The success of the 2011 Spring Gala was made possible by our major sponsors: U Line, Libertyville Bank and Trust, Amerisource-Bergen, Baxter Foundation, NorthShore University Health System-Highland Park Hospital, and Waukegan Savings Bank.

 Our very generous guests supported the important work of HealthReach through their auction bids and charitable wagering. We are especially grateful to the kind donors of our live auction items The Board of Directors is indebted to all of these committed community members who make possible the work of HealthReach.

· Selected as the Fiscal Agent and lead organization for the Illinois Free Clinics Association statewide planning project

Served as a co-chair of the Lake County not for profit sector leadership task force resultingin a formal $100,000 request for a proposal to create a Lake County Human Services Counci in 2011 / 2012

· Member of the Lake County Access Plan Task Force investigating County wide solutions to healthcare access challenges for the medically underserved

· Successfully implemented the Healthy Families medical and mental health programs in collaboration with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science at the HealthReach Waukegan Clinic

· Completed the fourth cycle of in-clinic St. Martin de Porres High School business internships for bilingual students considering medical careers

· Expanded operation and growth of our new acute care / patient sick call program to full time service providing over 300 patient encounters per month

· Added on-site ultrasound imaging services to our portfolio of diagnostic testing capabilities

· Added on-site physical therapy and chronic pain management services to our portfolio of specialty care services

· Conducted 10,770 patient medical service encounters

· Filled over 28,000 prescriptions while decreasing overall medication expense by 22%

· Provided over 500 healthy lifestyle one on one patient education sessions

· Negotiated over 400 referral encounters to outside specialists

· Provided over 1,200 cancer screening procedures and tests

In 2010 HealthReach nurtured relationships with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Lake Forest College and St. Martin De Porres High School to provide quality internships in the areas of physician assisting, health clinic business adminstration, information technology, customer service in a culturally diverse and bilingual environment, and health outcomes research and analysis. During the year HealthReach also continued successful programs for training of medical students and mid level practitioners in the areas of podiatry, family medicine and women’s health. Looking ahead to 2012, we plan to investigate educational internship opportunities at the HealthReach pharmacy with the new School of Pharmacy at Rosalind Franklin University.

HealthReach Board of Directors sponsored Reaching for a Healthy Future spring gala on May 21.

Over 160 guests gathered at the Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove to support the work of Lake County’s only free healthcare clinics and pharmacy.

HealthReach Board of Directors' Reaching for a Healthy Future spring gala: (From left) Group president of ITW Cedric Shaw of Green Oaks with Glenda Abbott and Kristin Abbott of HealthReach Volunteers from Abbott and HealthReach Board members Jackie Pyter of Libertyville and Lisa Cowhey of Lake Forest (Photo courtesy of Maureen Domerchie)

The gala generated more than $25,000 through private and corporate donations and the silent and live auctions. All proceeds from the gala go directly to the funding of essential medical operations, including laboratory testing, medications, educational material and adjunctive clinical support.

HealthReach is a non-profit volunteer organization which depends on 50 volunteer physicians and 20 other professional volunteers to deliver free healthcare. HealthReach Board president Amy Rockwell of Lake Bluff assured gala guests that funds will support service to over 5,000 Lake County residents who depend on HealthReach as their medical home.

The event honored the longstanding commitment of Abbott and the Abbott Fund to the patients of HealthReach and the mission of providing free medical care to the poor and uninsured of Lake County. Abbott senior vice president Michael Warmuth of McHenry, and vice president, Abbott Fund, Cindy Schwab of Grayslake, accepted the HealthReach Appreciation Award on behalf of their organization and Abbott volunteers who have donated their time and talent to HealthReach.

The gala’s keynote speaker was HealthReach volunteer cardiologist Dr. Jay Kleiman of Lake Forest.

Spring Gala Committee was chaired by Stacy Bilharz of Green Oaks and included Pepper Shaw, Maureen Domerchie and Roland Catherall, also of Green Oaks; Claire McDonnell and Jackie Pyter of Libertyville; Mary Godwin of Woodstock and HealthReach development manager Kelly Rentas of Gurnee.

To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit healthreachcares.org.

Vanessa is a registered nurse with a background in multiple medical specialties as well as teaching. At age 58 she suffers from severe glaucoma and diabetes. When both her and her husband lost their jobs they were left without health insurance and could not access health care providers or their much needed medications.

“I began developing cataracts in both eyes and with such poor vision I could not go back to work. I went into a depression because I could not see, even to take a walk outside, much less drive or look for a new job.” Her vision continued to deteriorate and she confessed, ”At times I did not feel like living anymore.” But then she found HealthReach.

HealthReach provided medications to help her control her diabetes and glaucoma. “Physicians and nurses secured resources for me; such as ophthalmologists, psychologists/counselors as well as continue[d] medications for my chronic illness, [and] I was able to have the cataracts removed from both eyes which improved my vision immensely.” Vanessa explains:

“My depression is lifting and my diabetes is under good control. [Now] my glaucoma is lessened and controlled and I am in the market for a new job. Without HealthReach and the volunteer physicians, nurse and hospital services (Vista Medical Center in Waukegan and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital) who partner with them, I would not have returned to the market place to become a productive member of society. “

There are many other stories like Vanessa’s among the 4000 registered patients of HealthReach. Patients at HealthReach need all the support they can get. With help from the community and government of Lake County, local businesses, and civic organizations, HealthReach Inc. can continue to provide these much needed resources to Patients like Vanessa.

“HealthReach gave me back my hope and my life.” – Vanessa, RN