Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Adding Medical Simulator, Behavioral Telehealth Program
–Photo submitted.
Funding secured by U.S. Rep. Kelly, U.S. Sens. Durbin and Duckworth.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields will open a medical simulation center in mid-2023 and add behavioral telehealth to its emergency department thanks, in part, to funding secured by Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.
Frank McHugh, chief financial officer for Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, said Sen. Durbin and Rep. Kelly visited Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in 2022 to discuss a variety of healthcare topics, including the medical simulation center and behavioral health programs. The $1 million medical simulator funding secured by Sens. Durbin and Duckworth and the $625,000 secured by Rep. Kelly were the results of that visit and subsequent discussions.
“This isn’t a one-time thing,” McHugh said. “We’re in contact with our legislators regularly. Our discussions lead to issues we have and strategies for addressing them moving forward.”
It is believed the simulation center will be the only one of its kind in the south suburbs. A simulation center trains clinical personnel in the use of highly sophisticated equipment, as well as the development of complex skills. Whether used for learning new skills or honing existing skills, medical simulation centers offer essential, real-life experience to physicians, nurses, and students using realistic, full-body patient simulation models or mannequins.
Different scenarios may be created in the simulation center tailored to the education and experience requirements of providers. Rehearsing scenarios that could complicate real life care helps to prepare healthcare professionals for potential obstacles.
The behavioral telehealth funding will fill staffing gaps by allowing for behavioral health professionals to be accessible to emergency department patients around the clock.
Raymond Grady, president and CEO of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, thanked the legislators for their efforts in securing the funding.
“Thank you for your support in advancing the quality of care in the communities we are privileged to serve,” Grady said. “Your leadership skills in leading change, building alliances, and driving results was evident in the awarding of these funds for improving access to mental health services and educating the next generation of physicians and nurses who will care for the patients we serve. You have created an enduring testimony to your advocacy for the communities you represent. We are fortunate to have you as legislators.”
Illinois News
National News
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.
Classifieds
Area News
Chess League at Kankakee Public Library
Spread the loveLooking for a place to hone your chess skills and enjoy a bit of competition along the way? A new season of the library’s regular chess league will launch at the Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, on Saturday, January 20, beginning at 10 a.m. A one-time entry fee of $30 is…
Peotone Scraps Food and Beverage Tax
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens A proposed ordinance to add a 1 percent food and beverage tax on all prepared foods within village limits was removed from the agenda late Monday, just before the Peotone Village Board meeting. Word of the proposed tax made it to social media Saturday, and it sparked outcry from business…
New Year, New Weather
Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens The New Year started off mild, but it wasn’t long before the winter storm hit. Peotone saw more snow in just the beginning of this winter (13.3 inches) compared to all of last winter (11.9 inches, data from peotoneweather.com). Of course the timing wasn’t great either; it hit just for…
Peotone Library News
Spread the loveThe Adult Winter Reading Program runs through February 29. Stop by the library and get a winter reading bookmark and read for a chance to win a gift basket! Every participant will get a PPLD Magnetic Chip Clip, plus one lucky winner will receive a gift basket. Interested in the Homebound Delivery Program?…
Beating Winter Blues Workshop January 20
Spread the loveA Beating the Winter Blues Grief Workshop will be held on Saturday, January 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the UpliftedCare Community Grief Center, 3115 N. 1000 West Road, Bourbonnais. The cold, winter months contribute to isolation and can be especially difficult for those struggling with grief emotion. This workshop is intended…
Mayor March’s 2023 Village Recap
Spread the loveTo All Village Residents: As we move into 2024, I feel it is important for all to see what their village government has accomplished for them in the past year. There was a great deal done with our limited budget and small staff. Here is an accounting of some of our accomplishments in…
Gotion Holding Job Fairs at KCC’s Riverfront Campus, North Extension Center
Spread the loveGotion, Inc., will hold two local job fairs to recruit workers for the electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant to be located in Manteno and has positions in all employment segments, not just manufacturing positions. The company is looking for a variety of skill sets, said Annie Quach a member of the Gotion Recruiting…
Clove Alliance Offers Workshop Combatting Familial Trafficking
Spread the loveJanuary is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Clove Alliance invites community members to learn more about familial trafficking, a highly prevalent form of human trafficking by attending their upcoming workshop. The workshop will be held at Kankakee Community College on Wednesday, January 24, from 10 a.m. – noon. Registration fee is $10, and…
Christ Community Church Hosting Valentine Event
Spread the loveChrist Community Church will host a “Bee” My Valentine social event for adults on Saturday, February 3, from 6 – 8 p.m., at 103 W. Corning Avenue in Peotone. Guests will enjoy an evening of pizza, cupcakes, bottled water, games, prizes, in addition to entertainment. Comedian and Peotone resident Tracy DeGraaf will emcee,…
Peotone Police Blotter December 22 – January 4
Spread the loveDecember 29, Peotone Officers responded to a report of a traffic accident at Harlem Avenue and Crawford Street. Upon arrival, both drivers advised there were no injuries. An officer completed an accident report, and all parties left the scene. December 30, Peotone Officers were requested to Berkot’s for a theft in progress. Upon…
Riverside Cancer Institute Welcomes Afton Swanson, FNP-BC
Spread the loveRiverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome Afton Swanson, FNP-BC, to its team of oncology providers and will be seeing radiation oncology patients at the Riverside Cancer Institute in Bourbonnais. Having been a Riverside employee since 2018, Swanson has worked in both pulmonology and the intensive care unit (ICU) at Riverside Medical Center. She…
Peotone Library News
Spread the loveAdult Winter Reading Program runs through February 29. Stop by the library and get a winter reading bookmark and read for a chance to win a gift basket! Every participant will get a PPLD Magnetic Chip Clip, plus one lucky winner will receive a gift basket. Interested in the Homebound Delivery Program? Then…
45th Gallery of Trees Winners Named
Spread the loveWinners for the 45th annual Gallery of Trees “Favorite Themes from the Past” display recently were announced. Congratulations to the following winners. In adult voting, first place was won by the Kankakee Valley Garden Club, whose theme displayed birds. Second place was taken by the Kankakee Kultivators, featuring All Things Bright and Beautiful,…
Peotone Police Blotter: December 15 – 17
Spread the loveDecember 15, Peotone Police were dispatched to McDonald’s, 701 Oriole Drive, in reference to an unwanted subject. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the subject, a white male, known to be barred from that location. The officer issued a Village Ordinance Citation for trespassing and a court date. December 17, Peotone Police…
Manteno Legion Members Spend Christmas Day at Great Lakes
Spread the loveManteno Legion Commander, Sean McNamara, spent Christmas day at the Tinley Park VFW, deep frying about 10 large turkeys for Navy recruits from from Great Lakes Naval Station who couldn’t leave training to go home for Christmas. He was accompanied by Senior Vice, Ed Rafalski, and legion member Dan Gerber, who brought his…