Hello friendly faces! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. We are so excited to introduce you to a Highland Park mom of three amazing kids, psychiatrist, entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of SunCloud Health, Kim Dennis, M.D.!
Dr. Kim is a truly inspiring figure, and our community is fortunate to have her. Despite growing up in a family of six on welfare in Chicago, Dr. Kim persevered to become an MD and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. In 2016, she and her husband co-founded SunCloud Health, an integrated and inclusive mental health center that provides evidence-based, trauma-informed care to individuals and families. A first-generation college graduate and a devoted mother of three, Dr. Kim has built not only a successful career but also a warm, loving family.
In this Meet a Mom spotlight, Dr. Kim opens up about her journey, her approach to mental health, the most pressing question she receives from parents (and the answer) and, finally, an impressive list of favorite North Shore stomping grounds. Welcome, Dr. Kim and SunCloud Health!
Hi Dr. Kim! Please introduce yourself and your family.
Hi, I’m Dr. Kim. I was born on the south side of Chicago. Grew up in the southwest suburbs, in a family of 6 on welfare. I’m a first-generation college grad. I now live in Highland Park with our three children. My now husband and I moved here when we were dating.
My oldest child, Suzanna, just graduated Summa Cum Laude from Babson College with a master’s degree in data analytics. She was an avid ice hockey player, who participated both on AAA and Lake Forest Academy hockey teams.
My middle child, William, is currently in college at University of Colorado, Boulder studying environmental sciences and business administration. He, too, played ice hockey on travel teams and on the Highland Park High School Giants. He has a heart for helping others and works over the summer as a behavioral health support staff at SunCloud Health.
My youngest, Sam, is a brilliant emerging pianist, ceramicist and lover of nature. They are active at the Midwest Youth Artists Conservatory, Highwood School of Rock and Claire Willis pottery studio. Sam is an excellent student at Wayne Thomas, where they love their teachers. Sam has 2 dogs, Lily and Diamond, and a fish named Fishy. Our whole family loves our animals.
What is a fun fact to know about you?
I used to be a union card carrying construction worker over the summers in college.
That’s a good one! And you and your family’s favorite North Shore stomping grounds?
I have so many to share! A few hobby favorites are: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC), The Chicago Botanic Garden, Potawatomi Woods in Northbrook, Claire Willis Pottery Studio in Deerfield, Ravinia Festival, Rosewood Beach, Moraine Dog Beach, SunCloud Health ⛅️ 🌈 (of course), Everts Park in Highwood, Highland Park Library, The Art Center in Highland Park, Moraine Township Food Pantry and Community Garden, and last but not least, the Deerfield Farmer’s Market!
And for restaurants: Froggy’s French Café in Highwood, Sushi Kushi Too in Highland Park and That Little French Guy.
What are you reading and watching?
Journal of the American Medical Association, The Death Gap by David Ansell, MD and Fearing the Black Body: the Racial Origins of Fat Phobia by Sabrina Strings, PhD. I’m currently watching the Queen’s Gambit.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that’s guided you professionally, personally or both?
“Polish, polish, Kimmy. You just keep polishing and one day that coal you’re working on will be a diamond.“ – Eleanor Dennis (may she rest in peace). My mother taught me love, softness, humanness, perseverance, fight, grit, and deep love of family and others.
Your mantra?
Stay connected to God, stay connected to self, and be of service to others.
Let’s get down to business! Tell us all about SunCloud Health.
My husband David and I started SunCloud Health in 2016 to serve people in our community so they could stay in our community and received a continuum of care locally. We provide evidence based, trauma informed, cutting edge, nuanced care, including harm reduction. After many years in the field of mental health, I set out to create a humanistic treatment program that values individual voices and meets their needs to help them return to a fulfilling life.
We offer medically sophisticated care with our team of board-certified adult psychiatrists and nurse practitioners on our adult psychiatry team, as well as board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists serving our adolescents.
What is your approach to mental health support?
Our approach is gender, weight and racially inclusive and focuses on the unique history of each person who comes to us for care, with emphasis on helping those who struggle with multiple mental health concerns. We have a great deal of respect for each person’s choice when they come to us for care. We feel so fortunate to have been able to create a company that saves lives together.
What services do you provide at SunCloud Health?
We offer outpatient day programs (PHP & IOP) for adolescents & adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, disordered eating/eating disorders and addictions. Our adolescent program is integrated and intentionally small for a more personal and engaged setting for teens, and our psychiatrists do many of our intakes and provide high-touch interaction with patients and parents throughout treatment. We also provide family support including a multi-family group as we know how beneficial this is in improving family dynamics and successful outcomes. We also offer two residential treatment programs in Northbrook for adults, virtual evening programming and outpatient TMS and Spravato treatment for depression.
Dr. Kim, what is your role at SunCloud Health? Tell us about your impressive credentials!
Currently I am the co-founder, chief medical officer and CEO. I am also actively involved in overseeing medical policies and staff, involved upfront in guiding the intake process and I still love to work directly with patients for ongoing clinical care. I also serve as a board member for the Eating Disorders Coalition. I am a member of NEDA’s Clinical Advisory Council, American Association of Pediatrics Eating Disorders and “Obesity” Workgroup, and past co-chair of AED’s Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders SIG.
What is the number one question you get from parents?
“Is there anything I can do to shield my child from the academic and social pressures of the North Shore?”
Even though there is no one size fits all answer, can you share with our audience a general answer to that question?
Love them, support them, do not be afraid to get outside support from professionals when they need it and be present with them – put down your phone when you are with them and just be there!
How is SunCloud Health different from traditional mental health practices?
Our program is considered a higher level of care than outpatient therapy – providing 12-24 hours/week of individualized, wholistic, therapeutic support. Treatment interventions typically include individual, family and group therapy along with medication management. We always start with a comprehensive assessment and then follow up with a recommendation on which program might best meet an individuals needs.
What is the process like to begin services for children?
Our process starts with scheduling an assessment with our intake team. They will speak with the child, parents and any other consented providers who may be helpful in identifying what level of support is recommended.
How does insurance work at SunCloud Health?
We accept most commercial insurance plans and are also willing to do single case agreements and financial plans when needed. Our Child & Adolescent Outreach Representative, Kristi Ore LCPC, is always available to answer questions or to help book an assessment. You can call our intake team at 312-826-3813 or reach them directly at 844-583-0053.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know about SunCloud Health and/or your role there?
The work I get to do every day is truly a blessing. I love serving people in our community.
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
