New Medical Center Dedicated to Memory of Rose V. Rita

Deborah Bayliss | As of Thursday, June 26, 2014

The newly opened MetroSouth Medical Center, located at 12549 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, is currently staffed by Dr. Uche Olekanma, board-certified in Internal Medicine who provides individualized health care to patients with routine medical care and to patients with acute and chronic illnesses.
The newly opened MetroSouth Medical Center, located at 12549 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, is currently staffed by Dr. Uche Olekanma, board-certified in Internal Medicine who provides individualized health care to patients with routine medical care and to patients with acute and chronic illnesses.

Residents in the Calumet Township community now have a new healthcare center with the grand opening and dedication ceremony held yesterday for the new MetroSouth Medical Center, located at 12549 S. Ashland Ave., Calumet Park, honoring Ill. State Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita's (Dist.-28th) late mother, Rose V. Rita, who served as an alderwoman for the City of Blue Island and later as the Supervisor of Calumet Township until her death in 2011.

Described as having a passion for public service and love for the community, especially the seniors, Rose was referred to as a mother to not only her four children, grandchildren and great grandchild, but to anyone who crossed her path, leaving a lasting impression of kindness, generosity and sincerity to all who met her and those she helped in their hour of need.

“I am touched by the dedication of this important center to my mom and so proud to dedicate this new building with MetroSouth,” Rita said. “Health care that is easy to receive and afford is so critical for many people in Calumet Township and the surrounding area. My mom worked for so many years to help those who needed it and now her legacy of serving others will ring true with every patient who comes through those doors. I look forward to having a long, successful partnership with MetroSouth in Calumet Township.”

Rita and Brian Sinotte, Chief Executive Officer of MetroSouth, conducted the ceremony and announced the medical center’s opening, a long-held goal of Rita’s as a way to provide convenient, affordable primary care for adults and seniors in the Calumet Township community.

Without a healthcare partner, the building was initially opened as a CEDA social service center, and provided much-needed, quality social services and a food pantry for the community.

Reopened in 2013 as MetroSouth Health Center at Calumet Township, the newly renovated health center is currently staffed by Dr. Uche Olekanma, board-certified in Internal Medicine who provides individualized health care for patients for routine medical care and those with acute and chronic illnesses in a modern, environment.

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