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Features

ALMH laboratory receives
national accreditation

[FEB. 4, 2002]  Based on the results of a recent on-site inspection, the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists awarded Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital laboratory an accreditation with distinction. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

To be accredited by CAP, the lab must participate in blind sample surveys. At different times of the year, every test that the laboratory performs is tested several times. In addition to this yearlong blind testing, the CAP sends a survey team to the lab every two years to make sure that they are meeting all requirements. ALMH scored high enough on both of these measures in the last two years to receive the rank "with distinction."

Inspectors examine quality control, education and qualifications of staff, adequacy of facilities and equipment, and laboratory safety and management to determine how well the lab is serving the patient. ALMH’s lab is one of only 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. It is not unusual for larger hospital laboratories to be CAP certified, but few hospitals the size of ALMH have a CAP certified lab. "The CAP is a very tough certifying agency," states Bill Wilson, ALMH’s laboratory manager. "It requires a great deal of time and resources to maintain the accreditation," added Wilson.

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The College of American Pathologists is a medical society serving nearly 16,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The CAP is an advocate for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.

For more information regarding laboratory services at ALMH, please call (217) 732-2161, Ext. 153.

[ALMH news release]

YMCA PE for home-schoolers

[JAN. 30, 2002]  Since the fall of 2000, the Lincoln Area YMCA has been organizing a physical education class for home-schooled children. This class fulfills the physical fitness aspects of the children’s education, while also encouraging social interaction with peers.

Each week the participants learn about character development and are taught a lesson in violence prevention. From there the YMCA teaches the kids how to properly stretch and warm up before taking part in physical activities. At every meeting the YMCA guides the participants through games and activities common to a typical PE class taught in the local school districts.

The Lincoln Area YMCA is trying to help you build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

New nurse ... Brummet

[JAN. 29, 2002]  Sandra Brummet, a board-certified nurse practitioner, joined the staff of the Rural Health Partnership’s mobile health unit, beginning the first of the year. Brummet works with Logan County Health Department staff Debbie Hoover, Ruth Freeman and Pam Clark on the mobile unit that serves 13 locations in Logan County and Greenview in Menard County.

The Rural Health Partnership is a grass-roots effort involving five Logan County organizations: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Family Medical Center, the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, the Logan County Health Department and Logan-Mason Mental Health. It was established to address the limited access to health care in rural communities.

Prior to the Rural Health Partnership, the Logan County Health Department sent nurses out to rural areas once a month. The nurses set up their "clinic" on a card table in a fire station or city hall and provided immunizations and other limited health and education services. Lack of facilities, equipment and privacy limited the services these nurses could provide.

The mobile health unit brings services to people who have difficulty getting to a hospital or doctor’s office. The 36-foot unit contains two fully equipped exam rooms, lab equipment, computer/fax, telephones, TV/VCRs for patient education, and is pre-wired for future telemedicine use.

By adding a nurse practitioner to offer primary health care services, and by increasing the location and frequency of visits to communities, health services available to rural residents in their communities have greatly increased.

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No appointments are necessary, and a lift makes the unit accessible to the disabled.

The mobile health unit has proven a special benefit to seniors, mothers of young children and those who lack transportation to other towns to seek regular preventive health care services.

Brummet, who graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing, received a postgraduate degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago as a family nurse practitioner. She has been employed as a registered nurse with the Visiting Nurse Association of Illinois since 1993.

[Sandy Brummet]

"Sandy is a welcome addition to the mobile health unit team," said Dayle Eldredge, director of the Rural Health Partnership. "Logan County is very fortunate to have a wonderful professional and caring nursing staff who are conveniently accessible," added Eldredge.

Anyone interested in touring the mobile unit is highly encouraged to do so and can call Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409, to make arrangements.

[News release]

Rural Health van here to stay

Healthy Communities Partnership
gives report to the community

[JAN. 25, 2002]  The Rural Health van, sometimes called "the corn bus" because of the mural painted on the outside, is here to stay, according to Dayle Eldredge, Healthy Communities Partnership coordinator.

