The EDAP designation, developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, recognizes hospitals that meet strict requirements for pediatric emergency readiness. To earn the designation, hospitals must meet a comprehensive set of pediatric‑specific standards. These include: 

• Availability of specialized, child‑sized equipment
• Close adherence to pediatric‑specific policies and clinical protocols
• Disaster preparedness plans that address children’s unique needs
• Ongoing pediatric education for emergency teams, such as eight hours of pediatric‑focused continuing education every two years for emergency nurses. 

Huntley Hospital first achieved EDAP status in 2017, just one year after opening, and has maintained it through consistent reaccreditation. 

“Our emergency department team holds itself to the highest standards because we believe children in our communities deserve world‑class care without families having to travel for that care,” said Rebecca Andersen, MD, emergency medicine at Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock Hospitals. “This designation is a testament to their tireless dedication. Our team’s advanced training, compassion, and unwavering commitment ensure their young patients receive exceptional care.” 

EDAP status means children receive care designed specifically for them, from child-sized equipment and precise medication dosing to a team trained to treat infants through teens. Families can expect a calm, family-centered approach that prioritizes communication and comfort. And unlike many suburban or rural communities where pediatric patients are often transferred to larger hospitals, Huntley’s readiness helps families avoid long travel times and receive immediate, expert care close to home. 

The accreditation also strengthens regional emergency preparedness. EDAP requires robust child-focused planning, enabling Huntley Hospital to coordinate with schools, first responders and regional agencies during severe weather, mass-casualty incidents and other emergencies.  

Huntley’s consecutive exemplary state reviews reflect the hospital’s culture of continuous improvement, emergency readiness and patient-centered care. As Dr. Andersen notes, knowing their local emergency department meets these strict standards offers families reassurance during their most vulnerable moments. 

Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital’s reaccreditation further strengthens pediatric emergency care access across the northwest suburbs. Along with Huntley Hospital, both Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital have EDAP, creating a network of three accredited pediatric-ready emergency departments serving families throughout McHenry County and surrounding communities. Across the health system, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, Valley West Hospital, Delnor Hospital, Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital also hold EDAP accreditation, while Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital has earned Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC) recognition.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit https://news.nm.org/. 

Geneva, Ill. – February 24, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine has launched a new Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program to deliver proactive, in-home care for patients living with heart failure. Based at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, the initiative is a collaboration between the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and the Southern Fox Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. The MIH program aims to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient confidence in managing their condition by bringing clinical support, education and remote monitoring directly to patients in the Geneva-area.

“The Mobile Integrated Healthcare program brings cardiovascular care directly to our heart failure patients removing barriers and enabling earlier intervention when issues arise,” said Jane Wilcox, MD, associate chief of cardiology and heart failure specialist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. “This work reflects the strength and collaboration of our interdisciplinary heart failure team and our emergency medicine colleagues, whose commitment makes programs like this possible and improves outcomes for our patients.”

Supporting Heart Failure Care at Home

Heart failure, a chronic condition, often impacts daily life and can lead to frequent hospitalizations when not properly managed. The MIH program aims to ease that burden by providing short term, structured follow up care at home, ensuring a smoother transition from hospitalization to outpatient management.

“Within the emergency medical services system, we often see heart failure patients return because managing symptoms at home can be overwhelming without the proper support,” said Parkson Lin, DO, EMS medical director of Southern Fox Valley EMS System based at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “Partnering with the heart failure team through the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program is changing that. By bringing coordinated, in-home support to patients, we’re reducing repeat emergency visits and helping patients avoid inpatient hospitalizations.”

The MIH program serves as a bridge between hospitalizations and follow up appointments. By monitoring patients remotely, clinicians can identify issues earlier and keep treatment plans on track between clinic visits.

“Managing heart failure is challenging and the period after a hospitalization is when patients are most vulnerable,” said Ross VanDorpe, MD, cardiologist and medical director at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “Even small changes in symptoms can lead to serious setbacks. By providing structure, support and clinical oversight, this program empowers patients to take control of a complex condition with confidence. It’s an important extension of the high‑quality heart failure care we strive to deliver every day.”

