Heartland’s School Health Centers Host Illinois Legislators

April 25, 2008 at 9:01 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Public legislators, school health advocates, medical practitioners, and faculty attended legislative open houses at Heartland’s school health centers this March. Heartland Health Centers at Senn and Roosevelt High School are two of 49 school health centers across Illinois, which deliver comprehensive health care to the student body.

The group reviewed their efforts to reinstate $3 million of school health center funding into the state budget, envisioning of a future in which all children have access to health care.

Patients walked through for check-ups and counseling during the speeches. The occasional whirr of a routine dental cleaning echoed through the discussion.

Newly elected Senator Heather Steans said she is working hard to get the $3 million added to the budget.

US Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a long-time advocate of universal health care, said that although Heartland presents a powerful model, it needs to be expanded to all schools in Illinois.

Representatives from Alternatives, Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Healthy Albany Park, and the office of Representative Harry Osterman also attended the open houses.

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Celebrating Our Newest Health Center in Rogers Park

February 27, 2008 at 2:41 am · Filed under Uncategorized

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More than 100 community members, health care providers, human rights workers, and health care advocates attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the new Heartland Health Center – Rogers Park on February 11. The center, in Chicago’s medically underserved Rogers Park neighborhood, is operated by Heartland International Health Center (HIHC), an affiliate of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights.

“We’re thrilled to be in Rogers Park and to be providing affordable, quality health care to young and old,” said Bechara Choucair, executive director of the health center. “Our staff is committed to treating all patients with respect, dignity, and culturally-appropriate care.”

Heartland Health Center will serve as a “medical home” for men, women, and children, filling gaps in their local health care options by offering primary care, mental health care, and prenatal care. The health center expects to treat 3,300 patients in its first year, with capacity to see up to 4,300 patients in coming years.

The well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony was highlighted by a keynote address from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who applauded the community’s efforts to raise awareness of the need for the federally-funded facility and emphasized the need for universal health coverage. Alderman Joe Moore and Commissioner Larry Suffredin also spoke, as did Jim Ginderske of Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park.

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