Provena.org News

National Go Red Day!

Provena Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

As a proud Sponsor of the American Heart Association, several hospital employees "went red" in support National "Go Red Day."

PSJH STAFF Shows GO RED SPIRIT

Provena Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

PSJH Staff SUpport the American Heart Association GO RED for WOMEN Challenge

Patient Move Clears Path for Phase Two Room Renovation at Provena Mercy

Provena Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

Moving Day has arrived for Provena Mercy Medical Center Patients! The hospital recently completed phase one, of a two phase renovation project on its medical/surgical and telemetry units. Forty-two newly modernized patient rooms were officially approved in January by the Illinois Department of Public Health for occupancy. On February 2, 2012, nearly 100 patients became the first official residents of the newly upgraded suites. This will allow for the second half of room renovation to begin.

In total, this $11 million renovation project will feature ninety newly renovated patient rooms with private bathrooms. The project is expected to be fully completed by late summer of 2012. The new rooms will also feature flat screen televisions, access to wireless internet, soothing décor and ample space for visitors.

“It’s been a long process planning for these new rooms and it’s truly exciting to see it now becoming a reality,” said George Einhorn, Prov

Provena & Danville Dashers Team Up Against Breast Cancer

Provena Health — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

Provena United Samaritans Medical Center and the Danville Dashers are raising awareness of the fight against breast cancer with a special “Provena Hockey Night” on Saturday, February 25 at the David S. Palmer Arena.

The Dashers will take on the Brooklyn Aviators at 7:05 p.m., after a local breast cancer survivor drops the ceremonial first puck. A variety of fun activities are planned for the evening.

The Dashers will be wearing custom pink warm-up jerseys, and one of these will be autographed by the team and up for silent auction that night. The highest bidder will go home with this special souvenir, with the funds benefiting the Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation for assistance to local families fighting breast cancer through the As another example of its dedication to excellence in powerful healing, Provena St. Mary’s Hospital has added one of the most comprehensive MR (magnetic resonance) systems to its array of body imaging solutions – the GE Optima™ MR450w. This stellar technology provides high-quality and high-definition images, particularly for abdominal, vascular, musculoskeletal, and neuro exams.

“The world of magnetic resonance is always changing. Provena St. Mary’s Hospital is at the forefront of this progress with the advanced comprehensive body imaging capabilities of the Optima MR450w,” stated Tony Hardesty, director of imaging services at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankak

2nd Annual "Hoops for the Cure" Game

Provena Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

The Bismarck Henning Boys Basketball Team will host its annual Breast Cancer Awareness game on February 10 against Milford High School. This is a home game at Bismarck High School. Show your support to help us paint the gym pink! Once again the Provena Regional Cancer Center is very humbled and honored to be chosen as the recipient of money raised by cash donations, t-shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle and a bake sale. The Bismarck boys' basketball team will also be wearing pink Nike uniforms that night in support of the cause. So show your support and come on out to the annual "Hoops for the Cure" basketball game!

Coming Soon: The Fast and Easy Healthy Food Kiosk

Provena Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Shopping healthy is about to get a whole lot easier in Danville! Thanks to a partnership between the HALO Project and County Market you’ll have some help when you head to the grocery store.

Beginning February 06, 2012 the “Fast and Easy Healthy Food Kiosk” will be on hand at County Market North in Danville. The Fast and Easy Healthy Food Kiosk will help shoppers make better food choices and can help improve overall health. Shoppers can choose a heart healthy, low salt, low sugar, whole grains or a low fat brochure at the door and use it to help them choose healthy foods. Each option is color coded and shoppers can look for more than 550 special, color-coded products throughout the store that match the diet that best suits your lifestyle. Wise food choices and a balanced diet are essential for everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle and promote long life.

“We all know what we need to do, but making those choices can sometimes be tough with the demands on to

February Is American Heart Month. Provena St. Mary's Asks: Are You at Risk...

Provena Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

The heart is the human body’s hardest working organ. Throughout life, it continuously pumps blood enriched with oxygen and vital nutrients through a network of arteries to all tissues of the body. To perform this strenuous task, the heart muscle itself needs a plentiful supply of oxygen-rich blood.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also called heart disease, results from a complex process known as hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) of cholesterol and other cellular waste products build up in the inner linings of the heart’s arteries.

Plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, which can cause chest pain. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture or break open and cause a blood clot to form. If the clot becomes large enough, it can block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the portion of heart muscle fed by the artery. Blocked blood flow to heart muscle causes a heart attack.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s

Provena Covenant Foundation awards scholarships in honor of Sister Julia Mo...

Provena Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

On Tuesday, January 31, two Parkland students were the first recipients of the Sister Julia Moriarty Nursing Scholarship from the Provena Covenant Medical Center Foundation. Kelli Murphy and Jeong Hyun Hwang, both students at Parkland College, each received a $500 scholarship to use towards their nursing education. Sister Julia, now 92 years old, returned to Champaign-Urbana to help the Foundation honor these students at an awards presentation and reception.

