Illinois Health and Hospital Association

01/26/2026

Join IHA, community advocates, FQHCs, and hospital leaders for 340B Action Day on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Chicago. Speakers will include legislators, healthcare providers, and patients who can share firsthand how 340B helps expand access to care, support vulnerable populations, and sustain critical community services.

A strong turnout will send a clear message of support and help reinforce why protecting 340B is essential for Illinois hospitals. We encourage member hospitals to engage staff, patients, and partners and make their voices heard.

01/23/2026

Damond Boatwright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), today presided over his first meeting as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). Boatwright ’s one-year term as Board Chair began on Jan. 1, 2026.

IHA welcomes six new Board members in 2026, including:

➡️Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair, Prime Healthcare Foundation and Chief Medical Officer of Strategy, Prime Healthcare, Ontario, CA
➡️Mandy Eaton, PhD, President & CEO, Memorial Health, Springfield, IL
➡️Matt Kolb, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Carle Health, Urbana, IL
➡️Erik Mikaitis, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Cook County Health, Chicago, IL
➡️Michael Mutterer, President & CEO, Silver Cross Hospital, New Lenox, IL
➡️Sean O’Grady, President, Acute and Ambulatory Operations, Endeavor Health, Evanston, IL

More information on Boatwright and IHA’s new board members can be found on the IHA website: https://hubs.ly/Q04054hN0

01/22/2026

Pinckneyville Community Hospital has been recognized as one of the fastest emergency departments in the nation, according to Becker’s Hospital Review, based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Timely and Effective Care–Hospital measures.

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (WSIL) — The Pinckneyville Community Hospital has been recognized as one of the fastest emergency departments in the nation, according to Becker’s Hospital Review, based on data from

01/22/2026

UChicago Medicine will establish the Ralph Lauren Center, named after the fashion designer and billionaire businessman, at two locations to expand cancer care on the South Side and in the south suburbs.

Full Story: https://hubs.ly/Q03_TDtJ0

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

A new independent study released by America's Poison Centers showed that U.S. Poison Centers® save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity.

The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) responds to approximately 70,000 cases annually, providing critical services to prevent poisonings and 24/7 expert support to the community.

Full Story: https://hubs.ly/Q03_JB0m0

01/13/2026

Leadership isn’t just a title, it’s a mindset. Organizations that cultivate leadership behaviors at every level are often the most successful. Find out how your hospital or health system can spread the leadership mindset in a Jan. 20 webinar.

Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q03-5BFy0

01/09/2026

IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi and IHA Senior VP of Government Relations Dave Gross met via video call with Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and her public policy director to discuss rising abuse against hospital workers and policies to help protect them.

“The physical and verbal abuse patients and visitors are committing against hospital workers has to stop. The increase in attacks and assaults is undermining hospitals’ ability to recruit and retain healthcare providers and further exacerbating Illinois’ healthcare workforce shortage. We appreciate State’s Attorney Burke’s time, engagement, and willingness to work with us to address this critical issue,” Wilhelmi said.

01/08/2026

Springfield Memorial Hospital’s Family Maternity Suites has received the 2025 Illinois Birthing Hospital Quality Excellence Award from the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Memorial Health

Springfield Memorial wins statewide award for excellence in maternity care and birth equity initiatives.

01/07/2026

OSF HealthCare said that its Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville welcomed three babies on New Year's Day.

OSF Healthcare said that its Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville welcomed three babies on New Year's Day.

01/07/2026

Start the year off right by attending a virtual leadership series offered to IHA members through the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. Webinars will be held on Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and March 17, from noon-1 p.m. CT.

Learn more—and register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q03ZGK3j0

01/06/2026

Southern Illinois Healthcare Memorial Hospital in Carbondale donated $20,000 to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale donated $20,000 to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign.