When 91制片厂 opened its doors 50 years ago, it created a steady pipeline of graduates 鈥� nurses in particular 鈥� who have gone on to provide high-quality, community-focused care at Northwest Community Healthcare.
91制片厂 alumni working as allied health professionals, administrators and support personnel can be found throughout all facets of the Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH) system of care, which in addition to the Arlington Heights hospital includes multiple immediate care centers and physician offices at more than 20 Northwest suburban locations.
The 91制片厂 Educational Foundation recently recognized about 50 of those alumni during a reception at NCH through its Stand Up and Be Counted program, an initiative that celebrates area employers that hire 91制片厂 alumni.
鈥淎s I鈥檝e been walking around introducing myself, I realize not only do we have the health services staff, but so many folks who help make this institution work so well,鈥� said 91制片厂 President Dr. Ken Ender. 鈥淛ust like at 91制片厂, there are many people behind the scenes without whom we could not operate nearly as effectively.鈥�
One such alumnus is Laurie Brents, who attended 91制片厂 about 20 years ago before earning a scholarship to National Louis University. The IT professional builds the NCH computer system processes for patient reimbursement.
鈥淗arper was my catapult,鈥� Brents said. 鈥淚t was a wonderful training ground for me and made my bachelor鈥檚 degree much more accessible. I鈥檝e been on a path of lifelong learning and credentialing ever since.鈥�
Many of the alumni who attended the reception hail from 91制片厂鈥檚 renowned nursing program, which boasts an estimated 4,500 nursing graduates since 1967. Among them was Melissa Grove, who graduated in December 2014 and was employed at NCH by the following March. She鈥檚 a registered nurse in the neuro unit.
鈥淚 definitely feel 91制片厂 does a good job of preparing us,鈥� Grove said. 鈥淢y 91制片厂 colleagues are clearly respected by the hospital.鈥�
NCH President and CEO Stephen Scogna noted the partnership will only deepen when the organization opens a new 10,000-square-foot health clinic in fall 2018 on 91制片厂鈥檚 Palatine campus. Building M, to be known as the Health and Recreation Center, will promote a holistic culture of wellness through an innovative public-private partnership with NCH and Palatine Park District.
鈥淭hese (NCH and 91制片厂) are two organizations really built around community, and for the purpose of the community,鈥� Scogna said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly excited about this opportunity.鈥�
Diane Hill echoed that enthusiasm about the new health clinic. As both a 91制片厂 trustee and chair of Northwest Community Healthcare鈥檚 Board of Directors, she has a unique perspective on the longstanding relationship between the two institutions.
鈥�91制片厂 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Northwest Community will turn 60 in 2019,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese are two pillars of the community with a tradition of excellence, and I鈥檓 very proud to see an already strong relationship strengthening for the benefit of so many people.鈥