Proctor Hospital will merge with UnityPoint - Methodist

Proctor Hospital will merge with UnityPoint Health-Methodist in a move that will form one health system and keep both Proctor and Methodist campuses and their affiliated offices operating.

The affiliation of the hospital campuses, outpatient clinics and other sites of care will create a stronger, broader system of care to better serve patients in the region, said a news release about the affiliation.

Pending regulatory approval and due diligence, the merger should be completed by year's end, according to an affiliation agreement reached and signed by officials of the two entities. The agreement was recommended for approval by a joint task force made up of four members from each of the Proctor and Methodist boards of directors and then approved by those boards.

Approval must come from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

"The focus of our affiliation is to improve the experience for our patients by coordinating their care and providing the high quality services both organizations are known for," said Debbie Simon, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health - Methodist. "Forming a health system that makes use of both Proctor Hospital's north Peoria campus and Methodist's downtown campus will better enable us to accomplish these goals and increase access to care."

Under the agreement Simon will be the president and CEO of the affiliated entity. No other leadership announcements were made.

"Proctor is excited to be joining Methodist so we can work together as a single health system with two locations," said Paul Macek, president and CEO of Proctor. "Our affiliation will ensure that our high quality and high value services will thrive within a great and respected organization, to the benefit of patients in Peoria and throughout Central Illinois."

Proctor, the smallest of Peoria's three hospitals, has been the subject of merger rumors for months, largely because of financial considerations.

According to the news release, the affiliation agreement outlines a new, collaborative vision for the two organizations. "By combining operations into a single health system, Methodist and Proctor can further develop a value-based way of delivering health care services. The elements of this modern, patient-centered delivery system include improving care coordination, expanding access to care with more clinical space and sites, sharing best practices on care processes to improve quality and efficiency, and optimizing the use of resources," the release said.

The agreement creates a unified health system with two hospital campuses. The Proctor campus will be known as UnityPoint Health – Proctor. The agreement covers all of the operations of Proctor, including the physicians employed by Proctor, its clinic sites and other services, such as the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery and the Hult Center for Healthy Living.

Under the agreement, Methodist Health Service Corp. will become the parent of Proctor Health Care Inc. The Methodist board will expand to add three members from the Proctor board.

MHSC will continue to be a senior affiliate of UnityPoint Health, based in West Des Moines, Iowa. Methodist joined UnityPoint Health in October 2011.

Both the Methodist Foundation and Proctor Foundation will remain intact.

Proctor had earlier held discussions with OSF Heathcare about merging, but those talks ended earlier in the summer without any agreement. Methodist, which had earlier approached Proctor, then stepped in and leaders from both entities studied the various needs and strategies before recommending the affiliation.

Tracing Caterpillar's history through advertising

Caterpillar Inc.'s history in central Illinois is well-documented in books and pictures, newspaper and magazine stories and even in the machines people collect.

Mark Johnson, a retired Caterpillar marketing employee who is the current president of the Peoria Historical Society, has been documenting the company's history in a little different way: through the advertisements for products made by Caterpillar and its predecessor companies since 1915.

Those antique advertisements will be displayed throughout the next four Septembers at the Peoria Public Library in an exhibit titled "The Art of the Sell." The first display is now in place in the lower level gallery of the library Main Branch in downtown Peoria and will remain through Sept. 30. It can be viewed during the library's regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no charge.

The first exhibit displays ads from 1915 through 1930, with most of them placed by the predecessor companies of Holt Manufacturing Co., C.L. Best Gas Traction Company and C.L. Best Tractor Company. Caterpillar was formed in 1925.

Johnson, who retired in 2009 after 37 years at Caterpillar, began collecting in 1996, mostly as a way to keep up with his wife.

"My wife started collecting a certain type of China that was produced in eastern Tennessee. We started stopping at antique shops and the like in our travels. So I thought since we were making those stops anyway that I would come up with something to collect for myself. Since I worked for Caterpillar, I figured it might as well be something Cat-related," Johnson said.

He came across several of the antique advertisements and began collecting. "I came across a lot of antique dealers who had old ads from different magazines. Some of the magazines the ads were in were kind of surprising at first because nowadays the company mostly advertises in trade publications. But back then, they were in a lot of different magazines," Johnson said.

"These very early ads not only focus on introducing a new machine (the track-type tractor) to the general public, but also focus on how these new machines were being put to use by customers across the world," he added. "The ads also demonstrate how the focus on engineering innovation, high quality and very flexible products, and an understanding of customer requirements created a lasting legacy for the company. From a historical perspective, these ads provide insight into the transformation of the American society to a mechanized and industrial economical powerhouse."

"The Art of the Sell" will be displayed throughout September this year and the next three years as Johnson will display antique ads from different eras of Caterpillar's history.

