Health Care
HEARRR Increases Quality and Accessibility
Health care represents one of the Rock River Region's primary industries. The HEARRR institutions deliver initial and continuing education to health care professionals in more than a dozen fields, including those facing critical shortages.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, registered nurses constitute the largest U.S. health care occupation, and more new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation. NIU research confirms that job opportunities for nurses are very good in the region.
Through outreach programs, HEARRR delivers expert services at hospitals, clinics, health departments, and schools. HEARRR institutions have procured millions of dollars in federal and state funding to raise quality and expand accessibility to first-rate health care.
Here's a sample of how HEARRR institutions provide excellent educational opportunities; continuing education and service; and outreach, service and research. Activities are grouped first by collaborative emphasis (i.e., multiple participating institutions) and then by institution:
Collaborative Initiatives
- Women's Health Centers (RVC and UI-Rockford)
- Practicum and internship sites at all local hospitals, clinics, health departments, private and public social service agencies, and local schools
- Participation in health fairs at corporate sites, hospitals, and schools
- Northern Illinois Area Health Education Center: developing opportunities in health careers for youth and promoting access to primary care for residents of rural and underserved communities (NIU, RVC, UI-Rockford)
- Biomedicine Department: summer research internships for high school students and for Rockford College students focusing on biotechnology research. (Rockford College, UI-Rockford)
- Participation in boards and advisory committees for hospitals, clinics, health organizations across the region (NIU, Rockford College, RVC, UI-Rockford)
Rockford College Offers
- Bachelor's degrees in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and nursing
Rock Valley College Offers
- Associate degrees in Nursing, Human Services, Dental Hygiene, and Respiratory Care
- Certification training in Surgical Technology, Substance Abuse Counseling, Licensed Professional Nursing, Nursing Aides, and Hospice Nursing
- Health Career Initiative Leadership Team: three area health systems and RVC meet monthly; currently piloting health career education program at six high schools (RVC)
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford Offers
- M.D.
- Master's degrees in Biotechnology, Nursing, Public Health, Health Informatics and Social Work
- Pharmacy
- Continuing medical education through 17 programs for 1,959 health practitioners (2003 data)
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Education Development of Health Professionals and Health Care Systems
- Certificate program for international post-doctorates and faculty engaged in short-term studies
- Primary care centers at Belvidere, Mt. Morris, and Rockton
- Psychiatry and Allergy/Immunology clinics
- National Center for Rural Health Professions
- Project EXPORT: developing a Center for Excellence in Rural Health that addresses health disparities in rural and underserved populations through research, education, and community service
- Health Systems Research: federally-funded, applied community research in specific diseases; regional information source for demographic, social, and health information and research
- Library of the Health Sciences open to the public for internet and journal access
NIU Rockford Offers
- Bachelor's degrees in Nursing (with RN Completion) and Public Health
- Specialized training in Community Mental Health, and Social Work
- Research on treatment of substance abuse for Rosecrance Health Network
- Needs assessment, conferences, other services to Northwest Illinois Area Agency on Aging