News
Riveredge Hospital granted SAMHSA Technical Assistance Grant for efforts to reduce seclusions and restraints
On August 15th and 16th, Riveredge Hospital welcomed Raul Almazar and William Killibrew for further training on Trauma Informed Care. Six training sessions were offered to the administration, physicians, all hospital staff and one session was open to our community partners. The training highlighted the progress we have made thus far (such as celebrating one year with zero seclusions on the adolescent boys unit in July) as well as motivation and guidance to further advance our mission for coercion-free, Trauma Informed treatment. Raul is a nationally recognized expert for his work in this area. William is a former consumer of the mental health system and current advocate and national spokesperson. The trainings and presenters were appropriately evocative and inspirational.
Geriatric Open House
On Thursday August 11, 2011 Riveredge Hospital proudly hosted an open house for our Geriatric Unit. This specialized unit has been fully renovated to meet the physical and emotional needs of these patients in an aesthetically pleasing environment. Senior patients are benefitting from both traditional talk therapies as well as alternative holistic interventions. We offer an array of supportive interventions including family support, Animal Assisted, Art, Music and Occupational Therapies. The open house began with a presentation by Dr. Dheeraj Mahajan, President of CIMPAR (Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research). The ribbon cutting ceremony included remarks from Carey Carlock, CEO of Riveredge Hospital and Dr.'s Rad Gharavi and Thodur Ranganathan, Clinical Directors of Adult Services at Riveredge Hospital. Tours of the unit, refreshments and hors d'oeurves were provided while enjoying the talent of Harpist, Ida Gannon. Ms Gannon entertains our patients on the Geriatric unit each week with her musical talent. Read more...
Welcome Roosevelt Academy!
In August 2011 Riveredge Hospital opened the doors to Roosevelt Academy. Roosevelt Academy is a therapeutic day school serving the Community Residential Center (CRC) at Riveredge Hospital. It is led by an interdisciplinary team that includes teachers, a counselor and teaching assistants. This is an excellent opportunity for the young men in the CRC to get the full scope of treatment needs met internally.
West Suburban Police Chiefs Association Golf Outing
Carey Carlock, CEO, Ginny Trainor, Director of Business Development and Carrie Overbey, Director of Social Services all from Riveredge, along with Dr. Mike Gara, private practitioner, golfed in this outing to support the West Suburban Police Chief Association. We were especially pleased to support our Chief Jim Ryan of Forest Park and his team. The West Suburban Chiefs of Police Association was founded in 1960 and serves, among other purposes, as an advisory body to legislative officials representing the concerns of police departments in the near-western Chicago suburbs. Its 175 members from 35 departments also contribute to a number of charitable causes, including the Children's Advocacy Center, Toys for Tots, the Special Olympics, scholarships and memorial contributions to families of fallen officers.
C4 Walk for Miles
Team Riveredge participated again in the C4 Miles: Making Strides for Mental Health. Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) is a leading provider of clinical services, and recognized as a compassionate and innovative community mental health agency, keenly sensitive to the diverse racial and ethnic populations it serves. From its beginning as a one-room storefront, C4 has grown to include five facilities that provide a range of mental health, substance use and family counseling services. True to its mission, C4 has continually developed services to meet emerging mental health and social problems, including assistance for those struggling with substance use, parenting classes, survivors of sexual assault, young adults and children under three years old.
Potter's Corner is established and dedicated on the Children's unit
Potter's Corner is established and dedicated on the Children's unit. Nicole and Jim Payne, knew that having a baby would change their lives forever. At the 20 week ultra-sound, Nicole and Jim learned their baby had a rare condition called bi-renal agenesis, or Potter's Syndrome. With this condition, the baby had not developed kidneys, which are vital for development of the baby's joints and muscles, for his digestive system and most importantly, to develop his lungs. Without mature lungs, babies with Potter's Syndrome have life spans that are measured in minutes or hours. Potter James Payne was born on October 22, 2009 and lived for approximately 30 minutes. In his short life, Potter had a tremendous positive impact on everyone who heard his story. His life brought blessings of newfound clarity in the form of trust in faith, personal strength and the value of love and hope, even in times when it hurts the most to love and hope. Nicole and Jim wanted to find away to share Potter's blessings with other people so that he could continue to positively impact people's lives. What started as a request to donate some toys and books to the Children's Program developed into Potter's Corner. It is a place that represents healing, recovery and hope. Each child chooses an item from Potter's Corner when they arrive. It is theirs to keep in the hospital and a comforting transitional object for when they return home. Along the hallway leading to the children's unit is pictures our patients have created to reflect feelings of loss, healing and recovery, as well as a plaque honoring the dedication of Potter's Corner.
Jason Flatt Act Signed into Law in Illinois!
It is now official! On June 26, Governor Pat Quinn signed The Jason Flatt Act / HB 4672 into Law during a ceremonial signing in Chicago. This made Illinois the 5th state to pass The Jason Flatt Act.
Introduced by Representative Greg Harris and sponsored in the Senate by Senator Heather Steans, The Jason Flatt Act repeated what it had done in other states by passing both the House and Senate without a "Nay" vote.
The Jason Flatt Act is legislation that requires educators to receive two hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention to be certified to teach in a state. In Illinois, all teachers in grades 7-12 are required to have such training for certification under the legislation.
