As Chicago's West Side keeps growing, so does the need for new housing, especially for those who work in the area, including physicians and other medical personnel. An entirely new neighborhood called Westhaven Park is being created to meet the needs of those who want to reside within the historic West Loop.

When completed, Westhaven Park will provide more than 700 new homes in the area, as well as increased off-street parking, a two-acre park, landscaped walkways and a new street grid. Begun in October of 2003, the project's first units will be available in June of 2005, with construction continuing for the next five years.

"The most important aspect of this development is that we are creating an entirely new neighborhood with a wide range of homes," explained AnneMarie Garza, supervising broker of AMS Realty. AMS Realty is the exclusive listing agent of Westhaven Park. "Our goal is to create a diverse and successful community."

Located close to a number of medical facilities, including Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital (formerly Cook County), the University of Illinois Medical Center and a veterans' hospital, Westhaven Park is already attracting the attention of professionals in the area. "We have a mix of clients including doctors, realtors, police officers, bankers, teachers, a TV producer, firemen and more," said Garza, who adds that the development is already 50 percent sold.

"The location is good and the prices are extremely reasonable, so it's a very good financial investment," said Dr. Dora Maya, who expects to be able to move into a Westhaven Park Midrise in December of 2005. "Though the area is not yet completely developed, the location is good--we're only two blocks from the United Center where the Chicago Bulls play. We're also close to Chicago's downtown, and only two minutes from major expressways, so it's easy to get to the suburbs."

Once built, Westhaven Park will include eight buildings, ranging from a nine-story Midrise with 113 apartments, to the City Flats, which include eight or nine units, depending on the building. The Midrise buildings will include one and two bedroom floor plans, as well as one bedroom plus den units. Each unit will include a balcony and fireplace. City Flats buildings will include two and three bedroom floor plans, as well as balconies with each unit.

"Among the amenities that we offer are stainless steel appliances, oversized patios and hardwood floors," said Garza. "And the fact that we are building a two-acre park seems to make most clients very happy. But what really seems to amaze them is the price of parking."

According to Garza, parking ranges from a one-time fee of $16,000 at the City Flats to $17,500 for the Midrise apartments. "Typically, parking at most developments is double this," she explained. "When I tell the clients our fees, the first thing they say is 'Wow!" The second thing they ask is 'How many spaces can I buy?'"

"I will be paying $15,000 for a heated, underground parking space at Westhaven Park, compared to other parking in the city that costs $30,000," said Maya. "The amenities here are also well beyond what I've seen in other developments--you pay more with other builders for stainless steel appliances and granite countertops; here, they are included as an incentive."

Prices for Westhaven Park units begin at $215,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and $280,000 for a three-bedroom unit, which Garza says is about 30 percent lower than the cost of similar apartments in the area. Already, all of the one-bedroom units have been sold.

A pre-construction party will be held on October 28, 2004 for employers in the area who would like to see what Westhaven Park has to offer. "We want to show employers what we have available for their staffs, who may currently live in other cities or suburbs," said Garza. "We want to them how convenient our location is, and the high quality of our community."

"It's so exciting to live in Chicago now--it's so beautiful and there are so many things going on," added Maya. "I used to be on the North Side before moving to be closer to my job in the suburbs, but I missed the city's vitality. I like the concept of this community, and I know it is going to be very well done. So I'm moving back!"

The pre-construction party will take place on October 28, 2004 from 4-7 p.m. at 100 N. Hermitage, and will feature raffles, food, drink and more. Call AnneMarie Garza at (312) 421-0404 for more information. Sales Center hours are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Growing up in poverty in Chicago’s Ida B. Wells housing development with her parents and five siblings, Sandra Wilks often relied on the aid of community nurses to receive basic health care and routine immunizations. Throughout her teen years, she also watched as many of her peers became pregnant and battled the challenges of young motherhood. It was these early experiences in life that inspired Wilks to pursue a career as a community/public health nurse so she, in-turn, could provide health care and assistance to those living in poverty. Sandra Wilks MSN, RN, Director of Community Health Outreach at Chicago’s Michael Reese Hospital, was recently recognized week for her exceptional professional contributions in public health nursing. Wilks was chosen as winner of the 2004 VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) Foundation Super Star in Community Nursing Award and recipient of a $25,000 unrestricted cash award. (The Research and Education Foundation of the Michael Reese Medical Staff Family Planning Program was also presented with a $5,000 award.)

Sandra Wilks has a great passion for service in the poverty stricken neighborhood in which she serves. In a community where nearly a third of the residents are unemployed, Wilks is a tireless advocate. She has spent her entire nursing career at Michael Reese Hospital giving back to her community. In one of her most recent roles at the hospital, Wilks manages the Research and Education Foundation of the Michael Reese Medical Staff Family Planning Program, where she supports the teenagers who have been central to her interest for years. In addition to leadership in the program, Wilks provides direct nursing care and health promotion services to her many patients. Among the hospital’s pregnancy and prevention programs, she teaches "Parents Too Soon" classes to aid young parents.

Medical centers across the country are facing huge deficits as a result of the health care crisis, and many are closing their community service programs. Michael Reese Hospital has been faced with these same challenges. As a community health advocate, Wilks has fought to save the Family Planning Program. Because the program is the only one of its kind in the neighborhood, providing a healthcare "safety net," she advocated for the women and teens of the community and helped administrators find a way to keep the program going.

"This year’s award nominees were of a truly exceptional caliber," said Robert DiLeonardi, Executive Director of the VNA Foundation of Chicago. "However, after reviewing Sandra Wilks’ impressive credentials, meeting her in person and witnessing her enthusiasm and passion for public health nursing, it was evident to our selection panel that she was most deserving of this recognition. Sandra is an inspiring example to others who are considering a career in community nursing."

"I am so honored to receive this recognition from the VNA Foundation," said Wilks. "I am privileged to be in the company of the other award finalists, a group of outstanding community health nurses whose work is much like my own. I am so thankful for an award like this and grateful to the VNA Foundation for recognizing nurses this way. My career is very rewarding in and of itself, so to receive $25,000 is surreal and unexpected. I hope this award encourages more young people to pursue community nursing as I did, and give back to their communities where we so desperately need the support."

Sandra Wilks holds a diploma in nursing from South Chicago Community Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from College of St. Francis, a baccalaureate in nursing from Lewis University and a Masters in Nursing from St. Xavier University. She holds board positions with the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois, Research & Education Foundation and Near South Planning Committees and remains active in her community during her free time.

Advocate South Suburban Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Sandy Jozaitis, R.N., as vice president of operations and chief nursing officer. Jozaitis has been a member of the South Suburban Hospital staff for 22 years. Prior to joining South Suburban Hospital, she worked as a staff nurse in the open heart intensive care unit of Mercy Hospital in Chicago. At South Suburban Hospital, Jozaitis has held positions in the intensive care unit as staff nurse and assistant manager, and has served as staff scheduling coordinator and nursing practice coordinator. For the past nine years, Jozaitis has directed South Suburban Hospital’s telemetry units. She has served as interim vice president of nursing since February 2004.

Jozaitis is a diploma graduate of Little Company of Mary Hospital School of Nursing in Evergreen Park. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Science in health administration from the University of St. Francis, Joliet. Jozaitis is a member of the American Nurses Association and American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).