2010 Annual Report

Anonymous donor gives gift to behavioral health program at St. John’s Hospital

$200,000 gift helps “Generations” program serve older adults with psychiatric disorders

11/13/2009

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An anonymous donor recently gave $200,000 to the “Generations” program at St. John’s Hospital. “Generations” helps diagnose and treat older adults with neuropsychiatric disorders. Generations offers inpatient care in a separate, eight-bed unit within St. John’s Psychiatric Unit.

“Generous contributions such as this allow St. John’s Hospital to serve all members of our community who need health care,” said Denise Pope, CFRE, director of philanthropy at St. John’s. “The Generations program serves a population that is often overlooked, and maybe be less likely to seek the help they need.”

Healthcare for older adults can be challenging for physicians who may be treating a variety of medical problems and weighing the risks and benefits of multiple medications. A psychiatric disorder can complicate the diagnosis, but when treated properly patients can benefit physically and emotionally.

More than half of older adults believe it is “normal” for people to get depressed as they grow older, according to Psychiatric Program Director Sandra Mollahan. “Depression is not a normal part of aging. Fortunately, it is a very treatable illness. More than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully.”

Psychiatric Program Medical Director Fareed Tabatabai, MD, said a typical patient is over 65 years old with a primary psychiatric diagnosis of depression, dementia or delirium. “Sometimes patients have all three conditions,” he said. “All patients undergo a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation before a treatment plan is developed. We also place a lot of emphasis on education and support of the patient and family.”

St. John's Children's Hospital introduces Kohl's Hands on Healthy

Grant from Kohl's supports outreach program to combat childhood obesity

10/12/2009

DECATUR, IL - Thanks to generous support from Kohl's Department Store, St. John's Children's Hospital today unveiled a new interactive education program designed to teach children about the importance of exercise and proper nutrition. Kohl's, through the Kohl's Cares for Kids® program, is providing an $86,494 grant to St. John's Children's Hospital to create a new Hands on Healthy traveling educational program. The new initiative was introduced to students at Johns Hill School in Decatur. Kohl's Hands on Healthy consists of five interactive health kiosks designed for students grades Pre-K through 8th grade. The kiosks, which can be set up at schools, health fairs and other community events, provide students with the ability to learn about nutrition and exercise in an entertaining way. The kiosks have a variety of age appropriate activities to teach users health habits through a hands-on experience and active learning.

"Our goal is to help children understand the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. Kohl's Hands on Healthy is a fun, interactive means of giving children the tools to establishing good habits that will benefit them throughout their lives," said Dr. Mark Puczynski, chair of Pediatrics for SIU School of Medicine and medical director for St. John's Children's Hospital.

Kohl's Hands on Healthy is designed to address the epidemic of childhood obesity. Currently, central Illinois students will only have two semesters of health education classes between kindergarten and their senior year of high school. Studies show that a lack of exercise and nutrition is affecting the academic achievement of students. Due to increasing waist sizes, the incidence of type II diabetes has tripled in school-aged children over the last 6 years; by the age 30, these children will be experiencing illness and disease adults have historically experienced at age 60. The goal of Kohl's Hands on Healthy is to create fun learning through hands-on activities that empower students of all ages to make healthy choices and overcome negative lifestyle habits.

The interactive kiosks are being designed by RedBox Workshop, Ltd of Chicago, which is designing the interactive displays for the Kidzeum of Health and Science scheduled to open in Springfield in 2012. The kiosks are being created so that they can be easily transported and set up at events across central Illinois. Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals in Litchfield, Springfield, Decatur and Effingham will work with area schools and community groups to make the kiosks available.

"Kohl's Department Stores is an extremely important partner with St. John's Children's Hospital as their support allows us to meet a very critical component of the hospital, which is the community outreach and education of children to keep them healthy and teach them skills which will benefit them throughout their lives," said Denise Pope, CFRE, director of Philanthropic Development.

Kohl's commitment to St. John's Children's Hospital is made possible through the Kohl's Cares for Kids program, which raises funds for children's health and educational opportunities through the sale of $5 books and plush toys. Net profits from the sales go to support children's health and educational opportunities in the communities Kohl's serves. Kohl's has gifted approximately $770,000 to St. John's Children's Hospital since 2001.

Kohl' Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl's operates 1,059 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $126 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares for Kids(R) philanthropic program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Sabattini Garden Center partners with St. John’s to raise funds for cancer research

9/10/09

Sam Sabattini of Sabattini Garden Center in Springfield has teamed up with the Friends of St. John's Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Cancer Institute to raise funds for cancer research and treatment.

From Saturday, September 12 through Thursday, October 15, Sabattini Garden Center will donate $1 for every $5 in merchandise sold. All proceeds will benefit St. John’s Hospital Cancer Institute.

“St. John’s Hospital is so grateful to Mr. Sabattini for his generosity and to his commitment to cancer research and treatment. We are pleased to partner with him to fight cancer in central Illinois,” said Denise Pope, director of development at St. John’s Hospital.

Sabattini has dedicated his life to cancer awareness and research. His family has endured multiple occurrences of cancer, with five resulting in death. “This is a cause I really care about,” Sabattini said. “It has affected me personally and so I want to support awareness and research so I can help other people.”

In addition to his pink house and freshly painted cancer awareness signs, Sabattini has lined 1½ miles of road leading to Sabattini Garden Center with pink ribbons. Sabattini Garden Center is located at 112 W. Hoechester Rd, which is one mile off of the 1-55 Toronto Road Exit (Exit 90).

First Sumner Endowed Chair Awarded to SIU Vascular Surgeon

7/3/09

Dr. Kim Hodgson, professor and chair of the vascular division, has been named recipient of the David S. Sumner, M.D. Endowed Chair in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. 

