HAZEL CREST | Advocate South Suburban Hospital recently hosted a distinguished panel of elected officials to discuss current and potential issues impacting nursing and health care.
The 2012 Advocate South Suburban Hospital Legislative Forum on Health and Nursing Issues enabled state Rep. William Davis, D-East Hazel Crest; Rep. Al Riley, D-Hazel Crest, and Dr. Robert Donaldson, mayor of Hazel Crest, to interact with more than 65 front line nurses and nursing leaders.
The forum educated Advocate South Suburban hospital nurses about the legislative process and provided a format for open dialogue between caregivers and elected officials. The Legislative Forum on Health and Nursing Issues is an opportunity for Advocate nurses to build relationships with legislators and feel empowered to communicate with them on legislation. And, the forums are an effective way to allow legislators see Advocate nurses as both health care experts and the voice of nursing in Illinois.
"The decisions made by legislators have the potential to make a huge impact on our profession and health care in general," said forum moderator, Sarah Pandolfi, RN, an Advocate South Suburban Hospital Pediatric Center nurse. "It is important that we share our knowledge and expertise to help educate lawmakers about the issues important to nursing, the hospital, and our patients."
The legislators, who all got their seasonal flu vaccine shots after the event, shared information about issues such as health care reform and Medicaid issues that continue to shape health care. They encouraged the audience to participate in the legislative process by reaching out to their elected officials and becoming civically engaged.
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