2016 Community Benefit Report Released

“We know that to move the health of our community forward, Riverside must also give back. Our hospital, our healthcare campuses and providers' offices, our programs and our people are all part of the greater good – all committed to nurturing the well-being and bringing value to the lives of others.” Phil Kambic, President and CEO, Riverside Healthcare

Addressing the health and wellness concerns that have the greatest impact throughout the community is the primary focus of Riverside Healthcare. Whether it be investing in the latest technologies for advanced cardiac care, aligning and integrating a range of behavioral health services for ease of access, or serving as the area’s largest employer, Riverside understands the health of a community is dependent on the health of those that live, work and play here. In 2016, this was evident in the impact made by more than $50.7 million in community benefits provided.

08/24/2017

“We know that to move the health of our community forward, Riverside must give back,” said Phillip M. Kambic, President and CEO, Riverside Healthcare. “Our hospital, our healthcare campuses and providers' offices, our programs and our people are all part of the greater good – all committed to nurturing the well-being and bringing value to the lives of others.”

Riverside works with individuals and community partners to address the most pressing health issues. These issues include access to quality care, behavioral health awareness and education, chronic disease prevention, treatment and management, education, employment, violence and safety matters and more. In 2016, Riverside Medical Group grew to more than 140 providers and two more immediate care locations opened to offer working families extended hours and weekend care with no appointments for minor illnesses and injuries. Also, Riverside Medical Center partnered with University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital to develop Riverside’s pediatric hospitalists program. The pediatric hospitalists remain onsite at Riverside and provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for the area’s youngest patients. They allow area families with sick children the opportunity to heal close to home by collaborating and coordinating care with pediatricians, specialists and other health care providers for a prompt, efficient and comprehensive inpatient experience.

The Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute’s nationally-renowned heart programs and experienced team of heart and vascular specialists came together in one centralized location to serve patients more conveniently. With more providers and locations, Riverside’s award-winning heart care now extends to outlying campuses throughout the region. Riverside works hand-in-hand with Kankakee County to address the growing need for behavioral health and substance abuse treatment and prevention, too. Through education and donations to area organizations, along with the breadth and depth of programs Riverside offers, the healthcare system strives to reach those at risk, including outreach to adolescents and teens.

Of the $50.7 million in community benefits in 2016 more than $30.3 million went to subsidized health services. This included Medicaid services (care provided to those in state aid programs), and community health centers in Kankakee, Momence and Hopkins Park. Women’s Wellness, ambulance services, health screenings, physician recruitment and health care education, were among the variety of services included in this figure.

The income, employment and insurance status of residents of Kankakee County result in the hospital caring for a large number of patients who are uninsured or underinsured, or for those whom public program reimbursement does not cover health care costs. Riverside partners with various community agencies including United Way, Alzheimer’s Association, KCCASA, Parkinson’s Support Group, Gambler’s Anonymous, Harbor House, Epilepsy Support Group, GROW, and many others. Riverside also sponsored numerous events or provided contributions to community agencies such as: American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Options CIL, Lungevity, Out of the Darkness, Kankakee County Training Center, American Red Cross, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Hospice of Kankakee Valley, Kankakee County Drug Free and many others.

Riverside’s community investment in 2016 included the following:

• $30.3 million to Subsidized Health Services - includes Medicaid services (care provided to those in state aid program), and community health centers in Kankakee, Momence and Hopkins Park. This also includes New Life Center, ambulance services, health screenings, stroke education, physician recruitment and health care education, among other services.
• $12.1 million to Uncompensated Care - care provided by Riverside that goes unpaid by any source.
• $4.3 million to Government Sponsored Indigent Health Care- Excess of allocated costs over reimbursed for services provided to Medicaid patients.
• $2.7 million to Charity Care - Riverside uses a sliding scale, application process and credit report to evaluate and determine a patient’s eligibility for financial assistance.
• $699,639 to Volunteer Services - value of time spent by Riverside volunteers and employees giving back to the community.
• $345,365 to Education - includes student orientation, scholarships and Riverside’s Nursing Excellence program.
• $67,970 to Donations- includes cash donations to local churches, schools, agencies, etc. Also includes the donation of goods and services.
• $25,233 to Language Assistant Services - includes sign language, interpretation of Spanish and/or other languages.

“Building stronger, healthier communities means becoming a vital part of the region’s stability, both socially and economically. Riverside is the county’s largest employer. Our more than 2,835 employees help support local businesses and serve as a crucial economic stimulus,” Kambic said.

In 2016, Riverside continued to make a significant economic impact in the region. Activity generated by the healthcare system’s operations and construction activities including employment, wages and retail sales were estimated as follows:

• 5,135 jobs
• $282.3 million in wages paid
• $135.5 million in retail sales
• $8.5 million in Illinois state sales tax
• $1.88 million in property taxes for Kankakee, Will, Grundy and Iroquois