The Jane R. Perlman Trust Donates $500,000 for the Development of an Advanced Practice Provider Residency Program at NorthShore University HealthSystem

On February 4, 2014, NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) Center for Simulation and Innovation (NCSI) received a transformative donation from the Jane R. Perlman Trust. This generous gift will establish an Advanced Practice Provider (APP) residency program to teach nurse practitioners and physician assistants how to further improve patient care and clinical outcomes, while at the same time reducing healthcare costs, through innovative medical scenario simulation.

“Simulation will be used extensively in training candidates who participate in this program in order to accelerate their learning curve,” said Ernest E. Wang, MD, Medical Director of NCSI, and the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Chair of Simulation and Innovation. “Our hope is that the establishment of this program at NorthShore will lead to a paradigm shift in the way APP training is conducted around the country.”

Ms. Midge Perlman Shafton, daughter of Jane R. Perlman, toured NCSI with Division Head of Emergency Medicine Morris S. Kharasch, MD, and former Division Head Jeffrey G. Graff, MD, and was impressed with the Simulation Lab and NorthShore’s teaching curriculum. The visit inspired her to establish the Jane R. Perlman Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship in Emergency Medicine. “My mother, who was a nurse’s aide during WWII, would have loved this program. As we walked through the Simulation Lab the first time, I said I only wish she could see the wonderful work being done. She would have wanted to go through the program herself,” said Ms. Shafton.

NCSI is a state-of-the-art 13,000-square-foot facility at NorthShore Evanston Hospital designed specifically to host a multispecialty, multidisciplinary simulation center. NCSI uses the latest simulation technologies and training to help healthcare practitioners improve their clinical performance, reduce human errors, and refine their teamwork and communication skills using a variety of simulation modalities including human patient simulators, virtual reality and patient actors.

For more information about NCSI or ways to support NorthShore, please call (224) 364-7204 or visit foundation.northshore.org.

About NorthShore University HealthSystem

Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) is a comprehensive, fully integrated, healthcare delivery system that serves the Chicago region. The system includes four hospitals in Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park and Skokie. NorthShore employs approximately 10,000 and has 2,400 affiliated physicians, including an 800+ physician, multispecialty group practice with over 100 office locations. Further, NorthShore supports teaching and research as the principal teaching affiliate for the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

The NorthShore Research Institute focuses on clinical and translational research, including leadership in clinical trials and medical informatics. The NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation is the primary philanthropic entity of NorthShore. The Foundation raises charitable contributions and engages volunteer friends in support of NorthShore’s ongoing mission to preserve and improve human life.

NorthShore has significant capabilities in a wide spectrum of clinical programs, including Kellogg Cancer Center, NorthShore Neurological Institute, cardiovascular care, orthopaedics, high-risk maternity and pediatrics. NorthShore is a Magnet recognized organization, the first in Illinois designated as a system to receive this prestigious honor that demonstrates excellence in nursing and high standards in patient care. NorthShore is a national leader in the implementation of innovative technologies, including electronic medical records (EMR). In 2003, NorthShore was among the first in the country to successfully launch a system-wide EMR with demonstrable benefits in quality, safety, efficiency and service to patients. NorthShore has been recognized by multiple national organizations for this notable achievement.