Swedish Covenant Hospital has a trusted presence in our community that goes well beyond our walls. We've seen the value in actively partnering with other community organizations to promote public health and refine and improve the care we provide to you. Our work in the community is tied in closely to the fundamental mission at the heart of all our efforts.
We know from the very beginning of our nursing careers that we will be a part of the extended Swedish Covenant community, which includes meaningful connections and valued relationships across our community. As an organization we are dedicated to ongoing, long-term outreach programs including our nursing camp and our diverse and successful community relations program.
Some of our finest nurses serve as teachers at several area universities, including Loyola University and North Park University. Chief Nursing Officer Mary Shehan serves as a valuable conduit to the community by serving on several community boards.
Our summertime health fairs are always well-attended by a very diverse cross-section of our community. Nurses provide first aid education, and perform blood pressure screenings, blood draws, and kidney screenings. This sort of resource and connection to health care helps shape a healthier community from the inside out.
Our preventive health care programs like immunizations, back-to-school events and health care education spread knowledge and the tools to make better daily health care choices for our families. Our Hispanic nutrition programs contribute to better awareness of and access to healthier food choices.
Helping to spread knowledge of preventive care is uniquely satisfying to a nurse, because we're helping people to make choices to be healthier now, and perhaps prevent serious health issues in the future. The individual members of our community know we have a lot invested in them, and our recent expansion has helped us connect with the community in even more meaningful and lasting ways.
The community outreach experience is a positive one on all sides. At least one young veteran of our nursing camp went on to choose nursing studies in college and is now an RN. Our nurses who engage the community through outreach programs tell us they really enjoy being out in the community, meeting new people, and addressing health concerns in a new and challenging environment.
The spirit of direct community involvement is part of our daily work environment, and we plan and share our experiences on all levels. We devote the proper resources to make sure nurses are well-matched with the community projects they choose to invest their energy in. We coordinate our efforts with our professional practice model, in discussions in monthly meetings, and through notifications of upcoming events and community program opportunities. We put our best people in the right place to enrich our relationship with our community, one person at a time.
To learn more about our Journey to Magnet Excellence, click here. For more information about Nursing at Swedish Covenant Hospital, please call the Nursing Administration office at (773) 878-8200, Ext. 5600.
