Turning Back Time in Downtown Sycamore

The 50’s are making a come-back in Sycamore during Turning Back Time Weekend scheduled for July 27^th through July 29^th.  Hop into your vintage ride and cruise over to downtown Sycamore for classic cars, live entertainment and tons of fun.

We’ll kick off the weekend with a free outdoor movie on Friday, July 27th at dusk.  Bring the whole family to Downtown Sycamore and check out “Cars 2” on the big screen.  Discover Sycamore’s Summer on State is brought to you by the Jeff Keicher of State Farm Insurance.  Don’t forget to pack lawn chairs and blankets!

Cruise Night presented by Auto Meter Products will take place Saturday, July 28th from 3-11pm.  Bringing back the sounds of the 50’s and 60’s, Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones will take the stage from 7-10pm.  Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones are known for recreating the glory days with hits from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and The Beatles.   Discover Sycamore’s Cruise Night will also include a Classic Car Cruise Parade, beer garden, Disc Jockey, food vendors and more!  Cruise Night is also sponsored by The National Bank and Trust Company, American Midwest Bank, Castle Bank, Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Taxco Restaurant Too.

For the second year, the Cruise Night award line-up will include the “Winning Ride” trophy and cash prize provided by Auto Meter Products.  The winner will be entered into the Auto Meter Products WinningRide.com competition.  This provides the winner with a chance to win the ultimate prize, to have your “Winning Ride” displayed in the Auto Meter Products booth at the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas.  Vehicle registration will begin at 3pm on the day of the event.  Pre-registration for Cruise Night is available Click Here

Sunday, July 29^th brings the 13^th Annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Car Show to downtown Sycamore.  Help the Turning Back Time Car Club reach their goal of 1,000 car show registrations.  Registration will take place from 8am until noon with the award presentation at 3:30pm sharp.   Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of Turning Back Time specials at downtown merchants and restaurants.

Even if you are too young to remember the 1950’s, we encourage you to experience the nostalgic era associated with Turning Back Time Weekend, a summer event that comes around just once a year.  For more information visit discoversycamore.com.

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KishHealth System Recognizes Nurses of the Year

Katie Eich of Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Dana Seiner of Valley West Community Hospital have been named nurses of the year by KishHealth System. The awards were presented at the recent KishHealth System Employee Recognition Dinner.

Katie Eich, an emergency room nurse, was named KishHealth System’s Nurse of the Year. Eich received her bachelor’s in nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University and is currently enrolled at Northern Illinois University in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. She began her career at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, and joined KishHealth System in 2005, when she began working in the Medical/Surgical unit at Kishwaukee Community Hospital. She transferred to the Emergency Department in 2007. “I appreciate the diverse opportunities available to me as a nurse, and the ability to be a lifelong learner,” said Eich. “When asked what I do, I am always proud to answer, ‘I’m a nurse.’”

“Katie has the qualities needed to be successful in the face of healthcare reform: incorporating evidence-based medicine while demonstrating patient and family centered care. She’s got it all,” said Pamela Duffy, vice president, Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer.

Seiner, nurse and house supervisor received the Pamela Lewis Nurse of the Year Award for Valley West. The award was created in memory of Pamela Lewis, RN, former manager of the Valley West Medical/Surgical and Intensive Care units. After her death in 2006, Lewis’ family created the Pamela Lewis Nursing Fund, which provides the recipient of the Valley West Nurse of the Year monetary support for continuing education.

Seiner received her associate’s degree in nursing from Waubonsee Community College, and completed her Bachelor in Nursing at Northern Illinois University. She began her career in nursing at The Holmstad in Batavia, and came to Valley West in 2000, after wanting a new challenge. “Working with all the wonderful people in all areas allows our patients the best care and makes this hospital a wonderful place to work,” said Seiner.

“At its core, nursing is supportive, productive and protective, and nurses value independence and self-respect, and Dana demonstrates all these things to everyone she encounters,” said Cheryl Fisher, RN, assistant vice president of Patient Care Services. “Co-workers describe her as a resource, a knowledgeable and helpful teacher and coach. For patients, she is an amazing advocate. She is skilled, full of integrity and kindness, and supportive.”

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Discover Sycamore’s Farmers’ Markets will return Sunday, June 3 on the corner of Somonauk and Elm Streets in downtown Sycamore.  The market will run through September 30, providing the community with a variety of goods for purchase, activities and live entertainment.  The market will be open every Sunday from 10am-2pm.   Discover Sycamore’s Farmers’ Markets are brought to you by Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Castle Bank.

 

The market will feature both homegrown and homemade products, allowing customers to buy fresh and local.  Not only will it showcase fresh, locally- grown produce but also baked goods, hormone-free meats, artisan cheeses, various wines, roasted coffee beans, homemade pet treats and more.

