On Tuesday, January 19, 2010, from
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Norwegian American Hospital will
participate in Commissioner Edwin Reyes’ Health Fair, offering a
range
of health care services to the communities we serve. The health
fair will be held at the
San Lucas United Church of Christ, located at 2914 West
North Avenue.
Norwegian American Hospital’s
Pediatric Care-A-Van will be on-site to provide physicals
and immunizations for children. H1N1 flu shots will also be
available to these children, while supplies last. Free
cholesterol and diabetes screenings will be offered to adults.
"During these tough economic times and in spite of the fact
that the
attention our health care system is having nationwide, it is
my responsibility to promote and make available health care
resources to those who would not otherwise have access," said
Commissioner Edwin Reyes.
Commissioner
Reyes’ Health Fair will help children and their families gain
accessibility to high quality and affordable health care
services, while emphasizing the importance of routine health
checkups and screenings. The health fair will also link these
children and their families into an appropriate primary care
system for further care when needed.
From left to right: Damon T. Arnold, M.D.,
Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health; Governor
Pat Quinn; Tim Egan, Executive Director of the Norwegian
American Hospital Foundation; Duane J. Fitch, Chief Financial
Officer for Norwegian American Hospital; and Raghu Ramadurai,
M.D., Medical Staff President for Norwegian American Hospital
On Saturday, November 21, 2009,
Governor Pat Quinn visited Norwegian American Hospital to sign
the executive order that establishes a new office for a state
Public Health Advocate. The Public Health Advocate will be
responsible for developing and leading wellness programs to
improve public health, as well as help people fight common
chronic diseases, such as diabetes.
With diabetes as a growing concern in our community and all over
the country, it is Norwegian’s ongoing goal to provide
preventive and continual management of care for all patients who
come through our doors.
“If current trends continue, one out of every three children
could face a future with diabetes,” said Governor Quinn. “It is
critical that our families have access to important information
that will educate them about diseases and prevention options.”
Norwegian American Hospital was prominently represented at the
signing of the
executive order by members of the board of
trustees, as well as Norwegian American Hospital administrators.
Politicians present included: Governor Pat Quinn; Illinois
Department of Public Health Director
Damon T. Arnold, M.D.;
State
Senator William Delgado; and Jaime Delgado, Chairman of
the
Humboldt Park Diabetes Task Force.
While Governor Quinn was at Norwegian American Hospital, he had
the chance to visit the hospital’s Pediatric Care-A-Van and took
the time to review the display board that discusses Northwestern
University’s Family Medicine Residency Program with Norwegian.
At the signing, Governor Quinn was also presented with a
certificate that honors him as a lifelong, honorary board member
of the Norwegian American Hospital
Foundation.
Norwegian American Hospital
Institutes New Visitation Guidelines
protecting patients from infections
continues to be top priority
To maintain the highest level of
patient care possible, Norwegian American Hospital will change
its current visitation guidelines. The new guidelines will take
effect immediately.
New visitation guidelines for Norwegian American Hospital state
that: no more than two visitors will be allowed, per patient, at
any one time; visitors under the age of 18 will not be allowed
in any patient care areas; and anyone who has signs of
communicable diseases (i.e., runny nose, fever, sneezing or
coughing) may not visit any hospitalized patients.
“With the flu season in full swing and the new H1N1 influenza
virus present, it is essential that Norwegian American Hospital
takes an active role in protecting its patients now more than
ever,” said Patricia Rackovan, RN, Vice President of Patient
Care Services at Norwegian American Hospital. “Limiting
patients’ exposure to infections is part of one of our many
ongoing goals to provide the highest quality of health care
possible to all patients who come through our doors.”
