Whenever Brinsley Lewis speaks of Adventist GlenOaks Hospital's newly opened, 21,000-square-foot Emergency Department (ED), he mentions the high patient satisfaction scores the department has consistently earned for its short wait times.

"In fact, wait times were so short in our former space that the new facility does not even have a waiting room," said Brinsley, the hospital's chief executive officer. "Patients are escorted directly to a treatment area and are registered at the bedside."

The new ED also has larger treatment rooms. Family members can now accompany the patient to the bedside which, of course, is of tremendous importance to the well-being and stress level of the patient and the family members.

The behavioral health care offered at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital is also a source of pride. A department of 56 beds offers a full range of inpatient services including a separate geriatric unit.

"With three levels of care available, we tend to the wounds of the psyche," Brinsley said. "We always have the goal, with the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we can be an instrument to help to heal the broken hearts and dashed dreams of these patients."

For students challenged with emotional and/or behavioral problems, the Adventist GlenOaks Therapeutic Day School has proved enormously successful. With three campuses, the fully-accredited school meets the needs of students who require individualized behavioral health treatment.

"With school violence in the forefront of the news, it is essential to identify at-risk students," Brinsley said. "We have students who have been unable to cope under normal circumstances, and we found that many had undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions. The kids tell us they felt unheard, anxious, and overwhelmed in the traditional school setting. Here, with the proper therapy and attention, they have a good chance of restored mental health."

The hospital is meeting the needs of a growing community in another way—with an expanded cardiology program that includes interventional procedures. It's an important service to provide to the residents of Glendale Heights and surrounding area.

"In all things we do, we serve a higher power," Brinsley said. "Above all, we are a Christian healthcare provider partnering with communities, physicians, and employees to provide excellence in healthcare while extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ."

Julie Busch is a public relations specialist at Adventist Midwest Health.