Enabling the highest standards of care for our most critically injured patients:
In order to continue providing exceptional care and services to our patients and meet the growing needs of our community, we are constructing a new 20-bed state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit. Expanding these services will alleviate overcrowding and long wait times for ICU beds and the emergency department and allow us to continue to bring our patients the highest level of critical care. The three-floor, two-story structure will connect to the existing hospital and feature:

• Increased capacity to serve more patients
• Shorter wait times for an ICU bed, which will also cut wait times in our emergency room
• Greater efficiency through centralized care
• Monitoring by an electronic ICU, which provides an added layer of vigilance for our patients
• More comfortable surroundings for patients and families, including rooms that overlook a soothing serenity garden and family-friendly waiting rooms
• A new, more patient-friendly home for cardiac rehabilitation, and physical and occupational therapy programs

Helping South Suburban to excel:
Giving to South Suburban Hospital's area of greatest need provides additional resources and flexibility to respond quickly to new ideas and programs that support the hospital's strategic directions.

Helping asthmatics breathe easier:
A chronic disease that causes pain, loss of productivity and even death, asthma is a problem that can be self-managed. Gifts to this program help the hospital's respiratory therapists hold extensive education programs in more than 13 schools serving 415 students in grades 3-5. Each six-session program teaches children how to control their asthma. Through take-home questionnaires and presentations to parent/teacher organizations, educational opportunities are extended to parents and other family members.

Funds contributed to this priority will allow South Suburban Hospital to continue to provide extensive asthma community education programs supporting professional staff and supplies. Through the program, which is targeted to young asthmatics and adult caregivers such as their parents, teachers and coaches, patients learn about asthma triggers and management tools.

Helping patients in the battle against heart and lung diseases:
Patients with coronary heart and lung disease often need comprehensive rehabilitation services. At South Suburban, program participants receive personal attention from a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals working together to provide complete care. Your philanthropy supports an intensive, 12-week pulmonary rehab program designed to help people with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma and other pulmonary problems.

Providing care for underinsured and uninsured neighbors:
Gifts to this fund enable South Suburban to give access to health care to patients who do not have the ability to pay for the services they need. With difficult economic issues such as unemployment, shrinking insurance coverage and lower reimbursement rates, the health system absorbs more and more of the cost for those who can least afford to pay for their care.

Reaching out into the community to serve at-risk individuals:
Better community outreach doesn't just mean healthier neighborhoods. It also reduces the strain on our emergency facilities and helps lower health care costs for all of us. Your contribution to South Suburban's Community Health and Wellness Programs helps support preventive outreach to our underserved populations. Education, health screenings and many routine treatments are provided in partnership with faith communities, schools and other local organizations.

Helping patients manage a dangerous condition:
Your contribution will enhance the care of the more than 700 patients a year diagnosed with weakened heart tissue. Patient education tools are vital: blood pressure equipment, scales to monitor rapid weight gain and educational resource materials including books, pamphlets and videos for patients.

Making immediate care available in critical situations:
Help South Suburban Hospital's emergency department provide highly skilled care in a respectful, comfortable environment with a gift to this fund. Your support for innovative features - including private treatment rooms (much like a doctor's office) and a comfortable, family- friendly waiting area with a special place for children to play - allows our patients some respite in times of crisis. Funds contributed to this priority allowed South Suburban Hospital to finish the first phase of the renovation and expansion of its emergency room. Yet, the community's needs are greater still causing an ER built for 28,000 patients annually to now be serving almost 46,000 people per year. Future plans include adding additional exam rooms and purchasing new equipment.

Getting patients to their doctors:
South Suburban Hospital's free van service provides transportation for seniors from the communities we serve to the hospital campus. Your gift to maintain this service makes health care accessible to seniors whose limited mobility could keep them from the care they need. The hospital is called on to provide a safe ride to the hospital nearly three times a day.

Helping patients through a difficult situation
Gifts to this fund help provide immediate, compassionate care to patients who have been sexually assaulted, decreasing the trauma they experience.

Helping patients reach their maximum potential
South Suburban Hospital's Skilled Nursing Facility is one of the last remaining hospital-based facilities in Illinois. It serves as a bridge of care for patients who no longer need acute hospital care, but still require specialized nursing services before going home. The goal is to help patients achieve their maximum potential for health and independence - while also improving morale. In addition to physical, occupational and speech therapy, our nurses treat the human spirit through programs like pet therapy and spa days.

Facilitating care and support for women at risk:
South Suburban Hospital's new Breast Health Resource Center is designed to help women become more proactive about breast cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Your support will centralize the diagnostic services and treatment for breast cancer patients as well as provide access to educational opportunities such as self-examination brochures, materials for spouses and family members and patient support groups. The center offers access to new demonstration models, home practice kits and special materials for Latinas and women with literacy problems.