Incredible Gift Brings World Class Technology and Education to NCH

There may have been a chill in the air on Thursday, December 5, 2019 but the hearts of all on the 6th floor at Northwest Community Hospital were warmed thanks to a gathering of NCH board members, Foundation trustees, staff from NCH's Rehab Unit, and the friends and family of the late John M. Boler. Something special was about to happen. This night marked not only a formal dedication but also a family's lasting sign of gratitude for the compassion and skill that was shown to their husband and father.

"We dedicate the John M. Boler Center for Rehabilitation and forever link John's spirit, determination and dedication to others to the tens of thousands who will benefit from his Center," said Steve Scogna, NCH President and CEO.

With those words and the draw back of a curtain, the John M. Boler Center for Rehabilitation was dedicated with resounding applause. This Center, a 33-bed rehabilitation unit on two floors, now bears the name of John M. Boler, whose family showed remarkable generosity with a $5 million gift in appreciation for the outstanding care John received as a patient at NCH.

The donation has, and will continue to, greatly expand the capabilities we are able to provide to our community. It has enabled NCH to acquire state-of-the-art robotic, bionic and virtual reality rehab technologies, which are proven to improve patient outcomes and foster their independence.

"There has been an increased excitement among team members to have these advanced technologies available in our own therapeutic space. Every time a patient uses the Lokomat or Armeo we are in awe of the amount of progress they can make in such a short time," said Natalie Geyer, Program Director of the John M. Boler Center for Rehabilitation.

In addition to this technology, the gift has also provided funding for a future Activities of Daily Living (AOL) Apartment at our outpatient site in Rolling Meadows and has created an endowment for educational opportunities for staff in Rehab, Intensive Care and Respiratory Care—areas that were instrumental during John's stay at NCH.

The acquisition of this new equipment and the expansion of this program was also one of the key factors to NCH receiving the highest level of the prestigious CARF Accreditation (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and was specially noted at the event. CARF accreditation signals a service provider's commitment to continually improving services, encouraging feedback, and serving the community.

As John's son Matt shared at the event, "My dad was a member of this community for 45 years and he would be very proud to know that through his efforts and resources, these assets are now available to everyone."

The staff and physicians are proud as well—to honor John's legacy, to use this state-of-the art technology and to continue to provide the compassionate care that inspired such a gift.

As Stacey O'Leary, PT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, eloquently stated, "John's legacy will live on through the gift of hope, determination and perseverance for years to come."

Helping Patients With Covid-19

John was incredibly smart and a true visionary so it is no surprise that his family's gift in his honor would impact areas of the hospital that just months later would provide life-saving care to his community as it faced a global pandemic. COVID-19, which attacks the lungs and respiratory system, can make it difficult, if not impossible, for some to breathe on their own. Respiratory Therapists, ICU clinicians and Physical Therapists—all areas supported by the Boler Family gift—are playing a critical role in treating our most serious patients.

In addition to the amazing equipment used in patient care, the John M. Boler Endowment was created to provide annual education and training of these teams, who oversee a patients' treatment and recovery, to remain at the forefront of knowledge—especially at a time now when that is literally a matter of life or death.

Our respiratory therapists are experts at assessing blood gasses, assisting with intubations and, most notably ventilator management. They are trained to identify changes in breathing and to help regulate it. This skill set is crucial to the treatment and ultimately the recovery of our COVID-19 patients.

The virus, associated with prolonged hospital stays, and long-term ventilator use can affect a patient's physical capabilities and can cause other cognitive impairments. Rehabilitation services are sometimes needed. Our Physical Rehabilitation Therapy teams, including the team at the John M. Boler Center for Rehabilitation, our outpatient sites and new Day Program are playing a key role in patients' outcomes by helping them regain their strength and independence.

"It is a huge privilege to be gifted such phenomenal technology to change the lives of our community. There is a ray of positive hope that ignites endless possibilities with treatment options and return to function," said Dr. Stacey O'Leary.

John's role in saving and improving the lives of people in his own community who have been impacted by a global pandemic is just the latest item to add in his lengthy list of accomplishments—his enduring legacy.