Before concerns about financial and other conditions at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan went public late last year, state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, was working behind the scenes to help find solutions.
Since the knowledge of the hospital’s challenges became known, and the Illinois Department of Public Health suspended its Level II Trauma Center designation in February — it was reinstated on March 11 — Johnson quietly worked with stakeholders.
“I liken her to being the peacemaker,” Lake County NAACP President Sandra Leconte said.”She came up with ideas to save the hospital and help everyone in the community. She found solutions working together with everyone for the entire community.”
The Lake County branch of the NAACP honored Johnson as its Woman of the Month Monday at the College of Lake County’s Waukegan campus for her ongoing effort to help calm the situation at Vista.
Pleased with the honor, Johnson said it was unexpected. Making sure residents of Waukegan and the rest of northeast Lake County have quality healthcare is a priority for her.
“I was doing my job,” Johnson said. “My job is working behind the scenes finding solutions to the most pressing problems like we are experiencing at Vista. That’s how I was raised, with a focus on solving problems.”
Challenges like an overabundance of Medicare and Medicaid patients and less revenue from insurance companies than other hospitals in Lake County are not new to Vista. New is its owner, California-based American Healthcare Systems (AHS) which bought the hospital in July.
At the time AHS purchased Vista, it also assumed $15 million in unpaid bills and other debt as well as an operating loss of $3 million a month. Faisal Gill, AHS’s chief legal officer, said the losses are now closer to $1 million to $1.5 million monthly. He anticipates a break-even situation this summer.
As Laconte continued to learn about the Vista situation and Johnson’s involvement, Leconte said she thought the senator was an ideal candidate for Woman of the Month. After concurring with other members, a decision was made.
“She is the calming voice in the storm,” Leconte said. “This was a chance to salute her work. It was a good opportunity to honor her. She serves the people well.”
Among the people Leconte consulted about the award was former Waukegan Township Supervisor Patricia Jones who retired in 2021 after more than nearly 28 years in the role. Jones said the timing was excellent.
“This is for all she is doing for us,” Jones said. “This is apropos because she is an outstanding leader. She is always prepared and she always listens. There is no one better to receive this award in this month we celebrate women.”
Laconte said she sees Johnson as a peacemaker and Jones said Johnson’s leadership skills help her achieve peaceful solutions to problems before her.
“I look at how she takes her leadership role,” Jones said. “She does her homework and looks for results. Peace has come from her leadership.”
Vista CEO Bianca Defilippi has had the opportunity to answer difficult questions asked by Johnson. Defilippi was at the event when Johnson received the award and agreed with the NAACP’s action.
“She works very hard to create quality healthcare with equity and inclusion in Lake County,” Defilippi said. “She tries to find solutions by understanding complex problems. We have had difficult conversations with her. She asks us difficult questions and has a holistic approach to understanding problems.”
