Franciscan St. James sponsoring Frankfort Wellness Fair

OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL, JANUARY 23, 2012 Franciscan St. James Health is pleased to announce that it is again the exclusive participating sponsor of the 9th annual ”Frankfort Wellness Fair” to be held on Saturday, February 4 from 9:00 AM to Noon at Founders Center, 140 Oak Street in downtown Frankfort.

Sponsored by the Village of Frankfort and the Frankfort Park District, the Frankfort Wellness Fair is free to the public.

In addition to free refreshments, giveaways and raffles, the Frankfort Wellness Fair will include informational exhibits that focus on prevention and awareness. Franciscan St. James and WellGroup HealthPartners staff will offer free screenings for blood glucose/cholesterol, blood pressure, pulmonary (spirometry), osteoporosis and body mass index. Attended may also receive free flu shots, while supplies last.

Franciscan St. James physicians will be available throughout the day to address healthcare questions in their area of specialty.

The Frankfort Wellness Fair will also feature healthy cooking demonstrations and four free Educational Medical Presentations:

9:15 a.m. Starting an Exercise Program for a Healthier Heart
Presented by Michael Ward, MD
Family and Sports Medicine
Dr. Ward will discuss the importance of a balanced exercise program to meet your cardiovascular and lifestyle needs.

10:00 a.m. Simple Treatments Options for Heavy Menstrual Cycles
Presented by Mari Ann Herbert, DO
Learn quick, safe and simple procedures that have proven to help control heavy menstrual bleeding without hormones or hysterectomy.

10:15 a.m. Diabetes: Your are in the Driver’s Seat
Presented by Kelly Devine Rickert, Registered Dietician
WellGroup Health Partners
Learn about the diet and lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or control Type-2 diabetes.

10:45 a.m. COPD Awareness
Presented by Robert Kemp, MD
Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease
Dr. Kemp will explain how your lungs work, and how to reduce your risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and improve your respiratory health.

“The Wellness Fair is a great opportunity for all ages to start 2012 with a healthy approach that hopefully continues throughout the year,” said Frankfort Mayor, Jim Holland. “In addition to the preventative screenings, demonstrations and educational information, there are many exhibits to enjoy. I invite everyone to get a jump start on a healthy new year by visiting our Wellness Fair on February 4th.”

“Franciscan St. James Health is proud to, once again, be the Frankfort Wellness Fair’s exclusive participating sponsor,” said Franciscan St. James President, Seth Warren. “It is entirely consistent with our mission to deliver quality healthcare to the communities we serve.”

For further information and details, visit the Village of Frankfort website at http://www.villageoffrankfort.com/ under calendar of events

Media contact: Michael Shepherd
708-756-1000, ext. 3455
Michael.Shepherd@franciscanalliance.org

Franciscan St. James Health to Benefit from Chicago Auto Show First Look for Charity

OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL – January 4, 2011 The Franciscan Alliance Foundation, St. James Health announced today it will, once again, participate in the annual Chicago Auto Show First Look For Charity, on Thursday, February 9, 2012, at McCormick Place.

First Look for Charity is the benevolent black-tie event held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. The event annually raises approximately $2 million for 18 Chicago area charities. Franciscan St. James Health is among those 18 charities.

This is the third of a nine-year commitment that the Chicago Auto Show has made to Franciscan St. James.

“We are grateful to Dennis Bauer, of Arnie Bauer Cadillac Buick GMC, for bringing this opportunity to St. James,” said Michael Bruni, St. James vice president of external affairs. “It has raised significant resources for technology advancements to better serve our patients in the south and southwest suburbs.”

Rock band, Blues Traveler will enliven the show floor brimming with 1,000 new vehicles, some on display for the first time ever. Singer/harmonicist John Popper leads the quintet known for his extended jamming style in live performances. The band’s best-known single, “Run-Around,” is Billboard magazine’s all-time longest-charting radio single.

To top it all off, two attendees will win the keys to a 2012 Cadillac Escalade and a 2012 Cadillac SRX. Guests will enjoy abundant hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wine, soft drinks and desserts at the nation’s largest auto show.

For tickets and more information call (708) 747-4000, ext. 5470, or visit www.chicagoautoshow.com/firstlook.
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Media contact: Michelle Jimenez 708-747-4000, ext. 5470
michelle.jimenez@franciscanalliance.org

Cardinal marks St. James’ century of service

BY HANNAH KOHUT Correspondent November 1, 2011 9:18PM

The pews of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Chicago Heights were packed Tuesday morning for a celebration a century in the making. The “honoree” was St. James Hospital, which is marking its 100th anniversary this year. Presiding was Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of the Chicago Archdiocese.

“This is the beginning of a new century,” George said at a Thanksgiving Mass to mark the success of the hospital, which is across a parking lot from the church. Nearly 200 people attended the Mass to hear the Cardinal speak about the history of the hospital, 1423 Chicago Road.

“It’s a wonderful hospital that has served the people of Chicago Heights and the surrounding suburbs well for so long,” George said. “I hope that as we redo the health system in our country that we will have a system that respects conscience, that respects Catholic identity like places like St. James.

