Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates

09/12/2025

"I recently had my first visit with Dr. Cheryl Anthony-Worix, and I could instantly tell she genuinely cares about her patients.

"She took her time to listen, explained things clearly, and made me feel comfortable opening up about both my physical and mental health. She reassured me about my overall health while also offering resources for counseling, which showed me she looks at the whole person, not just the labs.

"Her kindness, patience, and attentiveness stood out and made me feel supported. I left the appointment encouraged and grateful to have her as my new P*P. I would highly recommend Dr. Worix to anyone looking for a compassionate and thorough doctor."

Looking for compassionate, patient-centered care in Crown Point, Munster or Schererville? You'll find it at Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates.

Our team brings more than two decades of experience and patient advocacy to our work, with expertise in primary care and internal medicine. Our resources include access to cardiac rehabilitation and a sleep study clinic and close relationships with specialists throughout the Northwest Indiana region.

Contact us for an appointment today at 219-922-8051.

09/07/2025

This week, I lost a 90-year-old patient I had cared for over two decades. He had lived a full life and in his final years was under supportive care at home.

Our bond went beyond the traditional boundaries of physician and patient. The trust was deep—and the care was mutual. He often checked on me through texts. As time passed, he would sometimes leave missed calls, confusing my cell phone for the office line.

The day before he passed, I had one last missed call from him. I believe it was his way of saying goodbye—and of making sure I was okay.

Around the same time, I was also caring for a close friend and physician colleague. In being behind on calls and texts, I missed his funeral. As my heart sank hearing the message, I pulled myself together and quietly texted his sons to send my respects. Their reply stays with me: “You have been a very dear blessing to our family. Thank you for everything.” I had cared for their mother years ago until she, too, passed.

These moments remind me that medicine is more than charts, numbers, and even the most advanced technology. It is trust, empathy, and connection that sustain us across decades, families, and life’s most vulnerable passages.

As we embrace healthcare technologies AI, data, and automation to guide decisions in chronic and hyperacute care, we must remember: Technology informs the science, but it is human connection that preserves hope.

We owe it to our patients—and ourselves—to keep both in balance.

—Dr. Mary Tilak

09/06/2025

Did you know that participating in even one session of cardiac rehab after a heart event reduces the risk of hospital readmission?

It also helps improve your overall health, according to a recent study.

At Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates, our office now partners with Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab through Indigo Partners to help you make healthy changes for your heart.

Located at our Munster facility, this team of cardiac rehab professionals provides the education and support you need to commit to a healthier lifestyle. They'll work with you in monitoring your progress and helping you achieve your health and wellness goals, including reducing anxiety and stress.

Find out more. Call (219) 267-1799.

Read the study referenced above: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2814392

09/05/2025

"Dr. Ramos took his time; I didn't feel rushed. He answered my questions. He outlined the care he wants to perform and set up referrals for other specialists for me to see. He was personable. I felt confident and relaxed on the way he conducted my visit."

From Crown Point to Munster and Schererville, if you're looking for personalized care with an empathetic touch, you'll find the right place in Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates.

Find out why Healthcare Business Review named our primary care practice "Chronic Disease Management Company of the Year" for 2025. Call us for an appointment at (219) 922-8051.

08/31/2025

"The staff is always helpful, and Dr. Joanne Ramos is the best P*P I've had. She's very supportive of me in my efforts to take better care of my health, which is something I try to do as I age! Also, the phlebotomist drew my blood with one painless stick and no bruise!"

At Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates, we're dedicated to extraordinary patient experiences and personalized, high-quality care.

We believe shared decision-making is the true beginning of chronic disease management, not a sidebar. We offer navigation and support at every care touchpoint—and we're seeing better health outcomes through this approach.

Find out why Healthcare Business Review named our organization "Chronic Disease Management Company of the Year" for 2025. Call us for an appointment at (219) 922-8051.

08/29/2025

For more than two decades, our team has been driven by one goal: to promote a culture of intentional, timely care collaboration.

It's a culture that brings together diverse skill sets, distributes the cognitive and psychological burden of care, and centers both the patient and the physician in the process.

When medical professionals commit to intentional data sharing, collaborative investigation, and purpose-driven action, they lighten one another’s cognitive and emotional load. That not only reduces burnout, but also improves outcomes for patients, families and care teams.

