SwedishAmerican Health Foundation

08/09/2025

Meet Valerie, an Application Analyst in Information Systems who’s been part of the UW Health SwedishAmerican family for an incredible 38 years! 💻

From supporting IT infrastructure across clinics and hospital departments to being involved in countless projects that have helped our health system grow, Valerie has seen firsthand the power of progress.

She gives back by donating to the Heart Fund, inspired by the memory of her father and others close to her who’ve been affected by heart disease. ❤️

“Everyone should have access to quality health care and services,” Valerie shares. “𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗪 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁.”

Her advice to others is simple, “If you can donate, do it! Every donation stays within our community and helps to make a difference. It’s a great feeling knowing that you’re a part of providing remarkable health care and making a positive difference for others."

Thank you, Valerie, for your dedication and generosity!

08/05/2025

August is National Wellness Month! This month is a great reminder to slow down, recharge and invest in your well-being. 🌿

At SwedishAmerican Health Foundation, we believe whole-person health includes physical care, mental health support and access to life-changing resources — and you help make that possible.

🩵 Every donor, every gift and every act of kindness contributes to a healthier northern Illinois. Let’s keep wellness going, together: https://www.swedishamericanhealthfoundation.org/give/

08/01/2025

🥰 A big thank you to 8-year-old Charlie, the sweet niece of one of our nurses, who stopped by with a special donation for our pediatric patients!

Charlie came up with her own way to raise money and used it to shop for the cutest stuffed animals—each one picked with love. She was all smiles as she dropped them off, and we know they’ll bring just as many smiles to the kids who receive them.

Way to go, Charlie! 💕🐻✨

07/31/2025

❤️A heartfelt thank you to FYE at CherryVale Mall!

FYE recently held a nationwide fundraiser inviting customers to purchase toy cars for donation. With over 210 stores participating, each location selected their own donation site—and we’re happy to share that the Pediatric Department at UW Health was chosen as the recipient by the Rockford store!

Lisa Mason, store manager at CherryVale Mall FYE, shared her personal reason for choosing UW Health SwedishAmerican : "While a lot of stores participated in Toys for Tots or donated to local police stations, I wanted to think outside the box and bring joy to children in the hospital. My little one has a heart condition and is diabetic at age 10, so we’ve had our fair share of hospital visits. It warms my heart to be a part of something so meaningful.”

Thank you, Lisa and the entire FYE team, for your thoughtful and generous donation. These toy cars will surely bring smiles to our young patients during their hospital stay! 🚗❤️

07/28/2025

Loyal Foundation donor and former NICU mom graduates nursing school to become nurse at UW Health where her journey began ❤️

Cherish Adams, who gave birth at 15 and found inspiration in a UW Health nurse during her son’s NICU stay, has graduated from a nursing program herself. During the pinning ceremony, that same nurse, Jeannie Joseph, stood proudly by her side. Cherish now begins her nursing career at UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital, where her nursing dream was born.

Congrats, Cherish! We couldn’t be happier for you! 🎉

“Your capable of accomplishing anything if you're really disciplined and really want it."

07/23/2025

Meet Mikki and Reed! 👋🐕

We’re excited to introduce one of our newest Caring Canines teams—Mikki and her dog, Reed.

Mikki has been involved in therapy dog work since 2009 and currently works part-time as a medical receptionist for UW Health. In addition to volunteering with Caring Canines, she’s active with the 17th Judicial Circuit Therapy Volunteers and the Forest City Dog Training Club. A lifelong dog lover, Mikki has owned dogs since 1975—many of them rescues—and has trained and shown several over the years. Today, she shares her home with nine dogs!

Her partner, Reed, is an 8-year-old Greyhound with an impressive background. A former show dog, Reed trains in agility, obedience, rally, and Fast CAT, in addition to therapy work. In 2024, he earned the title of #1 Greyhound in both Rally Novice and Rally Intermediate.

Reed has been doing therapy work for three years and absolutely loves people—he’s convinced everyone he meets is a new best friend! Calm and approachable, he’s never met a stranger and happily soaks up any pets and attention he receives. His favorite spot? Curled up on the couch, surrounded by love.

