High school students interested in a career in health care are invited to apply for the Summer 2026 High School Healthcare Bootcamps at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur and HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. The bootcamps are designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in […]
Medical News
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Springfield slated to lose ambulance provider
LifeStar Ambulance Service Inc., one of three ambulance providers responding to 911 calls in Springfield and transporting patients to local hospitals, is slated to be barred from operating in Sangamon County after May 25 because of health care deficiencies cited by Springfield Memorial Hospital. “We’re working with our attorneys to try and come up with […]
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Sangamon County seeks applicants for Mental Health Board
Following voter approval of the March 2026 referendum, Sangamon County is now accepting applications for individuals interested in serving on the newly established Sangamon County Mental Health Board. The creation of the board follows more than a year of study and public input. In January 2025, the Sangamon County Board established a Mental Health Commission, […]
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Taylorville Memorial Hospital names new president
Aaron Puchbauer has been named president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital, effective March 30. He replaces Kim Bourne, who retired in December. Puchbauer has extensive leadership experience at rural critical access hospitals, including as president and CEO of HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. He is a […]
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SIU Medicine completes demolitions
Heavy equipment has been at work near the headquarters of SIU Medicine, but the medical institution says it’s part of an overall cleanup effort, rather than immediate plans for new construction. Demolition permits were filed at the beginning of February for single family homes at 529 and 539 Hay St., 700, 704, 714, 716 and […]
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Carolyn Oldenburg joins Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a global health medical supply and equipment recovery organization in Springfield and affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), has named Carolyn Oldenburg as the foundation director. She will begin her new role Jan. 20. As foundation director, Oldenburg will lead the strategy and implementation of all fundraising efforts for Hospital […]
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Springfield Clinic appoints new CEO
After a national search over the past six months, the Springfield Clinic board of directors has announced Rebecca Birenbaum as its new CEO, starting March 16. Birenbaum becomes the eighth CEO in the Clinic’s 86-year history. Birenbaum takes over for Jen Boyer, who was appointed acting CEO in December 2024 following Ray Williams’ retirement. Boyer will […]
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Pritzker signs ‘medical aid in dying’ bill amid religious opposition
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law Dec. 12 that will allow terminally ill adults in Illinois to take life-ending medication prescribed by physicians. The controversial bill overcame strong opposition from religious groups and some disability rights advocates who feared it could endanger Illinoisians with disabilities. Critics call the practice “assisted suicide,” while those who support the law […]
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HSHS names system vice president, marketing and communications
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a Catholic health ministry with operations in Illinois and Wisconsin, has named Charmaine Weis system vice president, marketing and communications. Weis joined HSHS in February 2024 as the system director of marketing and brand experience and has been serving as interim senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer […]
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Mission Outreach ships supplies to Jamaica
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, a medical supply and equipment recovery organization in Springfield, is supporting efforts to provide medical care to Jamaicans in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. A 40’ shipping container of requested medical supplies and beds left the Mission Outreach warehouse on Nov. 6 to be distributed by relief workers from Foodfor the […]
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Springfield community mental health center to open
Chicago-based nonprofit Envision Unlimited will be hosting a grand opening for its Springfield community mental health center, at 1306 S. Sixth St., Oct. 30. Services offered are geared toward people with mental health challenges and disabilities. The center will accept both Medicaid and Blue Cross patients. Envision Unlimited already owns and operates the Hope Springs […]
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Losing health care coverage
Dr. Janet Albers is sad that thousands of Springfield-area patients could lose Medicaid coverage and delay care because of Republican President Donald Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” Albers, a family physician, told Illinois Times that she saw many previously uninsured patients get screened for cancer and chronic health conditions, then obtain lifesaving treatment, after the […]