Franciscan Health Foundation awarded two grants for Birth Center

Thanks, in part, to two generous grants to the Franciscan Health Foundation, the Family Birth Center at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is continuing to help new families to better care for their newborns.

The Franciscan Health Foundation received a grant from the Raskob Foundation of Catholic Activities to support the Family Birth Center’s Safe Sleep Education program.

The Franciscan Health Foundation exists to support the programs and services of Franciscan Alliance, Inc. It is dedicated to addressing the ever-growing healthcare needs of its communities and supporting patient needs at Franciscan Health hospitals, outpatient facilities and community-based programs throughout Indiana and South Suburban Chicago.

The Raskob Foundation supports Catholic institutions and organizations worldwide.

Funds from the Raskob Foundation grant were used to purchase sleep sacks and cribettes that are provided to new families in need. The Family Birth Center is Gold Level Certified for Safe Sleep by the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program. It’s the highest designation recognizing hospitals, like Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, that have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep.

The Franciscan Health Foundation also received a grant from the Little Giraffe Foundation to help support mothers and families whose newborn infants are being cared for in the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Special Care Nursery, a state-designated Level II+ unit with extended care capabilities, including a state-of-the-art cardiac respiratory monitoring system. The Special Care Nursery is equipped with private rooms where babies receive the individualized care they require.

Founded in 2011, the Little Giraffe Foundation is dedicated to funding neonatal research and supporting neonatal intensive care patients and families.

This is the third Little Giraffe Foundation grant awarded to the Franciscan Health Foundation. Funds from previous grants were used to purchase sleep sacks, car seats and Pack ‘n Plays for Special Care Nursery mothers and families in need. Funds from the most recent grant went to assist Special Care Nursery mothers and families in need with gas and grocery gift cards.

“Grants such as those we were awarded by these wonderful organizations enable the Family Birth Center to provide some of our lesser known, but vital services,” said Teresa Berki, board-certified lactation consultant, certified childbirth educator and safe sleep coordinator. “It’s our duty to do all we can to support new mothers and families whose babies are being cared for in the Special Care Nursery. We’re also committed to doing all we can to make sure new mothers are able to care for their new little ones at home.”

The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center is located on the second floor of the newest inpatient pavilion on the Franciscan Health Olympia Fields campus. It combines a family-focused, nurturing environment with state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technologies. In this comfortable environment, spacious, fully-furnished private birthing suites are supported by a Level II+ Special Care Nursery with private rooms.

To learn more about the Franciscan Health Foundation, including upcoming events and ways to give, visit FranciscanHealthFoundation.org.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1:

Franciscan Health Family Birth Center registered nurses Gina Burney (left), Ana Ayala and Wendy Julian celebrate the recent Raskob Foundation of Catholic Activities grant.

Photo 2:

Sherita Needom, CLS (left); Joan Cann, RN; Jennifer Shutts, RN; and Nora Savaglio, RN, gather to thank the Little Giraffe Foundation for their grant.