Fairfield Memorial Hospital

03/18/2026

The General Surgery Clinic at Fairfield Memorial Hospital is proud to offer a wide range of surgical services close to where you live, with compassionate, expert care from our providers.

From minimally invasive procedures to specialized treatments, our team is here for you every step of the way.

Surgical Pavilion, 2nd Floor
618-919-4020
www.fairfieldmemorial.org

Call today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

03/18/2026

We had a little extra luck on our side today as we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day!

Staff enjoyed cookies and punch, and some even joined in the fun by showing off their favorite green attire. It’s always great to take a moment to celebrate together and share a few smiles along the way!

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

Fairfield Memorial Hospital is pleased to formally announce that Hollie Barrett, MSN, RN, CRHCP, has been serving as the hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer since August 2025. Barrett, a highly respected nurse leader and longtime member of the FMH family, has already been successfully providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and clinical guidance across numerous departments.

With more than 15 years of clinical nursing experience and over a decade of healthcare management and director-level leadership, Barrett brings a well-rounded background that spans Med-Surg/ICU, Urgent Care, Outpatient Primary Care Clinics, Mental Health Clinic, Care Coordination and Surgical Specialty Clinics. Her extensive leadership history at FMH includes serving as Director of Physician Practice, Horizon Healthcare Nurse Manager, and as a registered nurse within both Horizon Healthcare and FMH’s Medical-Surgical and ICU units.

In her role as Chief Nursing Officer, Barrett serves as a representative for a broad range of clinical and patient-care departments, including Medical-Surgical/ICU, Swing Bed, Emergency Department, Skilled Care Unit, Surgery, Anesthesia, Infection Prevention, House Supervision, Pharmacy, Cardiopulmonary, Therapy Services, Utilization Review and Outpatient Clinics. She also plays a key role in regulatory readiness, quality improvement initiatives, clinical education, and emergency preparedness.

Barrett’s leadership reflects a deep understanding of rural healthcare needs and a longstanding commitment to improving care delivery. She has collaborated extensively with medical staff to enhance clinical efficiency, strengthen patient safety processes, and support FMH’s ongoing growth. Her experience includes leading disaster response efforts, coordinating large-scale vaccination clinics, managing clinical education programs, and participating in administrative on-call support for hospital-wide operations.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Barrett has been actively involved in community-focused initiatives, including school physical clinics, Shriners’ screening clinics, former leadership on a local ambulance board, and multiple other public health outreach efforts. Serving as a Wayne County CEO Program mentor, her leadership extends into other volunteer services and mentorship within the region.

When asked to provide a comment, Barrett said, “In a rural hospital, we don’t just serve a community, we belong to it. Every patient who walks through our doors carries a story that matters, and it is our purpose and privilege to honor every individual with the highest standard of care. Quality isn’t only what we deliver, it is the legacy we build together, one patient, one experience, and one act of compassion at a time. I am truly honored to continue serving alongside and leading the remarkable healthcare team at Fairfield Memorial Hospital. Together, we remain deeply committed to fulfilling our mission to positively influence the health of those we serve. Our work is more than a responsibility; it is a calling to uplift our community with compassion, excellence, and unwavering purpose.”

Fairfield Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Hollie Barrett’s continued service and leadership and looks forward to the contributions she will continue bringing to our patients, staff, and community.

03/15/2026

This Social Work Month, we want to recognize and thank the incredible Social Workers at Fairfield Memorial Hospital.

Our Social Workers serve in a variety of roles throughout the organization, providing compassionate support to patients and families when they need it most. They act as patient advocates, therapists, admission coordinators, discharge planners, and so much more.

Whether they are helping patients navigate complex healthcare decisions, connecting families with important resources, or providing emotional support during difficult times, their dedication helps ensure our patients receive truly comprehensive care.

Thank you to our Social Workers for the empathy, expertise, and commitment you bring to our patients and our community every day.

Pictured left to right: Leah Bowers, LSW; Morgan Wolfe, LCSW; Amy Barton, LCSW; Meghan McKnight, Liaison; Dana Taylor, LCSW, ACSW, Chief Operating Officer and Lauren Griswold, LCSW

03/14/2026

Here are the FMH Cafe Menus for the week of March 15th.