 

This year’s vendors include Windy Acres, Crump Family Gardens, Ledfoot’s Pet Bakery, South Street Coffee, Inc., Waterman Winery and Vineyards, Inc., Olives 4 You, Theis Farm II, Larson’s Country Market Inc.. Harvest Horizons LLC, Farm Direct Black Angus, The Cheese People of Beloit, Elliot and Sons Bison LLC, Gourmet on the Go and Great Harvest Bread Company.

 

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Vohra Family Donates Generously to KishHealth Foundation

Anju and Promod Vohra have made a major gift to KishHealth Foundation to benefit the stress testing/ECHO room, which is commemorated with a plaque bearing their names.

“I have always credited KishHealth System for my professional success,” said Anju, technical director for Echocardiography at Kish Hospital. The last 16 years have been pleasant, fulfilling, and productive. I believe that the circle of life is based on giving back. This donation is a little gesture to say a big thank you to a great organization and pay back the health system for its support and opportunities it has given me. To name a room where I spend most of my day making a difference in the lives of patients is very personal and gratifying.”

Her husband, Promod, is dean of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology and a member of the KishHealth System Board of Directors.

“As community members, we both have a high level of pride and ownership for Kish Hospital. As professionals, we have strived hard to make a positive difference at the hospital. We hope that our donation will stimulate others to do the same,” Anju said.

KishHealth Foundation Executive Director Marcy Rubic said the health foundation is grateful for the generous gift.  “The Vohras have been incredibly generous to the health system, through their philanthropy as well as their personal leadership and service. Our work would not be possible if not for compassionate people like the Vohras, and we sincerely thank them for their long-standing dedication.”

For more information about donations to KishHealth Foundation, please visit www.kishhealthfoundation.org.

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Kish Hospital Auxiliary Honors Volunteer with First Connie Bressler Spirit Award

Kish Hospital volunteers were honored at the Auxiliary’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Nominees for the Connie Bressler Spirit Award included volunteers (from left to right) Marian Baars, Norm Gilbert, Daisette McGrath, Mina Johnson, and Eileen Dettman (front). Brad Copple (not pictured), president, Kish Hospital, told volunteers in attendance, “You make us a better place because of all you do.”

Congratulations to Eileen Dettman, volunteer in Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s Human Resources Department, who has won the first Connie Bressler Spirit Award. Dettman has volunteered at the hospital for 11 years, which translates to over 5,000 hours of dedicated service. Paula von Ende, director of Volunteer Services said, “Eileen’s determination sets a wonderful example for those around her.” Dettman was a dear friend of the award’s namesake.

The award, named in honor of Connie Bressler, who passed away in 2010, is given to a Kish Hospital volunteer who best exemplifies the spirit of serving others. Connie Bressler volunteered at Kish Hospital in the Marketing Department and at the front desk assisting visitors and patients from 2003-2007. In these roles, she came to know many of the volunteers and staff. She lived with multiple sclerosis for all of her adult life, diagnosed when she was a teenager. Those who knew Connie realized that she had MS, but it did not define her; she was positive and upbeat in the face of serious illness. Connie always had a smile on her face and a cheerful greeting for everyone. With the presentation of this award each year, the Auxiliary would like to recognize volunteers who are carrying on her spirit at Kish Hospital.

A nominee for the award must have been a volunteer at Kish Hospital for at least one year and have 500 or more hours of service time and should be actively volunteering at the hospital at the time of the nomination. Nominations are

Kish Hospital volunteers were honored at the Auxiliary’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Nominees for the Connie Bressler Spirit Award included volunteers (from left to right) Marian Baars, Norm Gilbert, Daisette McGrath, Mina Johnson, and Eileen Dettman (front). Brad Copple (not pictured), president, Kish Hospital, told volunteers in attendance, “You make us a better place because of all you do.”submitted by other volunteers and a Kish staff members. The award winner is selected by a three-member committee and presented at the annual Volunteer Week Dinner.

For more information about Kish Hospital’s Auxiliary, visit www.kishhospital.org.

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Join National Healthcare Decisions Day . . . Because Your Decisions Matter

On April 16, 2012, KishHealth System recognizes the fifth annual National Healthcare Decisions Day. The goal of this nationwide initiative is to ensure that all adults with decision-making capacity in America have both the information and the opportunity to communicate and document their future healthcare decisions.  The first four years’ results were impressive—over 750,000 people obtained resources to make their healthcare decisions known—but there remain millions of Americans to go.

While making healthcare decisions is often difficult in the best of circumstances, making decisions for others is even more complicated. Each of us has the ability to guide our healthcare providers and our loved ones about what we want. Advance directives give you the ability to document the types of healthcare you do and do not want, and to name an “agent” to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. As Terri Schiavo’s situation vividly revealed, having an advance directive can be valuable for all adults, regardless of current age or health status.

