ICAHN - Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network

09/01/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 ICAHN Rural Health Fellowship! Designed specifically for new and emerging C-suite and C-suite track leaders, ICAHN’s six-month Rural Health Fellowship helps participants strengthen their skills, expand their networks and deepen their understanding of what it takes to lead in rural healthcare.

Fellows learn from experts, mentors and one another while exploring four key areas: Hospital Leadership, Hospital Operations, Hospital Finance and Rural Health Advocacy

The 2026-2027 Fellowship begins October 27 in Springfield, Ill. and includes virtual learning, in-person leadership events, visits, executive coaching, peer networking and more.

Applications are due October 2, 2026. Participation is limited to 20 Fellows.

Ready to take the next step in your rural journey? Apply today: https://resources.icahn.org/ap/Form/Fill/rZ67ASnr

Questions? Contact Kathy Fauble at [email protected].

08/31/2026

Welcome to this week’s Member Mondays spotlight: Community Hospital of Staunton in Staunton, Illinois.

For more than 75 years, this 25-bed and Anderson Healthcare partner has provided compassionate, high-quality close to home for Macoupin County and the surrounding region.

From 24/7 emergency services and specialty clinics to rehabilitation, oncology, cardiopulmonary care, Swing Bed care, and more, Community Hospital of Staunton helps rural residents access the care they need without traveling far from home.

Read the full profile at https://icahn.org/news/member-mondays-community-hospital-of-staunton/.

08/30/2026

touches every community—and every person experiences it differently.

In , where neighbors, families and healthcare teams are often deeply connected, supporting one another through loss is an important part of caring for the whole community.

Today, we honor every loss, acknowledge every journey through grief and remind those who are grieving that support is available.

Stronger communities care for one another. Better Together.

08/28/2026

ICAHN is seeking a qualified vendor to conduct digital readiness and needs assessments for the 78 Illinois hospitals eligible for (RHTP) Technology Innovation grant funding.

The assessments will help hospitals evaluate current technology environments, identify opportunities for investment and determine priorities as hospitals prepare to apply for RHTP funding through ICAHN.

Organizations with experience in digital health, healthcare technology, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, interoperability or technology readiness—particularly experience working with rural hospitals—are encouraged to review the RFP and submit a proposal.

Not the right fit? Please share this opportunity with colleagues or organizations that may have the expertise and experience needed for this important work.

RFP:https://icahn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ICAHN-RFP-Digital-Readiness-and-Needs-Assessment.pdf

Download proposal attachments for submission: https://icahn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ICAHN-RFP-Attachments.docx

Questions: [email protected]

08/27/2026

Building the future of starts with giving the next generation opportunities to learn, grow and gain meaningful hands-on experience.

ICAHN member Iroquois Memorial Hospital in is partnering with Kankakee Community College to provide Certified Nursing Assistant students with real-world clinical experiences at the IMH Resident Home and Progressive Care Unit. Students are working alongside experienced healthcare professionals, building essential skills and confidence while providing compassionate care to residents.

Partnerships like this help strengthen the rural healthcare workforce pipeline and introduce future healthcare professionals to the rewarding opportunities available in rural communities.

Great work investing in the caregivers of tomorrow!

Iroquois Memorial Hospital is partnering with Kankakee Community College to help educate the next generation of health care professionals. Certified Nursing Assistant students and faculty from KCC are completing clinical experiences at the IMH Resident Home and Progressive Care Unit. Students are ga...

08/26/2026

Congratulations to ICAHN member McDonough District Hospital (MDH) in on receiving a nearly $4 million grant through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)'s Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (MOMS) program. MDH is the only hospital in Illinois and one of only a few in the Midwest to receive this highly competitive national grant.

The four-year investment will support MDH’s work to improve maternal and infant health and expand access to safe, timely and high-quality maternity care for families throughout the region.

At a time when access to obstetric care remains such an important issue for rural communities, investments like this are especially meaningful. We’re proud to see an ICAHN member leading the way and strengthening care for mothers, babies and families across .

MDH said it is the only hospital in Illinois to receive the grant, which it called a highly competitive national grant.

08/25/2026

Small-town hospitals are more than just a place to go when you need care—they’re partners, neighbors and an important part of the communities they serve.

Love seeing ICAHN member Kirby Medical Center supporting the Monticello Community Garden and helping celebrate 10 years of this community-focused project. It’s a great example of how can help strengthen the health and vitality of their communities in so many ways.

The garden is a partnership between the University of Illinois, Kirby Medical Center and the City of Monticello.

08/24/2026

We’re looking forward to seeing our colleagues in next week for the Illinois Public Health Association 85th Annual Public Health Workforce Conference!

ICAHN Executive Director Tracy Warner will join other state and regional leaders on the Opening Session Keynote panel, “Rural Health Transformation in Illinois: Advancing the Future Together,” on September 2 from 9:00–10:15 a.m.

The discussion will explore the implementation of initiatives, opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, key policy and infrastructure challenges, and strategies to strengthen healthcare access, public health systems, and health outcomes across rural Illinois.

We’re excited for this important conversation and the opportunity to connect with partners working toward a stronger, healthier .

For more information on the conference, visit: https://ipha.com/ipha-annual-conference/2026-ipha-conference/main-page See you in Springfield!

08/21/2026

Workforce housing is becoming an increasingly important piece of the landscape.

ICAHN member Hammond-Henry Hospital in is taking a creative approach by constructing two studio apartments to provide temporary housing for medical students and physicians covering shifts. Supported by community donations, the project will help reduce hotel and rental costs while providing convenient housing for healthcare professionals serving the community.

Read the full article below.

Health systems alter approaches to workforce housing in 2026, shifting from direct capital projects to partnerships and philanthropy to aid recruitment.

08/20/2026

For survivors of sexual assault, access to the right care at the right time can make all the difference. are often the first place patients turn to in a crisis, making strong connections between local hospitals and specialty providers essential.

Deaconess Illinois Medical Center in Marion, Ill., is expanding access to sexual assault exams as a designated Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) treatment facility. ICAHN member hospitals Deaconess Illinois Crossroads and Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital will serve as transfer sites, helping survivors receive prompt evaluation and connect with the appropriate level of care.

It’s another example of how rural hospitals and regional healthcare partners can work together to strengthen access to critical services for the communities they serve.

Sexual assault survivors in Southern Illinois may have quicker access to specialized, trauma-informed medical care and forensic exams.