ST. JOSEPH RECEIVES GERIATRIC EMERGENCY ACCREDITATION
St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin has received geriatric emergency department accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The program includes three levels of accreditation that guide emergency departments in best practices for geriatric care, according to a news release. To achieve accreditation, hospitals must adopt more than two dozen standards, from providing interdisciplinary geriatric education to ensuring geriatric-appropriate equipment and screening protocols are in place.
“We will be reassessed in three years and are committed to building on this foundation to continue raising the bar for excellence in all care we provide,” Maria Suvacarov, chief nursing officer at St. Joseph’s, said in the release.
Founded in 1901, St. Joseph has been part of Prime Healthcare since July 2024.
HOFFER FOUNDATION GIVES $25K GRANT TO PADS OF ELGIN
The Hoffer Foundation has presented a $25,000 grant to PADS of Elgin to be used to provide shelter, meals, outreach, transportation and other services for those in need, according to a news release.
“This grant from the Hoffer Foundation allows us to maintain the consistent, compassionate care our neighbors depend on,” Katie Shaw Thompson, executive director of PADS of Elgin, said in the release.
During its 2024-25 fiscal year, PADS provided 12,397 nights of shelter and served 37,190 meals to guests, the release said. The organization sheltered 137 guests, including 21 children, and housed 38 individuals in stable living situations. PADS also served 3,205 outreach meals to those in need.
For more information, go to padsofelgin.org.
ELGIN FEATURED IN ENJOY ILLINOIS SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE
The Elgin area is featured in the spring/summer issue of Enjoy Illinois, the Illinois Office of Tourism’s biannual magazine showcasing travel destinations across the state.
The feature focuses on trip ideas across the state, according to a news release. Page 72 mentions Elgin’s history, the Fox River Trail, places to stay, dining options and area attractions.
The digital version of Enjoy Illinois is available online at www.enjoyillinois.com/plan-your-trip/maps-and-visitor-guides.
Hard copies are available for free at the Explore Elgin Area office, 60 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, go to www.exploreelginarea.com.
GREENHEART SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR CHINESE STUDENTS
Nonprofit Greenheart Exchange is seeking families to host Chinese exchange students who will visit the Dundee area in July and August before spending the school year at high schools across the United States.
Tammy Zilinski, area coordinator for Greenheart Exchange, said 20 students, ages 15 to 18, and a chaperone will be coming to the area from July 26 to Aug. 9 for an immersive language and culture program that will take place at Fox Valley Baptist Church in East Dundee, where her husband is pastor.
Last summer, 14 Chinese exchange students and their chaperone took part in the local effort. Host families provide three meals a day and a suitable place to sleep, which can be a room shared with one other child of the same gender and close in age.
Families have the students over the weekends. Some students need to be transported to O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 9 to fly to their exchange year locations, Zilinski said. Others may stay in the Chicago area to study.
To learn more about hosting, go to greenheartexchange.org/coordinators/tammy-zilinski or call Zilinski at 847-489-8426.