03/14/2026

In recognition of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day this week, we’re proud to highlight one of our own!

Whitney Buckles, MS, RD, LDN recently spoke at the Farm Bureau event “Sustaining the Human Spirit,” hosted for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges nursing students. Her presentation, “Using Food to Feel Your Best,” focused on how nutrition plays an important role in overall health, energy, and well-being.

Whitney does an incredible job helping patients develop personalized nutrition plans that support their health goals. We’re proud to have her representing Fairfield Memorial Hospital in our community!

03/13/2026

Fairfield Memorial Hospital has successfully completed the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Nationwide Assessment, reinforcing the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality emergency care for children in the community.

The assessment is part of the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) National Pediatric Readiness Quality Initiative (NPRQI) collaborative cohort for 2026. Participation in this national initiative allows hospitals across the country to evaluate their emergency department’s readiness to care for pediatric patients and identify opportunities for improvement.

Fairfield Memorial Hospital recently joined the NPRQI collaborative and submitted its assessment, receiving confirmation of completion upon submission. The process provides participating hospitals with a detailed gap report highlighting strengths and areas for potential growth in pediatric emergency care.

While Fairfield Memorial Hospital is already designated within Illinois as a standby Emergency Department for pediatric care, Dawn Murbarger, BSN, RN, EMT-P, LI, CEN, Emergency Department Manager, and Merri Corbett-Mercer, EMT-P, Assistant Emergency Department Manager, are continuing efforts to strengthen pediatric readiness at the national level.

Over the past several weeks, Dawn and Merri have participated in NPRQI educational webinars to review national quality initiatives and determine which improvement focus may provide the greatest benefit for patients and the organization. Both Dawn and Merri also serve on State and Regional Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) committees, helping support pediatric emergency preparedness and care initiatives across the region.

Potential focus areas available through the initiative include:

• Pain Assessment

• Abnormal Vital Signs

• Su***de Screening and Management

• Blunt Head Trauma

Dawn and Merri will review the assessment results and current practices to determine which initiative best aligns with opportunities for improvement and the resources available within the Emergency Department.

Participation in the NPRP assessment demonstrates Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s continued dedication to improving pediatric emergency care and ensuring children in the region receive safe, effective, and high-quality treatment when they need it most.

03/12/2026

Navigating Unexpected Life Changes on Friday, March 13th!

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Join us for an informative and supportive discussion on navigating unexpected life changes.

Fairfield Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Frontier Community College, invites the community to this free education event where you’ll learn practical tools and strategies for managing life transitions, health challenges, and emotional stress.

March 13, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Education Annex Building
203 NW 10th Street, Fairfield

Speakers:
• Mikayla Troyer, PMHNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Lauren Griswold, LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Complimentary blood pressure screenings available
Light refreshments provided
For more information call 618-847-8242
Frontier Community College

03/11/2026

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

Today we recognize the important work of Registered Dietitians and the role they play in helping patients improve their health through nutrition.

At Fairfield Memorial Hospital, our Registered Dietitians Whitney Buckles and Leslie Robison work with both inpatients and outpatients to develop personalized meal plans based on food preferences and lifestyle. Their guidance helps patients better manage their daily nutrition and support their overall health.

Thank you, Whitney and Leslie, for the care and expertise you bring to our patients and community every day!

03/11/2026

Now Hiring: Horizon Office Nurse (RN, LPN or MA)
Fairfield Memorial Hospital Horizon Healthcare Fairfield Clinic is looking for a RN, LPN, or MA to join our Fairfield Horizon Clinic team and help provide excellent care to our patients.

Apply today!

https://www.fairfieldmemorial.org/careers

03/10/2026

Life doesn’t always go as planned. Join us for an informative and supportive discussion on navigating unexpected life changes.

Fairfield Memorial Hospital, in collaboration with Frontier Community College, invites the community to this free education event where you’ll learn practical tools and strategies for managing life transitions, health challenges, and emotional stress.

March 13, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Education Annex Building
203 NW 10th Street, Fairfield

Speakers:
• Mikayla Troyer, PMHNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Lauren Griswold, LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Complimentary blood pressure screenings available
Light refreshments provided

For more information call 618-847-8242