Community invited to celebrate National Rural Health Day at Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital

Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital invites the community to a day of wellness in honor of National Rural Health Day on November 16^th.  From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., health screenings, activities for kids and adults, and information booths will be available at the hospital, located at 1302 N. Main Street in Sandwich, Illinois.

Since 2011, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate the "Power of Rural" on National Rural Health Day. National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to bring attention to and honor the efforts of rural healthcare providers to address the unique healthcare needs of rural America.

“We’re excited to offer important health screenings while also highlighting investments at Valley West, including expansion of our pulmonary services, state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, and new laboratory equipment,” said Jeremiah Placido, MD, chief medical officer of Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital and Kishwaukee Hospital.

Community wellness activities include flu shots, blood pressure checks, diabetes screening and Narcan distribution.  Bike helmets with professional fitting will also be offered. Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. kids can enjoy fun activities with Sandwich native Dr. Blair Wright, a pediatrician at Northwestern Medicine.

A demonstration of the Remote Nurse Consultation Program will be available in the main lobby.  Valley West continues to invest in telemedicine adding nursing and specialty consults in addition to stroke, cardiology, psychiatry, and access to pediatricians from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Visitors can learn more about the Homeward Healing program, which provides local community members the opportunity to receive additional short-term care after an inpatient hospital treatment at any another hospital. To date, Northwestern Medicine has welcomed nearly 200 patients to the program.

Information booths will provide details about stroke prevention and care, advanced care planning and heart health. Visitors can tour an ambulance and the helicopter, play the Operation game, and calm their nerves with pet therapy.

“As part of the Northwestern Medicine Health Network, we are proud to offer the local community access to academic level medical care close to home,” said Dr. Placido. “We encourage community members to visit us on National Rural Health Day to learn more about our services.”

Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital is a short-term, critical access community hospital that has served DeKalb County and Kendall County for more than 70 years. With more than 150 physicians, the hospital includes an emergency department that provides 24-hour care.