CW Notes

The Miss Morton Scholarship Pageant focuses on awarding scholarship money to talented young women from our community. This year’s Miss Morton competition will be held on Sunday, September 8, as a kick off to the 47th Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival. Miss Morton is open to young women ages 16 – 19 who are either residents of Morton, students at Morton High School, or alumni of Morton High School. Contestants will compete in a variety of categories including interview, talent, passion/community involvement and platform. The crowned Miss Morton will receive a $2,000 scholarship, have an active role in the Morton Pumpkin Festival, and participate in a variety of community events during her one-year reign.

To secure one of the 10 spots available in the 2013 Miss Morton Scholarship Pageant, a completed registration form and $75 registration fee must be submitted online by June 15th at www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org/miss-morton.

This year’s Miss Morton Scholarship Pageant is sponsored by Soderstrom Skin Institute.

(Peoria, IL / May 23, 2013) – The cancer program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has been granted a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.

OSF Saint Francis takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex group of diseases that requires consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary partnership results in improved patient care.

“When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they want to receive the best treatment possible, right where they live. We work very hard to provide the best care for our patients and their families. This accreditation is an acknowledgement of the work of our staff, but it’s also an added comfort to our patients to know they are receiving the best care,” said Richard Anderson, MD, OSF Saint Francis Cancer Committee Liaison Physician.

Patients that receive care at a CoC facility also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatments, genetic counseling, and patient centered services including psycho-social support, a patient navigation process, and a survivorship care plan that documents the care each patient receives and seeks to improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.

Like all CoC-accredited facilities, OSF Saint Francis maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint program of the CoC and American Cancer Society (ACS), the largest clinical disease registry in the world.

ACS estimates that more than 1.6 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2013. CoC-accredited facilities diagnose and/or treat more than 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care.

The Red Cross continues to expand its work providing food, comfort, shelter and relief supplies after the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma. To see an interactive map showing areas affected, go to: http://arc-nhq-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/OnePane/basicviewer/index.html?appid=a8e1899880b34384abb8e2bf371ce924

More than 300 Red Cross disaster workers in Oklahoma have shelters, kitchens and emergency aid stations open where people can find a safe refuge, food and snacks, emotional support, relief supplies, health care services and information about what other help is available.

Meals are being prepared and distributed from two kitchens supported by the Southern Baptist Convention. More than 16,000 meals and snacks have been served.
More than 2,800 relief items have already been distributed including comfort kits containing personal toiletries and recovery supplies including coolers, buckets, gloves, dust masks, trash bags, flashlights, tarps, shovels, rakes and blankets
We have 30 Red Cross emergency response vehicles distributing food and relief supplies throughout the affected neighborhoods.
Shelters are open in Moore and Shawnee in Oklahoma and in Texas. More than 420 people sought refuge in Red Cross and community shelters Tuesday night in the two states.
Red Cross health services volunteers are working with the Medical Reserve Corps to visit the injured in local hospitals and offering services at the emergency aid stations like helping people replace prescriptions and other medical items.
Mental health workers are providing emotional support in shelters and emergency aid stations.
Many families have been affected by this horrific storm and Red Cross Spiritual Care Teams are working with partners to comfort those affected.

The Red Cross will be there in these affected areas to help people get back on their feet, and is working with other groups to give additional attention to children.
The Red Cross is working with Save the Children and Children’s Disaster Services, visiting shelters, community centers, churches and after-school programs to assist with the needs of children in the community.

In the coming days, Red Cross workers will meet with many affected families to help with emergency needs and connect people with other resources and tools to support their recovery.

This is an emotional time for people in the Moore community in Oklahoma, as many people have lost loved ones and everything they own in the third big tornado to hit this area in 15 years. Red Cross disaster mental health workers are available to help people cope with the aftermath.

People can reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
People may be experiencing a variety of difficult feelings and thoughts – fear, anger, confusion, shock, disbelief, sadness and grief. These are all normal feelings associated with experiencing a disaster like this.

Reacting to a disaster like this can affect not only how someone feels, but the way they think and what they think about, their sleep, their daily lives and the way they interact with others. Children and the elderly are especially at risk.
People should try to limit their exposure to the disaster.
They should reach out and accept help from others and stay connected with family and other support systems.
Allow children to feel upset and encourage them to express their feelings and thoughts.
Return to a daily routine as much as possible.

This relief effort is very large, involving multiple communities where tornadoes struck over several days. You can help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
You can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Your donation helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

SAFETY STEPS
Tornadoes can strike anywhere, at any time, and the best time to get ready is before the weather turns bad.
People in areas at risk for storms should stay informed about changing weather conditions and listen to the advice of local officials.
Download the free American Red Cross Tornado App, available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. The app gives mobile device users instant access to local and real-time information, so they know what to do before, during and after a tornado.
More information on tornado preparedness is also available at redcross.org.

