Kathleen Meade grew up in Oregon, Illinois, where she spent her childhood helping her father, a veterinarian. She nurtured a love of science and a love of helping people, which led her to pursue a career in medicine. She chose family medicine as a specialty because she likes building relationships. "I love the generational care, the family and the atmosphere," she said.

"Why OSF HealthCare? Because they have a higher calling," Meade said. "We Care. My patients become family. We grow up and grow old together. We celebrate and we cry together. We experience life together!"

Kathleen grew up in a community where everyone is considered your neighbor, which might help explain why she makes it a priority to approach patient care with compassion.

"An appointment with me usually has many elements: listening, teaching, laughing, explaining, warmth, smiling and a human touch. It's a real interaction in which I try to get my patients to partner with me in their health care journey."

She is married and her husband, Brent, is a local business owner. Together, the couple has raised two children, Channing and Nicolas. Kathleen enjoys working out, golf, cooking, bicycling, gardening and reading. She's also a big-time Chicago Cubs fan.