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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING PROVIDENT HOSPITAL, JACKSON PARK HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER, LA RABIDA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICAL CENTER, MERCY HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, ANN & ROBERT H. LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO, AND SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted the entire country, including Cook County and its Third District as cases rose until the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago announced emergency declarations in March of 2020. The pandemic caused many citizens throughout Cook County and the City of Chicago to drastically change their working and living habits as social gathering became restricted to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
WHEREAS, nurses, doctors, surgeons, aides, janitorial staff, clerks, orderlies, security guards, and all other hospital staff rose to the challenge to continue working non-stop through the pandemic as essential workers.
WHEREAS, these men and women continue to risk their lives to serve their communities every day. These men and women place the community’s health and wellbeing above their own. The families of these essential workers continue to support and sacrifice for the essential workers as the fight to care for those afflicted with COVID-19 and other illnesses, while preventing further infections and deaths, continues.
WHEREAS, Cook County’s Third District has eight (8) hospitals and medical centers on the frontlines during this pandemic. These eight (8) hospitals and medical include: Provident Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
WHEREAS, Provident Hospital was the first African American owned and operated hospital in America. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams established Provident Hospital in Chicago in 1891 during the time in American history where few public or private medical facilities were open to Black Americans providing health care and medical training to the African American community. On May 8, 2020 the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 70 meals to first responders and essential workers at Provident Hospital.
WHEREAS, Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center is a 256-bed short term comprehensive acute care facility serving the south side of Chicago since its founding in 1951. Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center serves a high indigent population and is critical to providing healthcare to the southside of Chicago. On May 15, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 70 meals to first responders and essential workers at Jackson Park Hospital.
WHEREAS, La Rabida Children’s Hospital is a small pediatric specialty hospital for extended acute care catering to children with lifelong medical conditions since 1896. Located on the Southside, La Rabida Children’s Hospital’s design showcases the views of Lake Michigan. On May 22, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 70 meals to first responders and essential workers at La Rabida Children’s Hospital.
WHEREAS, the University of Chicago Medical Center opened its doors in 1927 after delays caused by World War I. The University of Chicago Medical Center includes dozens of outpatient clinics throughout Chicago including locations in downtown Chicago and the South Suburbs. University of Chicago Medicine’s health system comprises of the University of Chicago Medical Center, Pritzker School of Medicine, The Biological Sciences Division, and Ingalls Memorial. On May 29, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 100 meals to first responders and essential workers at University of Chicago Medical Center.
WHEREAS, founded in 1852, Mercy Hospital & Medical Center is Chicago’s first chartered teaching hospital. In 1882, Sister Mary Ignatius Feeney became the first female registered pharmacist in the United States at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center. In 1977, Mercy Hospital & Medical Center dedicated Chicago’s first Oncology Unit for cancer patients. On June 5, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 100 meals to first responders and essential workers at Mercy Hospital.
WHEREAS, on September 1st, 1972, Passavant Memorial and Wesley Hospital’s consolidated under the name Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s 1,000-bed hospital is the largest private nonprofit healthcare institution in the Midwest. In 1987, the Best Hospitals in America publication named Northwestern Memorial Hospital one of the top hospitals in the United States. In 1997, Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s surgeons performed the nation’s first minimally invasive trans myocardial laser revascularization and the Midwest’s first successful minimally invasive kidney transplant. On June 12, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 100 meals to first responders and essential workers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
WHEREAS, in 1882, the Maurice Porter Memorial Hospital opened its doors before eventually becoming the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The Anne & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago was the first hospital in Chicago focused solely on the care of children and pediatrics. Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago placed nationally in all ten ranked pediatric specialties on U.S. News and World Report. On June 19, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 100 meals to first responders and essential workers at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
WHEREAS, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab formally the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, is a nationally ranked physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital based in Chicago. Founded in 1954, the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers patient care, education, and research in physical medicine and rehabilitation. On July 17, 2020, the Third District Hospital Lunch Train delivered 100 meals to first responders and essential workers at AbilityLab.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER of the
3rd DISTRICT, do hereby stand, and salute the phenomenal work and tireless sacrifice and dedication of the first responders and essential workers of Provident Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a suitable copy of this Resolution will be presented to the staffs of Provident Hospital, Jackson Park Hospital & Medical Center, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: a copy of this Resolution will be filed within the Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd District.
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