As people begin to deal with the aftermath of the tornadoes, the Red Cross reminds them to return to their neighborhood only when officials say it is safe to do so. They should also:
Stay out of damaged buildings. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy shoes.
Avoid fallen power lines or broken gas lines – immediately report them to the utility companies.
If someone smells gas or hears a hissing noise, they should open a window, get everyone out of the building immediately and call the gas company or fire department
Use flashlights, not candles when examining buildings.

BLOOD SERVICES
Thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors, there is enough blood on the shelves right now to meet patient needs across the country.
All eligible blood and platelet donors can schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead to help ensure blood is readily available this summer. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

Download free First Aid App To Have Safety Information Handy

CENTRAL ILLINOIS – The long Memorial Day holiday weekend is on the horizon and for many, plans will include taking to the highway, pulling out the grill for a backyard barbecue or having fun in the water. The American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to stay safe whatever their plans include.

DRIVE SAFELY With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If plans include drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink. Other tips for a safe trip include:
· Give one’s full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
· Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
· Use caution in work zones.
· Make frequent stops.
· Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night.
· Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive the headlights.

GRILLING SAFETY The Red Cross offers these tips to stay safe while cooking those tasty cookout treats:
Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.

Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
Trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.

Wash one’s hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets, stopping to do something with children.

SWIMMING SAFETY Learning to swim is one of the best steps someone can take to be safe around water. People can contact their local Red Cross chapter and learn how to swim as well as get the facts about water safety, home pool safety, first aid and CPR classes. Other swimming safety tips include:
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

POOL SAFETY It’s important to constantly supervise children when they are near water. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

The Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials helps people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

DOWNLOAD FIRST AID APP Another thing people can do is download the free Red Cross first aid app which puts expert advice for everyday emergency at someone’s fingertips. The free app is available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

Peoria Players Theatre announces auditions for Les Miserables directed by Connie Sinn. Auditions will be held Saturday, June 15 (Youth: 10:00 am-noon; Adults: 2:00) and Sunday, June 16 (Youth: 1:00-2:30; Adults: 3:00). All auditions will be held at First Christian Church, 6400 N. University in Peoria. Les Miserables is the world’s longest running musical is based on the novel of the same name by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo. With music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, and an English-language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer, this unforgettable story is set in early 19th-century France. Jean Valjean, a French peasant in his quest for redemption after serving nineteen years in jail, decides to break his parole and start his life anew. Along the way, Valjean is relentlessly tracked down by a police inspector named Javert, and a slew of characters are swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade. The production runs at Peoria Players September 6-15.

Peoria Players Theatre is proud to present Celebrating 95 Years! This show is a fundraiser for the theatre that will recount some of Peoria Players’ most memorable and beloved performances. Shows that will be featured include Cats, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Evita, The Sound of Music, Ragtime, Annie Get Your Gun, Chicago and so many more! It is a one-night-only performance on Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for all ages and include complimentary dessert. Please call 688-4473.

Starting Tuesday, May 28, the MacArthur Highway, between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Richard Allen Drive, will be closed until June 14 to make repairs to the bridge deck. Because of the deteriorating surface, construction crews will be removing the broken concrete surface on the bridge deck and replacing it with an asphalt surface.

Romeo B. Garrett Avenue between Richard Allen Drive and Saratoga Street, which is underneath the bridge, will also be closed so that the repair crews can safely perform the work.

For more information on the road closure, contact Nick Stoffer, Public Works Traffic Engineer, at (309) 494-8800.

Peoria – In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources and IEMA, Peoria County will be hosting an open house for flood impacted residents at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at Illinois Valley Central High School, 1300 W. Sycamore St., Chillicothe. Woodford and Tazewell County residents affected by the flooding are welcome to attend as well.

The open house will feature presentations from state officials on the importance of inspections and permitting, and will include explanations of mitigation options such as elevation, demolition, relocation assistance, and buyout programs. Various state and federal grant programs will be described to help property owners better understand their options as they continue to recover from recent flooding events. Peoria County officials will be available to meet with property owners as well.

Questions regarding the open house may be directed to Peoria County’s Planning & Zoning Department: (309) 672-6915.

Peoria, IL – The City of Peoria will be temporarily closing Adams Street from Liberty Street to Hamilton Boulevard from 6 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013. The City has made arrangements to allow citizens to exit the One Technology Plaza Parking Deck and the Niagra Parking Deck during this time; however, citizens will not be able to enter these parking decks during this time. Citizens who need to exit the Jefferson Street Parking Deck will be routed to the Jefferson Street exit.

