For the first time since opening the new facilities in 1998, Northwestern Memorial Hospital recently launched an aggressive recruitment campaign to fill an additional 80 staff nurse positions in key care units within the hospital. The campaign, which will target both nurses who are already experienced in these care areas, as well as nurses who are interested in developing new skills, will reach nurses through direct mail and e-mail as well as postings in industry publications and Websites.

"We have undergone exciting transitions in several key areas of the hospital requiring us to add experienced staff nurses," says Michelle Janney, chief nurse executive and vice president, operations for the hospital. "Nurses looking to make a career change have a great opportunity to work with a premier healthcare organization in downtown Chicago that is financially sound and invested in the development of its staff."

Photo Courtesy of Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital recently transitioned beds in key outpatient and ICU areas, including Ambulatory Surgery, Neuroscience ICU, Cardiovascular ICU and the Neonatal ICU unit at Prentice Women’s Hospital. Because Northwestern Memorial Hospital prides itself on maintaining a low nurse-to-patient ratio in all areas, but especially in intensive care where the ratio is typically 1:1 or 1:2, the transitions require additional nurses in order to maintain this balance. Opportunities in other care areas of the hospital may also become available as nurses transition internally.

"Part of our mission is to provide the best patient experience and no where is that more important than in intensive care, where having a low nurse-to-patient ratio is crucial to patient care," continues Janney. "Because we are so committed to patients, we are equally committed to attracting and retaining the most qualified staff nurses who can help us fulfill that mission."

To attract nurses who have been out of nursing practice for a while, the hospital will offer a "Back to Practice" course in September to help nurses regain the necessary skills to work in patient care areas. "Back to Practice" consists of four weeks of classroom instruction, emphasizing pharmacology and technology, and clinical experience in the unit. Upon successful completion of the program, participants can opt to work part or full-time.

Carol Panknin, a registered nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Prentice Women’s Hospital, participated in a "Back to Practice" class two years ago, after being out of a clinical setting for more than 10 years. The former-home care hospice nurse credits the classes with giving her the knowledge base to work with newborns and postpartum patients, and decreasing her anxiety about returning to a clinical setting.

This aggressive recruitment campaign is rare for Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which has traditionally enjoyed low vacancy rates compared to other state and national hospitals of comparable size. The hospital also has a higher-than-average retention rate for nurses and nurses at the hospital report high job satisfaction.

"We attribute the high retention rate not only to the tangibles like competitive salary and benefits, but also to the intangibles like the working environment of the unit and the strong relationships nurses develop with their managers," says Jackie Wilhelm, staffing manager of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Human Resource department. "Our nurses consider this hospital a great place to work because they know how much their contributions are valued."

Panknin agrees, "I work with an incredible group of professionals who really demonstrate and value the concept of a ‘team’ environment. The hospital offers a lot of flexibility and work/life balance so that I can be a nurse and a mother."

To find out more information on the positions available or to apply for a position, nurses are encouraged to visit www.nmh.org.

Kenneth J. Printen M.D., Evanston, was elected president of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) during its recent annual meeting.

A board-certified surgeon and pioneer in the area of bariatric surgery, Dr. Printen is a general surgeon on the medical staff of Evanston Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Swedish Covenant Hospital. From 1969-1987, he served on the teaching faculty at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. At present, he is an associate professor of surgery at the Northwestern University Medical School.

An active member of ISMS since 1987, Dr. Printen has served on numerous ISMS councils and committees and on the Board of Trustees. From 2002-2003, Dr. Printen was the Society’s Speaker of the House of Delegates. Locally, Dr. Printen is a member of the Chicago Medical Society where he held the post of president in 1999. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Association of Academic Surgery, Gerontological Society, Central Surgical Association, Western Surgical Association, Illinois Surgical Society, Chicago Surgical Society, and the Society of Military Consultants, as well as a founding member of the American Trauma Society and a past-president of the Midwest Surgical Association. Dr. Printen is a retired Brigadier General in the Army Reserves.

Dr. Printen received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University in Chicago IL, and his medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL. He completed a four year residency in surgery at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL.

This past January, Lake Forest Hospital upped its commitment to women’s health by completing the 71,800-square-foot addition known as the Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health. The new center reflects the philosophy of the hospital to address women’s health needs in Lake Forest and surrounding areas, from conception throughout their entire lives.

"We structured the Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health so that it would stand as a readily identifiable facility that offers a broad range of the medical and health-related services that women need today," said Michael H. Scherbel, Partner, Health Care Division, at Plunkett Raysich Architects.

According to Scherbel, the new center incorporates the existing New England Williamsburg Colonial architectural style of the original part of the hospital. "The campus has the feel of a New England college campus, and the architecture is similar to what you’d find at Harvard. The twin chimney style originated in England and serves as a brand marker for Lake Forest Hospital," said Scherbel.

Plunkett Raysich Architects also designed the renovation of a 25,835 square foot portion of the existing hospital. This facility serves the general needs of the community and includes occupational therapy and physical therapy, a six GI lab unit, two minor procedure rooms, two pain-management rooms, a five-bed sleep lab, a ten-bed pediatrics in-patient unit, and a ten-bed pediatrics day surgery unit.

"The new Women’s Center has become a true destination point for women’s health services with its own separate entrance and parking area conveniently located for ready access to services," reported James E. Killian, Vice President.

The Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health provides advanced comprehensive medical care, including prevention, wellness, diagnostics, and treatment. The family-centered maternity service includes eight labor-delivery-recovery rooms, a six-bed Level II Nursery, 23 post-partum rooms, two Caeserean-section delivery rooms, a nursery, and private birthing rooms. Pediatricians are in house and on call 24 hours a day to assist with infant care.

"More than three thousand women attended a special series of health-education events and programs to celebrate the grand opening of the facility," said Killian.

Photo credit: John J. Korom of John J. Korom Photography
Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health, front view

The hospital’s maternity service also provides special comforts such as a whirlpool for labor and a three-month, complimentary fitness membership after discharge, an entertainment center for each room including an Internet connection and a mini-refrigerator. Fathers can say over with their wives and new borns, as each room has a window seat that opens to a bed, and a lounge with big-screen television and sports channels.

The Breast Care Center offers women the most advanced technology in breast care that includes the only digital mammography in Lake County and CADx, a sophisticated computer-aided review of mammograms that enhances the reliability of diagnoses.

Convenient appointment hours enable women to easily schedule mammograms, ultrasound for pregnancy, breast ultrasound, bon-density testing, and stereotactic breast biopsy. A Kids Corner offers babysitting services for women during medical appointments at the women’s center.

A new chapel on site addresses the spiritual needs of family members for a place in which to reflect and pray and to discuss spiritual matters with members of the hospital’s pastoral care staff. And the women’s boutique offers a wide range of health-related products that help women to stay healthy and curtail stress in their lives.

Photo credit: John J. Korom of John J. Korom Photography
Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health, back view

At the Posy Krehbiel Prevention and Wellness Center, women may involve themselves in educational services, health assessments, and referrals to medical specialists and wellness programs. The center’s team includes a physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner, exercise specialist, dietitician, and alternative medicine practitioners who guide and support woman participating in the program.

The Hunter Family Center for Women’s Health rounds out its medical and healthcare offerings with more than 20 wellness and complementary services ranging from diabetes management, homeopathic medicine, and back-save classes to Pilates, Tai Chi, and Yoga.

Long noted for its dedication to women’s health, Lake Forest Hospital now continues to respond to their needs with comprehensive and holistic medicine for generations to come.