Next year's exhibit will feature ads from 1931 to 1945, covering the World War II years when Caterpillar machines were a large part of the American war effort. "These ads are very interesting because they address an involvement of patriotic spirit in the war effort that is very engaging," Johnson said.

In 2015 the exhibit will focus on ads from 1946 through 1960. "These are significant because it was during then that the Eisenhower Interstate System was started and Caterpillar had a very large part of that. There is probably nothing that more improved the safety of Americans while helping the country's economic prosperity," he said.

The September 2016 exhibit will feature ads from 1961 through 1980, including many that ran in National Geographic magazine. That's significant because of Caterpillar's growth on a global scale, helping many countries to develop. "It was during that time the saying came out that 'There are no easy solutions, just intelligent choices.' That is still pertinent today," Johnson said.

His collection stops in 1980 because it was about that time Caterpillar changed its advertising approach and placed ads mostly in construction trade publications in order to sell to the customers that use the machines daily.

Johnson, who retired from Caterpillar in 2009 after a 37-year career, continues searching for antique Caterpillar ads whenever he can. He has been able to find and purchase many ads on eBay, which he said has become popular among memorabilia dealers and collectors alike. "On a given day you're likely to find 500 old Caterpillar ads listed," he said.

He added that he feels comfortable buying on eBay. "I've never had a bad experience from a dealer on eBay," he said.

Johnson said he believes the ads will be of interest to Peorians because of Caterpillar's influence on and importance to central Illinois, particularly to those interested in local history.

He doesn't sell from his collection and has never had it evaluated because that's not why he's doing it. "I do it because I enjoy it. I enjoy history," he said.

A public reception is planned at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Johnson will talk about the exhibit and other speakers will include Nicole Thaxton, Caterpillar's archivist, and advertising experts will discuss the perspective of advertising in the past.

Baseball superstitions: Got a Pirates shirt I could borrow?

For as long as baseball has been America's pastime, the men who have played the game have carried with them several superstitions, that for whatever reason, helped them play to the best of their ability.

We have all noticed some of these quirks with players on our favorite teams. Skip Schumaker has to step out of the batters box after every pitch to adjust his batting gloves. Some players have to eat a specific meal before every game. Some have to tap the plate exactly three times before their at bat. Some say prayers. Some wear the same socks, or glove, or other piece of their uniform without washing them the whole season.

In 1987, Minnesota Twins pitcher Frank Viola noticed that he won every game that a specific fan with a specific banner attended. This superstition grew so big for Viola that he bought the fan tickets to the games he pitched in the World Series that year and he won both games.

If superstitions can work for players, can they also work for fans? That's the question I will try to answer over the course of the next few weeks through the writing of this story.

We have all seen the new NFL commercials about fan superstitions, where the guy rubs the bald guys head, or the fans turn their Bud Lite bottle label before a kick. Well, fans of all sports carry these same types of superstitions.

For me, I have noticed that if I wear a team's jersey while watching the game, we lose. I can't explain it, but it happens almost as certainly as Old Faithful will erupt at least once every two hours. It pains me, but I have worn the opposing team's jersey while they are playing the Cardinals in hopes that the curse works on them, too, and usually it does. So, if anyone has a Pirates jersey I can wear this weekend, please email the editor with your name and address.

My other superstition is that once I start to think we are going all the way to the World Series, the Cardinals seem to slip into an extended funk. Maybe it's the fact that I was raised a Cubs fan, but I firmly believe that being too hopeful or confident in my team can lead to their downfall.

In last week's post about the current playoff chase in the NL Central I predicted that the Cardinals would win the NL Central followed by the Pirates and the Reds. Since that time, the Pirates have added Marlon Byrd, John Buck, and Justin Morneau, while the Cardinals gave up pitching prospect Michael Blazek to the Brewers for a gamble with John Axford. They have also gone on to lose way too many games, and have fallen out of a tie for 1st place.

So, in keeping with my superstition of not talking up my team, I would like to recant last week's prediction that the Cardinals will win the division. In fact, although virtually impossible, I say they finish dead last. That's right. The Brewers and Cubs win every game the rest of the season and the Cards lose them all!

I don't know if my superstitions somehow affect how well my team plays, but I like to think they do. Remember, it's only weird if it doesn't work.

'Les Miserables' set to open Peoria Players season

We've all heard the issues, the complaints that our education system is not what it should be, that we need to do a better job of taking care of our poor and even that the prison system in unjust.

For one man, the audacity of voicing these complaints in his writings forced him into exile from his native country. Victor Hugo eventually returned to France, but his beliefs about the above mentioned social issues made him one of that country's best known writers. Included in his work was the timeless novel "Les Miserables", which later became one of the most popular musical dramas of all-time.

It is the messages within the play that made Connie Sinn want to direct "Les Miserables" at Peoria Players Theatre.

