May 19, 2009

State public health department recognizes Dr. Charles Nozicka for his excellence in emergency medical services for children

Dr. Nozicka honored with Lifetime Achievement award

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – On behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program, Illinois EMSC Advisory Board Chair, Dr. Susan Fuchs, presented Dr. Charles A. Nozicka with a special pediatric care award today for his contributions to childhood health care. The Ron W. Lee, M.D. – Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are given annually by IDPH and the EMSC program to recognize those dedicated to pediatric emergency care and childhood injury prevention initiatives. Individuals or organizations can be nominated in one of three award categories - Lifetime Achievement, Clinical Excellence and Community Service.

“Dr. Charles Nozicka has more than 25 years of experience and has been a leader of pediatric emergency medicine in Illinois,” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Illinois Department of Public Health Director. “Through his work as a physician in emergency departments, director of pediatric emergency medicine, instructor and author, Dr. Nozicka has contributed greatly to the health of children in Illinois and is an ideal choice for the Ron E. Lee Lifetime Achievement Award.”

This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are:

• Lifetime Achievement – Charles Nozicka, D.O., F.A.A.P., F.A.A.E.M – Condell Medical Center
• Lifetime Achievement - Earl J. Field – Schiller Park
• Clinical Excellence - Leslie Wilkans, R.N., B.S.N. – Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
• Community Service - Zaida Nava, Pediatric R.N. – West Town Neighborhood Health Center
• Community Service – Children’s Hospital of Illinois, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria

Dr. Nozicka began his medical career at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital where he practiced and later ran the hospital’s emergency department. From there Dr. Nozicka completed a residency in pediatrics at Lutheran General Hospital where he became an attending physician and was eventually named the director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine Service. Next Dr. Nozicka started the pediatric emergency program at St. Alexius Medical Center and also directed the entire Pediatric Center of Excellence for the Alexian Brothers System. Dr. Nozicka then moved to Northwest Community Hospital where he led the pediatric emergency department.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have Dr. Nozicka now at Advocate Condell Medical Center,” said Dr. William E. Maloney, Condell Medical Center Emergency Department Medical Director. “After joining us in 2008, he led the effort to open our new pediatric emergency department, which has been thriving. His leadership in the community is evidenced by the fact that pediatric nurses, nurse practitioners, and emergency physicians have followed him to Condell. The service continues to grow and quite possibly could expand its hours this year.”

Dr. Nozicka has taught at all levels throughout his career. He has instructed paramedics, nurses, medical students, residents and physicians, both at the bedside and in the classroom. He has authored textbooks, served as faculty at several medical schools, lectured in the community and been a part of numerous hospital committees.