[Click here to view more pictures]

"We get to keep the bus. We don’t have to send it back to Washington, D.C. The federal grant has been finalized," she told the group that assembled to hear HCP’s fifth annual January report to the community. "We have fulfilled all the requirements under the grant, and as long as we continue to do the services for which the grant was awarded, we keep the van."

[Dayle Eldredge, Healthy Communities Partnership coordinator and director of the Rural Health Partnership Task Force, speaks at the fifth annual January Report to the Community.]
[All photos by Bob Frank]

That announcement was just some of the news Logan County community members heard on Thursday at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Other news was that a new task force, the Senior Issues Task Force, has been formed, bringing to five the task forces under the umbrella of the HCP that are working to improve life in Logan County.

The audience also heard a presentation from Lincoln Police Chief Rich Montcalm about an innovative program geared for young children, called "Kids and Cops Can Measure Up to the Top with Violence Prevention."

[Lincoln Police Chief Rich Montcalm (right) explains the department’s innovative program, “Kids and Cops Can Measure Up to the Top with Violence Prevention,” while officer Tim Butterfield runs the projector.]

Only three other police departments in Illinois have a similar program, and it has now become a model for other communities. "Police departments from other places are calling us, and we are sharing our information with them," Montcalm said. "We will mail out our whole curriculum and tell other departments where we get our videotapes and other classroom materials."

Most violence prevention programs start with older students, but "Kids and Cops" begins working with kindergarten students and continues through fourth grade. At this age, Montcalm said, children tend to remember what they have learned. The program is now in its fourth year and includes all District 27 schools, Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln and West Lincoln-Broadwell.

In kindergarten, children learn that it is OK to disagree, but there is a right way to do it. In first grade, they learn about making and keeping friends. By second grade, they are taught to understand how fights start and how to say no to bullies. This is the age when bullying begins, Montcalm said.

Third graders learn about working together to solve problems by creating a project with only limited materials. They also create "commercials" about stopping violence, which will be shown on Log-On TV, The Fak’s Machine and other community outlets.

Fourth graders learn the importance of cooperation, using "buddy walkers" to help them get through a maze. Montcalm said he plans to extend the program to home-schooled students soon and is hoping to take it into other Logan County schools that would like to include it in their curriculum.

Debby Cook of the Logan County Health Department, a director of the Domestic Abuse and Violence Task Force, outlined some of the programs that task force is providing for victims of domestic violence. These include proving cell phones to those under orders of protection and police escorts when victims need help getting to a Springfield shelter.

The task force is also working on getting affordable legal assistance in matters such as child custody or divorce, helping to train police officers to deal with domestic abuse and violence, and putting up a billboard and notices to let those who are victims know that help is available.

Cook also presented an award from the Illinois Public Health Association to Lincoln Daily News "for excellence in public health reporting on the Internet."

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[Joan Crabb of Lincoln Daily News accepts a plaque
from Debby Cook from the Illinois Public Health Association for reporting on health and other
community issues.]

Marcia Dowling of the Logan County Health Department, a director of the Healthy Families Task Force, reported on that group’s work The Baby-Think-It-Over program, teaching youngsters how much responsibility a baby really is, went to Lincoln Community High School, as well as to eighth-graders at Chester-East Lincoln, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Hartsburg-Emden and Lincoln Junior High School in 2001.

Other programs include parent education classes for both teen mothers and fathers, a resource person for pregnant teens and teen mothers, a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren, Safe Stop homes and businesses for children who need help on their way to or from school, and a YMCA mentoring program.

Eldredge reported that the Rural Health Partnership has 120 volunteers this year, and that these volunteers have a "telephone tree" to keep in touch with people in rural areas. She told the audience that the Rural Health Van is again fully staffed and introduced staff members Sandy Brummett, RN and CFNP; Debbie Hoover, RN; and Pam Clark, RN.

