Part of the Seventh-day Adventist healthcare family since 1997, Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, in Glendale Heights, Ill., celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2005.
During the early 1970s, area leaders rallied to develop a community hospital in Glendale Heights. On Dec. 18, 1977, more than 200 community residents attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Glendale Heights Community Hospital. The hospital opened for business on Mar. 9, 1980. It was dedicated on Apr. 7, 1980. The hospital has grown to serve 50,000 patient visits annually, with a 275-member medical staff. Today, the 186-bed faith-based hospital offers acute care, obstetrics, cardiology, radiology, and behavioral health and wellness programs.
The full-service medical-surgical hospital includes a 24-hour emergency department, a 25-bed obstetrics department, a ten-bed cardiac and intensive care section, as well as diagnostic laboratories. The five-wing, two-story facility serves the Illinois communities of Glendale Heights, Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, and Glen Ellyn.
The hospital became affiliated with Hinsdale Hospital on Nov. 24, 1982, and in 1997, both hospitals became part of the Adventist Health System Midwest Region, now known as Adventist Midwest Health. Since 1998, Brinsley Lewis has served as chief executive officer.
The hospital keeps abreast with advances in technology to upgrade diagnostic treatment capabilities and enhance its commitment to quality healthcare by delivering speedy outpatient and emergency services. Adventist GlenOaks encourages its community to become active partners in its healthcare through a wide variety of outreach programs, screenings, support groups, and lectures.
As Adventist GlenOaks Hospital marks its first quarter-century of service, it announced plans to renovate and expand its emergency medicine department and services. Fund-raising has begun, and groundbreaking is anticipated in 2006.
The hospital began offering behavioral health services for adults and children in 1981, and over the years, developed programs for inpatient, outpatient, and educational support. GlenOaks Hospital opened its widely-respected Therapeutic Day School for high school students in 1995, and lower grade school in 1999, for students from DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.
GlenOaks was the first hospital in DuPage County to dedicate its entire obstetric unit to labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum suites.
In Nov. 2004, the hospital’s name changed to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital. Recently, the hospital installed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and initiated a Star 3 program to fast-track outpatient diagnostics and results.
Lynn Larson, Adventist Midwest Health, Lake Union Herald correspondent
(Sidebar)
What do some of the 25-year employees have to say about Adventist GlenOaks Hospital?
“GlenOaks has a friendly, Christian, nurturing environment where employees are free to grow and make contributions.” Mary Clark, R.N., Quality Management coordinator
“It’s a small hospital with a family atmosphere where you can take care of patients the way you would want your family cared for.” Carol Rohrsen, R.N., Cardiac Testing
“Administration supports the staff and is receptive to their needs.” Karen Larson, Geri/Psych secretary
“The hospital’s friendly atmosphere fosters knowing individuals in every department, which improves our communication with staff and patients.” Sue Karau, Rehabilitation Services office coordinator/treatment assistant
"At Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, we treat patients and co-workers like family.” Peggy Burke, R.N., Intensive Care
