Springfield Memorial Hospital has expanded its animal-assisted therapy program with four newly certified therapy dogs, thanks to a $4,500 grant from the Springfield Memorial Foundation. The program, called “DOGtors on Call,” pairs hospital staff members who volunteer their time and their dogs to interact with patients. “We were delighted to help fund the DOGtors on […]
Medical News
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Retired doctor donates $1M to HSHS NICU
Former HSHS anesthesiologist Dr. Babu Prasad has donated $1 million to St. John’s Children’s Hospital to celebrate his 80th birthday. Dr. Beau Batton, director of newborn services at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, said the donation will fund upgrades to specialized respiratory and temperature control equipment that’s critical for transporting newborns in need of medical […]
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New loan limits challenge medical school students
Local medical school and nursing school students are facing new challenges to finance their education due to changes in federal student loan limits. New borrowing limits, which went into effective July 1, cap a medical school student’s federal loan at $50,000 per year, with an aggregate cap of $200,000 and a lifetime cap of $257,000 […]
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Ceremony honors faculty leadership, pioneers of academic medicine
The June 29 investiture ceremony at the Memorial Learning Center in Springfield recognized three faculty leaders whose careers have shaped surgery, plastic surgery and emergency medicine across central and southern Illinois. Dr. Michael Neumeister was invested as the J. Roland Folse, MD, Endowed Chair of Surgery. Dr. Nicole Sommer became the Elvin G. Zook, MD, Endowed Chair […]
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SIU School of Medicine names new dean
Southern Illinois University has selected Dr. Ian B.K. Martin to serve as the next provost and dean of SIU School of Medicine. Martin will also serve as CEO of SIU Medicine, the school’s faculty practice. Martin was selected following a highly competitive national search because of his extensive experience in academic and clinical leadership and […]
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UIS Innovate Springfield and SIU School of Medicine partner to expand area research
Innovate Springfield, the University of Illinois Springfield’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine have partnered to expand access to specialized research and innovation space in Springfield, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, startups and small organizations across central Illinois. The two institutions will collaborate for the next 10 years to promote […]
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Hospital Sister Mission Outreach ships $1 million of supplies to Bolivia
Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach has shipped a container of medical supplies and equipment valued at $1 million to Bolivia. The 40-foot shipping container of requested supplies left the Mission Outreach warehouse, 4930 Laverna Road in Springfield, on May 5. This is the most expensive shipment since the medical supply and equipment recovery organization was founded […]
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High School Healthcare Bootcamps
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 […]
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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 […]