Crusader Community Health

09/09/2026

LOOK!🧐😍 That’s Crusader's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gary Fernando! He’s one of our outstanding pediatricians and a strong advocate for literacy and Reach Out and Read, a fantastic program supported by United Way Rock River Valley!

09/04/2026

September is National Su***de Prevention Month. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Take care of a friend, a loved one, or yourself. Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night.

At Crusader, mental health services are provided in a primary care setting and available to established patients. Patients can receive their primary medical care and behavioral health care all at one site, with collaboration and coordination between providers. It’s an integrated model, because behavioral health is integral to your physical health.

Treatment doesn't have to wait. Learn more & request an appointment: www.crusaderhealth.org/specialties/behavioral-health

Crusader’s Behavioral Health programming is funded, in part, by the voter approved half-cent tax for mental health services from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board.

Resources: NAMI Northern Illinois NAMI 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Since Crusader on Linden opened July 7, our providers have seen more than 1,000 patients! Thank you for choosing Crusader Community Health and trusting our team with your care!

Crusader on Linden, 4592 Linden Road, is open for scheduled appointments and walk-in immediate care. At the Alpine exit off US 20 in Rockford, see a provider now with CrusaderNOW!

08/31/2026

TURN THE TREND: Our community has come together to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Winnebago County over the past few years with:
• NALOXONE: Residents are getting and carrying naloxone and using it to reverse opioid overdoses.
• RED BOXES: Businesses are getting red boxes containing multiple naloxone kits and helping to improve access to naloxone in our community
• SAFER PRESCIRBING STANDARDS: Healthcare systems have adopted safer prescribing standards for opioids that limit supplies to 3-days and require utilizing the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program.
• MEDICATION TAKE-BACK: Through take back events, boxes, and now drug deactivation pouches, residents can dispose of unused opioids to prevent misuse. Pick-up “Deterra” pouches at WCHD.
• FIRST RESPONDER FOLLOW-UP: After an emergency medical call for a possible or confirmed overdose, the Rockford Fire Department Medical Integrated Health Program follows up with the individual and their family to provide naloxone and connect residents to community resources.

08/27/2026

Thank you, United Way Rock River Valley! Crusader partners with United Way and Reach Out and Read Illinois to integrate early literacy into pediatric care. The program provides a developmentally appropriate brand-new book for children from infancy through age 5 during routine checkups. Two of our pediatric providers – Dr. Gary Fernando, MD and Jen Benters, APN – are featured in this highlight reel!

Reach Out and Read is active at our Alpine, Broadway, Linden, Loves Park and West State clinics, and more than 3,000 age-appropriate books have been distributed to patients and their families at routine well-child checks!

08/26/2026

It’s National Dog Day! Give your dog an extra treat, belly rub, walk or ear scratch on this special day!

Dogs can contribute to your health and happiness. Studies show that dogs can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve all-around health. Just playing with dogs has been shown to elevate oxytocin and dopamine, creating positive feelings and bonding for both the person and their pet.

Crusader receives funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter-approved half-cent sales tax to expand and support Behavioral Health services.

08/26/2026

🩺💙 Help support a healthier community at Crusader! We’re looking for Behavioral Health Case Managers to join our collaborative team at our Linden and Broadway Clinic locations.

Case managers are responsible for
· Comprehensive case management
· Behavioral health education
· Patient and family skills training and support
· Health promotion & transitional care
· Advocacy, linkage, coordination and collaboration and referral to/with community services and agencies

Must have:
· Bachelor’s degree in the human services field (psychology, social work, sociology, nursing, human development, family services)
· Previous experience working with populations with mental health issues and/or substance use disorders

Preferred:
· Master’s degree
· Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) certification or successful completion of CADC certification
· Case management/care management experience
· Previous experience in ambulatory care
· Electronic health record experience

Learn more & apply: crusaderhealth.org/job/behavioral-health-case-manager

08/25/2026

Crusader on Linden is open for scheduled appointments and walk-in immediate care! At the Alpine exit off US 20 in Rockford, see a provider now with CrusaderNOW!

Learn more: CrusaderHealth.org