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A Career Rooted in Compassion: Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Jay Mayefsky
After more than four decades in medicine — including over 11 years serving patients at Tapestry 360 Health — pediatrician Dr. Jay Mayefsky is preparing to retire, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of compassionate care, mentorship, and dedication to community health.
For Dr. Mayefsky, pediatrics was never just a profession. It was a calling grounded in prevention, education, and a deep commitment to helping children grow into healthy adults.
A Gentle Presence in the Clinic
Anyone who spends time observing Dr. Mayefsky in the clinic quickly sees the calm, steady presence that has defined his career. During patient visits, he moves thoughtfully between families, greeting each child with a signature blend of warmth and patience.
Whether he is cradling a newborn wrapped carefully in blankets or engaging with a curious five-year-old, his interactions are characterized by a profound gentleness. He has a unique gift for making children feel comfortable in an environment that can often feel intimidating.
Even during the more difficult moments—when a child cries or becomes nervous during an exam—Dr. Mayefsky remains unruffled. When a young patient recently needed to be held still for a procedure, he didn’t rush. Instead, he continued speaking softly, finding ways to cheer them up and distract them until the tears passed. Moments later, the same child was smiling again.
The Physical Mark of Dedication
The depth of Dr. Mayefsky’s commitment is often visible in the quiet moments between appointments. During a recent interview, as he took a brief break to remove his surgical mask and take a sip of water, the physical toll of his labor was etched into his skin.
Despite the grueling nature of the work, his passion never wavers. As he spoke about the nuances of children’s health, his calming nature remained at the forefront, his eyes lighting up with the same enthusiasm he likely felt on his first day of residency.
A Family Tradition of Care
Dr. Mayefsky’s path into pediatrics began early. He comes from what he jokingly describes as a “three-generation pediatric dynasty.” His uncle was a pediatrician, Dr. Mayefsky himself dedicated his career to caring for children, and now his son has followed in his footsteps as a pediatrician as well.
“I love preventive medicine and keeping children healthy,” he says. “That’s what drew me to pediatrics.”
Originally from Chicago’s South Side, Dr. Mayefsky attended Northwestern University Medical School and completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit before beginning a long and impactful career in both clinical medicine and medical education.
A Passion for Teaching
Teaching has been central to Dr. Mayefsky’s work throughout his career. At Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, he progressed from assistant professor to full professor, serving as clerkship director for third-year medical students in pediatrics.
His influence extended beyond one institution. Over the years, he taught students from Rush Medical College, UIC School of Nursing, and Malcolm X College’s physician assistant program, helping shape the next generation of healthcare providers.
Mentorship, he says, is essential in medicine. “Mentorship is incredibly important,” he explains. “There should always be someone you can turn to for guidance and experience.” Today, many former students still share how lessons they learned from Dr. Mayefsky continue to shape their clinical practice.
A Commitment to Community Health
Much of Dr. Mayefsky’s career has been devoted to serving underserved populations, a choice rooted in his upbringing. His mother was a teacher in Chicago’s inner city, and his father served as a rabbi.
“For me, it was simply the right thing to do,” he says. “The people who need care the most are where I felt I should spend my career.”
He views healthcare through a holistic lens:
- Family Dynamics: Understanding that treating a child means supporting the whole family.
- Social Determinants: Factoring in transportation, work schedules, and finances.
- Prevention: Believing it is always better to prevent a problem than to fix one.
The Power of Prevention
Dr. Mayefsky has long championed preventive medicine, particularly in community health settings. “A lot of illness and death is preventable,” he says. “It’s better to prevent problems than to try to fix them after they happen.” For pediatricians, he explains, the ultimate goal is simple but profound: helping children grow into healthy, independent adults. “Our job is to make sure children get to adulthood healthy and happy.”
A Home at Tapestry 360 Health
Reflecting on his tenure at Tapestry 360 Health, Dr. Mayefsky describes it as the happiest period of his professional life. He values the deep connection he developed with the Rogers Park community, where he often runs into former patients while out and about.
“The people here are wonderful,” he says. “Everyone is here for the same reason, and our hearts are all in the same place. It’s really special to be part of the community you serve.”
A Legacy That Continues
Among Dr. Mayefsky’s proudest accomplishments is his work in academic medicine. Over the years, he has authored several textbook chapters on pediatric topics ranging from shortness of breath in children to viral
illnesses and diagnostic approaches. In a full-circle moment, his son recently joined him as co-author on one of these chapters — making it a “Mayefsky and Mayefsky” publication.
For Dr. Mayefsky, however, legacy isn’t about publications or accolades.
“I hope people say I made a difference,” he says. “That I helped keep a child healthy, or that something I taught helped another doctor care for a family.”
Looking Ahead
While retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era, Dr. Mayefsky is preparing for an exciting new role. This spring, he and his family are expecting their first grandchild. After decades of caring for the children of the community, he is ready to dedicate that same warmth and gentleness to the newest member of his own family.
His final message to his patients and colleagues?
“Take care of yourselves—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Be happy. Be healthy. Be safe.”
As Dr. Mayefsky begins this next chapter, the Tapestry 360 Health community celebrates his decades of service and the countless lives he has touched along the way.
