News & Events at Sinnissippi Centers, Inc.
 Moving Forward with Lessons Learned
Dear Friends,
It took an additional 15 days past the June 30th deadline, but state legislators and Governor Pat Quinn finally reached agreement on a new budget plan for fiscal year 2010. Out of this budget process it is now more clear than ever that Sinnissippi Centers and similar organizations won’t be doing business the same way they have in recent years. In reflecting on the developments over the budget process there are a few lessons that we need to take away from this flawed process.
We could be here again. The manner in which state leaders chose to craft a new fiscal year budget once gain delays fixing the state’s budget problems by using borrowing an dother medhods to puich the current fiscal year expense off to Fiscal Year 2011. That means the same problems could happen again during next year’s budget process unless something is done between now and June 20, 2010.
Educate everyone. This is a hard pill to swallow, but many outside of the human service arena do not or can not appreciate the vital need for these programs. The message of the need for mental health, substance use treatment, children and family services, developmental disabilities, domestic violence programming and daycare services has to be carried by more than just those in the field. The message must be led by legislators, law enforcement, school administrators, healthcare professionals and others.
Share our stories. One Sinnissippi client put it this way: “[Prior to coming to Sinnissippi] My life was black and white; hopeless. Sinnissippi gave me back the color in my life. To cut this or any other (human) service is a detriment…and will end up costing the healthcare system more money.”
These stories have impact and are persuasive in carrying the message forward of the need for human service programs. If we, “cannot remember the past, then we are condemned to repeat it.”
-James R. Sarver, President and CEO, Sinnissippi Centers
Calls to the Governor's Office
Urge the Governor to resolve problems with the budget process. His office phone numbers are:
Springfield
217-782-0244 OR 217-782-6830
Chicago
312-814-2121
Faxes to the Governor's Offices
Let the Governor know he must restore the cuts that are dismantling the community care system. His fax numbers are 217-558 -0897 (Springfield) and 312-814-5512 (Chicago).
Governor Pat Quinn
Office of the Governor
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244
Online link: www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm
Email: governor@state.il.us
Sinnissippi Centers Welcomes Dr. Azhar
During his initial visit to Sinnissippi Centers, Dr. Muhammad Nouman Azhar was accompanied by his wife, Shazdhe, and their three children. It's not a surprise that this native of Multan, Pakistan is focused on the family and helping others.
July 1st was Dr. Azhar's first day as a psychiatrist with Sinnissippi, joining Dr. Thomas Dennison.
“I appreciate the opportunity to join Sinnissippi Centers and work with a staff of very caring individuals.”
In June, Dr. Azhar completed a two-year child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“I enjoy working with individuals of all ages. But as a father, helping children and adolescents with a mental health or substance use disorder is very near to my heart.”
Dr. Azhar credits Sinnissippi staff in making the transition in to a new environment much easier.
"Everyone has been very helpful and supportive while I have been adjusting to the Sinnissippi way of doing things. It's clear that this staff is committed to helping their clients."
Dr. Azhar's philosophy of care in working with clients is simple: "Providing quality care, using the best of my abilities by comfortably involving my patients, using all resources including familes and other professionals."
Dr. Azhar comes from a family of doctors; his father and two brothers are opthamologists and his sister is an M.D.
He received his initial education at Nishtar Medical College in Multan, Pakistan and served in the general surgery area at several hospitals in Pakistan. Following his arrival in the United States, Dr. Azhar served as a resident at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York from 2003 to 2007.
He received the “Olga Von Tauber Service Award” for providing the best services as a resident, and the “J. Building Award” for excellence in an outpatient unit.
Dr. Azhar and his wife, Shazdhe have two daughters Imama and Ayda and one son, Muhammad Annas. They are expecting their fourth child in November.
 17th Annual Sinnissippi Foundation Golf Open
Perfect golfing weather was a welcome addition to the enjoyable atmosphere at the 17th Annual Sinnissippi Foundation Golf Open, held Thursday August 13th at Timber Creek Golf in Dixon, Illinois.
“The Golf Open was made possible through the generosity of so many businesses, organizations and individuals,” according to Sinnissippi Centers’ marketing manager Greg Gates.
134 golfers and over 100 sponsors who participated in the best-ball scramble which began at 12:30 p.m. and was followed by a dinner and awards ceremony,” adds Gates.
In past years it has been traditional to name a Sponsor of the Year at the golf open. However this year, two local businesses were presented with the honor; Sauk Valley Bank and Grot Imaging Studios each received a Sponsor of the Year Award for their support of the Foundation.
Proceeds from the annual Golf Open benefit clients and programs of Sinnissippi Centers as well as other worthwhile community projects.
Examples of some of the work The Foundation does include; the Nurses Education Assistance Fund and the CARES Fund, which assists Sinnissippi Clients with needed expenses.
Established in 1979, the Sinnissippi Foundation seeks to increase the ability of Sinnissippi Centers to provide quality, coordinated and responsive behavioral healthcare services to children, adults, families, and communities now and in the future.
The 18th Annual Sinnissippi Foundation Golf Open will be held August 12, 2010 at Timber Creek Golf in Dixon.
For more information about The Sinnissippi Foundation or the Golf Open, contact Sinnissippi Centers marketing manager Greg Gates at 815-284-9380. |
