When a family member or loved one becomes sick, it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only are patients and their families filled with worry, they often find themselves in unfamiliar locations. Add in the hassles and the stresses of a big city like Chicago, and it's no wonder families end up exhausted and drained.

At Adventist Midwest Health, we're focusing on bringing world-class healthcare to our patients' backyards. This means providing the same level of services found in the major academic hospitals in Chicago. With some of the brightest minds in medicine providing care, we are truly succeeding in this mission.

In January, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital celebrated its first anniversary with an impressive list of accomplishments. During its first year, more than 30,000 patients sought treatment in the emergency room and more than 700 babies were born. The hospital also opened a cardiac catheterization lab, providing critical access for residents close to home.

Adventist GlenOaks Hospital opened a new Heart & Vascular Institute that allows patients with life-threatening heart blockages or those who need pacemakers or implantable defibrillators to receive care in their own community. The hospital also has received the prestigious chest pain center accreditation by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital is partnering with the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital to allow pediatric epilepsy patients to stay in the suburbs while being monitored by top national experts. As patients are monitored at the hospital, their data is transmitted in real time to pediatric epileptologists in Chicago.

At Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, physicians are pioneering new procedures and surgeries that require tiny incisions, which help speed healing and recovery for patients. In fact, many of our physicians are on staff or have teaching positions at academic centers.

The impact of having these services and outstanding clinical care close to home was illustrated to me recently during a phone call from a mother named Angela. She was with her 14-year-old son in Adventist Hinsdale Hospital's pediatric unit, and she called to thank me for the extraordinary care her family was experiencing.

Angela's son has Niemann-Pick disease, a rare disease caused by a genetic mutation that affects metabolism. There are only 350 cases worldwide like the one Angela's son has, and the disease will eventually claim his life. Even though Angela was facing insurmountable obstacles, she took the time to thank us for the care and support she was receiving from our physicians, nurses and staff.

It touched me to hear Angela speak of the compassionate care we were providing and the comfort she felt in being at a hospital that was close to home with her support system nearby. Her call showed me the powerful impact of our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.

Jesus' healing ministry knew no bounds. He reached out to people from all walks of life to heal them. He met them in their towns, on dusty roads, in humble houses. He cared compassionately with a personal touch.

Angela's story reminded me that we are all healers, no matter if we perform a lifesaving procedure, provide a comforting touch or simply listen to a mother talk about the struggles her family has faced. We are honored to provide this level of care, close to home.

David L. Crane is the CEO of Adventist Midwest Health