The Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing will hold its Fall Open House on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 9 AM – Noon at the college, 511 NE Greenleaf St., adjacent to the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center campus.

Tours of the campus and the state-of-the-art Learning Resource Center will be available along with information about the curriculum for the various nursing degrees, student services and more.

Attendees will be able to meet current nursing students and learn about financial aid/assistance programs and the early high school admission program.

Free Parking is available in Medi-Park 2.

For more information about the Open House, visit www.sfmccon.edu or contact the Admissions office at 309.655.2596.

The Peoria chapter of Mended Hearts will meet Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the RiverPlex in Peoria.

Mended Hearts, a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Heart Association, has been offering the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers for more than 50 years.

Because Mended Hearts is made up of the very kinds of people it serves—heart patients, their families, and others impacted by heart disease, its members draw on personal experience as they help others. Recovery involves not only physical healing, but emotional and psychosocial healing as well. Mended Hearts support groups help people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after heart disease. Members listen, share their experiences, learn from healthcare professionals and volunteer to talk to other heart patients about what they may face including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery, and treatment.

For more information about Mended Hearts, contact nurse practitioner Tammy Sarmiento at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center at (309) 655-7292 or 688-1540.

Thursday, November 17th, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Bring a friend and be eligible for prizes! Drawing at 7:00 p.m.

Indulge in the moment with several of our sponsors!

RSVP to 309-691-6759!

As a way to unite many diverse donors in celebration of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois services they support throughout central Illinois, we are inviting everyone to celebrate Children’s Hospital of Illinois Week November 6-12 through a variety of events.

You can support Children’s Hospital of Illinois Week by visiting any of these generous partners:

Sunday, November 6: Monkey Joe’s Celebration (8901 N. Knoxville, Peoria) 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Monday, November 7: Buffalo Wild Wings 5:00 – 8:00 PM: 10% of food sales at the Peoria and E. Peoria locations donated to Children’s Hospital
Tuesday, November 8: Firehouse Pizza (Peoria, Washington & E. Peoria locations) 4:30-8:30 PM – 10% of food sales go to Children’s Hospital
Wednesday, November 9 & Thursday November 10: The Pour House (3410 W. Willow Knolls Rd., Peoria) Donates 10% of food sales to Children’s Hospital
Friday, November 11: Peoria Rivermen Game, Carver Arena – Lower Bowl Tickets just $15 with $5 per ticket donated to Children’s Hospital of Illinois – Discounted tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 680-3791
Saturday, November 12: Children’s Discovery Museum (101 E. Beaufort St., Normal) 10 AM – Holiday Greeting Cards Unveiled and Artist Recognition

Children’s Hospital of Illinois helps over 36,000 children a year and is the only full-service emergency hospital in down-state Illinois.

Council Members Eric Turner and Chuck Weaver will hold their monthly Breakfast Chat on November 3, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. The chat will be held in Room 112 at Peoria City Hall.

Methodist Medical Center will be offering a free public forum on “Controlling Diabetes for a Healthier Life” as another in the series of Coffees with the Doc.

Dr. Jeffrey Liang will explain how to control adult diabetes and how to prevent medical complications associated with diabetes. Dr. Liang is an experienced, board certified Internal Medicine physician with Methodist Medical Group Internal Medicine at Dunlap. He has special interest in diabetes and preventive care.

“Coffee with the Doc” will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2011 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at Methodist on North Allen Road, 2338 W. SUD Parkway at the intersection of Route 6 and North Allen Road.

his event is free but seating is limited. Call to reserve your seat at 636-9500.

10% OF SALES GO TO ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

Community Workshop and Training Center is presenting their “CWTC 2nd Annual Fall Vendor Sale” Friday, November 11, 2011 at 3215 N. University Street in Peoria. The sale begins at 11:00 AM and will continue until 1:30 PM. The sale is open to the public.

“There will be something for everybody,” said Patti Gratton, Executive Director for CWTC. “Those looking for an early jump on unique Christmas items are sure to walk away happy.” Vendors will include Scentsy, Lia Sophia, Tupperware, David’s Candles, Outdoor Ornamental Décor, Little “D” Designs, Black Crow Candles, 31 Gifts, Tastefully Simple, Avon, Cookie Lee Jewelry, House of N-Tegrity Fashion, Mary Kay and more. All vendors will be generously donating 10% of their proceeds to CWTC. For more information, call Michele Payton at 686-3300.

