Good news

HOSPITAL EARNS TOP SAFETY GRADE

Ten Amita Health hospitals — including Hinsdale Hospital — have been awarded “A” grades on the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade list, which recognizes Amita Health’s achievements in providing safer health care.

By earning “A” grades in Leapfrog’s biannual safety grade study, these hospitals rank among the safest in the nation.

“We are committed to the health and safety of our patients, especially in these uncertain times,” said Dr. Stuart Marcus, Amita Health executive vice president and chief clinical officer. “Our patients place their trust in us, something we never take lightly. The spring 2020 Leapfrog safety grades upholds the strong commitment our dedicated physicians, nurses and associates have to ensuring we care for all with the highest-quality care.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The safety grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients.

BAM RAISES FUNDS FOR RELIEF

The BAM @ a Distance virtual choir project raised $1,015 for the Chicago Artist Relief Fund, organized to support Chicago artists during this time of crisis, when most have lost all of their opportunities to work.

For this project, BAM brought together its entire community of staff, students and even parents to participate in a virtual choir performance of “Any Dream Will Do” from its anticipated 2020 summer production, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Hinsdale residents who participated were Sophie Biancalana; Mary Coffey; Gavin Dimit; Isabella Driscoll; Gemma Flaming; Charlotte Froiland; Hayley, Meghan and Shannon Johnson; and Mallor and Kate Turner.

— The video is posted online at https://www.facebook.com/thehinsdalean.

RESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW HOME BUSINESS

Mistie Lucht of Hinsdale has launched a new home-based business called Wiggle: Tooth Fairy Registry. Lucht, who had the idea for almost five years, had been working on a logo and offerings when COVID-19 brought all of her prototypes to a halt. At the same time, Lucht lost her job as a personal trainer.

She changed course and started doorstep delivery for the “ultimate problem solution for those lost teeth” since the Tooth Fairy is considered an essential worker. Wiggle is meant to delight and surprise a child, without monetary compensation (in case there’s only a $20 in the wallet), without images of the tooth fairy (every child should imagine what their own tooth fairy looks like) and — should a parent forget to leave something for the tooth — late notices.

Lucht is excited to work in the creative space again, although she needs to hide her business from two of her daughters. “I think they would be so bummed to learn that there is no tooth fairy yet,” she said. “I will keep that secret for a little while longer.”

SALT CREEK HOLDS BLOOD DRIVE

Seventy-four donors participated in a May 5-6 blood drive hosted by the Salt Creek Club in Hinsdale.

The drive was run by Versiti, a local blood supplier that supports 73 hospitals in the Chicagoland area, including Amita Hinsdale Hospital.

Due to Covid-19, many drives have been canceled, which has led to a severe shortage of blood components for patients in need. Salt Creek Club had originally agreed to host a drive on May 5 and had filled donor slots within days. When Versiti reached out a week before the drive to see if Salt Creek Club would add a second day, as another drive had been canceled, the club quickly agreed.

The 74 individuals (of which 63 were new to Versiti) donated 68 units of blood, which will save up to 204 lives. Salt Creek Club is already planning another drive for later this summer.

OAK STUDENTS SUPPORT HCS

The Oak Kids Care Club donated the $223 they received from the Chipotle Oak School dinner/donation night to HCS Family Services to provide food for families in need.

A photo appears online at https://www.facebook.com/thehinsdalean.