Park Forest mayor, former state rep on health panel
By Mike Nolan mnolan@southtownstar.com July 17, 2011 9:42PM
William McNary, co-director of Citizen Action Illinois, has been named by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to the Southland Health Advisory Council.
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Updated: October 31, 2011 3:15PM
Park Forest’s mayor and a former state representative have been named to the Southland Health Advisory Council, a panel that will give input to Cook County on health care issues in the Southland.
The council was established by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in response to the county’s push to cease inpatient services at Oak Forest Hospital. The group has met once, and a second meeting is planned before the expected Aug. 16 vote by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board on the county’s request to end inpatient care at Oak Forest.
Preckwinkle said the council plans to meet at least once each quarter.
In adopting a vision statement at its first meeting, the group said it would advise Preckwinkle and the county’s health system “on both the common and unique challenges of health care in Chicago’s Southland, working to identify service needs, present challenges and advocate for the needs of the community.”
Named by Preckwinkle to the council were:
Joan Diane Adams-Alsberry, president of Kids Health Inc. and vice president of Caring Assistive Living Management Inc. in Matteson.
Salim Al-Nurridin, executive director of the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois. Board members of the Dolton-based organization include representatives from MetroSouth Hospital, Oak Forest Hospital and St. James Hospital.
Jennifer Artis, director of public affairs at St. James Hospital.
Sharon Freyer, former chief nursing officer at Oak Forest Hospital.
Nancy Kolanowski, a retired local government official.
Mercedes Mallette, a retired community activist. She is a member of the Southland Human Services Leadership Council’s health committee,.
William McNary, co-director of Citizen Action Illinois. The group has been a vocal opponent of the county’s plan to end inpatient services at Oak Forest Hospital.
David Miller, former state representative who was defeated last year by Judy Baar Topinka in his bid to be elected state comptroller. He owns a private dental practice in Dolton.
Park Forest Mayor John Ostenburg,.
Apostle Carl White, pastor of Victory Christian Assembly in Markham and leader of the Southland Ministerial Health Network.
