Rural Health, Inc.

11/07/2025

No matter what you have, we accept it! Give us a call or speak with your provider about our new pharmacy in Anna!

11/05/2025

Speak with your provider or give us a call to learn more about our new pharmacy, now open in Anna!

11/03/2025

(11/3/25) Preventing Foodborne Illness this Holiday Season

There are few things more satisfying during the holidays than a well-cooked meal. But a wrong turn in preparation could mean a dinner followed by a foodborne illness. Symptoms of food poisoning can be anywhere from mild to very serious and can include upset stomach, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. To prevent a foodborne outbreak from spoiling your holiday traditions, Southern 7 Health Department offers these basic tips.

Keep meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery store and in the refrigerator. Prevent juices from meat, chicken, turkey, and seafood from dripping or leaking onto other foods by keeping them in containers or sealed plastic bags. And store eggs in their original carton in the main compartment of the refrigerator.

Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, and eggs have been cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill germs. Roasts, chops, steaks, and fresh ham should rest for 3 minutes after you remove them from the oven or grill.

Keep food out of the “danger zone.” Bacteria can grow rapidly between 40°F and 140°F. After food is prepared, keep hot food hot and cold food cold. Refrigerate or freeze perishable food like meat, chicken, turkey, seafood, eggs, cut fruit, cooked rice, and leftovers within 2 hours (1 hour if food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F, such as in a hot car). The temperature in your refrigerator should be set at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F or below.

Use pasteurized eggs for dishes containing raw eggs. Salmonella and other harmful germs can live on both the outside and inside of normal-looking eggs. Many holiday favorites contain raw eggs, including eggnog, tiramisu, hollandaise sauce, and Caesar dressing. Always use pasteurized eggs when making these and other foods made with raw eggs.

Do not eat raw dough or batter. Dough and batter made with flour or eggs can contain harmful germs, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Do not taste or eat raw dough or batter that is meant to be baked or cooked. This includes dough or batter for cookies, cakes, pies, biscuits, pancakes, tortillas, pizza, or crafts. Read the label carefully to make sure the dough is meant to be eaten without baking or cooking.

Prepare your turkey and other foods safely. A turkey must thaw at a safe temperature to prevent harmful germs from growing rapidly. Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water (change the water every 30 minutes), or in the microwave. Always wash your hands after touching other items to prevent germ spread.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov, call Southern 7 Health Department at 618-634-2297, or download the Southern 7 app.

Southern 7 Health Department is a public health department that serves communities of the seven southernmost counties in Illinois focusing on disease prevention, promoting healthy lifestyles, ensuring access to healthcare services, and serves as the Head Start Grantee for the region.

11/03/2025

Here's a great article about our upcoming Metropolis expansion! Our thanks to the Paducah Sun!

With the ceremonial groundbreaking completed, the real dirt work begins as Rural Health Inc. begins the construction process of its self-standing office in Metropolis.

10/31/2025

10/30/2025

We broke ground today for what will serve as the new clinic for our Metropolis location! The new facility (which will be located at 1521 East 5th Street) will be just under 11,000 square feet and will house traditional RHI Metropolis services such as Family Medicine and Behavioral Health, as well as brand new services including General Dentistry and an in-house pharmacy. RHI is proud of the growth taking place in the city and is eager to provide Massac County and the Metropolis community with the new additional services that will be coming. This new project is solely funded by the organization and has an completion/opening date of summer of 2026!

10/29/2025

Great news! Our pharmacy is officially open and ready to serve you.
The pharmacy located at our main clinic in Anna (513 North Main Street) accepts all insurance plans, and our organization is working to roll out our discount programs soon. Inventory is growing each day, but some items may require ordering.
Thank you for your patience as we build and grow to meet your needs. Call 618-614-1220 with any questions and one of our team members will be happy to assist you!

10/27/2025

A ghoulishly good time was had by all!
Thanks to everyone who came out to our fourth annual Night of the Living Health Fair this past Friday evening! We always enjoy hosting this safe and friendly trick or treat event for families across the region.

We want to thank every vendor who attended: Southern 7 Health Department, CHESI, SIH, Deaconess of Union County, Shawnee Mass Transit, Arrowleaf, Clyffe Cafe Food Truck, Get Covered IL, DCFS, Children's Medical & Mental Resource Network, The Little Resource Center, Voyage Senior Living of Anna, Integrity Living of Cobden, Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center, Centerstone, and WIBH New Coats, New Hope Campaign. We thank Bounce Blast Rentals for the fun bounce houses used. We would also like to thank members of the Cobden High School Beta Club for volunteering to help work our games. This event would not be possible without all of the names you see here. We appreciate each and every one of you!

(some of the photos credited to Shawnna Rhine of Southern 7 Health Department)

10/27/2025

Pumpkin carving is a Halloween tradition in many Illinois homes - but every year, emergency rooms see a spike in carving injuries that could have been prevented. 🩹🎃

Before you grab that knife or scoop, take a look at our Pumpkin Carving Safety Bingo and see how many boxes you can check off! It’s a fun way to make sure you and your family are carving safely this Halloween.

✅ Use a pumpkin carving kit instead of kitchen knives
✅ Supervise kids closely (and let them draw or decorate instead of carve)
✅ Keep tools dry and carve in a well-lit space
✅ Use battery-powered candles or glow sticks instead of open flames

10/22/2025

Care when you need it... just another way we specialize in you. Learn more about Rural Health, Inc. by calling us at 618-833-4471 or by visiting our website: https://ruralhealthinc.org/

10/21/2025

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