Philanthropy at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Lutheran General Hospital is committed to both clinical excellence and community outreach. Philanthropic support allows us to advance that excellence and to extend that outreach. Your gift will play a key role in supporting essential programs that might not otherwise be possible.

Below is a list of programs at Lutheran General Hospital that currently need your support.

Cardiovascular

• Cardiovascular Risk-Reduction Program
  
  Keeping hearts healthy and strong:
  Cardiovascular disease is a leading killer of Americans - but a preventable condition. Gifts to this fund help us catch heart and vascular disease early through risk assessments and to educate patients on ways they can cut their risk of heart attack and stroke. Offering patients open access to diagnostic, treatment and lifestyle management programs, the program includes targeted services such as heart failure management, the anticoagulation clinic and the women's cardiac health clinic.

   

  Funds contributed to this priority will expand the community-based cardiac risk-reduction program. The program's mission is to prevent acute cardiac problems in the 35-50 year old age range. Plans include a vascular center, a diabetes component and cardiac MRI technology.
  
  

Oncology

• Cancer Care Center
  
  Supporting a full continuum of cancer care services:
  Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is consistently recognized as one of the top 50 oncology programs in the nation through the “America’s Best Hospitals Study” of the U.S. News and World Report. In addition, its cancer services have been ranked number one in the “Chicago’s op Hospitals” survey. The Cancer Care Center, located in the new, state-of-the-art Center for Advanced Care offers the latest advancements in cancer treatment with a faith-based approach to clinical care. Your gift will help the Center acquire state-of-the-art technology and support education and research.
  
  
• Center for Advanced Imaging
  
  Providing access to quick, accurate outpatient imaging services:
  Access to quick, accurate outpatient imaging services is one of the fastest-growing demands from health care consumers today. The staff at the new Center for Advanced Imaging is focused on providing patients shorter wait times for test results with the award-winning quality of care that our patients and their families have come to expect. Your gift will help support the latest in imaging technology, including tomotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scanners, Nuclear Medicine Dual Camera and a fused PET/CT scanner.
  
  
• Dr. Richard G. and Carol Caldwell Breast Health Center Expansion
  
  Supporting compassionate, confidential care:
  The Caldwell Breast Health Center is a comprehensive care facility that features advanced technologies, sophisticated all-digital imaging equipment and staff who are specially trained in breast care. Appointments can be made within 24 hours and quick test result turnaround is provided. A gift to the Breast Health Center ensures that women will have their questions about their breast health answered quickly and compassionately through community outreach and support services for patients and their families. Funds will also help us acquire leading-edge technology.
  
  

   

• Hematology/Oncology Research
  
  Unlocking the mysteries of fighting cancer:
  Funds contributed to this priority enable the advancement of groundbreaking cancer research at Lutheran General Hospital, recognized as one of the top cancer programs in the country. Clinical research provides patients with more options beyond conventional treatments and gives them access to cutting edge treatments.
  
  

Pediatrics

• The Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center
  
  Providing compassionate, state-of-the-art care for kids with brain tumors:
  Since 1997, the Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center has been providing hope for kids with brain tumors and their families. Led by Dr. John Ruge, named one of Chicago's top neurosurgeons by the Castle Connolly guide, the multi-disciplinary Center helps patients and parents navigate the path from diagnosis through follow-up care, coordinating every aspect of the child's care. With a nurse-specialist on call 24-hours a day, every patient gets personalized care, and families get the assurance they need. With access to groundbreaking technologies, such as the only intra-operative MRI in Illinois, and a commitment to pediatric brain tumor research, patients are provided with the most innovative treatments available.
  
  
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  
  Caring for the tiniest miracles:
  The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lutheran General Children's Hospital cares for the area's tiniest miracles - helping low birth-weight, premature and critically ill newborns grow and thrice. Our neonatologists and pediatric specialists are on call 24 hours a day to provide advanced, compassionate care to our fragile patients. With your gifts, we are able to advance our research and technology and provide supportive family resources.
  
  
• Pediatric Palliative Care
  
  Compassionate, holistic care for children with long term needs:
  Launched in March 2004, the Palliative Care Program offers guidance to young patients with advanced progressive diseases, and their families. A team of doctors, nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors help patients and families plan and meet their goals for medical care and quality of life, from pain management to caregiver support. Pediatric Palliative Care Specialists work in partnership with primary care physicians to manage long term and chronic illnesses and conditions, ensuring quality of life for children living with advanced progressive diseases and their families.
  
  
• Pediatric Cardiology Program
  
  Mending tiny hearts:
  The Pediatric Cardiologists of Advocate Medical Group and the Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital (ALGCH) specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired heart conditions in infants and children of all ages, offering the most comprehensive levels of treatment. In addition to congenital heart defects, the pediatric cardiologists also work with children who have cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) and hyperlipidemias (lipid disorders). ALGCH remains commitment to providing access to this specialized health care and is collaborating with dedicated individuals, businesses and agencies to obtain the philanthropic support that will ensure the future of the pediatric cardiology program.
  
  
• Pediatric Esophageal Disorders Center
  
  Multi-disciplinary care and cutting-edge research for kids with swallowing and digestive disorders:
  The Pediatric Esophageal Disorders Center helps kids and parents navigate the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing and digestive orders. Led by one of the top pediatric gastroenterologists in the region, the Center coordinates all aspects of care, from consultations with nutritionists and surgeons, to patient and family support groups and community resources. The Center is also engaged in leading research to find new and innovative ways of treating esophageal disorders and diseases.
  