Kristi Simpson of Logan Mason Mental Health reported on the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force’s work with seventh- and eighth-graders in Logan County. A 10-session life skills program goes to District 27 schools, as well as Carroll Catholic, Chester-East Lincoln, West Lincoln-Broadwell, Mount Pulaski, New Holland-Middletown, Hartsburg-Emden and Elkhart.

A favorite program uses the DUI goggles, which youngsters wear to get an idea of the way people see when they have an .08 percent alcohol blood level. Youngsters learn how difficult it is to walk along a straight line while wearing the goggles.

[Terry Storrer of Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, Curtis Sutterfield of the Lincoln Salvation Army  and Fire Chief Bucky Washam shared a table at the HCP presentation.]

She also thanked Terry Storrer and Emergency Services and Disaster Agency for their help with the mock car crash, showing young people what can happen when drivers are impaired.

Simpson said this is the second year for victim impact panels. People on probation for DUI offenses are required to attend the panel to hear the stories of those who have been involved in accident with injuries and fatalities. Simpson thanked George Murphy of Jacksonville and Barbara Banfield of Decatur for coming to Lincoln often to take part in these panels.

The first priority of the brand-new Senior Issues Task Force is to determine exactly what the needs of seniors in the community are, said task force director Linda Marini. She said she is working with ESDA and law enforcement agencies to identify those shut-ins who have special medical needs so they can be helped in case of emergency. She called for volunteers to become involved when the task force begins its work in March of this year.

In closing, Eldredge called for community members to continue their support for the HCP. "Healthy Communities partnership is a model program in Illinois, but not a model to put on a shelf to collect dust. It is a living and breathing organism to improve the health and quality of life of all in Logan County."

She said 99 percent of its funding comes from state grants, and Illinois now needs to cut expenditures. "If grants are eliminated, the fine work we have done will be in jeopardy. I challenge you to consider what you as an agency or as an individual can do to assist HCP.

"People make the difference. People working together can move a mountain."

[Joan Crabb]

Illinois Department of Public Health is prepared for natural disasters, terrorism

[JAN. 19, 2002]  Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 destroyed the World Trade Center in New York, damaged the Pentagon and killed about 3,000 people, the Illinois Department of Public Health, local health departments, health professionals and others have received questions from the public about the possibility of bioterrorism and ways to protect themselves. The following "frequently asked questions" were developed to answer some of those inquiries. People also should consider contacting their local health department, physician or local emergency preparedness office for additional information.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the federal government are not recommending any specific bioterrorism-related precautions. However, in the event of a natural (for example, tornado, flood or earthquake) or man-made disaster, lives can be saved if people are prepared for the emergency. Every family should have the following emergency supplies on hand:

•  A battery-powered radio and a flashlight, with extra batteries for each

•  Bottled drinking water — one gallon per day per person, with a three- to seven-day supply recommended

•  Canned or sealed package foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking, and a can opener

•  A blanket or sleeping bag for each family member

•  First-aid kit, including any special prescription medications, such as insulin or heart tablets

•  Toilet paper and paper towels

•  Extra set of car keys, and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks

•  Special items for infant (disposable diapers), elderly or disabled family members

•  Extra eyeglasses, and contact lenses and supplies

For more information, please refer to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Surviving Disasters: A Citizen’s Emergency Handbook.

Preventing an attack is the job of law enforcement — the FBI, state and local police, and other law enforcement agencies.

If an attack should occur, IDPH has developed plans to minimize the risk and to treat those who may become ill. Working closely with other federal and state agencies, including local health departments, hospitals, laboratories and law enforcement, and with doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical personnel, IDPH has implemented an enhanced surveillance system that is constantly on guard for unusual clusters of disease. In the past two years, more than 1,000 medical and public health personnel have been trained to identify diseases that could be caused by bioterrorists.

If a cluster is detected, public health is prepared to move quickly to identify the disease and its possible source. Public health information, treatment options and other advice would be provided to the public through the news media. Keep in mind, however, that an attack may not be obvious for days to weeks, depending on the incubation period of the disease.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is part of the Governor’s Illinois Terrorism Task Force. This task force would direct a coordinated effort among law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management, public health and other agencies at the local, state and federal level in the event of a bioterrorist attack.

