Hospitals and health systems build healthy communities across Illinois by leading and funding initiatives to improve individual and population health. Their efforts benefit communities in many ways.
Nearly 25 students training to be nurses, medical assistants and medical coding specialists are receiving hands-on instruction under the supervision of staff from the hospital.
Health education has a new twist for students in west central Illinois—a custom-built Winnebago featuring two examination rooms and laboratory space.
In 2015, Carlinville Area Hospital launched "High School to Healthcare," a complimentary class for local high school students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.
A cohort of high school seniors in Huntley is getting an intensive job shadowing experience through a program modeled after medical school residency programs.
Karmen, a high school freshman and patient of La Rabida Children’s Hospital, was struggling with math and science, so the teen’s doctor recommended she work with a tutor at the hospital.
More than 700 central Illinois residents are now equipped with a greater understanding of mental health.
AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital works with the Evanston Fire Department to provide vulnerable individuals with free in-home medical visits, health education, home safety inspections and more.
Suicide is a difficult yet crucial topic to address. Blessing Hospital in Quincy decided to tackle the issue by partnering with the nonprofit Transitions of Western Illinois.
Since 2016, hundreds of community members have responded to the call from HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital for baby items for the Pregnancy Care Center located on the hospital’s Belleville campus.
At a seasonal shelter, hospital staff build relationships with chronically homeless patients by tending to battered feet and identifying potential health concerns.
A state-of-the-art Fitness Court has transformed a public space into a free community fitness hub, where individuals and families can stay active.
With mental illness impacting one in five individuals, Linden Oaks Behavioral Health has partnered with local and national organizations to reduce the stigma and encourage treatment.
Loretto Hospital has partnered with two community organizations to help protect patients from sick building syndrome, which includes asthma, upper respiratory infections and recurring headaches.
Trauma nurse specialist Miriam Ramirez noticed a disturbing pattern as she reviewed the charts of trauma patients at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.
A new behavioral health initiative increases resources for patients with behavioral health needs and addresses physical and mental health at the same time.
A collaborative effort between NorthShore University HealthSystem and the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center provides greater access to comprehensive diabetes care.
As part of its effort to improve community health, Northwestern Medicine is partnering with community organizations to respond to the high rate of diabetes in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood.
Nearly 20 percent of Americans between ages 6 and 19 are considered obese. “Health Jam” is an effort to promote a healthy, active lifestyle to children at risk for obesity.
In the first three months of Healthy Jacksonville, more than 30 families benefited from services aimed at improving their overall quality of life.
More than one in four children in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood have asthma, yet no asthma specialists work in the far south side community.
The Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission has partnered with the Warren-Sharpe Community Center so children from low-income, high-risk families can create a community garden and urban farm.
With nearly 984,000 Illinois adults diagnosed with diabetes, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) is raising awareness about the condition through partnerships with six local health departments.
Staff at this Chicago hospital have partnered with the Center for Housing and Health to improve the lives of homeless individuals who frequently present to the hospital’s ED.
Hospital staff partnered with the Rockford Fire Department to improve the overall health of at-risk patients, decrease avoidable visits, promote self-reliance and increase patient satisfaction.
For children who lack dental care, a toothache can be a huge problem. To address the issue, hospital leaders spearheaded the creation of a workgroup with school officials and dentists.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic health conditions affecting children. Chicago is among the most severely impacted urban areas with hospitalization rates nearly twice the national average.
Unemployment, school absenteeism and poor mental health are all linked to a lack of preventive and routine dental care, as families and individuals often neglect dental care if they can’t afford it.
With the state's two-year budget impasse crippling community mental health providers, AMITA Health in 2016 committed to supporting several organizations in the Chicago suburbs it serves.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital stepped in to provide hearing and vision screenings to Effingham County schools when state budget cuts left the Health Department without the staff to do so.
A local producer-only farmers market makes healthy choices easier than ever in Logan and eastern Mason counties—and is inclusive of every resident.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients stepped, walked and biked their way to better health during a virtual charity walk to raise awareness and funds for lung disease.
A crew of employees from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers donated their time to repair and rehabilitate a residential home in Ottawa.
OSF HealthCare screens patients for social needs like food insecurity and housing—and connects them with needed resources.
Jim Marchion served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. When he retired to his hometown of Danville, he wanted to continue to serve by volunteering.
In 2015, OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center began a free flu immunization program at the seven schools in Kewanee.
Staff at Perry Memorial Prompt Care are committed to empowering patients on their road to recovery from opioid use disorder.
Riverside Healthcare developed the Healthy Heroes initiative for the men and women who serve and protect the community.
The Peace Meal program fights food insecurity by providing seniors in east central and central Illinois with meals delivered to their home or served in religious congregations.
The northside Chicago hospital is bolstering medical and mental health services for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault using federal grant funding.
Educating community members about head injury prevention and bike safety emerged as a top priority in discussions between clinical experts at Swedish Hospital and community leaders.
Women in predominantly low-income communities often do not get mammograms or learn about early detection of breast cancer and its symptoms, putting them at a higher risk for the disease.
The Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR) at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital trains educators and clinicians in schools and community organizations to identify children affected by trauma.
The death of a loved one—whether it happens suddenly or after a long illness—is difficult for anyone to process and work through.
The Reagan 5K Race began in 2000 and celebrated its 18th year with over 1,500 runners, 12 percent who were age 12 and under.
For students in central Illinois, fitness is fun, thanks to a program sponsored by the Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation.
When Polly Ward received an email from Minooka High School about a cardiac screening program offered through Morris Hospital, she didn't hesitate to sign up her two teenagers for the screening
With dental health an important component of overall health, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center is improving access to dental services through its mobile unit and dental office.