When life brings an unpredictable illness or a serious injury, the accompanying physical and emotional challenges can be overwhelming. There are treatment options to consider, doctor appointments to schedule, and financial questions to address. The burden to make these decisions can affect loved ones, too.

At the seminar NCH experts as well as specialists from Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter will review care options for complex illnesses, explain how to prepare an advance directive and discuss patients’ healthcare rights and legal options.

“Although this may be a difficult topic to discuss, it’s important to share your healthcare wishes with family and loved ones before a medical crisis takes place,” said Karen Colby, director of Palliative Care at NCH. “Having advance directives already in place will ensure your personal healthcare preferences are followed, even if you are too sick to make decisions. Establishing a plan and making your wishes known will lessen the burdens and stress placed on loved ones.”

Following the program, NCH chaplains and social workers will be available to assist attendees with completing their healthcare decisions forms. To register for this free seminar and to schedule a private consultation, call HealthConnection today at 847.618.4YOU (4968), or visit http://www.nch.org .

About Northwest Community Healthcare:
Northwest Community Healthcare (www.nch.org) includes a 496-bed hospital in Arlington Heights that serves approximately 30,000 inpatients and 350,000 outpatients each year, as well as the Busse Center for Specialty Medicine, Day Surgery Center, Home Care, Mobile Dental Clinic, Wellness Center, Youth Center, NCH Medical Group and four immediate care centers in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Media Contact: Adam Zuckerman at 847.618.5504 or azuckerman@nch.org.

News Source: Northwest Community Healthcare :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Gates will open at 10 a.m. for the music festival, which will benefit the non-profit Foundation which provides philanthropic support to Leesburg Regional Medical Center and The Villages Health System. The Judds are scheduled to appear at 3 p.m. at the 400-acre Grand Oaks Resort located midway between Orlando and Ocala and just eight miles from The Villages.

Opening acts include The Calhouns, McKinley and Beggs, Rob Nichols, Norman Lee, and Donna Moore.

General seating tickets are $35. Preferred and VIP seating are available $60 and $125. All major credit cards are accepted. For directions to the resort, visit http://www.TheGrandOaks.com . Tickets are also available through http://www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

“Naomi and Wynonna won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group/Duo of the Year Award every year from 1985 to 1991,” said Williams. “Then, Naomi was diagnosed with a serious illness that cost her health, her ability to tour, and nearly her life. Today, she is healthier than ever and touring has re-energized her relationship with her daughter. Together, they’ve given ‘Juddheads’ a chance to celebrate their music, and exposed a whole new generation to their breakout hits including “Mama, He’s Crazy,” “Why Not Me,” “Love Can Build a Bridge,” “Girls Night Out,” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).”

About The Alliance Healthcare Foundation:
Alliance Healthcare Foundation (cfhalliance.org/giving_overview.htm) is a not-for-profit Foundation which provides philanthropic support for Leesburg Regional Medical Center and The Villages Health System in Central Florida. The Foundation’s mission is to provide a margin of excellence for quality healthcare in the communities served by these hospitals through fundraising, friend-raising, leadership and donor engagement.

News Source: Alliance Healthcare Foundation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

Dr. Susan D. Elbaum received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1998. She completed her Internal medicine Residency in 2001 at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. From 2001 until 2004, she was Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loyola University School of Medicine and Attending Physician, General Internal Medicine at Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL.

Dr. Elbaum has been in private practice since 2005. Her special interests include Women’s Health, Preventative Medicine, and Bariatric Medicine.

Dr. Noreen K. Galanter graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign and completed medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1990. She completed her internship and residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Galanter has been in clinical practice since 1993. She practices General Internal Medicine with particular interests in preventative health, diabetes and women’s health issues.

To make an appointment with Dr. Elbaum or Dr. Galanter, please call: 847-342-8220.

About Affinity Healthcare:
The employed physician group of Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, IL, Affinity Healthcare offers Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Diagnostic Imaging, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, and Travel Medicine service by appointment at its northwest suburban Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove offices. Affinity Immediate Care Centers offer visits to established practice patients and the public. For more information on all of the healthcare specialties and services offered by Affinity Healthcare, visit: www.affinitydocs.com.

For additional information, contact:
Jacqueline Speckin
Physician Group Marketing Manager
Northwest Community Hospital
847-618-5502 or Email: jspeckin@nch.org .

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- Photo 1 Caption: Dr. Susan D. Elbaum.
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- Photo 2 Caption: Dr. Noreen K. Galanter.