We are proud that Governor Quinn invited Clark Flatt (Pres/CEO), Michele Ray (VP/COO) and representatives from JFI's Affiliate Offices in Illinois to attend the signing. Governor Quinn presented Clark one of the pens used to sign the Bill into law.
The Jason Foundation wants to thank Representative Harris for his passion and dedication to introduce and pass the legislation during a year that such legislation was difficult to pass. We also want to thank Senator Steans, all the co-sponsors, the Illinois Teachers Association, Coach Ron Zook and many others for their support during this process and of course Governor Quinn for his support and dedication to the youth of Illinois.
Riveredge Wears Yellow to Raise Mental Health Awareness
Riveredge Hospital proudly participated in a national initiative for employees to wear yellow to show solidarity in the support of Mental Health Awareness Month on May 26th.
Riveredge Celebrates National Hospital Week
Riveredge celebrated the week with a various activities including a BBQ and a car wash by the hospital administrators.
Riveredge Hospital welcomes more than 200 guests to wellness fair
OakPark-Leaves.com - May 27, 2010
In honor of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Riveredge Hospital hosted its 2nd Annual Wellness Fair Friday, May 21. The all-day, free event welcomed more than 200 guests including community partners and care providers and featured information booths, presentations and interactive activities such as massages and yoga sessions.
To read more, visit OakPark-Leaves.com
Riveredge Hospital Welcomes More than 200 Guests to 2nd Annual Wellness Fair
Triblocal.com - May 27, 2010
In honor of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Riveredge Hospital hosted its 2nd Annual Wellness Fair Friday, May 21. The all-day, free event welcomed more than 200 guests including community partners and care providers and featured information booths, presentations and interactive activities such as massages and yoga sessions.
Riveredge Hospital CEO Carey Carlock welcomed guests and introduced the first presenters of the day, Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy. Later, Melissa Jackson, a Riveredge therapist and certified yoga instructor, led participants in complimentary yoga sessions and Kyla Gilmore, a Registered Dance Movement Therapist, gave an interactive presentation on dance therapy with the audience.
To read more, visit Triblocal.com
Riveredge Hospital Joins C4 to “Make Strides for Mental Illness”
Triblocal.com - May 5, 2010
Chicago, IL - Riveredge Hospital and more than 20 of its staff members including CEO Carey Carlock recently joined the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4) for its annual walk to help raise awareness of mental illness as well as funds to support mental health services and treatment programs.
C4 Miles: Making Strides for Mental Illness took place Sunday, May 2, 2010 at Montrose Harbor, Chicago. In addition to participating in the event, Riveredge Hospital provided support by making a donation to the organization.
To read more, visit Triblocal.com
Riveredge Hospital Hosts Community Agencies and Providers at 4th Annual Resource Fair
Triblocal.com - September 28, 2009
To read more, visit Triblocal.com
Walking for mental health awareness
Forest Park Review - September 15, 2009
To read more, visit ForestParkReview.com
Riveredge Hospital Walks to Advocate on Behalf of the Mentally Ill
Triblocal.com - September 14, 2009
To read more, visit TribLocal.com
Community Partners
Riveredge recognizes the importance of community involvement to promote healing and destigmatization of persons living with a mental illness. We value all of our partners including law enforcement, social service providers, community members, healthcare providers and SASS.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Riveredge hosted, “Reflections of Wellness.” It was a day devoted to overall wellness including self-care and stress management. In addition to resource booths, raffles, chair massages and networking opportunities, we hosted two presentations These were Dance Movement Therapy and The use of Medicine for Treating Mental Illness. The interactive lunch honored our local police department who are our valued partners. Pictured from left to right are Riveredge COO, Dr. Mike Gara, Riveredge CEO, Carey Carlock, Forest Park Police Chief Jim Ryan and Forest Park Deputy Police Chief, Tom Aftanas. While it was our local Police Department honored with a plaque, it was also commemorative of all our police partnerships including those from Berwyn, Chicago, Bellwood, Oak Park and Cicero.
Riveredge was the sponsor for the Cook County State’s Attorney annual Anti-Drug Poster Contest. The event showcased the artwork of several students from Chicago schools. Pictured with the winning artwork are Riveredge CEO, Carey Carlock and State’s Attorney, Anita Alvarez.
Roseland CeaseFire had an open house on May 23, 2009. We were pleased to be a part of this and offer our support towards their efforts to help stop violence on our streets. Pictured from left to right are Alderman Carrie Austin, Roseland CeaseFire Director Bob Jackson and Riveredge Director of Business Development Ginny Trainor.
This year the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council hosted a luncheon honoring nurses. In attendance from left to right are Dawn Price, Unit Manager for Adolescent Girls; Lisa Ledonne, Unit Manager for Pediatrics; Stan Turner, RN; Tonkya Lemons, Unit Manager of Adolescent Boys; Kim Morton, Chief Nursing Officer; Carey Carlock, CEO; Carolina Mosley, Nursing Supervisor; Edna Abella, RN for Adult Services; Rhoda Auld, Unit Manager for Adults.
The Niagara Foundation, who is committed to promoting Global Fellowship, hosted an Intercultural Reception in Springfield this June. It was our honor to partner with this organization in their mission of tolerance and peace amongst communities. Pictured from left to right are Carey Carlock, State Representative Lisa Hernandez, Governor Quinn and Riveredge psychiatrist Dr. Noorani.
Thank you to all of our community partners for your support and efforts towards promoting health and wellness!