According to the FBI, you should look for certain indicators. For example, check the postmark to see if it was mailed from a foreign country. Also check for no return address and for restrictive markings such as "personal" or "confidential." Look for misspelled words or incorrect title. Suspect letters or packages may be rigid or bulky and have excessive tape or string around them. They may exhibit a strange odor.

•  Do not shake or empty contents of any suspicious envelope or package; DO NOT try to clean up powders or fluids.

•  Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.

•  If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g. clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) available and do not remove this cover.

•  Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.

•  Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face or skin.

•  If you are at home, then report the incident to local police. If you are at work, report the incident to local police and notify your building security official or an available supervisor.

•  If possible, list all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local police and local public health authorities for follow-up investigation and advice.

•  Remove heavily contaminated clothing and place in a plastic bag that can be sealed. Give the bag to law enforcement personnel.

•  Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or disinfectant on your skin.

There are no vaccines recommended for the general public.

The U.S. has an anthrax vaccine that was licensed in 1970 and has been mandated for all U.S. military personnel; the vaccine is not available commercially. Between now and 2005, members of the military between the ages of 18 and 65 will receive a six-shot series of anthrax vaccine. For additional information, consult the current U.S. Public Health Service’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on anthrax vaccination.

Anthrax is a disease caused by an organism acquired following contact with an infected animal or contaminated animal product or following the intentional release of anthrax spores as a biological weapon. In a bioterrorist attack, health authorities are concerned about anthrax spores being released into the air where they can be breathed in a person’s lungs. Anthrax is not spread person to person. The last reported case of anthrax in Illinois was in 1960.

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Anthrax infection can occur in three forms: cutaneous (skin), inhalation and gastrointestinal. B. anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years, and humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Anthrax can also spread by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. It is rare to find infected animals in the United States.

Symptoms of disease usually develop within seven days of exposure, depending on how the disease was contracted, with most cases occurring within 48 hours of exposure. However, incubation periods of up to 60 days are possible.

•  Cutaneous: Most (about 95 percent) anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals. Skin infection begins as a raised itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within one to two days develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1-3 cm in diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center. Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell. About 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

•  Inhalation: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. After the onset of symptoms, inhalation anthrax is usually fatal. Early antibiotic treatment of disease before onset of symptoms increases the chances for survival.

•  Intestinal: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial signs of nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25 percent to 60 percent of cases.

Should I have a supply of antibiotics?

There are numerous germs a bioterrorist may use in an attack: anthrax, botulism, cholera, plague, Q fever, salmonella, smallpox, tularemia and viral hemorrhagic fever. Many antibiotics are effective for a variety of diseases, but there is no antibiotic effective against all diseases. Keeping a supply of antibiotics poses other problems because there is a limited shelf life before they lose their strength. There is currently no justification for taking antibiotics. Antibiotics should be taken only with medical supervision.

The federal government has stockpiled antibiotics for large-scale distribution in the event of a bioterrorist attack. Known as the CDC’s National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, it was designed to ensure the availability and rapid deployment of life-saving pharmaceuticals, antidotes, other medical supplies and equipment to any U.S. location in the event of a terrorist attack involving a biological or chemical agent.

As the result of a successful worldwide effort to eradicate smallpox, smallpox vaccine was removed from the commercial market in 1983. Routine vaccinations were stopped in the United States in 1972 because many people experienced side effects and there was almost no risk of getting smallpox. The United States Public Health Service maintains an emergency stockpile of approximately 15 million doses of smallpox vaccine, and the federal government has recently announced plans to accelerate production of a new smallpox vaccine.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would recommend vaccination only if there was clear evidence that the disease had resurfaced and people in the U.S. were at risk of acquiring infection. For more information, consult the current U.S. Public Health Service’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on smallpox vaccination.

Probably not. Vaccination has been shown to wear off in most people after 10 years, but may last longer if the person has been successfully vaccinated on multiple occasions. If health authorities determine you have been exposed to smallpox and are at risk of infection, they would recommend that you be re-vaccinated immediately.