CWTC provides programs and services to adults with disabilities; enriching their quality of life, promoting social change, and optimizing their potential for independence.

Who: Community Workshop Training Center
What: CWTC 2nd Annual Fall Vendor Sale
Where: CWTC, 3215 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604
When: Friday, November 11, 2011, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

The Butch Gudat Fund is a charitable fund established to assist Tri-County firefighters, their families and their communities. The fund commemorates the dedication and bravery of Peoria Fire Captain Butch Gudat who died fighting an apartment complex fire on Main Street on January 23, 1983.

The fund provides two (2) $1,500 academic scholarships to qualifying children and grandchildren of career and volunteer firefighters and one (1) $750 grant to a fire station in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties.

Applications for the scholarship and grant are due by December 1, 2011. To receive applications please go to the Butch Gudat Fund website at www.butchgudatfund.org or contact Mike Gudat by e-mailing mike@butchgudatfund.org.

Applications may also be obtained at the Community Foundation of Central Illinois by calling 309-674-8730 or by e-mailing Kristan@communityfoundationci.org.

Hopedale Medical Complex announces the opening of a new program for seniors coping with life issues relating to the later years. The Renewed Hope Program, located at 110 Grove Street, will begin seeing patients on November 15, 2011. A public open house will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Sunday November 6. Renewed Hope staff will be available to answer questions, and refreshments will be provided.

“The Renewed Hope program offers individualized care in a warm, supportive environment and assists our patients who are experiencing behavioral problems related to the normal aging process,” said Dr. Al Rossi, Hopedale Hospital CEO. The program, which has been under development for the past several months, is unique for this region and will serve the communities of Morton, Pekin, Lincoln and the surrounding communities in Tazewell, Fulton, Woodford, Logan and Peoria counties. Door to door transportation is provided and lunch is included. Insurance plans and Medicare are accepted.

“Our hope is that our older family members will enjoy the golden years, but as individuals age, they experience the loss of loved ones and the stresses that go with losing physical and mental abilities which can lead to sadness and withdrawal”, said Dr. Douglas Bey, Renewed Hope Program Director. “Most depression and other emotional illnesses in older citizens are treatable, especially if dealt with early,” he added.

In addition to improving a senior’s outlook on life, the new therapy service also helps individuals to better care for themselves and follows their primary care physician’s directions toward overall better health.

“This new program is another example of how Hopedale Medical Complex continues to expand our services for the growing needs of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Al Rossi.

Further information about the Renewed Hope program at Hopedale Medical Complex may be received by calling (866) 720-HOPE, www.HopedaleMC.com or asking your personal physician.

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL) today announced that the Heartland Community Health Clinic (HCHC) in Peoria has been awarded a grant by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant is being awarded to the Heartland Community Health Clinic in the amount of $819,394.

In August, Congressman Schock sent a letter to Farrell Davies, the Heartland Community Health Clinic Chief Executive Officer, expressing his enthusiastic support for their grant application. In his letter, Schock noted that HCHC has expanded rapidly, moving from one to six sites and from 849 to 12,840 patients. This prompted his letter to help HCHC better assist the urgent needs of the community. He also explained in his letter that the service area population of 28,987 has the largest concentration of low-income individuals, as well as the greatest percentage of minorities, uninsured, medically indigent, and homeless in the Peoria area.

This grant award comes at an important time for the Heartland Community Health Clinic,” said Farrell Davies. “Since 2008, our patient load has increased by nearly 20%. The services provided by HCHC are a lifeline for those in our community who might otherwise go without essential medical care. We are pleased that this funding will be available to help sustain that effort.”

Schock praised HCHC saying that they have improved patient outcomes and their quality of life. “The HCHC has addressed these needs through a broad array of services, including on-site counseling, diabetes education, dietetic education, reproductive health prevention and education, medication management, oral health, health screenings, targeted outreach to special populations, tobacco cessation, immunizations, Spanish translation, pharmaceutical assistance, case management services, and more. The success that HCHC has enjoyed in these areas is in large part due to a delivery model that emphasizes high quality, continuity of care, operational efficiencies, and effective communication among patients, staff and community stakeholders,” Schock added.