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After more than four decades in medicine — including over 11 years serving patients at Tapestry 360 Health — pediatrician Dr. Jay Mayefsky is preparing to retire, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of compassionate care, mentorship, and dedication to community health.
For Dr. Mayefsky, pediatrics was never just a profession. It was a calling grounded in prevention, education, and a deep commitment to helping children grow into healthy adults.
A Gentle Presence in the Clinic
Anyone who spends time observing Dr. Mayefsky in the clinic quickly sees the calm, steady presence that has defined his career. During patient visits, he moves thoughtfully between families, greeting each child with a signature blend of warmth and patience.
Whether he is cradling a newborn wrapped carefully in blankets or engaging with a curious five-year-old, his interactions are characterized by a profound gentleness. He has a unique gift for making children feel comfortable in an environment that can often feel intimidating.
Even during the more difficult moments—when a child cries or becomes nervous during an exam—Dr. Mayefsky remains unruffled. When a young patient recently needed to be held still for a procedure, he didn’t rush. Instead, he continued speaking softly, finding ways to cheer them up and distract them until the tears passed. Moments later, the same child was smiling again.
The Physical Mark of Dedication
The depth of Dr. Mayefsky’s commitment is often visible in the quiet moments between appointments. During a recent interview, as he took a brief break to remove his surgical mask and take a sip of water, the physical toll of his labor was etched into his skin.
Despite the grueling nature of the work, his passion never wavers. As he spoke about the nuances of children’s health, his calming nature remained at the forefront, his eyes lighting up with the same enthusiasm he likely felt on his first day of residency.
A Family Tradition of Care
Dr. Mayefsky’s path into pediatrics began early. He comes from what he jokingly describes as a “three-generation pediatric dynasty.” His uncle was a pediatrician, Dr. Mayefsky himself dedicated his career to caring for children, and now his son has followed in his footsteps as a pediatrician as well.
“I love preventive medicine and keeping children healthy,” he says. “That’s what drew me to pediatrics.”
Originally from Chicago’s South Side, Dr. Mayefsky attended Northwestern University Medical School and completed his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit before beginning a long and impactful career in both clinical medicine and medical education.
A Passion for Teaching
Teaching has been central to Dr. Mayefsky’s work throughout his career. At Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, he progressed from assistant professor to full professor, serving as clerkship director for third-year medical students in pediatrics.
His influence extended beyond one institution. Over the years, he taught students from Rush Medical College, UIC School of Nursing, and Malcolm X College’s physician assistant program, helping shape the next generation of healthcare providers.
Mentorship, he says, is essential in medicine. “Mentorship is incredibly important,” he explains. “There should always be someone you can turn to for guidance and experience.” Today, many former students still share how lessons they learned from Dr. Mayefsky continue to shape their clinical practice.
A Commitment to Community Health
Much of Dr. Mayefsky’s career has been devoted to serving underserved populations, a choice rooted in his upbringing. His mother was a teacher in Chicago’s inner city, and his father served as a rabbi.
“For me, it was simply the right thing to do,” he says. “The people who need care the most are where I felt I should spend my career.”
He views healthcare through a holistic lens:
- Family Dynamics: Understanding that treating a child means supporting the whole family.
- Social Determinants: Factoring in transportation, work schedules, and finances.
- Prevention: Believing it is always better to prevent a problem than to fix one.
The Power of Prevention
Dr. Mayefsky has long championed preventive medicine, particularly in community health settings. “A lot of illness and death is preventable,” he says. “It’s better to prevent problems than to try to fix them after they happen.” For pediatricians, he explains, the ultimate goal is simple but profound: helping children grow into healthy, independent adults. “Our job is to make sure children get to adulthood healthy and happy.”
A Home at Tapestry 360 Health
Reflecting on his tenure at Tapestry 360 Health, Dr. Mayefsky describes it as the happiest period of his professional life. He values the deep connection he developed with the Rogers Park community, where he often runs into former patients while out and about.
“The people here are wonderful,” he says. “Everyone is here for the same reason, and our hearts are all in the same place. It’s really special to be part of the community you serve.”
A Legacy That Continues
Among Dr. Mayefsky’s proudest accomplishments is his work in academic medicine. Over the years, he has authored several textbook chapters on pediatric topics ranging from shortness of breath in children to viral
illnesses and diagnostic approaches. In a full-circle moment, his son recently joined him as co-author on one of these chapters — making it a “Mayefsky and Mayefsky” publication.
For Dr. Mayefsky, however, legacy isn’t about publications or accolades.
“I hope people say I made a difference,” he says. “That I helped keep a child healthy, or that something I taught helped another doctor care for a family.”
Looking Ahead
While retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era, Dr. Mayefsky is preparing for an exciting new role. This spring, he and his family are expecting their first grandchild. After decades of caring for the children of the community, he is ready to dedicate that same warmth and gentleness to the newest member of his own family.
His final message to his patients and colleagues?
“Take care of yourselves—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Be happy. Be healthy. Be safe.”
As Dr. Mayefsky begins this next chapter, the Tapestry 360 Health community celebrates his decades of service and the countless lives he has touched along the way.
