Southland Stories

Cook County Resubmits Plan to Shut Down Oak Forest Hospital

A 24-hour non-emergency clinic is now part of the county's pitch.

The effort to shut down Oak Forest Hospital as an inpatient center hit a roadblock a few weeks ago when Cook County's plan failed to secure approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. A new pitch to the state regulators features a 24-hour-a-day clinic as well as a Southland advisory board, reports Greg Hinz on his blog at Crain's Chicago Business. Without public announcement, the county submitted paperwork for a crucial approval — known as a certificate of need — with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which twice recently has said "no" to similar requests. The latest version is somewhat different. Oak Forest Hospital still would be closed as a medical center and be converted into an out-…

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Lorraine Swanson

3:57 am on Thursday, June 9, 2011

Joe, Please repost your comment without the profanity.   more ›

Treasure Chest Chock Full of Gifts for Kids

The Orland Park-based foundation collects toys for children suffering from cancer and recently saw a 20 percent increase in donations.

Kristine Bulian knew what her family had to do. About two and a half years ago, her daughter Hannah was admitted to Advocate Hope Children's Hospital for intense chemotherapy to treat leukemia. It was her 12th birthday. When the doctors found out it was Hannah's birthday, she immediately got to pick a present from the "treasure chest," a selection of toys donated to hospitals across the country from the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. During 16 hospital stays that followed after her birthday, the staff would bring her toys to choose from on days when she needed rest, especially after a difficult procedure. "It was significant. She always smiled," Kristine Bulian said.  "The hospital staff would always look for the perfect …

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