VNA Health Care is a humanitarian, not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive primary care and community health services for people living in suburban Chicago and beyond. VNA strives to improve health equity and reduce health disparities with high quality, accessible, and compassionate care delivered in VNA health centers, community settings and patient homes. Federally funded community health centers (CHCs) provide affordable healthcare options to more than 28 million people in towns and cities across the U.S. The clinics are designed to improve access to primary care services regardless of whether patients have insurance, speak languages other than English, or live in remote areas.

VNA Provides Compassionate Care to Those Who Need it the Most:

A VNA Pediatrician Speaks Out Childhood Obesity

In pediatrics, we are committed to health promotion and disease prevention by encouraging healthy habits starting from day one of a child’s life. Spend a little time with one of the VNA Pediatricians or Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and you’ll witness our enthusiasm for important health interventions such as immunizations, proper nutrition, and preparing children to participate in sports activities. The pandemic impacted our community in so many ways - one of the most common things we have encountered in the past two years is a sharp increase in childhood obesity. A combination of decreased physical activity, increased screen time, stress, and poor diet, took its toll on the health of many of our young patients. We have noted an increase of diseases such as prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and hypertension in our adolescent patients. The statistics have been disheartening, but they have also served as a motivator for our team to continue to partner with our patients and their parents to

overcome these health struggles.

I can think of a few specific adolescent patients I saw last year who were diagnosed with obesity. We talked about making major lifestyle changes in their eating habits, beverage choices and their activity levels, and we discussed making these interventions as a whole family effort. I am pleased to say that these particular patients came back this year for school physicals or vaccine catch-ups and I was able to show them incredible improvements on their growth charts. Two of these patients also decreased their hemoglobin A1C levels to below the range of prediabetes. The excitement of these families when they see the result of their hard work is one of the most rewarding parts of this job.

My amazing pediatric colleagues have experienced the same with their patients. There are times, especially during a busy school physical season, when we are unsure if our recommendations will be followed. To know that our words do, in fact, matter to many of these families - to know that they trust our expertise and see that we care deeply for their children - reminds me of why I serve.

- Priscilla Gupana, MD

Just look at the impact your donation can have!

$25...could provide a grandmother with her flu shot.

$50...could help a son get a comprehensive eye exam.

$75…could help a grandchild get a dental exam

$100...could help give a father his annual physical.

$250...could ensure that an uninsured sister gets her annual

mammogram.

$500... could provide a series of prenatal classes to help

ensure a healthy mom and baby

$1,000...could equip an exam room with routine screening

equipment for eyes, ears, blood pressure, and temperature.

$2,500...could provide mental and behavioral health care for a

daughter suffering from depression.

$5,000...could provide obstetric care for a new mother

Priceless...the feeling that you will get from making sure

healthcare is accessible to everyone!