At their meeting Monday night, the Mt. Carmel City Council gave the go ahead for the 13th annual Mt. Carmel 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 8th. Entry forms can be picked up at the library.
Library board member Tammy Watson explains the details of the 5K while library director Twila Coon and board member Cindy Kruse. look on.
ATTENTION WOMEN: If you are interested in obtaining your Illinois Concealed Carry License, why not enroll in the next Concealed Carry course being offered by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges which will be offered FOR WOMEN at Wabash Valley College at the Advanced Technology Center on Thursday and Friday nights, April 11 and 12, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., and on Saturday, April 13, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. D Ray Etzkorn is the instructor for this class.
Not only will attendees learn the minimum information required by the Concealed Carry Act, but through the use of lecture and range drills, attendees will learn how to safely handle a handgun and hone their skills, as a marksman, and survive a real-world encounter. Whether you are new to handguns or more experienced, this course is designed to make everyone a more knowledgeable and accomplished shooter. Through the teaching of current trends and techniques, students will learn and understand how to maintain the proper mindset, skills, and abilities that come with “bearing arms” for the purpose of self-defense.
Pre-registration is required. The cost of the 16-hour course is $180 for in-District students, which includes tuition and fees, and must be paid in advance to reserve a seat in the course. The cost for enrollees over 60 years old is $92. For more information or to get registered, contact your local Student Services Office: Wabash Valley College-Mt. Carmel, 866-982-4322, or Frontier Community College-Fairfield, 877-464-3687. If you have questions concerning the program, contact the Concealed Carry Coordinator, Bryan Hart, at hartb@iecc.edu, or call 618-879-9420 and leave a message.
Wabash Valley College has a longstanding tradition of providing high-quality, affordable education. This year WVC will award nearly $250,000 for incoming freshmen. These freshman scholarships, which are awarded to students with diverse educational goals, include the Presidential Scholarship, Claire Sherwood Spencer Scholarship, Eliza and C. S. Young Memorial Scholarship, Foundation Scholarship, Lucille Batson Memorial Scholarship, Faculty Career and Technical Scholarship, Faculty Transfer Scholarship, and Non-Resident Grants.
Wabash Valley College will host a Scholarship Night Awards Night to honor this year’s recipients on April 23 with refreshments served from 5:30-6:25 p.m. in the Brubeck Arts Center Gallery and the Awards Ceremony to follow from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Brubeck Theatre.
Wabash Valley College will be offering a Food Service Sanitation & Safety (Manager’s Certification) RST 1601 class taught by Lisa Shook, an approved FSSMC instructor, using a core curriculum provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The class will meet on Saturday, May 4, and Saturday, May 11, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Applied Arts Building, Room 107. ServSafe testing is scheduled for the last day of classes.
Pre-Registration is required. Please call Student Services at 618-262-8641 to reserve a seat for this class. The cost will be $52 if a student takes 4 credit hours or less.
Students will be eligible to take a ServSafe class which is a “certification” class. THE STUDENT WILL NEED TO PURCHASE THE SERVSAFE BOOK PRIOR TO THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CLASS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TEST. THE SERVSAFE BOOK WILL HAVE THE REQUIRED SCANTRON FOR THE NATIONAL TESTING. THIS BOOK CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE WVC CAMPUS STORE.
Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board, Illinois Department of Employment Securities and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will be hosting a series of Community Employment Workshops. The Workshop will feature information on effective job searches, on-line applications, interviewing skills, and ideas for furthering as well as funding education. Additionally, IDES staff will be on hand to assist with resumes, job searches, and applications. Bring your information, and we will help you leave the Workshop with a Work-Ready resume.
There will be two upcoming events in Mt. Carmel. On Friday, April 26, the Workshop will be held at the Mt. Carmel Public Library, located at 727 Mulberry Street, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The second event will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Wabash Valley College in the Brubeck Arts Center Theatre Lobby, located at 2200 College Drive. Come and stay as little or as long as you would like!
Additional information can be found at www.iecc.edu
Wabash General Hospital is excited to announce the addition of pulmonary rehabilitation to its list of services being offered at the hospital. Pulmonologist, Dr. Muhammad Habib, stated, “I am glad and excited with Pulmonary Rehabilitation initiative to improve quality of life in our patients with chronic lung disorders. Our team works together with patients to rebuild strength and reduce severity of symptoms to devise a personalized program. This will be a great benefit to my patients!” Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation helps you to improve your quality of life. You will receive instructions on how to improve breathing control, strength and endurance of respiratory muscles, leading to fewer episodes of shortness of breath. Other benefits include: ability to function better in your daily life, increased ability to exercise, and better management of anxiety and depression. If you think you can benefit from Pulmonary Rehabilitation, talk to your doctor about a referral to the program. To ensure adequate rest for our patients, we offer Pulmonary Rehabilitation twice a week.
Dr. Muhammad Habib starting providing pulmonary services at Wabash General Hospital Specialty Clinic in 2017. Dr. Habib completed his medical school at Nishtar Medical College in 1999, his residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2009, and his fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2012. His is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Board of Pulmonary Medicine.