  
• Pediatric Oncology and Brain Tumor Family Support
  
  Helping kids and their families face a devastating diagnosis:
  The Family Support programs for our pediatric cancer and brain tumor centers provide a network of resources for kids and their families. Support groups for patients, parents and siblings are just the beginning. Our Family Support program also provides a Child Life Specialist that works exclusively with cancer and brain tumor patients and their families, parking passes and meal passes for families of patients with long hospital stays, end-of-treatment celebrations, group outings to sports events and other activities, and programs to help patients transition back to school after treatment and hospitalization. These services are paid for 100 percent through philanthropy. Increased funding will allow us to develop a Website support module to expand our outreach opportunities, as well as secure the future of the services we currently offer.
  
  

Signature Programs

• Adult Down Syndrome Center
  
  Special care for developmental challenges:
  Adults with Down syndrome make up a new population of developmentally disabled who outlive their caretakers. Serving over 3,000 patients, the Adult Down Syndrome Center provides crucial psychosocial and medical services to people with Down syndrome in Illinois. Many in this unique population are on public assistance and, in most instances, there are few sources of reimbursement for these much-needed services. Gifts will allow Advocate Medical Group and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to advance, enrich and ensure the programs and services of this uniquely focused center serving adolescent and adult patients with Down syndrome.

   

  To ensure the future of this unique service, the Adult Down Syndrome Center is establishing a $3 million endowment fund. Your contribution will ensure that these patients continue to get care that addresses their special needs and encourage research that will help those with DS lead fuller, healthier lives.

  Income from the endowment will allow Advocate Medical Group and Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to advance, enrich and ensure the programs and services of this uniquely focused center serving adult patients with Down syndrome.
  
  

• Diabetes Care Center
  
  Helping patients manage their chronic illness:
  Advocate Medical Group offers patients with diabetes innovative treatment and compassionate care. Our comprehensive approach helps patients with diabetes maintain their health, prevent complications and avoid hospitalization. Advocate Medical Group clinicians have developed a diabetes management program that includes standardized clinical protocols, monitoring procedures and educational programs. Your gift will help people with diabetes cultivate a better understanding of their disease and learn to improve their health and avoid potentially dangerous complications.
  
  
• Nursing Endowment for Research and Education
  
  Setting nurses up for success:
  Gifts to the Nursing Research and Education Endowment encourage nurses to improve their skills - and the nursing profession as a whole. The endowment provides a permanent yearly fund for nurses to advance in the nursing profession through continuing education, certifications and nursing research.
  
  
• Older Adult Services
  
  Enhancing quality of life for our elders and their caregivers:
  We are responding to the seniors in our community be providing programs such as Advocate Lutheran General Hospital's Adult Day Service, Home Delivered Meals and Lifeline emergency response systems. These programs allow the elderly to have medical supervision, 24-hour emergency protection in their own homes and nutritional meals delivered right their door. Your contributions to this fund will allow us to continue making a difference in the lives of all those who benefit from these programs.
  
  
• Palliative Care - Adult
  
  Compassionate, holistic care for Adults with long term needs:
  Launched in March 2004, the Palliative Care Program offers guidance to patients with advanced progressive diseases, and their families. A team of doctors, nurses, social workers and spiritual counselors help patients and families plan and meet their goals for medical care and quality of life, from pain management to caregiver support. Palliative care staff works in partnership with primary care physicians to manage long term and chronic illnesses and conditions, ensuring quality of life for patients and family members.
  
  

Neuroscience

• Memory Assessment and Alzheimer's Center
  
  Helping patients and families cope with Alzheimers and advanced memory loss:
  Alzheimer's disease affects approximately 4 million persons in the United States and has become the fourth leading cause of death following heart disease, cancer and stroke. Advocate Medical Group's Memory Assessment & Alzheimer's Center has the highest volume of Alzheimer patients in the network. The mission of the Center is to provide compassionate care, comprehensive evaluations, treatment and caregiver support. It also serves as an important educational and social resource to the Advocate Health Care System and the community. With the support of our community, this program can successfully continue its mission and thrive in becoming a leader in Alzheimer's care.
  
  

New Patient Care Tower

• Patient Care Tower
  
  Creating a healing environment:
  Advocate Lutheran General Hospital has broken ground for a new 192-room eight-story patient care tower, which will feature single rooms to enhance patient safety, comfort and privacy. It will include improved facilities for the special treatment needs of intensive care, oncology, neurology/stroke, surgical and obstetrical patients. Your gift to the patient care tower will help give our health care professionals a supportive environment to provide the best possible patient care and experience.
  
  

Other

• Area of Greatest Need
  
  Helping Lutheran General excel:
  Giving to Lutheran General's area of greatest need provides additional resources and flexibility to respond quickly to new opportunities and programs that support the hospital's strategic directions.
  
  
• Lutheran General Children's Hospital's Area of Greatest Need
  
  Helping Lutheran General Children's Hospital excel:
  Giving to Lutheran General Children's Hospital's area of greatest need provides additional resources and flexibility to respond quickly to new opportunities and programs that support the hospital's strategic directions.
  
  
• Charity Care
  
  Caring for those who face financial barriers:
  Funds contributed to this priority enable Lutheran General Hospital to cover the costs of care for underinsured and uninsured patients. With difficult economic issues such as unemployment, shrinking insurance coverage and lower reimbursement rates, the health system is forced to absorb more and more of the cost for those who can least afford to pay for their care.
  
  
• The Counseling Center
  
  Alleviating anguish through comfort and advice:
  For 30 years, the Counseling Center has provided high quality psychotherapy and counseling services that draw from modern psychology and religious tradition to individuals, couples and families. In partnership with congregations and communities, the center also offers education and skill training for healthy living. Your gift will help to bring about mental and spiritual healing and growth for couples, people with mood, anxiety and adjustment disorders and those seeking to enhance their quality of life.