Community Connection Stories

Paramedic Training

Over 30 years ago, Silver Cross saw a need for advanced emergency care in our community. At the time, funeral cars were being used as ambulances to bring patients to the hospital. Equipped with only a first aid kit, it was virtually impossible to perform even the most basic of lifesaving techniques—CPR. There were no paramedics. Just family doctors who tried their best to get to the scene of the accident before it was too late. In 1974, Silver Cross founded the Will-Grundy Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System becoming the only Illinois Department of Public Health designated EMS resource hospital for the area.

Today, Silver Cross continues to train over 1,200 paramedics and first responders from 29 fire departments and ambulance services in partnership with Joliet Junior College and area emergency medical personnel. Covering more than 2,000 square miles, the Will Grundy EMS System is one of the largest EMS Systems in the state.

As a not-for-profit health care provider, Silver Cross Hospital is committed to taking care of those in need of healthcare. In the last year alone, Silver Cross provided $31 million in charity care and other community benefit including paramedic training. To learn more about how Silver Cross gives back to the community, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

Lincoln-Way Student Intern Program

Three mornings a week, 19 Lincoln-Way East High School students set aside their text books and come to Silver Cross Hospital for real-life lessons. The free program offers a valuable experience and great opportunity for seniors enrolled in human anatomy and physiology class allowing them real insight into medical careers.

Last semester the students learned from textbooks in a classroom. This semester, they are taking part in a real health care setting. Under the supervision of their classroom instructor and hospital managers, the students rotate through 22 areas including surgery, nursing and diagnostic imaging.

Because the students desire some sort of health care career but may not fully understand how diverse the medical field really is, they spend one day to two weeks in each department. Students get the full experience by interning in not only patient care areas, but also administrative and clerical areas as well.

In addition to their hospital training, the students create presentations about specific health topics that they will present May 19 at the annual Women's Health Fair held at the high school. Co-sponsored with Silver Cross, the students will work side-by-side with many of the hospital's staff that they have been shadowing assisting with health screenings and hands-on exhibits.

For seven years now, the program has provided students with a window to their future. Many former interns have even come back after graduation to work at Silver Cross in many areas including admitting, respiratory therapy, nutrition services and the emergency department.

As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Silver Cross Hospital is committed to taking care of those in need of healthcare services. In the last year alone, the hospital provided $31 million in charity care and community benefit-such as the student internship program.

Neighborhood Improvement

Over the past five years, Silver Cross has worked closely with the City of Joliet, Will County and State officials to enhance the quality of life on the eastside of Joliet. Our combined efforts have resulted in a much needed stoplight at Briggs & Copperfield Streets; streetlights on both Copperfield & Walnut Streets, the widening of Walnut St. to include more curbs and sidewalks and, soon a picturesque park at the corner of Walnut St. & Route 30.

This park, which Silver Cross has already donated the land for, will be the home of a new life-size sculpture entitle Medical Professionals: Masters of Healing. Created by the Friends of Community Public Art, the sculpture pays tribute to Joliet's dedicated medical professionals and signifies the strong ties that Silver Cross has with the Joliet community and its neighboring towns.

Currently located in the hospital's Francis Pavilion Lobby entrance, the sculpture will will be installed later this year in the new park on top of a medically inspired hand-cut ceramic mosaic that will be the permanent home for this impressive sculpture.

In addition to the park, Silver Cross is also working with many of our elected officials to repair roads, curbs and the sewer system that will help continue to make the eastside of Joliet a great place to live and work.

Back to School Fair

For the past 14 years, Silver Cross Hospital has partnered with Catholic Charities Daybreak Center in coordinating the annual Back to School Fair to hlep children prepare for the start of the school year. The fairs involves 46 health and human service agencies including Silver Cross that provide free service to over 950 low-income families living in Will County. In 2006, more than 60 Silver Cross employees volunteered their time and talents at University of St. Francis to immunize 60 children and provide 177 school physicials, 125 asthma screenings and 50 Tuberculosis (TB) tests and lead screenings. In addition, 2,300 children enetring kindergarten through 12th grade receieved backpacks filled with school supplies.

Drunk Driving Education

For the fourth consecutive year, local teenagers witnessed the dangers of drunk driving at a special “Road to Reality” program held at Lincoln-Way Central High School in September. With the help of live actors, the impact of drunk driving unfolded before the students’ eyes as they witnessed a series of live scenes depicting students drinking at a party, a motor vehicle crash, a simulated hospital Emergency Department, and ultimately an appearance before a judge.

Students were invited to the program as part of a continued effort to educate area youth on the risks of drinking and driving. The program is intended to impact the students' decisions and help them to make good choices if they find themselves in similar situations.

Silver Cross staffed volunteered to enact a real Emergency Department experience, simulating care to both the drunk driver and other victims involved in the accident. “With the increase in underage drunk driving incidents, Silver Cross is excited to help create a real-life scenario to reiterate to these students the dangers of consuming and driving under the influence of alcohol,” said David Maurer, EMS Director at Silver Cross Hospital.

The students also received a lesson from the Will County Coroner’s Office and Will County Chief Judge Steven White.

As a not-for profit healthcare provider, Silver Cross is committed to caring for the community. In the last year alone, the hospital provided $31 million in charity care and community benefit-such as the Road to Reality program.

To learn more about how Silver Cross gives back to the community, visit www.silvercross.org.

Silver Cross Employees Raise $40,000 for United Way of Will County

Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet raised over $40,000 exceeding its goal of $35,000 to help the United Way of Will County reach its record-high goal of $3.9 million. The Annual United Way Campaign, which kicked-off in early October, solicits donations from hospital employees by celebrating the spirit of giving for those in need.

The hospital theme for the campaign this year was “Put the YOU in United Way.” It captures the commitment that the employees have shown to the community and those that are less fortunate. Hospital employees were asked to participate in the United Way of Will County Annual Campaign by making a pledge through a payroll-deduction program and participating in a wreath raffle, split-the-pot raffle and silent auction. This year, the Silver Cross United Way Committee decided to bring back the live box lunch auction, a favorite among employees many years ago. Dave Maurer, Director of EMS at Silver Cross, served as the auctioneer selling themed box lunches—many that included gift certificates and items donated from local businesses, to the highest bidder. This event alone contributed more than $2,800 to the hospital’s total United Way contribution.

“The participation and enthusiasm of our employees has been amazing,” says John Guidotti, United Way Co-Chairperson and Director of Internal Audit and Compliance at Silver Cross. “Through their generosity, one in every four Will County residents will benefit from the services provided by the 45 United Way agencies in the county.”

As part of the United Way’s annual Celebration of Community Caring, hospital employees were also asked to “give a bear to show you care” yielding over 186 teddy bears for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. The Center, which provides counseling and prevention education, allows victims to choose a new teddy bear to aid in healing.

United Way of Will County was formed in 1976 to assure the broadest possible participation for raising funds and meeting the needs of the people in the area. There are currently 45 agencies in the United Way of Will County’s membership.

Silver Cross Hospital, a not-for-profit healthcare provider, has been creating world-class health care experiences for the southwest suburban communities for 112 years. Silver Cross has been recognized as one of our nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient and as one of America’s Most Friendliest Hospitals by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers for three consecutive years. Exceptional care. It’s not unusual. It’s simply the way you should be treated. To learn more about how Silver Cross contributes to the community, visit www.silvercross.org.