Camping under the stars, following a trail, climbing a tree, planting flowers … these are just a few of nature’s joys that every child should experience. That’s why Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has partnered with the Chicago Wilderness’ “Leave No Child Inside” (LNCI) consortium. Together with community leaders, the consortium promotes the health and well-being of Lake County’s children by encouraging nature-based activities and unstructured play.
“We’re very excited about the message LNCI brings to our youth,” says Julie Mayer, director of community-government relations at Good Shepherd Hospital. “The consortium aligns with one of our key health initiatives relating to childhood fitness by getting children back in touch with nature.”
Everett Weiss, M.D., a pediatrician at Good Shepherd Hospital, serves as a liaison to the health care professionals in the community. “My goal is to start a discussion among health care professionals about how each of us can adopt the LNCI vision into our practices,” says Dr. Weiss.
“The LNCI initiative is key to encouraging parents to involve their children in unstructured activity and play,” says Dr. Weiss. “The benefits go much farther than simply connecting with nature. Children develop self-confidence, imagination, dexterity and strength. They learn to conquer fears, negotiate and resolve conflicts and make decisions. The absence of play in a child’s life slows the development of these important cognitive milestones.”
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and LNCI’s partnership is an ideal fit with the many health benefits spending time with nature provides children and their families. One of the hospital’s goals is to educate key players such as schools, health providers and civic and environmental groups. “The campaign can be adopted locally, and each community can set up strategies and tactics to get the message out to people in their area,” says Mayer.
Parents, family members and caretakers of children all benefit from the program. Looking, listening, smelling and touching nature during outside play can increase fitness levels, decrease stress and boost creativity and imagination. The Lake County area has an abundance of open space, parks and conservation organizations that can help children connect with nature. So get out there! Children and nature growing healthier together is what it’s all about.
For more information about local activities for families in the Good Shepherd Hospital area, visit the LNCI’s Web site at www.funoutside.org.
About Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois is an acute care medical facility with approximately 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties. For 30 years, Good Shepherd has served its communities by providing quality, compassionate care.
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is a leader in delivering some of the most advanced technologies and techniques to the northwest suburbs. Last year, its comprehensive cardiac care center was named #1 in the State of Illinois for overall cardiac care and cardiology by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading hospital quality ratings organization. Good Shepherd’s cardiac center was also ranked #1 in the State of Illinois in 2007 for cardiac surgery quality by HealthGrades.
Its cancer treatment program is one of only a handful nationally to receive two consecutive three-year Approvals with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (COC). As a result, it was one of just 66 programs in the U.S. to earn the COC’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement Award, receiving commendation in all nine eligible standards.
Good Shepherd is part of Advocate Health Care, one of the top ten health care systems in the country, and the largest health care delivery system in Illinois. Advocate provided more than
$373 million in charitable care and services during 2008 to the communities it serves throughout Chicagoland. This total represents a $29.5 million increase from its 2007 community benefits contribution.
For more about Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital: www.advocatehealth.com/goodshep
