Building A New Era of Health Care in Streator

It's been two years of change, uncertainty and anxiousness for the residents of Streator. 

The community's in-patient hospital closed in early 2016 and OSF HealthCare announced it would take over the property, but the health care delivery model would need to be modified.   

The establishment of the OSF Center for Health - Streator is a key element of OSF's overall plan to promote health and wellness in a community and region that has a limited population, as well as transportation, but still must be served. With research and community input, OSF has developed a plan aimed at meeting the present and future medical needs of the region.

That commitment became clearer this week with the groundbreaking on a $30.5 million renovation to the facility. Both exterior and interior renovations are already underway at the Spring Street center. These include a new entrance and lobby, upgrades to registration, with the addition of a tech bar for computer users. OSF specialty clinics, rehabilitation, primary care and diagnostic imaging improvements are planned. To advance its partnership with local residents and organizations, OSF is adding community education and meeting rooms.

Streator Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Jack Dzuris, who is also a member of the OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation Council, says while he's been on board with the transformation since it was first announced, he admits its been a challenge for Streator residents. However, he says, community acceptance has been steadily growing. 

"When the original announcement was made I was one that spoke up in favor of - let's take care of Streator," says Jack Dzuris. Executive Director of the Streator Chamber of Commerce and OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation Council member. "These people want to be here and, I believe, this expansion that we're talking about today, people can realize that OSF is making an investment."

Don Damron, Vice President of Ambulatory Services for OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, sees a lot of positive momentum with the renovation groundbreaking in not only the medical clinical care that OSF has historically provided, but with improving the Center for Health in a way that is innovative and forthcoming to what is in the future plans for health care delivery in the community.

He also admits the changes will be disruptive and appreciates the community's patience. 

"It's going to be well worth it when it is completed," says Don Damron, Vice President of Ambulatory Services for OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. "But we will have some changes in which we will try to communicate as we go through the building, whether it's way finding or parking. There are going to be challenges and we will do our best to communicate that to the community."

Damron says the renovation project is going extremely well and is ahead of schedule. Completion is slated for late summer 2019. 

For more information and updates on the construction effort, you can visit osfhealthcare.org/locations/streator/about/construction/