Adventist GlenOaks Hospital celebrates 30 years
As roughly 75 people gathered Tuesday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, many noted they were marking more than just an important date.
"Thirty years is a remarkable time, but I want to stress that we have a family here that comes together," said Brinsley Lewis, the hospital's CEO.
The event honored several employees who have worked at the hospital since its inception, noted GlenOaks' growth into a 186-bed center with almost 300 physicians, and highlighted the personal touch that comes from being a smaller hospital.
It also included a prayer service and dedication of a new artwork by Timothy Botts of Glen Ellyn, which depicts the hospital's mission statement, "Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ." Botts' wife, Nancy, is a nurse in the hospital's obstetric unit.
He said his piece included depictions of oak leaves as a tribute to the hospital's name.
"They are symbolic of the many people you have served and will continue to serve through your work," he told employees.
The hospital opened as Glendale Heights Community Hospital on March 9, 1980, on a 15-acre parcel that once included the childhood home of Merle Reskin, a founding father of Glendale Heights. Lewis said it was born after a group of about 200 people lobbied in the 1970s to create a hospital.
Today it serves Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn and Glendale Heights. It also boasts the area's only no-waiting-room Shanahan Emergency and Trauma Center, and one of only two accredited chest pain centers in DuPage County.
Dr. Joe Shanahan, also a 30-year staff member, echoed Lewis' idea that the family style atmosphere among employees and even patients fueled the hospital's success.
"We are the best community hospital in the entire Chicago area and I think it's going to only get better," he said.
Adventist GlenOaks Hospital 30-year employeesStaffbull; Nancy Botts, Glen Ellyn, obstetric nurse bull; Margaret Burke, Hanover Park, recovery room nurse bull; Mary Clark, Oak Brook, quality coordinatorbull; Sue Karau. Lombard, physical therapy treatment assistant and physical therapy department coordinatorbull; Karen Larson, Roselle, secretary to the geriatric unit and for a unit at Adventist Institute for Behavioral Medicinebull; Elisa Mercado, Glendale Heights, medical and surgical nurse bull; Carol Rohrsen, Carol Stream, cardiology stress testing nursePhysicians:bull; Dr. Mir Akif Ali, Glen Ellyn, allergy medicinebull; Dr. Raymond Dieter, Glen Ellyn, thoracic/vascular surgeonbull; Dr. Gregory Doerfler, Winfield, oral maxilo facial surgeonbull; Dr. Glenn Scheive, Glen Ellyn, oral maxilo facial surgeonbull; Dr. Pratima Shah, Carol Stream, pediatricsbull; Dr. Joseph Shanahan, Hinsdale, emergency medicinebull; Dr. Krishna Talluri, Oak Brook, urologistTrue20001409Elisa Mercado of Glendale Heights, a medical and surgical nurse, gets a congratulatory hug Tuesday from her daughter Joselyn after being recognized for 30 years of service to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights.Tanit Jarusan | Staff PhotographerTrue <p class="factboxheadblack">Adventist GlenOaks History</p><p class="News"><b>1977:</b> Hospital groundbreaking.</p><p class="News"><b>1980:</b> Glendale Heights Community Hospital opens on a 15-acre parcel of land east of Glen Ellyn Road.</p><p class="News"><b>1982:</b> Glendale Heights Community Hospital becomes affiliated with Hinsdale Hospital. </p><p class="News"><b>1995:</b> The hospital opens Adventist GlenOaks Therapeutic Day School, where children with learning disabilities and emotional and psychiatric problems earn normal academic credits while addressing their therapeutic goals. The school has since grown to include three campuses, in Glendale Heights, North Aurora and Glen Ellyn. </p><p class="News"><b>1997:</b> The entire hospital becomes part of Adventist Health System.</p><p class="News"><b>2010:</b> The village of Glendale Heights is expected to adopt a proclamation declaring March 9, 2010, as "Adventist GlenOaks Hospital Day."</p>