Franciscan Health Olympia Fields: Pillar for Holistic Health in Chicago’s Southland Suburbs:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is one of the main hospitals serving the southland area of the state of Illinois. Driven by an utmost sense of purpose, which defines providing top-class quality compassionate care, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields makes all the difference to its patients. As part of the larger Franciscan Health system, with several hospitals and clinics across Indiana and Illinois, Olympia Fields is focused on providing comprehensive medical services to its patients. These services include everything from emergency care and advanced surgical procedures to outpatient treatments, health education, and support for chronic conditions.
With this holistic approach to healthcare, the hospital has made a reputation for not only treating illness but also promoting well-being. This article explores the history, services, and impact of Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, which made them one of the leading healthcare providers in the region.
History and Background:
Franciscan Health:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is a part of the Franciscan Health network, a Catholic health care system grounded in the values and mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. The hospital’s origins date back to 1956, when it was first established as St. James Hospital. It was established with the vision of providing quality, compassionate healthcare to meet the needs of growing communities in southern Cook County and beyond.
The hospital has undergone immense growth and change since its founding. It was renamed Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in 2016, integrating into the larger Franciscan Health network, which spreads across multiple states and provides wide-ranging medical services to diverse communities.
Over the years, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields has grown to include larger facilities, new medical programs, and advanced technologies. The hospital today is known for patient care, innovation, and a strong focus on the treatment of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit.
Core Services and Specialties:
Franciscan Health:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is a well-rounded, one-stop shop for all healthcare needs. The hospital offers vast inpatient and outpatient care delivery services, among which are specialized care in various key areas of medicine. Below is an overview of the hospital’s core services and specialties:
1. Emergency Care
Franciscan Health:
Emergency care is one of the cornerstone services offered at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. The hospital features a state-of-the-art emergency department (ED) that operates around the clock, seven days a week, to provide immediate care for individuals facing life-threatening conditions or acute medical emergencies.
The hospital has an emergency department staffed by board-certified physicians, experienced nurses, and other medical professionals trained to manage the entire spectrum of emergencies from trauma to heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory distress. Advanced diagnostic technologies such as X-rays and CT scans are also found in the hospital to quickly diagnose and treat patients during emergency cases.
2. Surgical Services
Franciscan Health:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields offers a wide range of surgical specialties, providing patients with care for a wide spectrum of conditions. The hospital offers minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries that reduce recovery times and improve patient outcomes.
Specialized areas of surgical care include:
Franciscan Health:
Orthopedic Surgery: The hospital offers treatments for bone, joint, and muscle conditions, including joint replacement surgeries and treatments for sports-related injuries.
Cardiothoracic Surgery:
Franciscan Health:
The hospital offers advanced surgeries to deal with heart and lung disorders through its cardiovascular team, including bypass surgery and valve repairs.
General Surgery: General surgery procedures, which include appendectomies, hernia repair, and cholecystectomy, are performed.
Bariatric Surgery:
Franciscan Health:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields offers weight loss surgery options to patients who need to lose weight and are struggling with obesity.
The surgical services at the hospital are supported by a team of experienced surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical nurses who work together to provide the best care possible to every patient.
3. Cardiovascular Care
Franciscan Health:
As part of its commitment to giving the community high-quality comprehensive health care, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields offers several cardiovascular services which diagnose, treat, and manage diseases related to heart and vascular areas. The medical facility has leading-edge imaging and diagnostic tools such as echocardiograms, stress testing, and angiography through which physicians determine the heart’s overall health and even identify possible risks.
Interventional Cardiolve:
Franciscan Health:
Interventional Cardiology: Procedures that do not require surgery, such as the opening of blocked arteries, treatment of heart attacks, and correction of arrhythmias.
Cardiac Rehabilitation: A program designed to help patients recover from heart surgery or a cardiac event, including supervised exercise and education on heart health.
Heart Failure Management: Comprehensive care for individuals living with heart failure, including medication management, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring.
The hospital’s heart specialists work closely with patients to help manage their conditions and improve overall cardiovascular health.
4. Cancer Care
Franciscan Health:
Cancer care is another critical component of the services offered at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. The hospital provides a comprehensive cancer care program that includes diagnostic services, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and support services for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Cancer Center is one of the hospital’s main focuses on cancer care. The center offers a variety of services for different types of cancers, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers. The team of oncologists, nurses, and support staff work together to offer personalized treatment plans and provide patients with the physical, emotional, and psychological support needed during their cancer journey.
5. Maternity and Women’s Health
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields provides comprehensive maternity and women’s health services to ensure that women are well cared for at every stage of life. The maternity services of the hospital are designed to be safe, comfortable, and supportive for both mothers and newborns.
The hospital has:
Labor and Delivery: The private birthing suites are well-equipped with modern devices and technologies that facilitate a positive experience for mothers during labor and delivery.
Neonatal Care: Newborns requiring additional care have access to the hospital’s Level II NICU.
Gynecology and Women’s Health: In-depth services provided include routine exams, family planning, menopause management, and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids.
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is committed to women’s health, and every age of a woman’s life has been met with tender loving care.
6. Rehabilitation Services
This hospital also has rehabilitation services where patients are allowed to recover from an injury, surgery, or even a medical condition. These are designed to give the patient strength and mobility, or independence, among others.
Physical Therapy:
Plans to help individuals with rehabilitation from an orthopedic injury, surgery, or other condition that affects a patient’s ability to use their muscles and joints effectively.
Occupational Therapy:
Help a patient resume activities of daily living following an illness or injury.
Speech Therapy: Aids the quality of life of patients having trouble with speech, swallowing, or communication due to a medical condition.
Rehabilitation services must be part of a patient’s recovery and, according to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, every patient should obtain a personalized care plan and attention that meets the needs of every individual.
Community Impact and Commitment to Care:
Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is committed to the care of the community, whether that care is through direct healthcare service or outreach. As a Catholic healthcare provider, the hospital itself affirms Franciscan values and compassion, care, and respect for every individual.
Regularly, the hospital undertakes health education, screenings, and outreach programs to help the community improve general health conditions. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields also collaborates with local organizations, schools, and businesses for wellness and preventive care.
The hospital’s mission to provide compassionate care extends beyond the medical services it offers. It is reflected in its holistic approach to treating the whole person, not just the illness, and ensuring that every patient feels supported, valued, and respected during their healthcare journey.