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News Source: Affinity Healthcare LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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STORY REFERENCES: Affinity Healthcare Adds New Physicians, Dr. Noreen K. Galanter, Dr. Susan D. Elbaum, Affinity Healthcare LLC, Northwest Community Hospital, Affinity Immediate Care Centers, Illinois business

For children who may be facing surgery, enduring long outpatient treatments or fighting loneliness after hospital visiting hours have ended, Starlight Fun Centers™ provide a comforting break. Each Starlight Fun Center features a Sharp AQUOS™ LCD TV, DVD player and Nintendo Wii™ gaming system to provide hours of fun and distraction.

“When a child is hospitalized, the day-to-day joys of childhood take a back seat to medical treatments, and Fun Centers return some of that joy to children in the hospital,” said Susan Atkinson, President of Stater Bros. Charities. “We’re excited to join Nestle, CPK frozen pizza and Starlight in presenting these new Fun Centers to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.”

“Nestle is proud to support Starlight and its dedication to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with the challenges that accompany prolonged childhood illness,” said Charles Zimmerman, Customer Development Director for Nestle. “Starlight’s programs ease the burden on seriously ill children and their families and help them to better deal with, understand and manage their illnesses. With the support of Stater Bros. and California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizza, we hope this Fun Center unveiling will bring smiles to the children at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.”

For more information on Nestle’s partnership with Starlight, visit www.starlight.org/nestle.

About Starlight Children’s Foundation:
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone.

Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

To learn more visit www.starlight.org.

Image Caption: A young patient entertains himself with one of eight new Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment units placed at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

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News Source: Starlight Children’s Foundation :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

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STORY REFERENCES: New Starlight Fun Centers Lift Spirits of Pediatric Patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Starlight Childrens Foundation, Starlight Fun Center, nonprofit, charity, starlight, nestle, children, VTX: NESN, NASDAQ: CPKI, Stater Bros. Supermarkets, Stater Bros. Charities and California Pizza Kitchen, Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital, Susan Atkinson, CPK frozen pizza, Charles Zimmerman

Tucson physical therapist Ed Onofrio has been a member of the Interim HealthCare Tucson team for nearly seven years, successfully providing care across a very large geographic territory. An active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Onofrio is recognized as a strong advocate for patients and physical therapists alike. He was nominated for his energy, commitment and dedication to patient care. Onofrio created an exercise video to help senior patients continue their exercise programs after their physical therapy sessions have been completed. He also makes sure the office team at Interim has ergonomically correct work stations, willingly keeps the entire team abreast of all regulatory news, and helps fellow therapists meet documentation and utilization expectations.

Nina Van Beaumont has been a physical therapist with Interim HealthCare’s Omaha office for eight years. She is credited by her colleagues for helping Interim rank as the best agency in Omaha for several public measure reporting periods. A proponent of personal choice, Van Beaumont supports patients who want to integrate homeopathic options and traditional therapy. Also known for her compassionate caregiving and enthusiasm, each patient who is discharged from Van Beaumont’s care receive a pair of knit slippers in the local football team’s husker’s red. Van Beaumont also helps communicate with area physicians about the ways in-home therapy benefit patient recovery.

Runner-up Rainna Nolan of Interim HealthCare in Atlanta is known for her meticulous attention to detail. A physical therapist serving on the Atlanta team for nearly four years, Nolan was credited with taking a leadership role in the development of communications processes for the office staff and in creating the office’s truly multidisciplinary approach to patient care. The personal relationships she develops with patients and caregivers have contributed to the development and success of a large, active outpatient clinic within a premier senior living community. Nolan is known for adapting therapy interventions to the unique needs of the community’s active residents and for achieving fantastic outcomes.

Runner-up Martha Sandven is a physical therapist with Interim HealthCare in St. Paul, Minn. She played an integral role in managing the significant growth of the therapy department and the role of therapy in patient care. Over the past year, she has successfully overseen the development of 12 outpatient therapy clinics in assisted living and independent senior living communities. Driven to deliver high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care efficiently and within practice guidelines, Sandven conducts detailed orientations with new staff members and conducts regular in-services with existing staffers.

Leadership and staff from Interim HealthCare’s more than 300 franchise locations across the country were invited to submit nominations for the 2009 Therapist of the Year. Winners were chosen by a select group of impartial clinical judges.

Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare® is one of the nation’s leading franchise organizations providing health care personnel at all skill levels in all settings. Through a network of more than 300 offices, independently owned franchisees provide diverse services including community based home health care, hospice and health care staffing. Under the HomeStyle® Services brand, Interim franchisees provide non-medical in-home senior services focused on the qualities of an enriched life.

Interim is unique in combining the commitment of local franchise ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards. Interim’s independent franchise owners employ more than 75,000 health care workers who serve 50,000 people each day.

For more information, visit www.interimhealthcare.com .