How the Mobile Integrated Health Program Works

Eligible patients are referred to the MIH program by their clinician. Once enrolled, a specially trained heart failure paramedic visits the patient’s home three times over a four-week period, following this schedule:

• Visit 1: 1–3 days after referral
• Visit 2: Approximately two weeks after referral
• Visit 3: Approximately four weeks after referral

The program is designed to help patients better understand their heart failure diagnosis and feel more confident managing their symptoms at home. By offering timely education, personalized support and structured follow‑up care, the program improves continuity of treatment while lowering the likelihood of hospital readmission. Patients benefit from a more seamless and supportive heart care journey, gaining the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to manage their condition independently by the end of the program.

“During our home visits, we focus on listening and understanding how the patient is managing their heart failure at home. We also evaluate their current health status and determine if there is a need for any additional resources such as help with transportation to doctor’s appointments,” said Ken Snow, paramedic with the MIH program and Continuing Education Specialist for Southern Fox Valley EMS System. “The goal is to ensure the patient has the necessary education to understand their disease and their doctor’s care plan, as well as having the support they need so that they can have the confidence and the ability to improve their quality of life. Being able to help patients reach those goals is what makes this program so meaningful.”

During each visit, the paramedic provides personalized, hands‑on care tailored to the patient’s needs. This includes checking vital signs such as blood pressure and weight, reviewing medications and helping patients understand how to take them correctly, and providing individualized education to support heart failure self‑management. The paramedic also communicates regularly with the broader care team to share updates so they can adjust treatments as needed. Remote monitoring technology allows clinicians to track symptoms and deliver timely interventions between appointments.

For Geneva resident Paul LoCicero, the MIH program and remote cardiac monitoring have changed his life for the better. Before enrolling, the 82-year-old struggled with recurring hospitalizations and inconsistent management of his heart disease.

“Two years ago, I accepted that I was going to die – I even received last rites. But the team at Delnor had other plans for me,” said LoCicero, who was the first patient enrolled in the MIH program. “Before, I would struggle to breathe, then call the paramedics. I would stay in the hospital while they reduced the fluid around my heart. I would be fine and go home, but then the same thing would happen.”

LoCicero was in and out of the hospital every few weeks for blood draws and medication adjustments. Now, the heart failure team monitors changes remotely and updates his treatment plan without him needing to leave home.

“Now, they check in on me, help me adjust my medications, and keep an eye on things before they get out of control,” said LoCicero. “Instead of focusing on winning the battle, they’re focused on winning the war. It truly feels like having a guardian angel looking out for me, and it’s given me a whole new life.”

Program Eligibility

Patients may qualify for the MIH program if they are hospitalized or are considered high‑risk for heart failure readmission. Eligible patients must live within the Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital service area, be alert and able to make independent medical decisions, and be willing to participate in at‑home outpatient care. Participation is available to established patients of Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Geneva.

A Community‑Centered Approach

By bringing services directly to patients in their homes, the MIH program improves access to specialized heart failure care and removes barriers such as transportation challenges and mobility limitations. The MIH program fills a gap in care for patients who do not qualify for home health care.

“This program is a powerful example of how we’re evolving care beyond the hospital walls and making it accessible to more patients,” said Emily Jakacki, president of Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “This initiative reinforces Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care within the community. It’s a meaningful step forward in improving outcomes for our neighbors living with heart failure.”

The program is supported through accreditation by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

For more information about Northwestern Medicine’s top‑ranked cardiovascular care, visit nm.org/heart or call 312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278).

During a small break in the parade, they heard the popping noises. Like many others, it took a moment to realize it wasn’t part of the parade. It also took several seconds to realize they were wounded.

 Stephen Kolpack, 32, an insurance adjuster living in Chicago, said, “I heard the loud popping of the bullets, and then I felt something—I looked down and there was blood gushing from my leg and I knew I was shot.”

 Stephen’s wife Zoe collapsed with a shattered femur, and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital.

People immediately jumped in to help Stephen and put a makeshift tourniquet on his leg until the EMTs could tend to him, as a bullet had gone through his left calf and scraped his right shin. Emergency responders treated Stephen at the scene before he was taken via ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. His only thoughts were of his wife, whose condition was still unknown.

