"Everyone's collective effort really produced a wonderful book. Throughout the process, owner and publisher Marian Calabro was very positive, detail-oriented, organized, and she provided solid recommendations. Marian's choice of Candace O'Connor to author the book was perfect. Candace has a wonderful way of making people feel at ease so they open up and share their memories. She is also very diplomatic, and her oral history interviews with doctors and other clinical staff are a terrific reflection of her expertise and professionalism.

"The entire process took over a year and a half to complete, and the final result was outstanding — from the writing and editing to the overall design. We enjoyed working with you all and would recommend CorporateHistory.net to any company interested in embarking on such a journey."
Kimberly A. Bowman, Project Manager, Marketing Communications
Northwest Community Hospital (NCH), Arlington Heights, Illinois

Highlights from NCH's 50th Anniversary Book Signing Event

"This project offered the chance to publish a more conversational type of history book — one where readers would find as many photos as they did stories, and one where the individuals and groups who formed the backbone of the Hospital literally came to life."
NICHE Publications / Arlington Heights Daily Herald

Written by Candace O'Connor
Published by CorporateHistory.net

NCH: Rooted in Community, Reaching New Heights tells the remarkable story of Northwest Community Hospital (NCH), established in 1959 by citizens of Chicago's northwest suburbs. That fledgling Hospital has grown into a large, award-winning institution with state-of-the-art technology that its founders never imagined. NCH is a three-time Fortune® magazine "100 Best Companies to Work For" honoree and is one of only 3 percent of healthcare organizations nationwide to earn the Magnet Recognition for Nursing Excellence.

Despite its medical sophistication NCH has never forgotten its roots, and the Hospital remains firmly focused on the area it serves. Richly illustrated with more than 400 photos and artifacts, this 160-page history brings to vivid life the many people and events that made NCH's present success possible.

 Candy-Striped Angels
 The Tylenol® Tragedy

Hospital CEO Bruce Crowther signing books for NCH nurses; author O'Connor signing books in background. Staffers at the Hospital's book party.

Kim Bowman on NCH's book signing: "In celebration of the 50th anniversary, we held a book-signing event, where employees could pick up their copy of the history book and have it signed by the author, as well as by leadership and various special guests who appeared in the book. The atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone was so happy and complimentary about the book. A VP said to me that this was exactly what the organization needed right now. It was a great morale booster. And, our CEO Bruce Crowther signed employees' books for nearly two hours (standing), when he was only supposed to stay for 45 minutes or so." The Hospital also hosted a community book-signing with the author at the Arlington Heights Public Library.

Area resident John Welzenbach (left) with CEO Bruce Crowther.
At age 8, John was a poster boy for NCH's initial fund-raising efforts.
His childhood photo is on the book cover.

Photos by Mark Johansen, courtesy of NCH