Smallpox is a disease caused by the variola virus. It can be easily spread from person to person, and transmission usually occurs only after the patient develops a fever and rash. After the incubation period, the patient experiences high fever, malaise, headache and backache. Severe abdominal pain and delirium are sometimes present. The last naturally acquired case of smallpox in the world occurred in October 1977 in Somalia; the last cases recorded in Illinois were recorded in 1947.

All known variola virus stocks are held under security at the CDC or at the State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology in Russia.

No. A mask would offer some protection only if you were wearing it at the exact moment that a bioterrorist attack occurred. Most likely, a release of a biological agent would be done without anyone’s knowledge. To wear a mask at all times, or just in case of a bioterrorist attack, is impractical, if not impossible.

(Sources: Illinois Department of Public Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Defense and Johns Hopkins University Center for Civilian Biodefense Studies)

You can find further information on the Illinois Department of Public Health home page (http://www.idph.state.il.us/home.htm) and via their bioterrorism preparedness home page  (http://www.idph.state.il.us/
Bioterrorism/bioterrorismhome.htm).

[Illinois Department of Public Health]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

Make an imprint on a child’s life…

Become a foster parent

[FEB. 1, 2002]  More foster parents are needed every year as more people are getting involved in reporting child abuse and neglect. Hotline social workers this year will handle more than 130,000 reports of child abuse and neglect.

What are child abuse and neglect? Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caretaker, someone living in the child’s home or someone who works with or around children. The mistreatment must cause injury or must put the child at risk of physical injury. Child abuse can be physical (such as burns or broken bones), sexual (such as fondling or incest) or emotional. Neglect occurs when a parent or responsible caretaker fails to provide adequate supervision, food, clothing, shelter or other basics of a child.

It is important for every person to take child abuse and neglect seriously, to be able to recognize when it happens, and to know what to do next. Care enough to call the state’s Child Abuse Hotline: 1 (800) 25-ABUSE or 1 (800) 358-5117 (TTY).

As more children enter the foster system, there is an increasing need for foster parents. Foster parents care about children, and they are willing and able to love, respect, and nurture them. A foster parent has to be at least 21 years old; law-abiding; free of communicable diseases; trained to foster children; a licensed foster parent; able to work closely with the agency that supervises their home; and provide living quarters which are large enough, safe enough and furnished in a way that is appropriate for a family with children.

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If you wish to become a foster parent, call 1 (800) 624-KIDS to request further information. If you prefer adoption, consider making a waiting child part of your family. For more information on how you can become an adoptive parent, call 1 (800) 572-2390.

Logan County Health Department provides services to foster parents and foster children by acting as the lead agency for HealthWorks of Illinois. HealthWorks monitors the medical needs of Department of Children and Family Services wards (foster children) for a 10-county area in Logan, Christian, Mason, Menard, Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery, Scott, Morgan and Cass counties. It is a medical program developed to provide the best possible medical care for the children. It provides and maintains a medical network that supplies consistent and appropriate medical services to DCFS wards. All children under the age of 6 also have on hand at each respective health department a medical case manager who will be available to answer any medical questions a foster parent may have about the DCFS ward.

If you desire a foster parent meeting about HealthWorks, please contact the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Lincoln Park District

Red Cross

[FEB. 5, 2002]  The American Red Cross will have a class on Feb. 26 and 28 covering adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid.

Class sessions will be in the Red Cross office at 125 S. Kickapoo Street, Lincoln, from 6 to 10 p.m. on the 26th and from 5 to 10 p.m. on the 28th. Attendance both nights is required for the class.

For further information or to preregister, call 732-2134 between noon and 4 p.m. weekdays. All other times, call (217) 522-3357.

[JAN. 24, 2002]  In February, A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. will sponsor two Red Cross blood drives at the Lincoln Sports Complex. On Feb. 6, hours will be from noon until 5 p.m. The Feb. 20 hours will be from noon until 6 p.m.

Anyone who would like to make an appointment may call (800) 728-3543, but walk-ins are always welcome.

