Illinois Health and Hospital Association

05/01/2026

Earn ACHE In-Person Education Credit while gaining new insights to transform rural healthcare. IHA is offering pre-conference workshops on June 17 ahead of the June 18 IHA Small & Rural Hospitals Annual to kick off a dynamic day and a half of education and networking.

The workshops will zero in on translating data into strategy and strengthening financial performance without compromising mission or care quality. You’ll learn from peers of Illinois small and rural hospitals, who will share strategies that make sense for your hospital size and the communities you serve.

A networking reception sponsored by IHA Business Resources will follow. Attend the workshops, reception and full-day Annual Meeting with your team.

Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q04f2g3q0

04/29/2026

Thank you to Caroline Portlock and her team at the Workforce Investment Board of Will County for hosting such an engaging, well-attended event, and to Crest Hill Mayor Raymond Soliman for the warm welcome.

IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi moderated this important discussion with Michael Mutterer, President & CEO of Silver Cross Hospital, Larry Coomes, CEO of Prime Healthcare St. Joseph Medical Center, and Yvette Saba, President of Endeavor Health Edward Hospital, on the workforce challenges facing healthcare and the opportunities to expand access to care and improve patient outcomes.

We look forward to continuing the dialogue and driving meaningful impact together.

04/28/2026

Illinois hospitals and health systems play an essential role in the state's economy. They generate $135.5 billion in economic activity every year, supporting working families through 521,000 good-paying jobs and helping build more vibrant communities.

See our report to learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04dLTNz0

04/27/2026

A Reminder to join Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi for an engaging discussion on the future of healthcare in Will County. The event, held April 28 at Crest Hill City Hall, will bring together local hospital leaders to discuss workforce challenges, access to care, and the innovations shaping healthcare delivery across the region.
Register today to be part of the conversation! https://hubs.ly/Q0485XJF0

Join Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi for an engaging discussion on the future of healthcare in Will County. The event, held April 28 at Crest Hill City Hall, will bring together local hospital leaders to discuss workforce challenges, access to care, and the innovations shaping healthcare delivery across the region.

Register today to be part of the conversation! https://hubs.ly/Q0485XJF0

04/27/2026

SSM Health's Damon Harbison recently discussed how his health system launched an initiative called "Project One" to increase efficiencies and address rural physician needs.

The goal is simple: help caregivers focus on what matters most, caring for people.

Illinois is facing a significant physician shortage. Projections show that by 2030, our state could be short 6,203 physicians and rural and smaller communities are often impacted first.

At SSM Health, we see how this affects our patients, families, and neighbors every day. That’s why our focus is on supporting physicians by reducing administrative burdens and surrounding them with strong care teams that include nurses, nurse practitioners, and support staff.

A recent article by The Fulcrum features perspective from Damon Harbison, president of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, and SSM Health’s Rural Health Network of Illinois, on how these challenges are affecting communities across Illinois and what’s being done to respond.

👉 Read the full story: https://thefulcrum.us/health/rural-illinois-physician-shortage-healthcare-crisis

04/27/2026

Illinois hospital and health system leaders from Southern Illinois Healthcare, BJC HealthCare, Memorial Health, Deaconess, Hospital Sisters Health System, and Humboldt Park Health, along with IHA staff visited with U.S. Representative Mike Bost on Tuesday in conjunction with the American Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.

04/27/2026

Illinois hospital and health system leaders from Southern Illinois Healthcare, RML Specialty Hospital, Endeavor Health and AdventHealth, along with IHA staff visited with U.S. Representative Bill Foster on Tuesday in conjunction with the American Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington D.C.

04/22/2026

Ready your small and rural hospital for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption with an implementation plan. An IHA webinar on May 8 will cover necessary governance structures, vendor selection strategies, and key strategies to improve adoption among employees. The session is the second in a three-part series designed for Illinois small and rural hospital leaders. The webinar will benefit leaders and staff organization-wide, with one fee per hospital or health system.

Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q04cVB0Y0

04/20/2026

The ISHMPR Spring Workshop is almost here!

Join healthcare marketing professionals May 5 in Springfield where we’re creating “All the Buzz” around the strategies and ideas that matter most to healthcare marketers.

From video marketing and rural healthcare challenges to accessibility, compliance, and digital performance, you’ll leave with ideas you can put into action right away.

Register now before the hive is full — we can’t wait to see you there! https://ishmpr.org/conferences/spring/

04/16/2026

Transforming rural healthcare can sound like a monumental task in the face of workforce shortages, financial pressures and rising consumer expectations. At IHA’s Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting June 18, a rural health system’s chief transformation officer will discuss strategic decisions and lessons learned in deploying new care models in rural communities that improve outcomes and reduce the cost of care.

Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, of Sanford Health, will describe the power of AI-enabled workflows, virtual care, value-based strategies, and systems and capabilities that support innovation at scale. His can’t-miss sessions are part of the Annual Meeting’s focus on reimagining the future of rural healthcare.

Join us in Springfield. Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q04cdYbp0

04/08/2026

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association seeks a Business Analyst responsible for partnering with business units, IT Applications, and vendors in the design, development, and enhancement of software applications.

This position is responsible for delivering quality software applications to business units, documenting and refining operational processes, understanding product and/or service strategy, stakeholder needs, as well as developing detailed business requirements and supporting application development and deployment.

Learn More: https://hubs.ly/Q04b2tK_0

04/08/2026

A new model of care delivery is needed to serve rural communities well into the future. Shawn DuBravac, a noted futurist who’s written extensively on disruptive technological shifts, will present the keynote address at IHA’s Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting on 6/18. His insights will help your leadership team in seeking out smarter systems, stronger community partnerships, and technology that helps your rural hospital do more.

Join us in Springfield: Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q049JV1C0