Population Assets

Lurie Children's is made up of a variety of populations. Medically, there are nurses, doctors, therapists, and countless other specialized individuals. The population is also made up of patients (which of course are mostly children), and their families and friends. In addition, there are volunteers, child life specialists, social workers, administrative staff, security and support staff along with many many other individuals that keep the hospital running smoothly. Some of the assets of this population include:

• The medical professionals are trained speficially to handle certain populations of patients. This allows for the best care possible, as patients can see health care professionals with knowledge specifically focused on their own medical concerns. At the same time, these specialized professionals can work together to coordinate care for the patients. This can be especially important in the NICU because many premature infants struggle with several different medical concerns, so having a variety of specialized professionals available makes care fun smoother.
• Volunteers are able to supplement patient care with play. Lurie Children's coordinates with hundreds of volunteers, who strive to bring enthusiasm in play to remind patients that they are still kids!
•  Lurie Children's serves a diverse range of families, which brings individuals from a variety of cultures, religions, socioeconomic statuses, backgrounds and geographic locations together. This varied population of families can provide new perspectives to one another and to the hospital overall.
• the fact that the patients are children is a huge asset. Children seem to have a resiliency and positivity to them, and that helps boost the morale of the entire hospital.

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Community Assets

Lurie Children's is located on Chicago Ave. in the Streeterville neighborhood, about a block from Michigan Avenue. Some of the assets of this community include:

• The location in Streeterville, near the Magnificent Mile, allows for Lurie Children's to be a highly visible organization. This area of Chicago brings in people from all of the state and country for shopping and Chicago sight-seeing. Being near such a huge population gives Lurie's a great opportunity to make itself and its advocation for children's health well known.
• There are extensive options for public transportation near Lurie Children's. Several buses pick up right outside of the hospital, and the Chicago Red Line is only a few blocks west of the hospital. In addition, Metra line trains come into Chicago from the surrounding suburbs. Lurie Children's convenient location makes it possible for hospital staff, volunteers, and families alike to take public transportation to the hospital.
• Being in Chicago also allows Lurie Children's to partner with other bussinesses and organizations in the Chicago community. For instance, each floor of the hospital is decorated to showcase it's community partner and sponsor. The neonatal intensive care unit (where I volunteer) is partnered with the Adler Planetarium. This means that throughout the floor there are decorations of planets, stars, and constellations. These partnerships help make the floors more exciting for the patients, and also educate individuals about the variety of sights and community organizations in Chicago.
• Finally, being in such a large and well-known city as Chicago, Lurie Children's attracts patients and professionals from all over the world!

Organization Assets

Overall as an organization Lurie Children's has a variety of assets, which include:

• Family-ceneterd patient care. With the move to the new hospital, every patient in the hospital has their own room. Having private rooms means a more comfortable environment for families to visit with patients. In addition, each patient room in the hospital (with the exception of those in the NICU) has a pull-out couch which turns into a bed, so family members can spend the night with sick patients.
• Beautiful and child focused decorations in common areas. Throught the hospital common areas there are a variety of designs aimed towards increasing children's enjoyment in the hospital. Two giant whales hang from the ceiling as visitors enter the hospital from Chicago Avenue, an interactive miniature fire truck cab awaits children on the 12th floor, and there is a sky garden on the 11th floor of the hospital for families and patients to walk though. All of these aspects help to make patients' time in the hospital more enjoyable and to remind the patients that they are still children.
• A vast number of resources for families and patients in the hospital. There is a technology center for parents to access computers, a hair salon for patients and parents alike, and there are also ministry resources available within the hospital. Overall, Lurie Children's works hard to provide its visitors with as many resources as possible to make the process of visiting and staying in the hospital run as smoothly as possible.

Photo Credits: Top two photos courtesy of Lurie Children's Facebook; Bottom Left from here; Bottom Right from here; Bottom Center from here.