Ascension Saint Alexius Women and Children’s Hospital

09/14/2025

💙 September is National Cholesterol Education Month 💙

This month is a reminder that knowing your numbers can save lives. High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but left unmanaged it can raise the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Ascension Saint Alexius was proud to partner with Hanover Township at the Just for the Health of It! Expo in Bartlett, where our nurses provided free cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, answered questions, and shared tools for healthier living. More than 200 neighbors stopped by, showing the power of a community coming together for better health.

To our clinical teams and volunteers — thank you for showing up with compassion, knowledge, and care. And to Hanover Township, thank you for being a trusted partner in helping our community live longer, healthier lives.

09/12/2025

✨ Feel Good Friday ✨

For Samantha C., LCSW, ACM, every call is a chance to show someone they’re not alone.

One patient kept reaching out, unsure if anyone would really follow through. Samantha made sure she always answered — no matter how many times the phone rang. Over time, that consistency built trust, reminding him that care at Ascension Illinois isn’t just about services — it’s about people who show up.

That same dedication has shaped Samantha’s 11 years with our Population Health team. From creating programs that smooth the transition from hospital to home, to mentoring new case managers, her work is rooted in one belief: every person deserves to feel supported at every step of their health journey.

We’re proud to celebrate Samantha this week for the impact she continues to make — one conversation, one connection, one patient at a time. 💙

09/10/2025

🧱💙 Bricks of Hope turned imagination into healing at Ascension Saint Alexius.

For the first time ever, our pediatric patients and their families joined a Master Lego Build class — guided step by step by a generous donor family and true Lego enthusiasts. Together, they built an Emperor Penguin and its baby 🐧, a project that streamed live to patient rooms so no child was left out of the fun.

Moments like this are more than play. They are acts of kindness that spark joy, inspire creativity, and remind our youngest patients that they are never alone in their journey. 💙

Thank you to Bricks of Hope and the donor family whose generosity filled our hospital with hope and smiles.

09/09/2025

🌟 Where is Ascension Illinois this month? All over our communities — lifting health, sparking conversations, and showing up where it matters most. Come be part of it:

🍽️ Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon
Friday, September 12 | 11:30 am
Ascension Saint Alexius Women & Children’s Hospital
Big conversations, big voices, big impact. Join Ascension Saint Alexius as Presenting Sponsor for this powerful exchange with local legislators.

🔥 Inverness Fire Department Open House
Saturday, September 13 | 10 am
Inverness Fire Department
Fire trucks, community fun, lifesaving education — and Ascension care teams right there with you for screenings and wellness support.

🥂 Elgin Community College Founder’s Day Brunch
Saturday, September 13 | 10 am
Elgin Community College
Celebrating student success and fueling the future. Ascension Saint Alexius is proud to help open doors through scholarships and student support.

🩺 Midwest Swaminarayan Temple 53rd Annual Health Fair
Sunday, September 14 | 8 am
Midwest Swaminarayan Temple
One of the biggest health fairs of the year. Screenings, resources, education, and Ascension associates by your side every step of the way.

🎀 Schaumburg Women’s Alliance Group: Breast Cancer Prevention Event
Tuesday, September 16 | 11:30 am
Shaw’s Crab House, Schaumburg
A conversation that could save a life. Dr. Gia M. Compagnoni, Director of the Ascension Saint Alexius Breast Program, leads the talk on breast cancer prevention and care.

💓 Schaumburg Park District Monthly Health Screenings
Wednesday, September 17 | 10 am
Meineke Recreation Center, Schaumburg
Free screenings. Real answers. Peace of mind. Take charge of your health with Ascension care teams during National Cholesterol Awareness Month.

09/08/2025

💙 September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (excluding skin cancer) — but with early detection, survival rates improve dramatically.

That is why Ascension Illinois is committed to raising awareness, providing education, and making screenings accessible. Together with Hanover Township, our teams at Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Alexius offered no-cost screenings for eligible community members. 🙌

Events like this are about more than lab results. They are about peace of mind, prevention, and making sure families get more time together.

A special thank you to our Cancer Institute team and partners who make this mission possible. 🌟

Screening saves lives. If you are 50–75, or younger with risk factors, talk to your doctor about when it is right for you.

09/04/2025

🌟 Celebrating Rowena T., RN – 19 Years of Heartfelt Care 🌟

For nearly two decades, Rowena has been a cornerstone of our Cardiac Telemetry Unit at Ascension Saint Alexius. From monitoring cardiac rhythms to advocating for patients in their most vulnerable moments, her journey reflects the true heart of nursing. 💙

Her story began as a second career, balancing nursing school with raising two young children after immigrating to the U.S. Today, those children are a physician and a physician assistant — a legacy of compassion and perseverance carried forward.

Rowena reminds us that care isn’t just about skill, it’s about courage — the courage to speak up for a patient, to stand with families during Honor Walks, and to keep showing up with empathy shift after shift.

