Small & Rural Backgrounder
Illinois’ small and rural hospitals provide local access to care to over 1.6 million residents. Facing unique challenges, they are innovating to address top issues including workforce shortages.
Backgrounder and Resources
Indispensable to communities, Illinois’ 86 small and rural hospitals provide lifesaving care every day. Nearly 98% of these hospitals have fewer than 150 beds and nearly 30% operate on negative or thin margins. Yet they contribute $16 million annually to the local economy. See IHA’s Small and Rural Backgrounder to learn more, including the innovative ways small and rural hospitals and health systems are building up their rural healthcare workforce. Be sure to also access IHA’s customizable Backgrounder PowerPoint (password required).
Advancing Rural Health
Small and Rural Hospitals
Of All Illinois Hospitals
Annual Economic Impact
Blessing Health System
With an innovative mindset, Blessing Health System launched programs to train certified nursing assistants and future nurses and to enhance the skills of current employees.
Carle Richland Memorial Hospital
The supportive culture at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital is a key part in helping current staff advance in their care. For nurses, financial support comes from a new education fund.
Illini Community Hospital
Growth, development and cultural fit are essential components of Illini Community Hospital’s efforts to build a vibrant and engaged nurse workforce in a rural community.
Jersey Community Hospital
A partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College and the Madison County Grants Department provides free training for entry-level hospital staff to become registered medical assistants.
Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital
The rural health system’s strategies of alignment, pipeline programs, and transparency and personal touch led to a nearly 50% reduction in staff vacancies between fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Memorial Hospital, Carthage
To address staffing shortages, the Memorial Hospital Foundation launched a Grow Our Own Scholarship Campaign to provide needed financial support for staff to pursue their career goals.
OSF HealthCare
Leaders at OSF HealthCare turned to their Mission Partners on the front lines to brainstorm innovative ways to address staffing challenges. The system is pursuing the top five viable solutions.
Rochelle Community Hospital
To grow its healthcare workforce, Rochelle Community Hospital has implemented several strategies, including staff development institutes, job shadowing and school tours.