La Rabida Children's Hospital

Diabetes is a chronic condition requiring consistent support. That's where La Rabida Chicago Children's Diabetes Center (CCDC) and @breakthrought1d are always standing by, ready to help. Register for a free, virtual educational session on March 17th to learn about monitoring glucose, insulin delivery, and other tools and resources for managing Type 1 diabetes. https://lnkd.in/eaC8Bphv

It's bright and big, and it's one way we strive to make our patients feel safer and more comfortable. It may look like Rachel McGinnis, LCSW, director of La Rabida Children's Advocacy Center (LRCAC), is standing by a dollhouse, but it's much more than that. This special dollhouse provides a playful distraction for children to enjoy before the LRCAC team begins the forensic interview process. Our trauma-informed specialists conduct nearly 500 interviews every year. The donation from the Imagination Dollhouses for Children organization is a beautiful display of craftsmanship, community, and healing.

One screening at a time, La Rabida Children's Hospital and the Chicago Children's Diabetes Center (CCDC) helped families learn, connect, and break through barriers at the Breakthrough T1D Community Summit in Rosemont. CCDC Medical Director Dr. Anita Swamy spoke with families about diabetes screenings and prevention. As a comprehensive, holistic provider, we offered specialized testing for nearly 50 individuals related to a family member with type 1 diabetes to assess their risk. Our team: Clinical Director, Dr. Briars Rosemary; Administrator, Rhena B.; and Nurse Practitioners, Emily K. and Amanda R., made sure each person who stopped by our table had their questions answered and was connected to our pediatric resources at CCDC. We are proud to be part of events that provide life-changing education and empower community health!

The halls of La Rabida are filled with history and memories of a time Tim Dietze, a former patient and current supporter, recalls very well. Tim developed rheumatic fever as a kindergartener in the 1950s. He spent two months hospitalized on bed rest in our inpatient unit; however, some of his favorite moments happened right here at La Rabida. He remembers the view of the lake from his cabin, his Hopalong Cassidy pajamas, and special visits from Bob Hope and the actors who played Cisco and Poncho on "The Cisco Kid" TV show. His parents visited him every Sunday. “At the time, the care was free, which made a difference for my family. We wouldn’t have been able to afford it,” says Dietze. For 18 years, Tim returned to La Rabida for annual checkups to ensure he continued to make a full recovery. Fifty years later, Tim says he doesn’t have any cardiac-related issues from the condition and credits the medical care at La Rabida for his continued health. “Thanks to La Rabida, I went on to have a big family,” says Tim, who enjoys spending time with his three grown children and 8 grandchildren.

Lighting up the path to education with members of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated, Nu Chapter. The professional organization for women educators of color donated crates of puzzles and books to our La Rabida Lighthouse Library. NSPDK members Rosetta Garrett and Cynthia Revels-Young met La Rabida's Anne Wilson at the hospital to deliver this thoughtful contribution, which will help our patients engage their creative minds and spark their interest in reading. We appreciate their generosity and commitment to supporting young learners at La Rabida. #NSPDK #LaRabidaChildrensHospital

Ramadan Kareem! We wish all those who celebrate this holy month peace and reflection.

Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate! May this year bring you health and happiness.

Our compassionate care is the thread that ties our providers and our patients and families together. Born prematurely, Daniel had a single ventricle heart defect and lung disease. During American Heart Month, the Director of Palliative Care at La Rabida, Dr. Sarah Mitchell, says our team of clinical experts embraced Daniel and his mom, Evelyn, with comfort they wouldn’t have experienced anywhere else. “Our approach was to meet him where he was, and support Evelyn, which allowed him to live and redefine what it means to thrive, even with chronic conditions,” says Dr. Mitchell. “He lived life to the fullest and taught us all we should be doing the same.”

CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES: La Rabida's outpatient lobby is the newest site of a medication take-back disposal, as part of the Illinois Drug Take-Back Act. This initiative is focused on creating a safer environment in every corner of the community by providing access to anonymous disposal of expired and/or unused medication. Anyone can safely drop off prescription/non-prescription medication in the green disposal bin next to the security desk at the entrance. Reminder: Remove all personal information on medication bottles or packaging. All items will be properly discarded.

Your handwritten cards made our hearts happy! ❤️😊 We are moved by the amazing support from Throwback 100.3 and our community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who made our patients smile brighter!