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Assured Healthcare Selected as 2009 Participant in ATHENA Mentoring Program

Gurnee, IL - Assured Healthcare, a healthcare staffing firm located in Gurnee, Illinois, has two causes for celebration in the coming weeks.  The company, which serves customers in Illinois, Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest, achieves its two year business anniversary in February; it was also recently notified of the acceptance of its application to the Lake County ATHENAPowerLink program for the year 2009.  According to Assured Healthcare owner Christine Hammerlund, both events are important to the company.

"It's hard to believe that it's been two years since we opened our doors," Hammerlund said.  "We've been extremely focused on building the business from day one, so the time has flown by as the business grew and our customer base expanded.  But we have always set aside time as a staff to strategize for the future, constantly working to enhance service to our customers and employees.  Acceptance of our application to ATHENA complements our vision for business growth, and we are honored to participate."

ATHENA International is a worldwide organization with the mission of supporting, developing and honoring women leaders and inspiring women to achieve their full potential.  In Lake County, Illinois, the ATHENAPowerLink program is sponsored by the College of Lake County Foundation and National City Bank, and currently chooses a single applicant annually to participate.  The program's proven mentoring process "links" a women-owned business with a panel of local community volunteer advisors.  For one year, the panel and business owner work together as a team to help the owner achieve her specific business objectives.

"Participation in the ATHENAPowerLink program can make a significant, positive contribution to a company's success," stated Jan Bauer, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the College of Lake County.  "A participating company can generally expect to see a marked increase in business within twelve to eighteen months after entering the program."

Bauer also lauded the contributions of the participating advisors, members of the area business community. 

"The benefit of receiving advice and counsel from the volunteer business leaders is that each is an expert in their field, be it accounting, marketing or human resources.  They are able to look at a business in an objective manner and provide insights the owner may not see.  They are also contributing their time and expertise to a business in their own community, and the mentoring they provide is important and meaningful to them."

Assured Healthcare is located at 495 N. Riverside Dr., Suite 203 in Gurnee, Illinois. The company provides staffing solutions ranging from private duty home care to clinical research specialists and other healthcare positions. Phone 847-775-7445. Website at www.assuredhealthcare.com.  Information about Lake County ATHENAPowerLink can be found on its website at www.lakecountyathena.org.