Nicholas, age 30, was also taken to Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. After numerous X-rays and scans, he was diagnosed with a minor fracture in the knee and required surgery to remove bullet fragments. He was lucky that the major ligaments and tendons were spared, and the blood flow was normal. The vascular team was also present to ensure no other major arteries were impacted in his foot. Two days later, Nicholas was discharged. He is currently in physical therapy, and has started to go back to work part-time, but for now is limited to office work.

While at Lake Forest Hospital, Stephen said, “Everyone working there was so nice and helpful, and I’m grateful for the exceptional care I received.” He still has swelling, has numbness in his foot and leg and is in physical therapy.

 The brothers and their family were looking forward to the opportunity to thank the Lake Forest Hospital staff for the care they received. This was also a unique opportunity for the hospital staff to spend some time with their former patients in a less stressful environment.

 “It was a really powerful experience,” said Timothy Loftus, MD, medical director of emergency services at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “We had a chance to meet, catch up and share, and despite the indescribable tragedy that we experienced as a community, moments like this allow for the collective and communal recovery.”

 Post-surgery, the brothers were able to share a hospital room, which helped their visiting family members tend to them as they didn’t have to go back and forth from separate rooms.

 “To have the brothers ask to share a room was a breath of fresh air for our team who was caring for them,” said Karen Mahnke, MSN, RN, Bernthal Family Chief Nurse Executive at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. “We were able to find out how Stephen’s wife was doing after she was taken to another hospital, and we really became attached to the whole family just from how close they were and how they responded to the care we were providing to them.”

 Today, for Stephen, it’s still a challenge dealing with the injuries while caring for his two young kids—he has lots of people to take care of despite his injuries—but is lucky he has a full support system behind him, and is thankful that his injuries were not more severe.

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The next phase of a $12 million renovation project at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital’s Emergency Department opened March 28th. The modernization plan is 80-percent complete with nearly all patient-facing areas completely overhauled to improve efficiency and the patient experience.

“Our Emergency Department staff is truly extraordinary, and we are excited to offer a physical space that enhances care with better flow and updated equipment,” said Maura O'Toole, president, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. “Our community will benefit from the more modern design and numerous upgrades to help ease the stress of an emergency room visit.”

The newly completed phase includes eight exam rooms, two trauma rooms, two isolation rooms and a nursing station. The area is designed in a hub and spoke model, with the clinical workstation in the center and treatment bays around the exterior allowing physicians and nurses improved access to all patients. 

“The flow of the department is increasingly smoother, from the time the patient arrives to the triage area through to discharge,” said Melody Noon, RN, manager, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Department. “Patients experience forward motion so they are being cared for in the appropriate areas for their particular needs and we can more efficiently prepare for the next patient.”

Flow is improved for both walk-in patients and those brought via ambulance. The new ambulance entrance and a room for EMS personnel is better organized for first responders with essential amenities.

This phase also includes an additional behavioral health suite, bringing the total to four treatment bays designed to promote safety for patients and staff. When a bay is being used for a behavioral health patient, an overhead door will be lowered to ensure the patient is protected from any equipment that could be used to cause self-harm.

The first phase of the project, which opened in October 2021, featured a new waiting room, triage area, two isolation rooms and three holding bays for patients waiting for results. Additionally, five fast-track rooms opened that are designed to quickly treat patients with mild ailments and injuries, such as sore throat, urinary tract infections and sprained ankles. 

Throughout the project new medical equipment has been installed, including new stretchers and a second pneumatic tube station to efficiently send specimens to the lab. An overflow area, equipped with medical gas, can accommodate additional patients if needed during a surge event. Additionally, a dedicated Security Services office is now embedded within the Emergency Department. 

"Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee emergency department patients and staff have already begun to reap the benefits of a renovated and updated clinical workspace. We can now handle greater volumes of patients in a safe and efficient manner, all while providing the highest quality of care to the entire community,” said Jeremy Silver, MD, medical director, Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital Emergency Department.

The final phase, expected to be completed by September 2022, will include four exam rooms, one trauma room and the staff lounge. When completed the number of patient treatment and holding areas in the Emergency Department will increase from 23 to 34.

Watch a video about the project.