This scholarship fund was established a year ago, upon the retirement of Sister Julia Moriarty from Provena Covenant Medical Center. In the first year alone, donors to the Foundation generously provided more than $6,000 to this fund, which will continue to award scholarships to Parkland College nursing students in future semesters.

Moriarty started her nursing training in 1938 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee and joined the order of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary the following year. She started the Parkland College nursing program in 1967 and served at Provena Covenant for 46 years in a variety of roles.

Anyone wishing to contribute to

Visual Arts Progamming: Encaustic Painting Workshop at the Gretchen Charlto...

Provena Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

The Gretchen Charlton Art Gallery invites the community to attend our first Visual Arts Programming event of 2012: the Encaustic Painting Workshop on Thursday, February 23 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Local artist and Kankakee Community College art professor Chelise Kinzinger will host the workshop and teach artists of all levels and media how to enjoy the limitless possibilities encaustic has to offer. Supplies will be included, and the cost is $15/person for gallery members; $20/person for non members.

Greek artists began painting with encaustic as early at the 5^th Century B.C., and in the last ten years, the media’s popularity has grown. Today, several paint companies are milling ready-made encaustic paint in a multitude of colors.

The reservation deadline is Friday, February 3. Please call (815) 939-4506 to secure your spot. Visual arts programming events at the After an illness, injury, or surgery, a person’s sensitivity to pain may be increased or the ability to bear weight on the injured area limited. Aquatic therapy is often prescribed to enhance, restore, maintain, and improve a patient’s functional abilities. Now, patients have access to this healing process with the new Aquatic Therapy program offered by the Rehabilitation Department of Provena St. Mary’s Hospital.

Aquatic or pool therapy refers to low-impact movement and weight-bearing activities that take place in a warm-water pool and are led by a licensed physical therapist (with a lifeguard present). This modality of treatment can be especially helpful to patients who are recovering from orthopedic surgeries or have chronic pain or other neurological conditions.

“Aquatic therapy is physical therapy in a swimming pool to help regain function from an injury or illness,” explains Kimberly A. Hall, PT,

As Seen in January 2012 "Long-Term Living": "Simplify wound care through HI...

Provena Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

"Simplify wound care through HIT: Tools to empower nurses and improve outcomes"
By: Debra Kurtz
Published: January 2012 in Long-Term Living

Download the full article or read it online at http://www.ltlmagazine.com/magazine-issue/january-2012

(Provena Heritage Village in Kankakee, IL and Provena Villa Franciscan in Joliet, IL mentioned)

Day of Dance for Health! Provena St. Mary's Community Program on Feb. 12

Provena Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

For the past six years, Provena St. Mary’s Hospital has been turning on the music and turning up the volume at its unique and movement-inspired “Day of Dance®”. This year is no exception.

The community is invited to dance, walk and move at “Day of Dance” on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, from Noon to 4 p.m. The festive and fun event includes screenings, educational presentations, health information, and entertainment. It will be held at the Northfield Square Mall. Women, men, families, and friends are encouraged to attend. There is no charge.

“At this enthusiastic event, you’ll see that even the smallest steps count and make a difference when it comes to improving and maintaining your health. You’ll learn simple ways to stay healthy, you’ll enjoy great music, and you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of free screenings,” Melissa Tanner, marketing and public re

Mutigenerational Workforce Advice

Provena Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

Click here to read Nursing leaders Advice re Multigenerational Workforce.

Neuro Patients at St. Joseph's Celebrate with their Medical Heroes

Provena Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

As seen in the Herald News
By Janet Lundquist

JOLIET — A toddler recovered from a fall that left him minutes from brain death. A 23-year-old suffering a stroke received quick intervention and a new lease on life. A teenager who suffered a brain injury in a fall from an all-terrain vehicle fully recovered under a month of careful monitoring.

The patients met their doctors and the people who got them to the hospital under much better circumstances Wednesday, in a happy reunion hosted by Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The hospital hosted a breakfast in recognition of the Will and Grundy counties’ emergency medical technicians who hospital officials say have helped St. Joseph’s become the best in the state for neuroscience.

The hospital received the Neurosciences Excellence Award, the Stroke Care Excellence Award and a Neurosurgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, an independent health-care evaluation organization.

The combined HealthGrades rankings makes the hospital No. 1 in the state for neuroscience, hospital officials say.

The hospital opened its Ne

Neuro Patients at St. Joseph's Celebrate with their Medical Heroes

Provena Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

As seen in the Herald News
By Janet Lundquist

The patients met their doctors and the people who got them to the hospital under much better circumstances Wednesday, in a happy reunion hosted by Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

The hospital received the Neurosciences Excellence Award, the Stroke Care Excellence Award and a Neurosurgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, an independent health-care evaluation organization.

The combined HealthGrades rankings makes the hospital No. 1 in the state for neuroscience, hospital officials say.

The hospital opened its Ne

New OB Director