When asked what inspires her, Mikki shared:
“𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚—𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙜, 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙨. 𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙭, 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮’𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝... 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙜 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 15 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨.”

We’re so fortunate to have Mikki and Reed as part of our Caring Canines family!

07/21/2025

𝗔 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻! 💙

Your kindness and generosity help fund vital programs and services that support our patients, families and community. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference—and building a healthier future for all.

07/16/2025

Meet Christopher Carter, a leader at UW Health SwedishAmerican who has dedicated the last five years to advancing operations and organizational performance across northern Illinois. As Vice President, Christopher oversees an expansive portfolio that includes primary and specialty care clinics, Belvidere Hospital operations, facilities, food services and call centers—all with the goal of supporting seamless, high-quality care for every patient.

Christopher is deeply motivated by the mission at the heart of UW Health SwedishAmerican: to deliver remarkable care to everyone in our community.

“When I round on patients, I frequently hear heartfelt gratitude from individuals and families about the care they receive—it’s a powerful reminder of the impact we make,” he shares. Beyond clinical care, Christopher recognizes the broader role health care plays in shaping a thriving region. Access to quality health care, he notes, is tied to improved education, job stability and economic health, which is why he’s not only proud to work at UW Health SwedishAmerican but also proud to call this community home.

A dedicated annual donor, Christopher is also a passionate advocate for the SwedishAmerican Health Foundation.

“Through philanthropic support, we’re able to strengthen some of our most vital programs—cancer care, behavioral health, breast health, pediatric services and more. Supporting the Foundation allows us to expand our reach and elevate the quality of care for everyone we serve.”

Thank you, Christopher, for your leadership, your heart for service and your commitment to building a healthier northern Illinois.

07/14/2025

Back to Sports = Time for Physicals!
Before your student hits the field, court or track—make sure they’re set for a safe and healthy season with a sports physical at UW Health SwedishAmerican!

✅ Required for school sports
✅ Quick and convenient appointments
✅ Supporting your athlete’s health from day one

Don’t wait until the last minute—schedule now and check it off your list!
Call your UW Health provider or visit: uwhealth.org

Beat the back-to-school rush by scheduling your child's school and sports physicals now. Call your clinic today, so they can be prepared this fall.

07/09/2025

The July heat is no joke—especially in northern Illinois! ☀️ Whether you're at a cookout, on a walk or just running errands, here are a few ways to keep your cool:

🔹 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 – Lightweight, light-colored clothing helps your body stay cool.
🔹𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 – Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Keep a bottle nearby and sip all day.
🔹𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲 – Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning when you can.
🔹𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 – Confusion, rapid pulse, nausea or flushed skin? That’s your body saying STOP and cool down.

07/08/2025

It’s World Chocolate Day!

Celebrate the sweet way—with Livi Lu’s Chocolate bars that give back.

Every bar supports our babies and families in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UW Health SwedishAmerican.

That’s right: your chocolate fix can help fund vital equipment, comfort items and care for our tiniest patients.

Treat yourself & make a difference.

➡️ Order or learn more here: https://www.swedishamericanhealthfoundation.org/nicusupport/

07/06/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧

Judy’s world had shrunk due to severe back and leg pain—but thanks to minimally invasive spine surgery at UW Health, she’s back on her feet and living life fully.

In her early 60s, Judy began experiencing relentless back and leg pain that made daily life feel like an uphill climb. The cause was spinal stenosis—a condition where the space in the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerves. It can feel like a tightening vice that makes standing, walking or even sitting a painful challenge.

As time went on, Judy felt her world grow smaller, until even simple moments like walking through the grocery store felt out of reach. But after a minimally invasive lumbar fusion with UW Health neurosurgeon Michael Wemhoff, she felt immediate relief. The pain that once kept her homebound was gone. Just one day after surgery, she was walking again.

Now, more than six months into recovery, she’s back to living life on her terms—running errands, moving freely and enjoying the everyday moments she once feared were behind her.

Learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery: https://uw.health/4417M3Y