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Norwegian American Hospital Foundation to host 4th annual Power of Community Benefit to support the expansion of patient-centered model of care, integrating behavioral health and primary healthcare services.

Norwegian American Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm devoted to raising funds for Norwegian American Hospital, will host its annual Power of Community benefit at the Union League Club of Chicago on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 6:00 pm.  The event, now in its fourth year, will help support the expansion of an innovative, patient-centered model of care that integrates behavioral health services in the community with primary healthcare at Norwegian American Hospital.

Behavioral health issues are a significant and widespread problem in this country. Each year, more than 43 million adults experience a behavioral health issue; last year nearly 10 million adults suffered a major psychiatric or behavioral issue such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, or substance abuse. Residents of Norwegian American Hospital’s service areas—Humboldt Park, West Town and surrounding neighborhoods, are among those who face significant chronic health disparities, particularly around behavioral health disorders.

"The need within our community for not only quality mental health treatment, but services to treat co-occurring chronic health conditions for individuals coping with behavioral health disorders, is increasing," said José R. Sánchez, President and CEO of Norwegian American Hospital.  “We are seeing that individuals coping with behavioral health conditions frequently suffer from chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease – just as patients with a chronic illness are twice as likely to have unaddressed behavioral issues.”

"Through the efforts of our foundation and our community partners, we're able to provide more comprehensive services than we'd be able to do alone. With this new, holistic approach to integrated healthcare, we can meet the needs of adolescents, adults and older adults suffering from mental illness who come to us and need coordinated care for chronic medical conditions.”

Historically, behavioral health and medical health have existed in silos. Current healthcare systems often lack coordination, even though there is a strong correlation between physical and behavioral health. The challenges include separate locations for providing care; separate payer systems; separate electronic health records and databases; different regulations; and disjointed transitional care and coordination. In addition, adults with serious behavioral health issues die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population. 

Proceeds from this year’s Power of Community Benefit will support the development of an innovative, patient-centered model of care that integrates behavioral health services and routine healthcare.  For benefit attendees, the evening will include an elegant dinner, a silent auction with items such as signed sports memorabilia, airline tickets, original artwork, unique restaurant experiences, and more.  The expected 375 guests will be able to use their smartphones for mobile bidding, making it easy to place the winning bid on auction items.

For media interested in learning more about Norwegian American Hospital’s holistic approach to integrated healthcare and the increasing need to address behavioral health in the community, the following healthcare professionals at Norwegian American Hospital are available for interviews: José R. Sánchez, President and CEO; Rick Fernandez, Director and Therapist, Mental Health Services; Julio Hernandez, Mental Health Counselor; Sandra C. Brancky, Intensive Outpatient Program Coordinator.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please call 312-824-6715 or visit https://www.nahospfoundation.org/benefit/

 

 

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