Online press kit for Interim HealthCare: http://profiles.send2press.com/Interim_HealthCare.shtml .

News Source: Interim HealthCare Inc. :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

M2SYS enabled Bwindi Hospital to immediately integrate and implement a seamless biometrics system, including a high-performance fingerprint identification engine. Previously, Bwindi Community Hospital used manual procedures to identify patients, allowing for severe health hazard individuals to be misidentified and opened the facility up to fraudulent activities. Hospital goers will now be identified by scanning their fingerprint, after scanning their medical records and history will be automatically displayed.

“Bio-Plugin(TM) was rated high by customers who previously used the technology. When contacted, M2SYS generously decided to donate the product free-of-charge as this technology was too expensive for us to implement,” commented Wence Benda, IT Technician of Bwindi Community Hospital. “This technology certainly saves us a lot of time and energy with patients, and ensures smooth operation in the facility.”

“We are proud to help out Bwindi Hospital, as they deserved embracing this new technology into their hospital to strengthen their activities with patients and the facility itself,” Michael Trader, President of M2SYS stated. “M2SYS believes that now Bwindi can utilize this technology and move further ahead towards helping people get the best medication, eliminating misidentifications,” he commented.

About M2SYS Technology

M2SYS Technology, www.m2sys.com, is a recognized industry leader in fingerprint identity management technology, delivering a wide range of customized, fully functional, turn-key fingerprint software solutions for businesses and consumers. M2SYS Technology was awarded the prestigious Frost and Sullivan Biometric Technology Innovation of the Year award in 2007.

About Bwindi Community Hospital

Bwindi Community Hospital www.bwindihospital.com is a Church of Uganda Hospital located in the village of Buhoma close to the northern entrance of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of half of the world’s Mountain Gorillas. It is run by a Management Committee of staff, and overseen by a Board of Governors.

News Source: M2SYS Technology :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

Clayton Rich, Nursing Assistant (NA), received the 2009 In-Home Aide of the Year Award. Rich was honored for going the extra mile for each and every patient, finding positives in any situation, and taking on the most difficult cases without complaint. In his acceptance speech, Rich thanked his employers and colleagues for their many years of support and challenged everyone in attendance to keep making a difference in patients’ lives. When not working, Rich can be found volunteering for those less fortunate. It is this “spirit of service to others” that makes him a role model for all and a beacon of compassion and caring.

Jennifer Jones, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), received the 2009 Paraprofessional of the Year Award for being the embodiment of perseverance and the power of home care. She began her medical career as a nurse aide and saw firsthand the positive impact of talented home care nurses. Jones attended nursing school during lunch hours, nights, and weekends to become an LPN, and then forged on in pursuit of her degree in registered nursing (RN), which she is scheduled to receive in spring 2010. Jones also serves her country as a Specialist in the United States Army Reserve, strengthening her civilian clinical skills with military medicine. Recently assigned to a patient who was deemed hopelessly unresponsive, Jones took on the challenge to rehabilitate her stating, “There is always hope, as long as there is always love.” Jones assessed and closely monitored her patient’s situation, recommending changes in medication and ventilator settings. Within weeks the patient became responsive and has now progressed to the point that she can speak, eat and walk. Jones’ contributions are perhaps best summarized in the words of this patient, who said, “Jennifer is my everything…I wouldn’t be here without her.”

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily,” said Melissa Britt, RN, and Branch Manager for the Interim Office in Lumberton, North Carolina, who received the 2009 Home Care Leadership Award. Never shrinking from the bright light of leadership, Britt was recognized for continually facing challenges with unwavering confidence and for seeking specialized training and new ways to meet the evolving needs of her clients and referral sources. Wound care credentialed, cardiac care trained and pediatric credentialed, Britt fills needs on all shifts whether day, night, weekend or holiday, often putting her patients’ and teams’ needs above her own. No stranger to awards, Britt’s glowing reviews also earned her Interim HealthCare office the nationwide company’s 2007 National Preeminent Award for Patient Satisfaction. When asked why she continually challenges herself as a supervisor to learn more and help more, Britt spoke of the ways in which helping and inspiring others has, in turn, helped her grow.

Founded in 1966, Interim HealthCare is the nation’s oldest proprietary national organization providing health care personnel at all skill levels in all settings. Through a comprehensive network of more than 300 offices, Interim HealthCare is the largest combined provider of community-based home care (skilled and non-medical) and health care staffing. Interim HealthCare is unique in combining the commitment of local ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards that improve the delivery of service through more than 75,000 health care workers who serve 50,000 people each day.

For more information, visit www.interimhealthcare.com .

All trademarks and service marks are the property of the respective parties.

