Welcome to the Walter Payton Liver Center
Changing Lives. Saving Lives. That's the mission of the Walter Payton Liver Center at UI Health.
Many Chicagoans remember Walter Payton, a two-time NFL Player of the Year and MVP, who led the 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl title. In 1999, it was revealed that Walter had been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease more commonly known as PSC. With the courage and character that defined his life, Walter fought his illness, while bringing new attention to the necessity for medical research to better understand liver diseases and the need for organ donations.
Walter Payton succumbed to complications from his illness in November 1999. But, his battle — our battle — goes on today at the Walter Payton Liver Center.
At the Walter Payton Liver Center, our patients are cared for by integrating the most advanced research, medical care, and surgical treatment available for those with liver diseases. Each patient is cared for by a team of the world’s best physicians employing the most advanced technology. Dedicated rooms for patients and special amenities for families ensure a level of privacy and comfort. The Walter Payton Liver Center creates an environment that blends the best inpatient care with the tools needed to conduct research that can transform and save lives.
Our Services
The Walter Payton Liver Center is dedicated to delivering outstanding and compassionate patient care. The mission of the Walter Payton Liver Center is to save lives. Our providers work toward our mission by:
- Enhancing clinical service with the constant addition of new programs, treatments, and specialists
- Expanding and tailoring new diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures
- Employing and refining the most advanced surgical technologies
- Teaching a strong, basic foundation in medical sciences combined with extensive clinical training in patient care
- Advancing cutting-edge basic and clinical research
- Training and promoting physicians who are at the forefront of innovative care through the development of new cures, treatments, and technologies
- Informing, educating, and enlightening the communities we serve — and the world at large
- Above all, saving lives
Become a Donor
Healthy individuals who are interested may be able to donate a portion of their liver as part of a living-related donation. To learn more about the living donor process, please visit our Liver Transplant Program.
Our Team
The Walter Payton Liver Center is committed to saving lives. As part of one of the nation's premier research and medical centers, UI Health, the Walter Payton Liver Center has assembled the finest medical talent from around the world and put at their disposal the state-of-the-art tools they need. In addition to compassionate, comprehensive patient care, the Walter Payton Liver Center is dedicated to connecting with our community to educate, inform, change lifestyles, and change lives for the better.
The Walter Payton Liver Center's multidisciplinary care team includes hepatologists, gastroenterologists, transplant surgeons, research scientists, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, psychologists, and dietitians. Liver Center nurses practice within a multidisciplinary team approach, which allows us to provide expert care to meet the unique and complex needs of each liver disease patient.
Our Locations
Walter Payton Liver Center
University of Illinois Hospital, 7th Floor West
1740 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60612
To request an appointment, please call 866.600.CARE (2273).