The beauty of cohesion is that it creates peace even when the stakes are high. It turns the complexity of care into a collective effort, grounded in trust and respect.

Find out how we're making a difference for patient-centered primary care in Northwest Indiana. Call 219-922-8051 for an appointment.

08/27/2025

Taylor Swift is in her Engagement Era now, and this post from the American Heart Association seems especially appropriate this week. "Love Story" has the right tempo for performing hands-only CPR. Find more song picks by following the heart association's social pages.

💍

08/24/2025

This week, a longtime mentor whose care I’ve shepherded for the past two months held my hand and said, “You are such an excellent communicator. You should be proud of yourself.”

And to his family, he added, “I think I’m getting much better care at this community hospital than I was at an academic medical center”—a facility renowned for its specialty care.

The difference? Not access to world-class specialists. It was the timely, intentional sharing of data in a purposeful, patient-centered way. Communication that transcends subspecialty expertise, silos, and egos. Communication that, quite literally, can mean the difference between life and death.

The team I’ve assembled for his care—eight different highly skilled specialists—has thrived on this ethos. My role has been to showcase their skills while ensuring our attention remains devoted to our patient’s complex needs—not to individual accolades or prestigious backgrounds. That spirit of “egos at the door” care produces a more holistic approach and better outcomes.

In practice, it means every specialist not only completes their procedure, but also considers the broader picture:

How is his mental health?

Are his electrolyte levels stable?

Is his pain controlled? Is his nutrition optimized?

And it works because one physician—the internist—quarterbacks the process, ensuring every detail is coordinated in a timely manner and every decision is anchored to the patient’s goals and safety.

This experience reminded me: purposeful, timely communication is not a “soft skill.” It is the foundation of excellent care—the bridge between fragmented expertise and whole-patient healing.

—Dr. Mary Tilak, pictured with Dr. Joanne Niere Ramos

Dr. Mary Tilak and Associates is a multi-disciplinary primary care organization that delivers accessible and equitable, comprehensive and safe preventive care and chronic disease management.

08/23/2025

"Dr. Kaur is my go-to family doc! By far the best I've had in the region! She's very compassionate yet prompt with her work. You won't be disappointed; definitely recommend her 10/10."

If you're searching for a primary care physician in Northwest Indiana, you'll find patient-centered, personalized care at Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates.

We offer same-day appointments for immediate care needs during business hours. And with locations in Munster, Schererville and Crown Point, it's easy to find a convenient location.

Find out why our practice is so well-regarded among Northwest Indiana residents. Call (219) 922-8051 for an appointment today.

08/20/2025

Women are less likely to start cardiac rehab after a heart event, but the benefits are tremendous. Cardiac rehab:

- Strengthens your heart and body after a heart attack

- Relieves symptoms of heart problems, such as chest pain

- Guilds healthier habits such as getting more physical activity, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet

- Reduces stress.

- Improves your mood

- And much more

At Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates, our office now partners with Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab through Indigo Partners to help you make healthy changes for your heart.

Located at our Munster facility, this team of cardiac rehab professionals provides the education and support you need to commit to a healthier lifestyle. They'll work with you in monitoring your progress and helping you achieve your health and wellness goals, including reducing anxiety and stress.

Find out more. Call (219) 267-1799.

08/17/2025

"Excellent service! Fast and compassionate. Konstantina listened to me and took the time to review my medical history while I visited to become a new patient. All the medical staff were very kind. The front of the office team were also very kind."

At Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates, we believe in the power of high-touch primary care for chronic disease management. We ensure patients feel "seen" during their appointment and explore their health challenges from numerous angles to make sure we're addressing concerns in the right way at the right time.

Find out the difference our primary care team could make for your health. Call (219) 922-8051 to schedule an appointment.

08/16/2025

Got an upcoming appointment? Need lab tests done? Why not have your labs performed in-house at Dr. Tilak & Associates' Munster or Schererville offices?

Your lab test results will post to your electronic medical record, where you will be able to access them directly from the patient portal.

Lab services are offered during the following hours:

Munster Office
Monday 9:00am – 2:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm

Schererville Office
Tuesday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

Questions? Call (219) 922-8051.