We are proud to have her as part of our Ascension Saint Alexius family. 💙

09/03/2025

Strong communities are built on care that extends beyond hospital walls. 💙

On August 30, our team from Ascension Saint Alexius proudly supported the 11th Annual Senior Fair hosted by Illinois State Representative Anna Moeller at the Dundee Township Adult Activity Center in Carpentersville.

More than 200 residents connected with over 20 local senior organizations to access wellness education, resources and screenings. Our dietitians and nurses were honored to provide blood pressure screenings, stroke risk assessments and diabetes and nutrition education for older adults in our community.

Events like this remind us that care is not just about treatment, it is about prevention, education and building confidence in health at every stage of life. 🌟

08/31/2025

Labor Day weekends are meant for cookouts, sunshine and family time. But too much heat, food that is not cooked all the way through or an accident during the fun can quickly send plans sideways. 🤕☀️🍔

When that happens, you need care that is close, reliable and ready. At Ascension Illinois, our doctors and care teams are here to listen, to treat and to help you recover so the focus can return to making memories. 💙

👉 Find care near you: http://ascn.io/6189ffXCx

08/29/2025

✨ Feel Good Friday ✨

When faith and health come together, lives change. 💙

On August 21, our Ascension Illinois Community Health team partnered with the Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg to provide blood pressure screenings, stroke risk assessments and information on community resources. More than 115 families joined us to take charge of their health and learn about the new 2025 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology blood pressure guidelines.

This is the heart of community care — meeting people where they are, supporting both body and spirit, and helping families feel confident in their health. 🌟

Thank you to the Church of the Holy Spirit staff and our dedicated Community Health nurses for making this possible.

08/27/2025

Labor Day weekends bring cookouts, family time and celebrations. 🎉

They also bring risks that can change the day in an instant. 🤕

🍔 Food poisoning from undercooked meat.
💉 Allergic reactions at the picnic table.
☀️ Heat exhaustion that catches someone off guard.

The good news is you are not powerless. Knowing the most common holiday health hazards and how to respond keeps the focus on memories that last for the right reasons.

This Labor Day, know what to look for and how to protect yourself and your family. Our latest blog breaks down the most common holiday health mishaps and the simple steps that keep the weekend focused on fun. 💙

http://ascn.io/6185f4Kv5

08/26/2025

For kids living with diabetes, childhood can sometimes feel more like a checklist than an adventure — meals to measure, numbers to track, routines to follow. ⏱️🍎

But at ADA Camp Triangle Adventure, kids don’t just manage diabetes…they get to be kids. 🏕️ From campfires to canoeing, laughter to friendship, every activity is designed to build confidence, independence, and lifelong skills for thriving with diabetes.

Last month, our Ascension Saint Alexius Community Health and Diabetes teams joined the camp on VIP Day to experience the magic firsthand. ✨ What we saw was more than a camp — it was resilience in action, guided by expert medical staff and fueled by the ADA’s mission to empower children living with diabetes.

We’re proud to stand beside the American Diabetes Association in making this camp possible, including providing financial support for families in need. Because no child should miss out on moments that build not just memories, but resilience. ✨

Every child deserves the chance to live fully — diabetes and all. And together, we’re helping make that happen. 🌟

08/22/2025

🍂 Fall is beautiful — but sneezing, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats? Not so much. 🤧 Don’t push through the season feeling miserable. Our doctors are here to help you breathe easier and feel like yourself again. 💙

✨ Get relief fast with convenient same-day or next-day appointments — or simply walk in to one of our urgent care locations near you. Your health shouldn’t have to wait.

08/22/2025

Whatever you need on a range of inpatient or outpatient care, Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital will work with you to find the right fit. Call 855-383-2224 or walk in 24/7 to find support.

💙 Every journey to better mental health starts with one step — and we’re here to make that step feel possible.

Whether you need structured inpatient care, flexible outpatient programs, or simply someone to listen, our team will meet you where you are and guide you toward what works best for you. 🌱 You don’t have to navigate it alone.

📞 Call us anytime — your path to healing starts today.

08/21/2025

🌱 Hope and healing are possible. 🌱

At Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, Dr. Lacey Lemke, PsyD understands that eating disorders are about so much more than food.

They can deeply affect your mind, body, and spirit — and you don’t have to face them alone. 💙

As Service Line Director for Eating Disorders, Dr. Lemke specializes in psychotherapy and evidence-based care like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy, helping children, teens, and adults find strength, build coping skills, and move toward recovery.

✨ With a compassionate approach and a multidisciplinary team by her side, Dr. Lemke helps each patient create a care plan that fits their unique journey.

Because recovery is possible. And you deserve it. 💙

08/21/2025

When it’s your brain or spine, the weight of the decision can feel overwhelming. One word, one scan, one recommendation — and suddenly, your future feels like it’s hanging in the balance. 🧠

In those moments, asking, “Is there another way?” isn’t hesitation. It’s wisdom. It’s courage. It’s giving yourself the chance to see the full picture.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Alexius, physicians like Dr. Sanjay Yadla know that care is more than procedures or technology — it’s about walking with you through the unknown. It’s about listening until your questions are answered, exploring every possibility, and helping you find the path that feels right for your life, your family, your tomorrow.