With the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, Congress affirmed the right of every citizen to set forth his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an “advance directive.” Yet, various estimates suggest that only about 25% of all Americans have done so. Because advance directives can be created without a lawyer, for free, and relatively easily, this figure is astonishingly low. In recognition of this, National Healthcare Decisions Day strives to provide much-needed information to the public, reduce the number of tragedies that occur when a person’s wishes are unknown, and improve the ability of healthcare facilities and providers to offer informed and thoughtful guidance about advance healthcare planning to their patients.

With healthcare, “your decisions matter,” however, others need to know your wishes to honor them. There are no wrong answers when thinking about healthcare choices and completing an advance directive. Please use April 16 to decide, discuss, and document your wishes, whatever they may be.

Please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org for a variety of free information (including free advance directives forms for every state) and tools to assist with thoughtful reflection on healthcare choices and ideas on how to get involved. Additionally, watch for events in your community honoring National Healthcare Decisions Day. Finally, please share this information with your loved ones and colleagues. For healthcare documents including power of attorney and advance directives, please visit www.kishhospital.org/healthcaredocuments or www.valleywest.org/healthcaredocuments.

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Kishwaukee and Valley West Community Hospitals Use iTriage Mobile App to Connect with Patients

            Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb, and Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich, both part of KishHealth System, are proud to announce a new partnership with iTriage®, a free healthcare app that lets users search symptoms and find the closest medical facilities, directly from a smartphone or computer.

            According to a local survey, 36.3% of area adults reported some type of difficulty or delay in obtaining healthcare services in 2009. Access to quality care is important to eliminate health disparities and increase the quality and years of healthy life for everyone in the local community. Partnering with iTriage allows both Valley West and Kish Hospitals to deliver critical facility information like services provided, conditions treated and hours of operation to residents in Sandwich, DeKalb and surrounding communities. iTriage also lets users do the following:

• Search medical symptoms and conditions
• Learn about possible causes and treatment options
• Obtain medication information for treatment of a specific condition
• Access turn-by-turn directions to both hospitals from any location using GPS capabilities

            “At KishHealth System, we recognize how important it is for the residents in our communities to quickly and conveniently access medical care and information,” says Cindy Graves, KishHealth System Emergency Department director. “Our partnership with iTriage lets us connect with patients when they have immediate medical needs.”

            iTriage is changing the way consumers find, share, and access healthcare information and providers, giving them the tools to take the most appropriate actions around their own healthcare. Additionally, the free application helps healthcare providers connect with patients who need healthcare services at the time they need it most. iTriage is available as a free download from app stores for iPhone® and Android^TM devices, and is accessible from any Internet-enabled device at www.iTriageHealth.com.

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KishHealth System Announces Board Changes

           Michael Larson has been named chair of the KishHealth System Board of Directors succeeding Michael Cullen, who served as chair for four years.  Cullen, president and CEO of The National Bank & Trust Co., Sycamore, will continue to serve on the board.

           Larson of DeKalb, former owner of Elmer Larson Inc., has served on the health system board of directors for eight years. He is active with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce and previously was vice president of ReNew DeKalb. He also served on the boards of the Kishwaukee Family YMCA and the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

           The health system board also recently recognized two longtime members, Mike Mooney and Anita Zurbrugg, who retired from the board after fulfilling their maximum allowable terms. It also welcomed three new members, Thomas Choice, Dr. Photine Liakos, and Leonetta Rizzi.

             Mooney of DeKalb ended 18 years of involvement with the health system, which began with his appointment to the Kishwaukee Health System Council in 1993. In 2001, he was appointed to the Kishwaukee Community Hospital Board of Directors, which transitioned to the KishHealth System Board of Directors in 2002. He continued to serve on the health system board until 2011, and was board chair from 2004 to 2007.

              “Mike’s contributions to our community’s healthcare delivery system cannot be measured just in years,” said Kevin Poorten, health system president and CEO.  “He provided leadership and vision during a time of reorganization and planning that led to a new hospital in DeKalb, expansion of services, quality improvements in patient care, and strategic initiatives that will take the health system into a new era of reform and technological advances.

            “We applaud Mike’s continuing and dedicated community involvements and wish him the best as he transitions with the new ownership of the DeKalb/Sycamore GM dealership,” Poorten said.

             Zurbrugg of DeKalb was appointed to the Kish Hospital board in 2001, and like Mooney, transitioned to the health system board in 2002, serving until 2011. She also was on the board of Health Progress Inc., the health system’s for-profit arm, and was its chair from 2004 to 2008.

