Vermilion Advantage Releases Weekly Update and Events Schedule

Heather previously worked in WIC at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and helped develop their successful lactation program. After her son’s birth in 2009, she experienced the struggles of being a new mother herself, and knew she wanted to devote her time to supporting new moms. She became IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant), which is the highest credential in lactation. Her work in WIC transitioned to working at OSF Heart of Mary as a unit Lactation Consultant. They became the first Baby-Friendly Designated Hospital in East Central Illinois. Heather is terribly proud to have been a part of that process. Baby-Friendly is choosing to put the patient’s experience first, following the highest standards of maternity care backed by science and research, helping patients make informed decisions for their feeding plans and then supporting those decisions. It is making sure that policies and practices support all feeding plans, and since more women are choosing to breastfeed, it is making sure our staff is well trained to help moms get a good start and meet their goals. It is for every baby, every family.  Heather explained that OSF Sacred Heart is also utilizing Baby-Friendly standards of care and will proudly earn that designation in the future!

Although new to the area, Heather is enjoying the kindness and friendliness she has encountered here. She states that Vermilion County is full of wonderful people. She also shared a fun story about one of her experiences so far. She attended her first outreach event at the Women’s Care Clinic Walk in September. She was speaking with a mother about how she was still getting to know the area and how excited she was that she had found Royal Donut. In a happy accident, she found out that the mother she was speaking to just happened to be the family that owned Royal Donut, the only place she had been to outside of the hospital!

Heather is a people person; she genuinely loves to connect with people and build others up. She has been married to her wonderful husband Bill for nearly 17 years and they have one son John, who is the ultimate “why” to everything she does. She went on to explain that “life is never easy, but having supportive people on your team, cheering you on even in the tough stuff, just being there with a listening ear, that is where you find joy in the journey. It is my joy to walk alongside folks and support them. Whether I am providing access to resources for a new mother, or increasing a coworker’s confidence and competence in skills training, teaching a class, enabling people with the tools to reach their goals is incredibly rewarding.”

Thank you, Heather Ludwig, for choosing Vermilion County. Your work has played a vital role in the re-opening of our much-needed Family Birthing Center at OSF Sacred Heart. Your love for people and Royal Donut makes you a perfect fit! We welcome you to our community and consider ourselves blessed to have you!

By Jodie Ingram

Vermilion Advantage & STEP UP hosts Community Resource Rally and Blood Drive. To be a vendor, find out more here. For more information about the event, click here.

Vermilion Advantage is excited to announce the awardees of the Back to Business Grants – see press release here

BIGG Tip of the Week: Why Are So Many Meetings a Waste of Time?

3 reasons: Lack of leadership, documentation, and follow-up. It’s author Steve Tobak’s conclusion after sitting in on 30,000 meetings. How can your meetings be more productive? (1) Have a purpose for the meeting and a valid reason for every person required to attend. (2) Document conclusions, plans, and action items. (3) Have a point-person follow up on progress. It leads to BIGG success!

Doug Ireland – Prudential Advisors ATTENTION Small Business Owners…if you received a letter from SecureChoice Illinois over the past few months and have not started a retirement plan for your business, you only have three weeks to comply with the State of Illinois. If you need assistance with this, I am here to support you! Contact me at 217-516-7778 or doug.ireland@prudential.com

CRIS Healthy Again hosts Vaccine Clinic for Older Adults 60+

Cris Healthy Aging is proud to announce that they are offering a vaccine clinic for those 60 plus (or those with disabilities 18-59) at their Danville Senior Center, 309 N. Franklin St., on Wednesday, October 25th from 9:00AM-11:00AM. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 217-443-2999

Check out the official newsletter of DLO Musical Theatre here

DLO is surveying the community to gauge their favorite musicals from the 50’s until now! From the results, they will build a Mainstage Coffeehouse show! Take the survey here

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency VOCA Newsletter – see the October Newsletter here

The Rotary Club of Danville is accepting nominations for Person of the 2023 Vocational Service Person of the Year Award. See the news release here