Addressing Community Needs

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.

Addressing Community Need

  • Education
  • Partnerships
  • Services
  • Youth
Jan 01, 0001

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Blessing Health System

Health education has a new twist for students in west central Illinois—a custom-built Winnebago featuring two examination rooms and laboratory space.

Jan 01, 0001

Carlinville Area Hospital

In 2015, Carlinville Area Hospital launched "High School to Healthcare," a complimentary class for local high school students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare.

Jan 01, 0001

Centegra Health System

A cohort of high school seniors in Huntley is getting an intensive job shadowing experience through a program modeled after medical school residency programs.

Jan 01, 0001

La Rabida Children’s Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Memorial Health

More than 700 central Illinois residents are now equipped with a greater understanding of mental health.

Jan 01, 0001

AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Blessing Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

HSHS St. John's Hospital

At a seasonal shelter, hospital staff build relationships with chronically homeless patients by tending to battered feet and identifying potential health concerns.

Jan 01, 0001

Linden Oaks Behavioral Health

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Lincoln Memorial Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Loretto Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

MacNeal Hospital

Trauma nurse specialist Miriam Ramirez noticed a disturbing pattern as she reviewed the charts of trauma patients at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn.

Jan 01, 0001

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers

A new behavioral health initiative increases resources for patients with behavioral health needs and addresses physical and mental health at the same time.

Jan 01, 0001

NorthShore University HealthSystem

A collaborative effort between NorthShore University HealthSystem and the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center provides greater access to comprehensive diabetes care.

Jan 01, 0001

Passavant Area Hospital

In the first three months of Healthy Jacksonville, more than 30 families benefited from services aimed at improving their overall quality of life.

Jan 01, 0001

Pana Community Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Roseland Community Hospital

More than one in four children in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood have asthma, yet no asthma specialists work in the far south side community.

Jan 01, 0001

Silver Cross Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Southern Illinois Healthcare

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Northwestern Medicine

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Swedish Hospital – part of NorthShore

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.

Jan 01, 0001

SwedishAmerican Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Taylorville Memorial Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

UChicago Medicine

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Touchette Regional Hospital

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Swedish Hospital

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Swedish Hospital

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Riverside Healthcare

Riverside Healthcare developed the Healthy Heroes initiative for the men and women who serve and protect the community.

Sep 07, 2023

Perry Memorial Hospital

Staff at Perry Memorial Prompt Care are committed to empowering patients on their road to recovery from opioid use disorder.

Sep 07, 2023

OSF Saint Luke Medical Center

In 2015, OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center began a free flu immunization program at the seven schools in Kewanee.

Sep 07, 2023

OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center

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.

Sep 07, 2023

OSF HealthCare

OSF HealthCare screens patients for social needs like food insecurity and housing—and connects them with needed resources.

Sep 07, 2023

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers

A crew of employees from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers donated their time to repair and rehabilitate a residential home in Ottawa.

Sep 07, 2023

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers

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.

Sep 07, 2023

Lincoln Memorial Hospital

A local producer-only farmers market makes healthy choices easier than ever in Logan and eastern Mason counties—and is inclusive of every resident.

Sep 07, 2023

HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital

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.

Sep 07, 2023

AMITA Health

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.

Sep 06, 2023

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago CCR

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Illinois Valley Community Hospital

The death of a loved one—whether it happens suddenly or after a long illness—is difficult for anyone to process and work through.

Jan 01, 0001

Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

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.

Jan 01, 0001

Lincoln Memorial Hospital

For students in central Illinois, fitness is fun, thanks to a program sponsored by the Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Jan 01, 0001

Morris Hospital

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

Jan 01, 0001

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center

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.