The three block closure of Adams Street will take place to allow for video footage as part of the quest for the 2013 All-America City Award in which the City of Peoria has been named a finalist. The goal of the video is to highlight the great assets and great people of Peoria. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Organization, (YPGP) who spearheaded this effort, is calling all Peorians to pack Adams Street for the final video footage. Invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to come out and show their pride in Peoria!

Staging will begin downtown at 6:00 p.m. on Adams Street between Main Street and Hamilton Boulevard. For more information about the All-America City Award or details about participating in the final video footage on Adams Street, please call Leslie Williams at Simantel at (309) 674-7747 or lesliew@simantel.com.

Ron W. Lee, MD Pediatric Care Award – Clinical Excellence

(Peoria / May 21, 2013) – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program today honored Teresa Riech, MD with a special pediatric care award for her contributions to childhood care. The Ron W. Lee, MD – Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are given annually by IDPH and EMSC to recognize those dedicated to pediatric emergency care and childhood injury prevention initiatives. Individuals or organizations can be nominated in one of three award categories – Lifetime Achievement, Clinical Excellence and Community Service.

Dr. Teresa Riech is the Emergency Department Pediatric Medical Director at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois. She is triple board certified in emergency medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Her education certifications include: Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Provider, Advanced Trauma Life Support and International Trauma Life Support.

“Dr. Reich’s dedication to quality pediatric care and promotion of family-centered care is evident not only by her multiple certifications, but by the initiatives created and protocols developed to better treat children,” said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, Illinois Department of Public Health Director.

“Dr. Reich’s efforts to get pediatric APNs (advanced practice nurses) and child life specialists into the Emergency Department helped to raise pediatric Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores from 60-70 percent in December 2010, to about 90 percent consistently,” said Leon Yeh, MD, FACEP, OSF Saint Francis Emergency Medical Services Medical Director.

“Dr. Riech’s greatest drive has been in the treatment of pain in children. Doing nothing for pain whether “in pain” or “inflicting pain” is just “NOT ACCEPTABLE.” Over the past three years we have completely moved from a culture of occasionally providing a pain relief choice to a culture of always providing pain relief,” said Carolyn Henricks, RN, OSF Saint Francis Pediatric Quality Coordinator.

“The monthly newsletters (“Peds Pearls”) that Teresa writes and publishes for the Emergency Department staff enhance education and professional practices at various levels; Child Life Specialists, nursing staff, and bedside technician staff,” said Sue Behrens, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC, Director Emergency Department, CDU, Trauma Services at OSF Saint Francis. “Her dedication to providing the highest quality pediatric care is impressive – she truly does care.”

Dr. Kay Saving, Medical Director, Children’s Hospital of Illinois noted, “In my opinion, Teresa truly embodies the ideal of a pediatric emergency medicine physician leader, with her unfailing emphasis on the highest quality of family-centered care for her patients, coupled with her patience and skill in forging long-lasting collaborative relationships that assure an ongoing commitment to the best care of every child, every time.”

Dr. Riech is also Major Riech, a Flight Surgeon with the Air National Guard logging more than 300 hours in an F-16 Fighting Falcon with deployments to Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan. In addition, Dr. Riech is a Department of Defense Flight Surgeon with NASA, coordinating emergency medical response for space shuttle landings at Edwards Air Force Base.

The Ron W. Lee, MD Excellence in Pediatric Care awards are presented each May. Dr. Lee, who died in 1998, was the director of emergency medicine at Loyola University Medical Center and was instrumental in establishing and fostering the EMSC program in Illinois.

The Illinois EMSC program is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center. It was established in 1994 to ensure the emergency medical care needs of children are adequately addressed.

WHAT: The 2013 Arthritis Walk® and 5k Fun Run is the signature fundraising event for the Arthritis Foundation. Every year, people across the country move together to celebrate those who are making a positive impact on the lives of people living with arthritis.

WHEN: Saturday, June 1 – Walk steps off at 9:00 a.m. Dog walks steps off at 10:00 a.m. (Dogs get arthritis, too) Wellness Fair will take place from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Midstate College – 411 West Northmoor Peoria, IL 61614

WHY: We aren’t just fighting arthritis and helping the more than 2.5 million people who live with arthritis pain in Illinois, many of them are children. We’re making the impact of arthritis unacceptable and taking a stand, moving together to help prevent and treat this serious and painful disease through research, education and community programs.

Participants walk for friends or family members with arthritis, and those with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action to take control of their condition.