If you or a loved one suffers from a lung condition, including, but not limited to, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or shortness of breath, please give our office a call at (618)240-2740 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Habib sees patients in the Wabash General Hospital Specialty Clinic located inside the hospital on a weekly basis.
Springfield—A Wabash General Hospital initiative to improve outcomes of total joint replacement patients was on display in the State Capitol on April 3rd as part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association’s (IHA) Quality Advocacy Showcase. Wabash General Hospital leaders met with legislators to share how the initiative has benefited patients, families and communities while reducing healthcare costs.
Kim Pearson, RN, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services, and Katheryn McWhirter, RN, Vice President of Quality were among over 100 hospital and health system leaders from across Illinois who met with legislators about their efforts to improve patient care and safety. In sum, 90 hospitals and health systems showcased their improvement projects at the event.
“Our therapy department has put in a tremendous amount of time to make sure our patients are well prepared prior to having their joint replacement surgeries. We are committed to our patients having the best possible hospital experience while delivering high-quality care. It was a great opportunity to network with our legislators and discuss all of the hard work that takes place every day at Wabash General Hospital,” said Mrs. McWhirter, Vice President of Quality.
Mrs. Pearson & Mrs. McWhirter met with Senator Dale Righter and Representative Darren Bailey during the event. Mrs. Pearson said, “The legislators were really engaged in listening to us this year. We truly appreciate their interests in the work we are doing in our rural communities!”
With a focus on improving outcomes of total joint replacements patients, Wabash General Hospital’s project was based around the development of a Joint Camp to prepare patients for surgery and recovery to improve patient outcome. Every joint replacement patient is encouraged to attend a class before surgery. As a result of this program, Wabash General Hospital increased its HCAHPS pain management domain ranking from the 68th percentile to the 99th percentile and decreased inpatient length of stay from 3.2 days to 2.4 days. The hospital invested $10,000 and saw a cost savings of $287,000. For the patients, families and communities, Wabash General Hospital serves, the project:
Improves quality of care,
Improves patient experience, and
Reduces length of stay.
IHA’s Quality Advocacy Showcase, in its fourth year, visually demonstrates the work of physicians, nurses, quality improvement leaders and hospital administrators to develop and implement solutions to improve care. IHA produced one 30-by-42-inch poster per hospital or health system project for the event.
“The Showcase gives hospital leaders and frontline staff an important opportunity to share their efforts to advance quality care,” said IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi. “It’s essential that policymakers and elected officials see how Illinois hospitals are doing more to serve their patients and communities—through innovation and practical strategies that improve outcomes.”
The date is fast approaching! If you are a fan of Elton John, you will want to be at the Brubeck Theatre on the campus of Wabash Valley College on the evening of Saturday, April 20 for the 7:30 performance of Dogs of Society: The Ultimate Elton John Tribute!
Dogs of Society: The Ultimate Elton John Tribute ROCKS the spot-on sound of classic ‘70s Elton with all the heat of the original vinyl – an all-live rock experience. The Dogs have wowed crowds as large as 8,000 with Elton’s smash hits from Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer and Crocodile Rock to deeper cuts like Funeral For A friend, Madman Across the Water, Border Song, Mona Lisas, and Mad Hatter and more.
Glowing comments from fans across the country include such rave reviews as – “Reminded us of what Elton John sounded like in the mid ‘70s,” “Awesome! If I didn’t know it… I would have thought it was Sir Elton himself – A Must See!” “Best Elton John tribute band ever…” “The band is absolutely fantastic! I have seen Elton John many times and Dogs of Society nails it. What a magical performance and night! They played “Harmony” and “Madman Across the Water” back to back…brilliant!” “I was blown away - WOW! What a talented group of players.” “Do not miss this band!! Truly THE best!” “Can’t wait to see them again. Outstanding performance. WE ALL LOVED IT.” “Was there and blown away. Loved every minute. New fan.”
Wabash Valley College and the Wabash Valley Arts Council are pleased to present this wonderful opportunity to enjoy such an outstanding evening of entertainment as the final attraction in this year’s Performing Arts Series.
Tickets are $10 and are available at seatonc@iecc.edu, or by calling 618-263-5124. Patron Passes will be honored.
Be on the watch out for dirty water in Mt. Carmel. At tonight’s city council meeting, city clerk Rudy Witsman announced that crews will begin flushing the city’s fire hydrants Tuesday, a process that could last two weeks. As always, you’re advised to check for dirty water before doing laundry. Witsman said the hydrant flushing will take place between 8:30am and 2pm weather permitting.
“Amazing”…that’s how Mt. Carmel Commissioner Eric Ikemire termed the financial turnaround the city has undergone in the last 12 months. Last year, commissioners approved a 2018-19 fiscal year budget that was $88,000 in the red. But tonight, the city council got their first look at the new budget for 2019-20 that projects a surplus of over $68,000. Mayor Bill Hudson saluted those responsible for the turnaround….
City Clerk Rudy Witsman pointed out that the current city budget is also finishing in the black. Tonight was the first reading over the proposed budget that will be formally approved at the council’s next meeting in two weeks. The city’s new fiscal year starts on May 1st.