            “As a health system board member, Anita was passionate about improving the healthcare delivery system for our community. We’re thrilled that she will continue to serve the human needs of our community in her new role as program director for the DeKalb County Community Foundation,” Poorten said.

            The newest board members, Choice, Liakos, and Rizzi, began their terms in December 2011.

            Choice, president of Kishwaukee College and past chair of the Ben Gordon Center Board, also served on the Health Progress Board.

            Dr. Liakos, a DeKalb native and orthopedic surgeon with Midwest Orthopaedic Institute in Sycamore, previously served on the DeKalb County Board of Health and the Family Service Agency Foundation Board.

            Rizzi of Genoa is manager of Coordinated Care Solutions for Walgreens Health System Solutions, Deerfield. Before joining Walgreens she worked in the hospital and community side of healthcare for 26 years.

            “Our new board members provide diversity in expertise that will be invaluable as we address the challenges of healthcare reform and meeting the needs of our patients and community,” Poorten said.

            Other members of the health system board of directors are Terry Duffy, Serena; Dr. Umesh Goswami, DeKalb; Tom Matya, DeKalb; Mary Lynn McArtor,  Malta; John Moulton, Sycamore; Dr. Jagdish Patel, DeKalb; Promod Vohra, DeKalb; Brad Waller, Sycamore; and Dr. Ann West, Sandwich.

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A Natural Note from Jo— Sweets for your Sweet

Yesterday I  wanted to test out a recipe for valentines day brownies.  Since each Tuesday is our Community Wellness staff meeting at Kishwaukee hospital,  I thought it would be a perfect test panel of 10.  It seemed to get rave reviews and many are going to make it for their valentine.

Well I came home with an empty pan!!

 

Brownies

4 tablespoons butter (or 2 tablespoons coconut oil and 2 tablespoons butter)

2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (for best antioxidants use natural not the Dutch processed)

1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (I substituted Spelt – it has a bit more protein and is easier to digest)

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt  (you could reduce this to a pinch or two)

1 cup sugar (the sugar I choose was 1/2 cup Sucunat and 1/2 cup Florida Crystals – for my family I probably would go for 1 cup                   Sucuant but it may have a more granular texture – I just love the molasses taste)

2/3 cup sweet-potato or squash puree (available in organic in cans at Duck Soup and HyVee)

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla up to 1 tablespoon

 

1. Heat oven to 350 and butter an 8 inch pan (pie plate or square)
2. In saucepan melt fat. Remove from heat and mix in cocoa – cool a bit.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
4. Stir together sugar, puree, egg and vanilla. Then mix into the cocoa mixture – blend well.
5. Add all of this to the flour mixture and stir until flour has disappeared.
6. Spread evenly into prepared pan and bake 20 to 23 minutes – you will smell the brownies (a good sign to check them) To be sure they are ready insert a tip of a knife and if just a few crumbs stick it is done.  Cool and enjoy with your favorite valentine.

You know cooking is LOVE — so share some love today!

 

Looking for gifts – my super cute Heavy Duty Shopping Totes and Organic Cotton T-shirts are available at Sweet Earth downtown Sycamore – or straight from me.

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Don’t Miss This One’s For The Girls, Feb. 10 and 11

 

Women of all ages are invited to join Kishwaukee Community Hospital for a morning dedicated just to them! This One’s For The Girls, Kish Hospital’s free women’s health event, is planned for Feb. 10 and 11, from 8 a.m. to noon. Women may attend on Friday or Saturday, to participate in a variety of free activities and screenings designed to help women care for themselves.

Participants will enjoy delicious snacks, giveaways, raffle prizes, health screenings, education, laughs, a little pampering, and even some shopping! Additionally, women may pick up important information on skincare, eye health, diagnostic imaging, maternity care, heart health, and more. Handbag and jewelry vendors will be on hand to help women find the perfect accessories; proceeds will benefit Kish Hospital’s Auxiliary.

Giveaways at the event are a free hot/cold cup, a lunch tote, a nail file, a compact mirror, and more for attendees, while supplies last.

Free activities include hand massage, keepsake photo booth, skin spot checks, breast cancer risk assessment and self-breast exam education, heel bone density screening, blood oxygen level assessment, sleep apnea risk screening, depression risk screening, and blood pressure screening.

Raffle prizes include a digital mammogram, health risk assessment, a healthy cookbook, a Keurig coffee maker, a Nook, a tote bag, Arbonne sunscreen products, Community Wellness programs, and more!

*No advance sign-up is required, just register in the hospital’s main lobby the day of the event.

For more information visit www.kishforthegirls.org.

*Annual screening mammograms may be scheduled in advance at an additional cost, subject to insurance. To schedule a mammogram, call 815.748.2975 and mention that you are attending the This One’s for the Girls Event.

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