Illinois hospitals are the heartbeat of their communities, promoting individual and community health beyond the lifesaving care within their facilities. They address community health needs—from social drivers of health to behavioral health—and make healthcare accessible to all. As major economic drivers, Illinois hospitals support thriving communities. They’re also training the next generation of caregivers to ensure healthcare is here when you need it, now and into the future.

Effective response to a mass casualty incident (MCI) is a cornerstone of hospital emergency preparedness. IHA’s Emergency Preparedness Exercise on Nov. 5 will focus on MCI response to a commercial aircraft emergency landing. Offered in webinar format from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT, the exercise is designed for hospital and health system staff organization-wide. New this year, IHA has reduced registration fees to ensure all members can participate in this critical training opportunity.

Illinois’ 86 small and rural hospitals account for 38% of all hospitals in the state and contribute $16 million annually to the economy. With distinct characteristics from their urban counterparts, small and rural hospitals ensure access to high-quality care to 1.6 million residents in rural areas. Nearly 98% of these hospitals have fewer than 150 beds and 64% are Critical Access Hospitals.