Sherman gala to aid birthing center fund
The Sherman Health Auxiliary will host its 44th annual benefit ball at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive in Schaumburg.
Tickets are available for $150 each. Proceeds will support the auxiliary's pledge of $1 million for the birthing center at Sherman's new hospital, being built at Randall and Big Timber roads in Elgin.
The theme of this year's ball is "Passport to a New Destination." During the five-hour event, attendees will enjoy culinary delicacies from around the world and dance the night away to Motown classics featuring The Moods.
During the ball, the auxiliary will present "Dancing with the Sherman Stars," a "Dancing with the Stars"-inspired dance competition.
"Not only is the ball an upbeat, social occasion, but it also serves to help the Sherman Auxiliary support initiatives that will improve the quality of care and services at Sherman Hospital," said Ronell DeLoncker, president of Sherman Auxiliary. "This year, we look forward to raising funds for the birthing center at the new hospital."
The new birthing center will provide an essential service to the expanding community. Within the birthing center will be the Beth Berkson Neonatal Unit, which will provide care to babies that require extra assistance and attention after birth. In addition to the neonatal unit, the center will include the C-section suite and the labor, delivery and recovery rooms all on one floor -- an advantage for patient flow and for mothers with sick newborns.
Other features of the new birthing center will include: all private rooms with showers; two family lounges; a family consultant room; 10 labor, delivery and recovery rooms; 28 postpartum rooms; five antepartum rooms; two C-section rooms; four triage rooms; two outpatient rooms; two bed post anesthesia care unit; a birth registrar on unit; a family resource room with a library/Internet connection; a children's play area in the waiting room; an on-call suite for physicians on the floor; and a waiting room for NICU and lactation consultants for post discharge visits.
For information on the event and to purchase tickets, call Sharon Gilbert, director of volunteer services at Sherman Health, at (847) 429-8720.