During January, the following donors reached goals:  Emil J. Moos Jr., 22 gallons; Mark Seggelke, 18; Karen E. Lovelace, 14; George Alan Pegram, 10; Sharon Pierce, five; and Patricia K. Huffer, two gallons.

Events

February 2002

Thursday, Feb. 14
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Love Your Heart seminar; event is free of charge
WHERE: ALMH, lower level 
WHEN: Open from 7:30 am to 1 pm

Wednesday, Feb. 20
SPONSOR: A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
WHO: Public
WHAT: American Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: Noon to 6 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 26
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: By preregistration; call 732-2134 noon-4 pm weekdays or (217) 522-3357 at other times
WHAT: Class covering adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid (first of two sessions required)
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo St.
WHEN: 6-10 pm

Thursday, Feb. 28
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: By preregistration; call 732-2134 noon-4 pm weekdays or (217) 522-3357 at other times
WHAT: Class covering adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid (second of two sessions)
WHERE: 125 S. Kickapoo St.
WHEN: 5-10 pm

March 2002

Thursday, March 7
SPONSOR: Logan County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
WHO: Public; by preregistration. Call 1 (800) 407-4557.
WHAT: Life Line Screening; tests for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis
WHERE: St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St.

Honors & Awards

[JAN. 9, 2002]  Dolan Dalpoas, director of quality management and rehabilitation services for Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, successfully completed the Board of Governor’s Examination in Healthcare Management administered by the American College of Healthcare Executives. The examination focuses on areas of healthcare management including governance, marketing, human resources, finance, facility, information systems and government regulations.

ACHE, an international professional society of nearly 30,000 healthcare executives, is known for its prestigious credentialing and educational programs and its annual Congress on Healthcare Management, which draws more than 4,000 participants. ACHE conducts groundbreaking research on career development and public policy programs. ACHE’s publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on all aspects of health services management, including the Journal of Healthcare Management and Healthcare Executives. In addition, ACHE publishes textbooks used for college and university courses. Through such efforts, ACHE works towards its goal of improving the health status of society by advancing healthcare leadership and management excellence.

In addition to passing the examination applicants must meet other eligibility requirements.  Dalpoas’ qualifications include: a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois at Springfield; three years of health care management experience; 20 hours of continuing education; participation and leadership in health care and community-civic affairs; and two references from ACHE members.

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As a result of passing the examination and meeting the other eligibility requirements, Dalpoas was assured all rights and privileges of Diplomate status with ACHE. He is now board certified in healthcare management and can use the distinction of Certified Healthcare Executive.

In 2000, Dalpoas received the Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award, which recognizes ACHE affiliates who have significantly contributed toward the advancement of healthcare management excellence and the achievement of the goals of ACHE.

 “Having board certified professionals on our staff, ensures that ALMH is providing the finest healthcare leaders to the community in which we serve,” states Woody Hester, president and chief executive officer at ALMH and a Fellow with ACHE. According to Dalpoas, the program has provided him with knowledge that can be applied to current everyday responsibilities within the hospital. “I am able to utilize a hands-on approach and apply what I have studied to better serve the needs of our patients,” stated Dalpoas. 

Dalpoas began working at ALMH in December of 1990, on a part-time basis in the Rehabilitation Department while he attended Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y., on an ALMH health care scholarship. After graduation in May of 1994, he began his professional career as a staff physical therapist at ALMH.

[ALMH news release]

Announcements

[FEB. 12, 2002]  Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital offers prenatal classes in a series of four sessions, each on Wednesday, from 7 to 9 p.m. The current series began Jan. 30 and will conclude Feb. 20. The next series will begin March 27.

Participants are provided with information on topics including delivery, breathing and relaxation techniques, infant care, and breastfeeding. Participants will also be given a tour of the Family Maternity Suites.

Classes meet in Conference Room B, located on the lower level at the hospital.

The cost of the series for expectant mothers and their significant others is $30.

For more information or to register for the prenatal classes, call ALMH’s Family Maternity Suites at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 236.

