October 2012

Two Chicago area children's hospitals have decided that ensuring the best possible pediatric care for kids and their families can best be done by becoming one.

That's why Advocate Health Care's two flagship pediatric hospitals - Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital in Park Ridge and Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn -- have joined to create Advocate Children's Hospital, effective officially on Oct. 29.

The hospital now becomes one of Illinois' and one of the nation's largest pediatric enterprises, with more than 400 pediatricians and 230 subspecialists offering a wide range of care - from neonatology to cardiovascular services; comprehensive cancer care, including treatment of brain tumors and blood cancers like leukemia; trauma care; and a full range of rehabilitative and therapy services, such as audiology, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy and the care of the autistic child. 

With 400 licensed beds, including 111 Level III neonatal intensive care beds and 46 Level II special care nursery beds, the integrated hospital is considered among the top 10 network providers of pediatric services in the nation.

"We now have a broader voice and a broader skill set to make things happen," said Mike Farrell, recently named president of Advocate Children's Hospital. "This puts us in a position to adapt and grow with changes taking place in the health care world."

In fact, the hospital's new organizational framework is designed to do just that - adapt and grow. By enhancing communication among physicians and other health care professionals, including increased opportunities for consulting, conferring and collaborating, Advocate Children's Hospital will be able to provide highly effective, individualized treatments, using evidence-based practices.

The overall goal is to provide families more options and access to excellent service close to home, hospital leaders emphasize.  Indeed, because of its strong foundation, Advocate Children's Hospital is well poised to fulfill this mission of service to the community. 

For example, It has been ranked among the nation's top 50 children's hospitals in cardiology and neonatology by U.S. News & World Report, maintains the highest level of designation as a perinatal center, has been designated a pediatric critical care center by the state, holds Magnet designation for nursing and overall care excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is a member of the national Children's Hospital Association, which is committed to pediatric care excellence.

The hospital is rolling out its new brand and structure, beginning this week.  More information about Advocate Children's Hospital can be found at www.AdvocateChildrensHospital.com or call 855.312.KIDS.  Check out the video at http://bit.ly/TGU5zh.