It’s an old concept. The Romans and Greeks loved them and today they seem to be sprouting like day lilies in early spring. Spas of every type, size and discipline dot the landscape and bring rest and rejuvenation to the stressed and strung out.

They seem to inherently tell us that we’re fine. In a sense, they’re a way we thank ourselves. And, thanks was what Schaumburg-based home care company LifeStyle Options had in mind when the company established an annual tradition – saying thank you to their devoted caregivers with a lot of hands-on caring.

On Saturday, November 13 more than 150 caregivers CNAs, RNs and LPNs, their friends and a number of prospective caregivers gathered at the Holiday Inn in Rolling Meadows for the four-hour 2nd Annual Caregiver’s Spa Day affectionately dubbed ‘Angels are often disguised as caregivers.’ "We wanted to do something special for our caregivers and give them the opportunity to be cared for," said LifeStyle Options CEO Molly K. Miceli.

Arriving caregivers found the area decorated with floating angels and a buffet table boasting fruit and vegetable trays, muffins, cookies, juice and finger sandwiches. They were greeted by nine massage therapists, six nail techs and three facial specialists and the office staff of LifeStyle Options. During the day several hundred special caregivers found in this "island of calm," they were the ones who were cared for.

According to Pam Nicpan, operations manager, who was the project leader, one LifeStyle Options nurse brought her mom with her for her first ever massage. "My mom has been a nurse for 50 years," she told us, "and this is the first time anyone's pampered her!" Another nurse said she'd worked at a major university hospital for more than 25 years and had never experienced anything like this event.

In addition to all of the pampering, 3 LifeStyle Options caregiver of the year awards were presented. One went to Rockford resident Shawna Franzier, who has been with LifeStyle Options for two years. She is a coordinator in LifeStyle Options’ Rockford Office and was selected as caregiver of the year. Shawna was very happy to receive the award and loved the Spa Day. "I had the full deal…a facial, manicure and a massage. It was dark and cozy and they had wonderful music playing. I wanted to take the facial lady home with me!"

Dimples Saquin, RN, from Rolling Meadows was named nurse of the year. Saquin, who grew up in the Philippines emigrated to the United States four years ago and received her nursing degree in 2003, was delighted with the award and the Spa Day. "It was lovely. I didn’t know that I needed it until I was there and now I feel recharged."

A Caregiver of the Year Award also went to Bloomingdale resident, Barbara Burton, who is a long-time live-in caregiver and a five-year service award was given to homecare professional, Victoria Lange from Hoffman Estates.

Todd A. Conklin has been named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Saint Anthony Hospital. Conklin previously served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the Loyola University Physician Foundation.

From August 1996 to September 2001, Conklin served as Vice President of Finance for Loyola University Medical Center, simultaneously serving the Loyola University Physician Foundation from August 1998 to June 2004. For over ten years, Conklin was employed with Deloitte & Touche working on local and national healthcare accounts.

Conklin is a graduate of Illinois State University, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. He is currently attending the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University to pursue his Masters Degree in Finance. In addition, Conklin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Rush University Medical Center has named Peter Butler to a newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer. Butler will step down from his current post as president of Rush North Shore Medical Center to take on this new role.

In addition to his current position as president of Rush North Shore, Butler has managed two large prestigious health care systems that are similar to Rush in many ways: he was president and CEO of Methodist Health Care System in Houston from 1997 to 2001 and senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit from 1992-1997. Butler worked at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center from 1982 until 1992 in a variety of administrative positions including vice president of administrative affairs and chief administrative officer.

James Frankenbach, who is the current senior vice president of corporate and hospital affairs at Rush University Medical Center, returns to Rush North Shore where he was president from 1990 to 1995.