[ALMH news release]

[FEB. 11, 2002]  The National Association for Children of Alcoholics, or NACoA, announced that it will join with its affiliated organizations nationwide to celebrate Children of Alcoholics Week 2002 from Sunday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 16.

The theme of this public awareness campaign, "No Child Unsupported," proclaims the responsibility all share for the well-being of all children, but especially for those who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction in their families. NACoA envisions a society where these vulnerable children are encouraged to seek help and have access to adults who can help them.

An estimated one in four U.S. children is exposed to a family alcohol problem, and countless others are affected by familial drug abuse. These young people are at increased risk of a range of problems, including physical illness, emotional disturbances, behavior problems, lower educational performance, and susceptibility to alcoholism or other addiction later in life.

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As a centerpiece of its campaign, NACoA is helping to publicize a series of posters and pamphlets developed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and NACoA to encourage young people to talk with supportive adults. These materials from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol on Alcohol and Drug Information are available at Logan-Mason Mental Health, (217) 735-2272.

[Provided by Logan-Mason Mental Health]

ALMH offers heart-healthy event

[FEB. 7, 2002]  In celebration of Heart Month, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital is offering a free event to help educate the public on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. "Love Your Heart" will be on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, Feb. 14, on the lower level of the hospital from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. It will feature a variety of activities and information to promote a healthy heart.

Presentations will be given on topics including prescription medications for cardiac patients, heart disease, heart-healthy cooking and the benefits of exercise. Information regarding weight management, heart health, wellness and the benefits of massage will be also available.

  For those who arrive early, a "heart smart" continental breakfast will be provided. People who attend can also have their blood pressure checked and participate in a free cholesterol screening. The Illinois Soy Association and Archer Daniels Midland will provide soy food product items, and people can sample heart-healthy cuisine from Bunn Capitol Company, Chad’s Inn and McDonald’s.

For more information, please call Bridget Lane, M.S., R.D., L.D. at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 199.

[ALMH news release]

Health care career scholarship applications available

[JAN. 26, 2002]  Applications for the Dwight F. Zimmerman Scholarship, sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, are currently available.

Applicants must be seniors graduating from Lincoln Community High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Olympia High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School, Delavan Community High School or Illini Central High School, or students currently attending Lincoln College.

All applicants who are chosen as finalists to interview with the scholarship selection committee will receive an award to be applied directly toward tuition, fees and books. The two top applicants will receive scholarships of $1,500. Other finalists will be awarded $500 scholarships.

Applications are available in the guidance offices of the above-listed schools. Applications are to be submitted to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656. The deadline to submit an application for the Zimmerman scholarship is April 5. For more information, call the foundation office at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

People wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund may send their contributions to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

[News release]

Stroke prevention screening

[JAN. 18, 2002]  Life Line Screening will be in Lincoln on Thursday, March 7.

Life Line Screening is a mobile health service that screens for stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis. This local opportunity for screening, sponsored by Logan County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, will be at St. John United Church of Christ, 204 Seventh St.

Using ultrasound and Doppler equipment, Life Line Screening can view the arteries. The first test views the carotid arteries, where 75 percent of strokes originate, looking for plaque buildup. A second test checks the aortic vessel in the abdomen for a breakdown in the lining of the vessel. This is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. A third test, called an ABI, is performed to screen the lower extremities for plaque buildup, known as peripheral arterial disease. This disease is directly linked to coronary heart disease.

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The fourth test, for osteoporosis, screens for abnormal bone mass density. This disease is painless and silent in its early stages.

Results are read by a board-certified physician and mailed within 10 business days.

Fees are as follows: stroke-carotid screening, $40; abdominal aortic aneurysm, $40; peripheral vascular disease, $40; or the complete vascular screening, including all three of the preceding tests, $99. Osteoporosis screening is $35. All four tests are available for $125.

Pre-registration is required. Call 1 (800) 407-4557.

More information is available on the Internet: http://www.lifelinescreening.com/
Default.asp?Page=Screenings

[News release]

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Resources for Logan County families

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy Families Task Force.         

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