News Source: Interim HealthCare Inc :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2009 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

The ACR, headquartered in Reston, VA, awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high standards after a peer-review evaluation of the imaging practice. Board-certified physicians and medical physicists, experts in the field of diagnostic imaging, assess the qualification of the personnel and adequacy of facility equipment. The surveyors report their finding to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation, which bases its decision on accreditation on the comprehensive report.

In May 2008, The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiograph Laboratories (ICAEL) recognized Affinity Imaging as an accredited site for ultrasound. ICAEL exists to ensure the quality of ultrasound facilities, their equipment, personnel and protocols.

According to Michael Hartke, CEO, Affinity Healthcare LLC, “Increasingly, these types of quality designations are becoming requirements for insurers both as a mark of quality and as a condition for reimbursement. We are very proud of these distinctions from the ACR and ICAEL. The entire staff of Affinity Imaging has worked very hard to achieve these accreditations.”

For more information on the internal medicine, family practice, immediate care, physical therapy, and diagnostic imaging practices comprising Affinity Healthcare LLC, visit our website: www.affinitydocs.com. To arrange an interview, please contact: Jacqueline Speckin, Chief Marketing Officer, Affinity Healthcare LLC, Email: jspeckin@affinitydocs.com or phone: 847-847-7457, cell: 847-567-4575.

Established in 2002 (formerly named Rand Imaging Center), Affinity Healthcare LLC’s diagnostic testing facility provides open MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound and X-Ray services. Approximately 25,000 diagnostic tests are performed annually. The center holds the award of Accreditation for its MRI, Nuclear Medicine, and CT services, from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Ultrasound Accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiograph Laboratories (ICAEL).

Highly qualified and compassionate diagnostic imaging professionals are dedicated to providing patients with high quality, convenient, and comfortable diagnostic testing, using advanced technology that produces rapid and precise results.

News Source: Affinity Healthcare LLC :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2008 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.

HomeStyle Services(R) by Interim HealthCare is the company’s brand name for non-medical home care services. The HomeStyle Hero award is unique in that nominees are asked to obtain a client testimonial providing reasons why their caregivers should be recognized as a HomeStyle Hero. Fifty-seven senior care professionals throughout the country were nominated for the prestigious award by their clients and supervisors. Testimonials were received from trust advisors, spouses and adult children in addition to the individuals receiving assistance in their homes.

Commenting on the help provided to his mother, John Tyskewicz. of Windsor, Connecticut said, “It is rare today to find individuals who like the work in which they are engaged. It is rarer still to meet that person who not only loves their work, but elevates their profession to a new height far beyond the expected call of duty – one whose love, goodness and compassion to duty raise the bar far above the commonplace. Leona Holley epitomizes such an individual.”

“Leone came to us about 5 years ago (though I must admit it seems like only yesterday) and when she first came through the doorway, her smile shone like a ray of sunshine. My mom, you see, was 83 years old, and not too easy to please. Her latter years were hard on her, with both cancer and emphysema taking their toll on her usually pleasant disposition. But Leona, being the consummate professional that she is, won her over quite easily. Soon, I noticed very positive changes in my mom’s personality. She became more animated when Leona arrived, and even after she left, mom seemed a much happier person. It wasn’t long before Leona became ‘one of the family.’ Mom would look forward to Leona’s arrivals with eager anticipation. Soon, Mom and I nicknamed Leona the ‘white tornado’ as she went from one task to another in her speedy and efficient manner. No matter how quickly she worked, she always took the time to point out safety concerns which might be harmful to the elderly. She pointed out devices which would make life easier for Mom, such as an elevated toilet seat, safety grips in the shower, slide-in devices for the bathtub and many others.”

Leona Holley has been with the Interim Connecticut office since 2001. “If there are angels on earth, Leona must be one of them,” says Homemaker/ Companion Program Manger Terri Johnson. “She is one of the most caring, compassionate people I have ever worked with. We’re thrilled she was chosen as the national HomeStyle Hero.”

Russ Cooper, President and CEO of Interim HealthCare Inc. states, “The HomeStyle Hero award was developed in 2002 initially as a way to recognize our valued employees who provide exceptional non-medical care and companionship in the home. Five years and over 250 client testimonials later, it has also become a way to hear what our clients and their families have to say about the daily care they receive. Some require personal care, transportation or medication reminders, others require friendly companionship. In any case, clients have expressed how their lives have been improved.”

Interim HealthCare is the nation’s oldest leading home care and medical staffing company. Founded in 1966, there are more than 300 locations nationwide with approximately 75,000 health care workers.

For more information, visit www.homestyleservices.com.

News Source: Interim HealthCare Inc. :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2007 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.