience in geriatrics, hospice and palliative care medicine also give him a strong foundation in end of life issues.