Get Better Acquainted with One of the Special Nurses at NOHC
November 19, 2008
Jennifer Cassella
Resource Nurse and ICU Staff Nurse
“Nursing is one of the best things you can do for yourself…it is always there for you.”
Jennifer Casella, an ICU Staff Nurse and Resource Nurse at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (NOHC), credits NOHC founder and neurosurgeon Dr. Leonard Cerullo with jump-starting her career as a specialty nurse. She also credits him for her satisfying work-life balance today.
In 1988, when Jennifer was just finishing nursing school at Ravenswood Hospital, her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, specifically an acoustic neuroma (8th cranial nerve which involves hearing). Shocked and scared, she and her parents looked for solutions. They came upon an article in a recent issue of Readers Digest about brain tumors, written by celebrated Chicago neurosurgeon Dr. Len Cerullo. A neurosurgeon for more than 30 years, Dr. Cerullo is often referred to as the “godfather” of neurosurgery. He is the founder and medical director of the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN), Chicago, and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in the field of neurosurgery.
Jennifer was impressed with what she read and wasted no time in taking her mom to see him. During her mom’s subsequent successful treatment, Jennifer was so impressed with his surgical skills and the field of neurosurgery in general, that she sought to launch her nursing career in the neurosurgery unit working alongside Dr. Cerullo.
Jennifer enjoys learning more about neurosurgery in her position at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital, which was also founded by Dr. Cerullo and is home to CINN. She works as a resource nurse in charge of an entire unit and in this capacity she is responsible for responding to any patient’s need, from triage to treatment. In addition, she is stationed in the ICU/medical surgical unit to care for post- op patients who have had spine, brain or orthopedic surgery.
While working, Jennifer enjoys the camaraderie with both patients and co-workers. “Patients come back to see me all the time,” she explains. “They thank me for helping them and even saving their life. I have definitely seen my share of difficult cases, but it is so wonderful to see patients walk back in to thank me. There could never be a more rewarding job!”
In addition, she appreciates the way the NOHC nurses, doctors and staff depend and rely on one another. Many of the nurses and doctors Jennifer started working with 20 years ago are still part of the team at NOHC and the staff has come to feel just like a family. In fact, she and surgeons Dr. Mkrdichian and Dr. Cerullo know each other so well that they instinctively know what the other will say or do. “It is way more than a job,” Jennifer says. “It’s a fun, comfortable and completely fulfilling place to work. It’s another home away from home.”
Jennifer admits that one of the best part of her job is the flexibility that allows her be with her children while they are young. A work-life balance is extremely important to her, now that she is mom to 13-year-old Joey and 6-year-old Frankie. Over the years, NOHC management, has worked with her to develop a flexible schedule, which allows her to spend more time with her kids and still provide a valuable contribution to patients. In addition, she will be able to return to work full-time when the time is right.
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Dr. Rosseau quoted in Crain’s article - Some new prescriptions
October 6, 2008
By Barbara Kirscheimer
Oct. 06, 2008
Ruth Rothstein, 85, has a picture in her home office of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Underneath is the caption, “But can she type?”
It’s a good reminder of how far Ms. Rothstein has come. When she first applied for an administrative position at Mount Sinai Hospital, the CEO offered her a secretarial job, noting that she didn’t have a college degree. Ms. Rothstein declined, saying she couldn’t type, but she eventually took another administrative job there. She went on to become the hospital’s president and CEO from 1977 to 1991.
Now semi-retired, Ms. Rothstein is perhaps one of the most recognized names locally in her field. As chief of the Cook County Bureau of Health Services for 14 years, she led the push to build the $630-million John H. Stroger Jr. Cook County Hospital in 2002. Read more
NOHC spine commercial to air during Heros premier
September 22, 2008
Dr. Hefferon and Lynette Wilkos-Prostran Interviewed for Tribune Article
September 10, 2008
Bring friend to the hospital
Companion may help ease anxiety—and even pain
By Susan Kutchin Pallant | Special to the Chicago Tribune - September 9, 2008
When Denise Kozloff’s sister was diagnosed with colon cancer about 10 years ago, the family was devastated.
“My older sister was my best friend,” said Kozloff, a Chicago dental hygienist. “She took care of me, and I never expected she’d need to lean on me.”
But then, she said, the family support system kicked into gear.
“My brother-in-law and nieces worked to maintain normalcy for my sister at home. Our brother is an oncologist, so he took charge and contacted the best doctors, and researched the most cutting-edge treatments. We drew on our personal strengths.” Read more
If you missed the new commercial - here’s another chance
August 15, 2008
Tune into NBC5 at the following times to see the new commercial for the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago. We are thrilled our new commercial debuted during the Summer Olympics!
MON 6:07A - Olympic Morning Coverage
WED 8:48A - Olympic Morning Coverage
FRI 11:28A - Olympic Daytime Coverage
Our Patients say it Best
August 13, 2008
The following letter was emailed to us from a recent patient of Dr. Heiferman’s treated at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago. While the patient’s first impression was with Doctors Cerullo and Heiferman, the lasting impression was that of an exceptional and compassionate care team, including physicians, nurses and all supporting staff. I am honored to work with such fine professionals and I thank you for your unwavering dedication and service to our patients. Read more
New Hospital commercial to air on NBC5
August 11, 2008
Tune in to Channel 5 and catch the new Hospital spine commercial.
The approximate times are provided below:
OLYMPIC TODAY SHOW/NBC5 NEWS
8/12 852a
8/15 648a
OLYMPIC DAYTIME
8/12 1228p
8/13 1248p
OLYMPIC ENCORE
8/13 339a
Dr. Hurley interviewed by Channel 7 on whiplash
August 6, 2008
Tune in Thursday, August 7th at 10:00 p.m. on Channel 7 to hear Dr. Hurley discuss the impact of whiplash on the neck.
Click here for interview and story.
Golf and back pain event a success
July 30, 2008
Over sixty participants joined us for our annual Hitting the Green Without Hurting Your Back event which took place at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein last week. Dr. Hurley and Jim Suttie, Ph.D. did a wonderful job educating the group of golfers. Thanks to all who participated!
Welcome to NOHC Community Blog
July 16, 2008
Welcome to the community blog of the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago!
We are excited to engage our employees, patients, families and friends in new way that uses technology to build upon the strength of our culture, beliefs and practices. At least once a week a member of the NOHC team will post a new entry to engage in discussion on a topic of interest to our community. These topics may range from neurosurgical and orthopedic current events, to memorable patient care stories, to NOHC physicians in the news. We encourage all employees of the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital, CINN, as well as patients, other colleagues and friends to register to receive email notification of new posts. Please visit enter your email address in the box entitled ENews & Updates to the right. All employees of NOHC and CINN who are registered will be entered to win periodic raffle prizes. Read more