"It is a brilliant work. What director wouldn't want to do this show? When it was offered, I really didn't hesitate. I wanted to direct it, to bring the messages that are still relevant today to the audience," Sinn said just before a recent dress rehearsal for the Peoria Players production.

The show opens Friday, Sept. 6, kicking off the 95th season of Peoria Players with a 10-show run through Sept. 15. Tickets are on sale at the theatre box office on North University Street or can be purchased online at www.peoriaplayers.org or by calling 688-4473.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8, 14 and 15.

Season tickets are on sale, as well. They are $85 for all six shows.

"Les Miserables" will be followed by:

· "Barefoot in the Park." The Neil Simon comedy, directed by Liz Landes Reed, will run Oct. 4 through 13. Tickets go on sale Sept. 23.

· "Meet Me in St. Louis." Directed by Mary Ellen Ulrich, it will run Nov. 8 through 17. Auditions for the show, which centers around the Smith family at the time of the 1904 World's Fair, will be Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Satruday at 10:30 a.m. at First Christian Church, 6400 N. University St. Tickets go on sale Oct. 28.

· "Oliver." Directed by Bryan Blanks, it will run Feb. 7 through 16. Auditions will be Nov. 1 and 2 at a location to be announced later. Tickets go on sale Jan. 27.

· "The Miracle Worker." The story of Helen Keller, directed by Charles Killen, will run March 14 through 23. Auditions will be Jan. 24, 25 and 26 in the Peoria Players Theatre lobby. Tickets go on sale March 3.

· "Shrek the Musical." Making its regional premiere May 2 through 11, it will be directed by Travis Olson and Mary Keltner. Tickets go on sale April 21.

Individual ticket prices are $18 for adults and $12 for patrons 18 and under for musicals and $12 for adults and $9 for 18 and under for nonmusicals.

Sinn said she believes "Les Miserables" has remained popular because most people can relate to the messages in the show. "Everyone can relate in one way or another to the despair and especially to the message of hope that is in the song 'One Day More.' There is also a story of faith here, when Valjean comes out of prison mad at the world but finds faith and self-redemption with the help of the Bishop. He becomes a man of compassion," she said.

The show, set in early 19th century France, spans more than 30 years and follows Jean Valjean in his quest for redemption. But in that quest he breaks parole and is tracked relentlessly by police inspector Javert. Those and other characters get swept into a French revolution along the way.

Charles Brown portrays Valjean, just a few months after playing the upbeat Professor Hill in "The Music Man" at Corn Stock Theatre. The differences, Brown said, are not at all subtle.

"I went from the scheming and singing Music Man to a character in which I am covering 30 years or what was basically a miserable life. It is definitely the most challenging role I've ever done, both vocally and interpretively. But I am enjoying it. I'm glad I did it. It was a bucket list role, to be sure," he said.

John Huerta, who portrays Javert, is largely known in local theatre circles as the kind of song-and-dance man he portrayed in "Singin' In the Rain" at Corn Stock several years ago. He views Javert as an opportunity to expand his acting talent is dramatic fashion.

He played dramatic well in Peoria Players' production of "Frankenstein" a few years ago. He was Dr. Frankenstein in that show.

"Both roles were conflicted roles but this one really opens the debate of whether the character is a good guy or a bad guy. It is real conflict because Javert thinks of himself as judge and jury while trying to do what he believes is right. The opportunity to sing and act a role like this, I am so grateful to Connie for believing in me," Huerta said.

Sinn said she decided shortly after accepting the play that she would look for passion from the actors when deciding on casting. "Sometimes you see shows that don't have the passion and it's often because singers are cast with the hope they can act well enough. I wanted to cast actors who could sing. I've got that and Charlie and John given me exactly what I wanted from them," she said.

Brown, she added, is giving his character the layers needed to bring out the passion. "He shows torment when he needs to, compassion when he needs to. I can't ask for more from him than I am getting," she said.

Other cast members include Ashley Rufus as Fantine, Chloe Morton as Cosette, Lindsey Pugh as Eponine, Emily Schroff as little Cosette, Cecilia Huerta as little Eponine, David Sinn as the Bishop and Steve Bartolotti and Rachel Lewis as the Thenardiers. The revolutionaries Enjolras and Marius are portrayed by Aaron Ganschow and Brian Witkowski, respectively.

Sinn said the entire cast of 62 people works well together. "We have some great voices in this cast. I am not nervous at all about my cast. They are ready," Sinn said.

She said audiences will be impressed by the 12-piece orchestra directed by Camilla Russell, as well as the set designed by Julie Wasson and the costumes by Carrie McMillan.

Sinn said she isn't concerned about directing "Les Miserables" just over a year after it was performed at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria.

"I thought Eastlight did a wonderful job with the show. But I think people will come to see our show because they want to see it. We are staging it different, using multiple levels, and there are no duplications in casting," she said.