St. Bernard pioneers sweeping pediatric concept C.H.A.N.C.E. follows kids from infancy to teen years

St. Bernard Hospital, a Catholic health care center serving Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood for over 100 years, continues its dedication to pediatric outreach services with an innovative approach to improving the lives of community youth. The CHANCE concept – Comprehensive Health and Advocacy Network for the Children of Englewood – combines a vast array of programs and services designed to serve Englewood children, from birth to high school graduation.

Under this umbrella plan, St. Bernard administers and tracks newborn vaccinations with the Baby Immunization Tracking System (BITS). General physical exams and booster shots are available at primary and secondary schools via the hospital’s Pediatric Mobile Health Unit, which now includes aspects of primary medical care for children without a regular family physician. Dental services are offered to youth ages 3-18 as part of St. Bernard’s Pediatric Oral Health Initiative.

“Years ago we began to realize a growing lack in complete, comprehensive care for these young boys and girls,” said Sister Elizabeth Van Straten RHSJ, President and CEO of St. Bernard Hospital. “By combining all of our pediatric outreach services under one umbrella, the CHANCE concept promotes a healthy childhood for every child in Englewood. I know that, as time moves forward, these statistics will reflect positive changes in the way these children live.”

The multi-faceted CHANCE concept begins chronologically with the Baby Immunization Tracking System (BITS) and “I Care,” aimed at registering immunization rates for infants and families. In 1991 “BITS” was established in tandem with the Chicago Department of Public Health, with the goal of improving childhood immunizations to 90% in the surrounding community.

As children grow older and reach school age, the Pediatric Mobile Health Unit comes into play. This forty foot mobile doctor’s office reached more than 50 Chicago Public Schools and served over 2600 patients during the 2004-2005 school calendar. The on-board Nurse Practitioner conducts physical exams, administers updated immunization boosters, and makes referrals when necessary. With patients ranging from kindergarten to high school, the Mobile Unit sees a wide variety of age levels and medical conditions from chronic illnesses to pregnancies.

Within the St. Bernard campus, a brand new dental clinic provides oral health services to children up to 18 years of age. The clinic, which opened in January, is the centerpiece of a holistic program that includes early intervention, treatment, oral disease prevention, and education for children, parents, teachers, and healthcare providers.

The Chicago Department of Public Health Oral Health Program, which screens of kindergartners, second graders and sixth graders, estimates that of the 6,900 children in these grades in our area schools, 4,140 (60%) need oral health treatment.

“All of these services are so crucial to the day-to-day lives of these kids,” says Gregory Whitehead, Chairman of St. Bernard’s Board of Trustees. “This approach is very aptly named. It really does mean that we’re giving these kids a better chance, a chance to lead a physically healthy life.”

Also in the development stages of CHANCE are continued partnerships and collaborations with organizations that provide invaluable resources to the hospital and the community. Among them, the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago won a grant to improve the quality of life for Englewood youth living with asthma. S.I.D.S. of Illinois’ “Safe Sleep For Baby” campaign continues in Englewood, with the ultimate goal to reduce infant mortality due to SIDS and accidental suffocation. Family Focus, aimed at serving teen mothers and their children, is conveniently housed in the hospital’s 3rd Floor pavilion.