St. John’s Hospital, through support from Friends of St. John’s Hospital Foundation and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, established the endowment to honor Sumner’s 23-year career in Springfield and his numerous contributions to the care of patients in our community and the advancement of the field of vascular surgery.  Interest earned from the endowment will be used to further research and education in the area of vascular disease.

“An endowed chair is the highest honor that a university can bestow on a faculty member who has had a distinguished career in a particular field of study,” said Dr. Gary Dunnington, professor and chair of the department of surgery.  “Dr. Sumner has meant so much to not only the medical students, fellows and faculty, but also to his patients and this community.  He has raised the bar in vascular surgery both nationally and internationally.”

“St. John’s is honored to recognize the accomplishments of Dr. Sumner through our support of this endowed chair.  We are proud to partner with SIU School of Medicine to continue Dr. Sumner’s legacy of serving the community as an exceptional clinician, researcher and teacher for generations to come,” said Bob Ritz, President and CEO, St. John’s Hospital.

For 23 years, Sumner was chair of the vascular surgery division and directed the fellowship program, both of which he founded at the SIU School of Medicine.  He joined the faculty in July 1975 and stepped down from the chairmanship in June 1998.  He helped train more than 20 clinical vascular fellows, 4 research fellows, 41 general surgical residents and countless medical students.

Hodgson is currently the director of SIU’s non-invasive vascular laboratory, endovascular therapy program and vascular surgery fellowship program.  Prior to joining the SIU faculty, Hodgson completed a fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery at SIU School of Medicine (1987).  Upon completion, he joined the vascular surgery division as an assistant professor.  He completed his five-year general surgery residency training in Albany, New York (1986), including a year of study in Great Britain where he participated in research using non-invasive vascular laboratory diagnostic equipment.  He earned his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia (1981) and bachelor’s in biochemistry from Rutgers University (1977).

Hodgson is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.  He currently serves on the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery which establishes requirements for board certification in vascular surgery and develops and administers the examinations required to attain board certification in vascular surgery.  He has published more than 100 articles in medical journals, as well as more than 35 book chapters on vascular surgery topics. 

The endowment fund is housed within the Friends of St. John’s Hospital, where gifts may be directed to further support the fund in Dr. Sumner’s honor.  Gifts can be sent to:  Friends of St. John’s Hospital, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL  62769 or arranged by calling 217-757-6555.

Support the Sumner Endowment

2009 Big Raffle winners announced

6/26/09

The $10,000 winner is Kimee Armour. $2,000 winner is Howard Rogers. $1,000 winner is Frank Katalinich. $100 winners are: Ben Burke, Blanche Catteau, Sherry Day, Bill Flannigan, Barbara Germann, Wes King, Ruby Laurenzana, Kay Meneghetti, Toni McKee and Paul and Deb Turner.

$50 winners are: Steve and Cindy Bowers; Jack and Barb Bux, Shain Ford, Dolores Frank, Francis Fromme, Gene Froschauer, Carolyn Hall, Sharon Jenkins, Janice Joyce, Dorothy Kanllakan, Paula Minwegen, Marla and Michael Page, Nancy Reichart, Frances Twitty and Frank Vala.

Family raises $10,000 for St. John's Hospice

06/15/09

Carrie Balderson and her family were so touched by the care her father received at St. John’s Hospital they decided to host a Poker Run to benefit the Hospice Program. Balderson’s father, Thomas Daywalt, was a cancer patient who spent three months in Hospice before passing away in July 2006.

“The Hospice staff were so wonderful to my father and us when he was a patient, so we wanted to support the important work they do,” said Balderson, owner of the Riverside Rock-n-Roll in Riverside, IL. “I wanted to do something for our family too.”

The first ever Riverside Rock-n-Roll Poker Run was held on May 31 and raised $10,000. More than 160 bikes participated and fundraising activities included the poker run as well as 50/50 tickets, auctions and a raffle for a flat screen television. “Anything we could do to raise money, we did,” said Balderson.
Balderson said she and three friends, Char Poteet, Leanna Ward and Susan Thompson, met weekly for four months to prepare for the event. Poteet had a special interest in the event, as she too had lost a friend to cancer and wished to honor her memory.

“We had so many people who donated their time and resources, I can’t begin to list them all,” said Balderson. “It’s overwhelming to think about everyone coming together and helping for something like this. We were so thrilled with the turnout and the generosity of so many people and businesses.” Balderson said the poker run was so successful she intends to make it an annual event.

St. John’s Hospice Unit has 13 inpatient beds, as well as provides hospice nurse care in the home. More than 500 patients are cared for in hospice annually.

 “St. John's Hospital is very thankful to not only the organizers of this fundraiser, but all of the bikers and other supporters who not only participated in the event the day of, but all of the donors who gave donations for the silent and live auction and to the proprietors of the various ‘poker stops’ along the way,” said Denise Pope, director of Philanthropic Development for the Friends of St. John's Hospital Foundation.

Rocki’s Motorsports Bar makes $1,600 donation to St. John’s Hospital

02/20/2009

Rocki’s Motorsports Bar in Auburn recently donated more than $1,600 to benefit breast cancer treatment at St. John’s Hospital. “A group of friends made ‘floozie coozies’ to raise money,” said Karen Richmond, owner of Rocki’s. “We want the funds to be used to help women with expenses.”

The “Floozie Coozie Girls at Rocki’s” organized the fundraiser. Richmond says they plan to continue with future fundraising efforts.

“On behalf of St. John’s hospital, and the patients who will benefit from such generosity, we would like to thank Ms. Richmond and the “Floozie Coozie Girls” at Rocki’s. It’s inspiring to see people work together to help others in need.” said Denise Pope, Director of Philanthropy at St. John’s Hospital.