Welcome to the official government site of Will County Health Department/Community Health Center - Will County, IL.

Will County Health Department/ Community Health Center
John J. Cicero, Executive Director

Mission Statement: WCHD

The Mission of the Will County Health Department is to prevent disease and promote a healthier environemnt for all. To that end, agency professionals assure the maintenance of flexible program initiatives and develop sound public health policies, based on a thorough assessment of community needs.

Mission Statement: WCCHC

The Mission of the Will County Community Health Center is to provide preventive and primary health services to the medically underserved people of Will County regardless of age, sex, color, and ability to pay.

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ANNIVERSARY COINCIDES WITH HEALTH CARE REFORM

From our Executive Director, John Cicero

Will County’s public health community celebrated National Community Health Center Week: August 8-14, and it was a noteworthy celebration.

This year marks the 45^th anniversary of the creation of the Health Centers Program. Since 1965, health centers like the Will County Community Health Center have been providing access to affordable, high-quality and cost-effective health care to millions of vulnerable and medically underserved people across the U.S.

Our Will County Community Health Center (1106 Neal Ave in Joliet), provides compassionate and dignified primary medical and dental care during each and every patient visit. A Federally Qualified Health Center, it is a 33,000-square-foot facility designed and staffed to meet the needs of Will County residents.

If you are among the millions who wonder about the impact of 2010 national health reform on your personal health and family, imagine this: You are sick with a cough and fever. A simple doctor’s prescription for medicine might be the cure, but where do you go if you’ve lost your job and health insurance?

Here is where the Affordable Health Care act of 2010 enters the picture. Signed into law on March 23, 2010, health reform makes an additional 16 million Americans eligible for Medicaid. It also makes it easier to find and purchase affordable insurance, or utilize services provided by a community health center.

A key provision of health reform expands the national network of community health centers, where primary care services are provided whether you have insurance or not. The new law means more people will have insurance coverage and a reliable place to go for care – two critical components of staying healthy.

When the president signed health reform into law, he insured that change would be coming to the health care landscape, and that community health centers would be charged with the responsibility of showing the way forward. Passing health care reform demonstrated immense trust and confidence in the community health center model of care.

Will County Community Health Center staff takes this enhanced level of responsibility very seriously. The staff provides quality, preventive care at an affordable price. Thousands of area residents depend on them to do just that.

In short, the real work of health reform is already happening at the local level. You can see it for yourself six days weekly by visiting the Will County Community Health Center.

For more information about services provided by the Will County Community Health Center, or to schedule an appointment, telephone 815-727-8670.

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Flu Prevention

2010 FLU SHOT CLINICS

Immunizations will be administered by the Will County Health Department in cooperation with the Senior Services Center of Will County. Influenza Vaccine is recommended for all persons who what to reduce their risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting to others. Shots will be given to adults 18 and older. All persons are highly recommended to receive this vaccine.

(Pregnant women must have an order from their obstetrician.)

YOU MUST RESIDE IN WILL COUNTY.

Please bring your Medicare card, Social Security Card and a picture I.D. with you.

The cost is $27.00 without your Medicare Card.

NOTICE TO HMO CARRIERS: You must go to your primary care physician for your HMO to cover the cost of the Flu Vaccine.

STATE EMPLOYEES: You must go to the Will County Health Department on designated days. Call the Flu Hotline @815-774-7360; the TDD number is 815-727-8690.

FLU CLINIC LOCATIONS:

JOLIET/CREST HILL: ST. Joseph Park Hall - 1500 Raynor Ave, Joliet (Enter off Theodore St.): Monday, Sept. 27, 2010; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

ROMEOVILLE/BOLINGBROOK/PLAINFIELD: Romeoville Recreation Center - 900 West Romeo Road:Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010; 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

LOCKPORT/HOMER AREA: Lockport American Legion Hall - 15052 Archer Avenue: Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

MONEE: Southland Senior Services - 25864 S. Chestnut Road, Monee, 60449: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

FRANKFORT/ MOKENA AREA: Frankfort Township Hall - 11000 W. Lincoln Hwy.: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

NEW LENOX/ MANHATTAN: New Lenox VFW Post 9545 - 323 Old Hickory Rd: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

WILMINGTON/ BRAIDWOOD: Wilmington VFW Post 5422 - 577 W. Baltimore St.:Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010; 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

NOTE: You should not be immunized if you are allergic to eggs, affected by Gullian Barrè Syndrome or have a cold or fever. The vaccine virus strains are A/California (H1N1)-like, A/Perth (H3N2) like and B/Brisbane-like.

If you have any further questions, call 815-740-8143.

September/October 2010 Page 11 www.willcountyseniors.org