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Advocate Health Care Provides Open Forum on Bethany Hospital Transition

Posted on: Friday, 3 March 2006, 12:00 CST

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Advocate Health Care has called a public hearing to share the plan to transition Advocate Bethany Hospital into the West Side's first and only long term acute care hospital. Bethany will concentrate on treating seriously ill and injured patients who need a longer hospital stay and specialized treatment before returning home. The public hearing is part of Advocate's application before the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board for certain service changes related to Bethany's new focus. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at 10 a.m. at The Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle in Chicago.

"This will be a good opportunity for us to continue to share with the community our exciting plans for this new phase in Bethany's health ministry," said Lena Dobbs-Johnson, president of Advocate Bethany Hospital located at 3435 W. Van Buren St. in Chicago. "In addition, we can clear up any misinformation and confusion about the changes at the hospital. It's important for community residents, community leaders, congregations, and elected officials to fully understand the many benefits that a long term acute care hospital will offer to Chicago's West Side residents."

Bethany will now treat patients with serious medical conditions - - from heart disease and cancer to respiratory disorders and severe wounds. These patients and their families will no longer need to go outside the community for this specialized hospital care.

Bethany also will continue to offer many outpatient services, including X-ray, CT, lab, mammography, outpatient surgery, chemotherapy, respiratory care, as well as a pharmacy. In addition, Asthma Education, Congregational Health and Adopt-a- School outreach programs will continue.

Building on Bethany's tradition of community service, Advocate also is establishing the Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund. The Fund will provide support for community-based efforts to address health disparities and to promote health and wellness. Advocate currently is collaborating with community groups, congregations, local public officials, local clinics and other groups on this initiative.

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Oak Brook-based Advocate Health Care, the largest health care provider in Illinois, is ranked among the nation's top health care systems. A faith-based, non-profit system, Advocate is related to both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ. Advocate's 200-plus sites of care in metropolitan Chicago include eight acute care hospitals and two children's hospitals, a home health care company and four of Chicago's largest medical groups. Through its academic and teaching affiliations, Advocate trains more resident physicians than does any non- university teaching hospital in Illinois. For more information about Advocate Health Care, please visit http:// www.advocatehealth.com.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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