Because real healing doesn’t start in the operating room — it starts with clarity. With knowing you’ve been heard. With being able to look at your choice and say, “Yes, this is mine.” 💙

08/20/2025

You never have to struggle alone. Find comfort, healing and hope at Ascension Saint Joseph — Chicago. Call 855-383-2224 to find support.

💙 At Ascension Saint Joseph — Chicago, we believe every person deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported through life’s challenges.

Our compassionate care teams are here 24/7 to listen without judgment, create a care plan that’s right for you, and walk beside you toward a brighter, healthier tomorrow. 🌱

You are not defined by your struggles — and you don’t have to face them on your own.

08/19/2025

A job doesn’t just pay the bills. It helps restore a person’s rhythm, their dignity and their sense of possibility.

Getting a job may sound simple — until you’ve spent years rebuilding yourself just to feel ready again.

Dawn Wesner meets people in that exact moment and helps them reconnect with their talents, confidence and future.

As clinical program supervisor at Ascension Illinois – Center for Mental Health Arlington Heights, Dawn leads with faith, patience and quiet strength.

Whether she’s guiding someone through a career assessment or celebrating their first paycheck, her impact is deeply personal.

It’s not just about helping clients rejoin the workforce.

It’s about helping them remember they have something to offer — and always have.

💼💙

08/19/2025

When symptoms of an eating disorder affect your day-to-day life, it’s time to find help. Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital care teams are here 24/7 with personalized care plans to offer support and a road to recovery. 🤝🌱

💙 Healing isn’t just about treating symptoms — it’s about restoring hope, rebuilding confidence, and empowering you to take back your life. Our team understands the courage it takes to reach out, and we’ll walk with you every step of the way. 🌱

You matter. Your story matters. And recovery is possible. ✨

📞 Call us anytime — your path to healing starts today.

08/18/2025

Heart failure may sound final, but in the right hands, it’s the beginning of a plan. ❤️

At Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension Saint Alexius, Dr. Baqir Lakhani meets patients where they are — sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish, sometimes in Urdu — but always with understanding.

He listens first, then builds a plan that turns fear into a path forward, whether that’s with medications, advanced procedures, or transplant care. 👂 📍

From the first conversation to the most advanced treatments, Dr. Lakhani and our care team work side by side with each patient to make complex care feel clear, personal, and full of possibility.

Because the right treatment starts with truly seeing the person in front of you and making sure they know they’re not in this alone. 💙

http://ascn.io/6183fqHvX

https://healthcare.ascension.org/find-care/provider/1750677043/baqir-lakhaniMeet Dr. Baqir Lakhani, a heart doctor with Ascension Illinois in Elk Grove Villa...

08/17/2025

When you’re in the ER, you’re trusting strangers with your life. 💙

At Ascension Saint Joseph Chicago, those strangers quickly become your team — moving fast, explaining every step, and making sure you feel safe even when the situation isn’t.

From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, every person plays a role: the ones who greet you, the ones who treat you, and the ones who check in just to make sure you’re okay. It’s the kind of care that stays with you long after the visit. 🌟

Because here, you’re never just “the patient in Room 3” — you’re someone’s neighbor, friend, or family. And that’s exactly how we care for you.

08/16/2025

🐾 Hi fren! It’s me, your wellness cheer-pup. 🐶

I just wanted to check in and remind you of a few things that are good for your mind 🧠 and body 💪:

☀️ Get outside for fresh air (it can change your whole mood)
💧 Drink some water (hydration = happy brain and body)
🛋️ Rest when you need it (naps are self-care, not laziness)
📞 Talk to someone who will listen (a friend, family, or the care teams at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital)

Us doggos just want the best for you — and the compassionate humans at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital are always ready to support your journey to feeling your best. 💙

08/16/2025

Not all treasures are found on the green. ⛳

Meet Link, our four-legged “caddy” who’s turned the bushes outside the Women and Children’s Hospital into his personal clubhouse—collecting 75 golf balls in just one year! Some even come with custom messages like “old duffer” and “killer.”

With golf season in full swing, Link’s ready to keep adding to his stash… and maybe remind us all that in golf—and in life—the most important shot is the next one. 🐾

08/15/2025

🎉 10 Years of Supporting Parents, Healing Minds & Nurturing Bonds 💙👶

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, our Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program has spent the past decade walking alongside parents through one of life’s most beautiful — and sometimes most challenging — journeys.

For 10 years, we’ve provided a safe space where parents can bring their babies, receive compassionate mental health care, and learn skills that strengthen both their well-being and their parenting confidence. 🌱

💡 What makes this program special?
✔ Care from a multidisciplinary team — from psychologists to lactation consultants
✔ Support for both emotional health and daily life needs
✔ In-person and virtual options for real-life flexibility
✔ A focus on bonding, healing, and enjoying parenthood

To every parent who’s trusted us, every baby we’ve cuddled, and every milestone we’ve celebrated: thank you for letting us be part of your story. Here’s to the next chapter. 💜