Cycling For Sinai

Out of all the not-for-profit hospitals in Chicago, or for that matter in the United States, what makes Sinai so special? From a human interest or social justice perspective, Sinai cares for all who seek care irrespective of the ability to pay for that care. Quoting the chairman of the Emergency Department, “We don’t do a wallet biopsy” before taking care of people.

So if we take care of low to no-income people—how’s the quality of care Sinai delivers? At the end of March 2010, Mount Sinai Hospital scored in the top 10% nationally on over 92% of the federal government’s quality measures. Only 8% of the hospitals in the country performed better.

Some might think of us as a poor hospital. That’s just not how Sinai caregivers (and all who work at Sinai are referred to as caregivers) experience it. At Sinai there is rich appreciation of diversity and humanity as well as the commitment to provide care. Certainly there are challenges and “yes” resources can be strained. That’s why Sinai board of directors chairman Steve Koch is making a cross-country fund raising bike ride, “Cycling for Sinai.”

Sinai offers models for accomplishing recently legislated health reform. Through its urban epidemiology and translational research arm, it develops evidence-based solutions to health disparities. With its hospital-based outreach organization it helps people help themselves with life skills such as getting and keeping employment. It helps very young mothers finish high school. Both employment and education correlate with good health.

See the Sinai Health System fact sheet and web sites that follow this introduction. They give objective accounts of the Sinai member organizations located primarily within a four square block area on the west side of Chicago. However, as you review these objective sources you will also sense Sinai in an intangible way. That feeling is the Spirit of Sinai. Please help support it.

To learn more about Sinai Health System, follow the links and read the fact sheet below.

Sinai.org | SchwabRehab.org | SinaiChildrensHospital.org | SUHIChicago.org

Established more than 90 years ago to serve Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the area, Sinai Health System continues to focus on the needs of Chicago’s west side communities. Caregivers at Sinai are committed to the tradition of tikkun olam — a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world.” Sinai’s 3,000 caregivers believe that, by their actions, they offer a healing and caring presence for patients, their families and the community.

Mount Sinai Hospital

Mount Sinai Hospital is a 291-staffed bed teaching hospital that provides medical, surgical, behavioral health, therapeutic and diagnostic services.

• Level I Trauma Center for adults and children
• Second-largest birthing center in Chicago
• Major teaching hospital
• Specialists in more than 30 areas, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, surgery, endocrinology, orthopedics, interventional radiology
• Imaging technology includes digital mammography, 1.5T MRI and 64-slice CT
• Inpatient and outpatient behavioral health
• Interpreter services available 24/7 for foreign language speaking patients and Deaf or hard of hearing patients

Sinai Urban Health Institute

Sinai Urban Health Institute, urban epidemiologists and community health workers, identifies health disparities and develops programs to address them

• Award winning community pediatric asthma initiative recognized by American Hospital Association with a 2010 NOVA Award and also recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency
• Current initiatives include diabetes, breast cancer, asthma, childhood obesity and smoking cessation
• Collaborates with local organizations to pursue community-based interventions that will improve health in some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in the city

Sinai Community Institute

Sinai Community Institute develops programs to address the social, economic and environmental factors that affect the health of community members, from infants to adolescents to older adults.

• Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Program in Lawndale designed to delay second pregnancies among adolescent mothers
• Sinai Parenting Institute/The School for Parents provides parenting education
• The Family Development Initiative provides parent/child early-intervention.
• Chicago Family Case Management provides links to social and health services available for pregnant women and infants
• The Learn Together Afterschool Program provides a safe place for the children of working parents to go after school
• The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides nutrition education and appropriate food items to eligible pregnant women, infants and children
• Computer Resource Center provides access to computers for job searches
• Training and Employment provides job readiness services and mentors trainees as they begin their new jobs or apprenticeships
• Sinai Elder Abuse and Neglect Program works with and on behalf of older persons to investigate reports of alleged abuse

Sinai Children’s Hospital

Sinai Children’s Hospital extends its wide range of resources to meet the diverse needs of children.

• Level III (the highest level of care) neonatal intensive care unit
• Pediatric intensive care unit
• Pediatric surgery and anesthesiology
• Specialty pediatric care, including gastroenterology, nephrology, allergy, endocrinology and neurology.
• Additional resources, including a pediatric weight management program and HIV/AIDS program

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital is a 102-staffed bed facility with inpatient and outpatient acute and sub-acute rehabilitation services for adults and children.

• Programs include stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and amputation therapy
• Fellowship trained and board certified physicians available 24/7
• Healing environment featuring seven treatment gyms, indoor therapy pool and therapy garden
• Extended services for people with disabilities, including the only fully accessible computer lab on the west side of Chicago