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Health & Fitness

Elected Officials Look to Address Ongoing Trauma Center Issue

We can always find money and funding for several projects. It's time we fund the safety of our Southland Citizens.

I had the chance to attend a public forum in Park Forest regarding the need for a level one trauma center in the South Suburbs.

I have to say it was a great turnout with citizens and Southland elected officials such as State Reps Anthony DeLuca, Al Riley and Mary Flowers in attendance. Mayor John Ostenburg (Park Forest), Mayor Rick Reinbold (Richton Park), and Mayor Vivian Covington (University Park) were also faces I recognized. William McNary of Citizen Actions was the emcee, and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. was the keynote speaker for this event

I had a chance to speak with State Rep. DeLuca and Congressman Jackson prior to the meeting. Jackson said he needs to find out who determines what hospital is classified for level one trauma status.

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I have written about the closing and need for a level one trauma center in the Southland. A panel of representatives from the medical field, including Dr. Ram Raju, explained what is classified as level one and the importance of treatment. Park Forest Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Ziegel explained the response time arriving to a scene and transportation of accident victims. Congressman Jackson said the panel's recommendation will have his full support.

The problem with having no trauma center in the Southland is caused by hospitals not being able to afford the needed $10 million dollars a year to function.

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I was able to speak with Donna Miller, who recently ran for Illinois State Senate (District 15) during this forum. Donna has a heavy background in healthcare, we agreed the issue is about funding.

One elected official who has been around for quite sometime mentioned that we need to find out if specialists live in the Southland. Another official spoke about the need to have a better response time for physicians on call. Comments, such as "We have to make sure we can get them off the golf course," are not acceptable.

First let me say this, We have many physicians and specialist who reside in the southland. The problem is paying for their special training and a staff to assist them. Its very basic, if you go to work for your training. You expect to get paid. So stop with the political two steps forward and two steps back dance. I am proud to say, the two officials who made those comments do not reside in the Southland. Our Southland officials kept on task.

If you are in a accident or have trauma of any kind, that requires level one treatment, you will be taken to a local hospital and stabilized. Once a victim is stabilized, they will be transported to a level one center for further treatment. If you have an accident involving a head injury or level one trauma along Steger Road and Torrence, for example, you will now have to be transported to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. By ambulance, that's a 30 to 45 minute ride, if you are lucky.

I believe the funding for this Southland project will be secured. One point we have to look at is this: What if your loved ones need emergency treatment? Would you put a price on their life? The Southland should no longer be the stepchild of Chicago.

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