Horace Mann and HSHS St. John’s Foundation partner to create tutoring center at St. John’s Children’s Hospital

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Aug. 16, 2016) – Patients at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital now have access to a pediatric tutoring and enrichment program thanks to the generosity of Horace Mann. 

The donation, which grew from a sponsorship of the HSHS St. John’s Foundation’s Toast of Town fundraiser series, will allow the hospital to provide tutoring, academic support and developmentally appropriate enrichment activities to the patients of its pediatric unit through the Horace Mann Tutoring and Enrichment Program.  

“We are extremely grateful to our foundation and Horace Mann for partnering with us on this initiative,” said Charles L. Lucore, MD, MBA, president and CEO of HSHS St. John’s Hospital. “This program helps ensure that our patients are able to stay up to date with their educational goals.” 

The program currently has three tutors who are available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. to work with patients age four through seniors in high school. These tutors are retired teachers who volunteer their time through the hospital’s Samaritan and Child Life Specialist programs. 

“We are grateful for the work that has been done to get this program off the ground,” said Bev Neisler, chief development officer for St. John’s Foundation. “It is a prime example of how St. John’s Foundation partners with local business to create winning partnerships for both organizations that elevate our missions.” 

St. John’s Children’s provides expert care 27/4 to meet the unique needs of children and their families in the central and southern Illinois region. In addition to an exceptional care team, partnerships like this one ensure our children have access to the best possible outcomes, close to home. 

“The tutoring and enrichment center was created to support students who are hospitalized,” said Marita Zuraitis, president and CEO of Horace Mann, an insurance and financial services company dedicated to serving our nation’s educators. “For a student facing health challenges, it is comforting for them to know that they can get assistance with their schoolwork and continue their educational progress while away from the classroom.”