Carle Health is a key health partner in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend, serving as emergency responders and as healthcare liaisons. Volunteers from various Carle Health departments attended to meaningfully engage with the public and share important health education and resources.
“Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend is a great opportunity to meet people where they are and share important information about life-threatening conditions that impact our community,” Maria Kelley, BSN, RN, RN program coordinator, Carle Neuroscience Institute, said. “The different teams here from Carle Health are focused on making this information more accessible so people feel informed, empowered, and confident about when to seek care.”
Before Saturday’s marathon, the Health and Fitness Expo took place at the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center. At the Expo, community organizations like Carle Health provide educational resources, fun activities and tools that support wellness.
“It’s important for us to engage with the community at events like this to share needed health information,” Lindsay Kuhns, BSN, PHRN, stroke program coordinator, Carle Foundation Hospital, said. She and other Carle Health team members attended the Expo with the goal of promoting better health outcomes by sharing care information and resources.
“This is an opportunity to make sure the community knows what healthcare resources are available close to home,” Jackie Thomas, BSN, RN, CV-BC, nurse navigator, Carle Foundation Hospital, said. “We have an opportunity to address the health concerns impacting our patients. These materials can help them identify the symptoms of a heart attack or other serious health conditions. And these materials can help a community member know when they should speak with a doctor.”
With Stroke Awareness Month in May, some Carle Health resources aimed to help the public better identify and react to a stroke. “When you can identify the signs of a stroke, you can respond quickly, and faster care intervention leads to better health outcomes,” Kuhns said. “This weekend is an opportunity for us to share this information and ensure community members have the knowledge needed to respond quickly during an emergency.”
To address emergency situations quickly during the marathon, Carle Arrow Ambulance deployed teams to assist runners in need of medical aid.
“Arrow provides five ambulances and our UTV [utility task vehicle] goes out on the course with the race,” John Sollars, NRP, CCEMTP, operations manager, Carle Arrow Ambulance, said. “We also have a dedicated communications team from our AMSEC group [Arrow Medical Services] in the race command post coordinating resources with the 9-1-1 center and fire departments.”
Throughout the year, Arrow Ambulance engages events like the race weekend to collaborate with the community as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality, reliable care.
“The Carle Health emergency management department provides many assets for the race. And many Carle Health nurses staff the stadium and mini emergency departments along the course in Savoy,” Sollars said. “All our leadership group, director, managers and coordinators are at the race managing our efforts.”
Champaign, Savoy and Urbana fire departments also provide staff and resources along the racecourse. The Carle Health Critical Care Transport remains on standby at Memorial Stadium when not on a call to provide support if needed.
Each Carle Health team consists of members from the communities they serve. With every public engagement, they aim to ensure the health and safety of their neighbors.
“Being part of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend allows healthcare workers the opportunity to give back to the community by sharing life-saving information that could be the difference between planning the next birthday party and an empty spot at the dinner table,” Kelley said. “The different teams here from Carle Health are focused on sharing information in a simple, approachable way, and encourage people to seek care early when something doesn’t feel right.”
“When you’re prepared to respond to an emergency and know where to get care, you have the tools you need for more positive health outcomes,” Thomas said.
To learn more about the support Carle Health continuously offers in all the communities we serve, visit carle.org.
“Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend is a great opportunity to meet people where they are and share important information about life-threatening conditions that impact our community,” Maria Kelley, BSN, RN, RN program coordinator, Carle Neuroscience Institute, said. “The different teams here from Carle Health are focused on making this information more accessible so people feel informed, empowered, and confident about when to seek care.”Before Saturday’s marathon, the Health and Fitness Expo took place at the University of Illinois Activities and Recreation Center. At the Expo, community organizations like Carle Health provide educational resources, fun activities and tools that support wellness.
“It’s important for us to engage with the community at events like this to share needed health information,” Lindsay Kuhns, BSN, PHRN, stroke program coordinator, Carle Foundation Hospital, said. She and other Carle Health team members attended the Expo with the goal of promoting better health outcomes by sharing care information and resources.
“This is an opportunity to make sure the community knows what healthcare resources are available close to home,” Jackie Thomas, BSN, RN, CV-BC, nurse navigator, Carle Foundation Hospital, said. “We have an opportunity to address the health concerns impacting our patients. These materials can help them identify the symptoms of a heart attack or other serious health conditions. And these materials can help a community member know when they should speak with a doctor.”
With Stroke Awareness Month in May, some Carle Health resources aimed to help the public better identify and react to a stroke. “When you can identify the signs of a stroke, you can respond quickly, and faster care intervention leads to better health outcomes,” Kuhns said. “This weekend is an opportunity for us to share this information and ensure community members have the knowledge needed to respond quickly during an emergency.”
To address emergency situations quickly during the marathon, Carle Arrow Ambulance deployed teams to assist runners in need of medical aid.
“Arrow provides five ambulances and our UTV [utility task vehicle] goes out on the course with the race,” John Sollars, NRP, CCEMTP, operations manager, Carle Arrow Ambulance, said. “We also have a dedicated communications team from our AMSEC group [Arrow Medical Services] in the race command post coordinating resources with the 9-1-1 center and fire departments.”Throughout the year, Arrow Ambulance engages events like the race weekend to collaborate with the community as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality, reliable care.
“The Carle Health emergency management department provides many assets for the race. And many Carle Health nurses staff the stadium and mini emergency departments along the course in Savoy,” Sollars said. “All our leadership group, director, managers and coordinators are at the race managing our efforts.”
Champaign, Savoy and Urbana fire departments also provide staff and resources along the racecourse. The Carle Health Critical Care Transport remains on standby at Memorial Stadium when not on a call to provide support if needed.
Each Carle Health team consists of members from the communities they serve. With every public engagement, they aim to ensure the health and safety of their neighbors.
“Being part of the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend allows healthcare workers the opportunity to give back to the community by sharing life-saving information that could be the difference between planning the next birthday party and an empty spot at the dinner table,” Kelley said. “The different teams here from Carle Health are focused on sharing information in a simple, approachable way, and encourage people to seek care early when something doesn’t feel right.”“When you’re prepared to respond to an emergency and know where to get care, you have the tools you need for more positive health outcomes,” Thomas said.
To learn more about the support Carle Health continuously offers in all the communities we serve, visit carle.org.
Categories: Community
Tags: Ambulance, Arrow, Cardiology, Community, Event, Heart, Illinois, Orthopedic, Race, Stroke, Weekend