“It makes it a wonderful place of healing, and I’m very grateful that I can celebrate this anniversary with everyone today.”

St. James Hospital chief executive Seth Warren said it was an honor to have George take part in the celebration.

“It’s great that he, a very busy man, took time away from his day to come and honor us with his presence; it’s very impressive,” Warren said. “It’s incredible that the sisters, 100 years ago, started on this endeavor, and 100 years later it’s still going strong.

“The hospital has been a place of employment for many people over the generations, a location for those who are hungry and for those in need, particularly in the early part of the (20th) century with all the factories,” Warren said. “It’s been a beacon in good times and in bad.”

The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration opened what then was a 50-bed hospital on Thanksgiving Day in 1911 in Chicago Heights, according to hospital officials. St. James since has grown into a two-campus health care system with another hospital at 20201 Crawford Ave. in Olympia Fields.

In keeping with its mission, St. James provides millions of dollars in free health care annually for the indigent as well as spiritual and emotional support to the community, hospital officials said.

Thanks for voting us #1!

The doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at Franciscan St. James Health thank the readers of the SouthtownStar for voting us the south suburbs’ Best Hospital. Over the past 18 months, we have redoubled our efforts to continued improvements in patient satisfaction and the overall quality of our care. In that time, St. James Health has earned some high-profile distinctions, including the 2010 Press Ganey Top Improver Award. But this award is even more meaningful, because it comes from the people we have been serving for 100 years.

Thanks to our doctors, nurses and staff for making Franciscan St. James Health the south suburbs’ best hospital.

A Boutique with a Difference

Lynn's Boutique

Located in the Comprehensive Cancer Institute (CCI) at Franciscan St. James Olympia Fields campus, Lynn’s Boutique specializes in items for women who have survived or are living with breast and other cancers. Among the boutique’s abundant and varied inventory are inspirational and gift items, plaques, angels, watches, t-shirts and other clothing, turbans, breast prostheses, and bras.

The boutique offers bra and prosthesis fittings by appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Certified bra fitter Norene DeLaurentis helps her customers find the perfect fit. “I’ve been doing this for 28 years and Lynn’s Boutique is my favorite. It is absolutely a woman’s dream – feminine, welcoming and friendly with no ‘medical’ feel,” said Norene.

With plenty of sizes and styles of bras and prostheses, Lynn’s Boutique has something for everyone, including balance forms to fill the area left by lumpectomy procedures. After taking measurements, Norene tries different form shapes to arrive at the best look for each patient. She explains, “The main reason to wear a breast form is balance. Weight has been removed and should be replaced to help avoid things like backaches, arm problems or lymphedema if lymph nodes have been involved.” Norene also fits women who have had reconstructive surgery to help them find a bra that works to balance out the two sides.

Lynn’s Boutique bills insurance for breast cancer patients. Medicare allows for one prosthesis every two years and six to 12 bras a year. “I advise patients to start with a couple of styles and wear them for a while to find out how they are going to feel,” Norene said.

Women who have not had surgery, including St. James employees, also take advantage of Norene’s bra-fitting skills. A surprising 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Ill-fitting bras not only create visible disadvantages, they are uncomfortable. Adds Norene, “No matter what, we can always fit the ladies.”

Lynn’s Boutique was established in memory of Lynn Panici, who was lost to breast cancer at the age of 34. Staffed by volunteers, it is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday afternoons. With more volunteers, they are hoping to add Friday hours. Conveniently located inside the breast center, the boutique is just behind the mammogram waiting room. Franciscan St. James CCI is located in the 3900 building on the Olympia Fields campus at 20201 South Crawford.

Flossmoor Girl Scout Troop Presents Homemade Pillows to Comfort Kids in Hospital

OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL – March 11, 2011 | Members of Flossmoor Girl Scout Troop 60549 presented Franciscan St. James Health plush pillows they made to comfort inpatient children during a recent tour of the hospital’s Olympia Fields campus.

During the visit, the troop toured the hospital and its emergency department. St. James Health nurses and technicians also spoke to the girls.

The troop includes 16 girls between the ages of eight and 10. Its troop leaders are Anita McGruder-Johnson and Verlon Johnson. In its previous service project, the troop presented homemade Valentine’s Day greetings to residents of Sunrise Assisted Living in Flossmoor.

Photo 1:

Franciscan St. James Health marketing representative, Jeff Lebioda (left) receives a cuddle comfort certificate from leaders of Flossmoor Girl Scout Troop 60549 leaders Anita McGruder-Johnson and Verlon Johnson. They are joined by St. James Health emergency department director, Vernell Johnson.

Photo 2:

Franciscan St. James emergency department director, Vernell Johnson, joins members of Flossmoor Girl Scout Troop 60549 during their recent visit to the hospital’s Olympia Fields campus.

Photo 3:

Four members of Flossmoor Girl Scout Troop 60549 wait to present plush pillows they made for hospitalized children during their recent visit to Franciscan St. James Health’s Olympia Fields campus.

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Media contact:           

Michael Shepherd

708-756-1000, ext. 3455
Michael.Shepherd@franciscanalliance.org