Rush University Medical Center to Pay $21M for Oak Park Hospital

The transfer could occur by July 1, according to the Crain's Chicago Business.

A $21 million sale by Rush University Medical Center to acquire Rush Oak Park Hospital would mean the hospital would no longer follow "the Catholic Ethical and Religious Directives," which prohibts contraceptive drugs, abortion and most sterilizations, according to Crain's Chicago Business.  A Catholic non-profit organization, Wheaton Franciscan Services Inc., operates the hospital and the agreement would need to be approved by the Illinois Health facilities and Services Review Board and the Chicago Archdiocese, according to Crain's.  Read more in Thursday's Crain's Chicago Business article. 

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Man Escapes Emergency Room While in Police Custody

Oak Park police reports, March 6-7.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7 Someone broke a 72x40-inch window at a building in the 900 block of S. Oak Park Avenue sometime between 6 p.m. March 6 and 8:45 a.m. March 7. Eric M. Shinal, 38, of the 900 block of Central in Chicago, was booked on a warrant for his arrest. He was given an April 1 court date.  Dylan T. Smith, 21, of the 2900 block of W. Westridge in Woodridge, was charged with burglary in connection to an incident in the 3100 block of W. Flournoy.  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 Leroy Burton Jr., 45, of the 1800 block of S. 9th Avenue in Maywood, was charged with escape after he fled from the emergency room of Rush Oak Park Hospital at about 8:32 a.m. He was due for a bond hearing and in the custody of Oak Park police when he went to the hospital. …

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The Week Ahead

Election Night Dinner, Watching at the Buzz: The Week Ahead

Anti-bullying video and more

“The Tyler Milsap Show” has been a popular program at Oak Park and River Forest High School. The latest episode packs quite a wallop: Tyler conducts powerful, emotional interviews with some brave OPRF students who share openly about being bullied. The show on television and the web from OPRF Studios focuses on topics important to Oak Park and River Forest high school students. The Buzz Cafe will host an Election Night 2012 dinner and watching party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 905 S. Lombard Ave. An all-American dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and apple pie will be on the menu. Watch the election results live; licensed therapists will be available for advice and guidance - just in case. Call 708-660-0894 to make a reservation…

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Rush Oak Park Hospital Employee Charged with Stealing $288K

Deborah Wilberding, 44, of Naperville, is charged with stealing nearly $300,000 from Rush Oak Park Hospital over six years.

Rush Oak Park Hospital's finance department was tipped off by an unnamed financial institution on Aug. 10, according to reporting by the Chicago Tribune. Deborah Willberding, 44, of Naperville, was placed on administrative leave as an audit of the hospital's records began, which later revealed that Willberding had stolen nearly $300,000 over six years, the hospital found. Get local news from Patch in your email inbox daily. Click here to sign up for the Forest Park Patch Newsletter. Click here to sign up for the Oak Park and River Forest Patch Newsletter. On Aug. 24, Willberding was fired and Oak Park police were notified, reports said. Willberding was charged with one count of felony theft. According to Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the …

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The Week Ahead in Oak Park and Forest Park

Want to get involved, catch up with pals or learn, Patch has a few suggestions in and around Forest Park this week.

Arts and crafts, card and board games and camaraderie will be on deck when the Forest Park Senior Citizens Club gathers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. Need to get there? Call the center, 708-771-7737. Seniors from other communities are welcome. If you would like to get a refresher behind the wheel course instead, AARP will be sponsoring a two-day, eight-hour driving class at the medical office building of Rush Oak Park Hospital. The course is designed specifically to meet the needs of older drivers. The course will meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 and on Wednesday, Sept. 19 in Room 2000 at 610 S. Maple Ave. in Oak Park. Registration is required; you must …

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Five Places to Volunteer This Holiday Season

Looking to help? Here's how.

In this season of giving, let's not forget about giving back to the community. Here's a look at five agencies or programs that are looking for volunteers to lend a hand.  Program volunteers (we've talked with a few) have been hard at work organizing and matching wish lists with donations like grocery gift cards, clothes and toys. Now, those gift baskets need to be moved, sorted and delivered — that's where you can help.  Contact: Patty Henek at (708) 771-6159, ext. 244 or emailing holidaybasket@hotmail.com  The OPRF Food Pantry offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to help. You can start by unloading deliveries, stocking shelves, picking up produce and groceries from local stores or prepping the pantry, located at First United …

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Free Mammograms at Rush Oak Park Hospital

Private grants paves way for free procedure.

Thanks to a private grant, Rush Oak Park Hospital is offering free mammograms to women in Oak Park, River Forest and Proviso Township. Here's how to get yours:  If you are a female resident of Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township, call (708) 660-MAMO (6266) to register. Proof of residence is required, and organizers say a voter identification card, utility bill or personal check will be requested at the time of your visit.  The earlier that breast cancer is found, the better the chances are that treatment will be successful, Rush medical experts said in a news release. To help detect breast cancer early, the American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older receive annual screening mammograms as long as they are in good …

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Stroke Patients Benefit From New Technology at Rush Oak Park Hospital

Telemedicine allows patients to be seen remotely, helping to diagnose and treat strokes quicker.

Gerald Lordan has been able to experience medical care for strokes at Rush Oak Park Hospital with and without telemedicine.  An Oak Park resident since 1982 and a world history teacher at Fenwick High School for 21 years, Lordan had his first stroke in April 2010. He was sent downtown after being taken initially to Rush Oak Park. When he had a second stroke this past March, the hospital was able to let stroke experts examine him remotely so he could remain in Oak Park. Since January, a telemedicine “robot” allows stroke patients at Rush Oak Park to connect with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, letting expert neurologists administer a diagnosis and treatment within a crucial time frame — about eight hours — and hopefully reduce …

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