Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com
Last Thursday at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, a sports jersey themed outing took place benefiting AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in Bolingbrook.
Derek Cazeau, Executive Director of the Bolingbrook Hospital Foundation, said that this yearly fundraiser makes all the difference in the world going to those in need of healthcare within the area.
“The funds raised impact patient care and deliver better services for our patients in the community,” Cazeau said.
With this event-taking place before, this was the 10th year anniversary for the hospital.
Multiple television screens, sports advocated jerseys, dinner tables networking and a silent auction table filled up the ballroom Thursday in support of the philanthropy.
“At the end of the day this is all about health and wellness for our communities,” Cazeau said. “Personally for me, it’s very impactful that I do this because it’s the kind of work I’ve always wanted to do in healthcare.”
AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center in Bolingbrook is the third largest healthcare system in Illinois, while providing impatient and outpatient services while also disseminating emergency care to more than 1.2 million people across five counties in Illinois’ eighth congressional district.
Cazeau, said with the way healthcare has been fluctuating and not knowing what is in the foreseeable future, it is important every year for people to come out and support the Medical Center.
“With the landscape of healthcare changing so dramatically every year its important we keep trying to find these philanthropic dollars that support our hospitals and continue to provide services needed for our communities.”
One of the staff members of the Bolingbrook Hospital, Anthony Dombrowski, said that he sees the benefit from people showing up to the event and helping out those who are in need of healthcare as well.
“Any of the funds that become available for the hospital all go to improving patient care and my job is to help physicians take care of patients,” Dombrowski said. “So in the end, I’m really happy to see the funds come in so we can make a difference in peoples lives.”
Dombrowski also mentioned that he knows not everyone is in the position to acquire healthcare, and that the hospital recognizes that and wants to do all they can to provide services for those who need it.
“Healthcare is extremely expensive,” Dombrowski said. “All hospitals provide charity care no matter where they are, certainly here they do, so any extra funds and help that can be brought in to help supplement the work they have to do is a very good thing.”
Long time volunteer Sid Cudebee, who’s been working with Cazeau for 11 years, said he enjoys helping out the great cause and contributing to positive growth for healthcare which is the reason he contributes every single year.
“It’s just my way to give back,” Cudebee said. “It’s a great way for the community and the companies within the area to help to give back to our hospital and the everyone within our great community.”