Mercy Health - Springfield

02/26/2026

February is the time to focus on heart health. Here's the February Men's Health game plan:

• Add 30 minutes of exercise five days a week.
• Check your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Make this month count with Mercy Health. Find a doctor by clicking the link in the comments below.

02/25/2026

After a fall left Catherine Weeks with a broken neck, she continued her recovery in the swing bed unit at Mercy Health — Urbana Hospital. We are extremely grateful for these donor-supported rehab services and the top-of-the-line care provided by our Mercy Health team, which have helped Catherine and many like her heal. “The unit couldn’t have been any better,” she says. 💙

After a fall left Catherine Weeks with a broken neck, she faced a difficult and uncertain future. Her injury required surgery to stabilize her neck followed by hospitalization. After a few weeks she was transferred to the swing bed unit at Mercy Health — Urbana Hospital to complete her recovery. Donor gifts to support the swing bed program got her back on her feet.

Swing bed units (sometimes called short-term rehab) are popular with patients who are medically stable but not yet ready to return home. Catherine still needed physical and occupational therapy. She had to be careful moving her neck as it healed.

“The unit itself couldn’t have been any better,” says Catherine. “If I pushed the button, they were there to help me. The people were very professional, but so friendly at the same time. It couldn’t have been any better, really.”

You can support local care that changes lives. Learn how by visiting https://bit.ly/4aLytL1

02/24/2026

Not every health concern requires a trip to the emergency department. Know the right place for care: ED for emergencies, primary care provider for routine issues, walk-in clinic for urgent but non-life-threatening problems. Learn more about the best place to go for your health care needs👇

02/20/2026

Mercy Health — Springfield's oncology and cardiology teams focus on identifying potential heart risks during chemotherapy, monitoring heart health throughout treatment and working collaboratively every step of the way. This approach helps ensure patients receive comprehensive, coordinated care when it matters most.

02/18/2026

As we begin Lent, we pray this season of holy reflection brings us closer to God and one another. We hope you have a very blessed Ash Wednesday.

02/17/2026

Mercy Health — Springfield is excited to welcome Dr. Jacob Yannetta, vascular surgeon, to our growing care team!

Dr. Yannetta brings a strong commitment to compassionate, patient-focused care and is looking forward to serving families across the Springfield community.

We’re proud to continue expanding access to high-quality health care close to home — and even more proud to welcome remarkable providers like Dr. Yannetta to our Mercy Health family.

02/16/2026

Men’s health isn’t just about performance. It’s about paying attention to what your body’s telling you.

Changes in energy, endurance or overall well-being can be early signs of conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Taking action does.

Winning this month starts with knowing your numbers and taking action.

Find a Mercy Health doctor by clicking the link in the comments.

02/14/2026

Take the fear out of colonoscopies — our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Safe, painless and powerful in cancer prevention!

02/11/2026

Mark your calendar to join us for a Community Health Fair on March 4, 3–6 p.m. at Groceryland, 1822 S Limestone St, Springfield! Discover the importance of colorectal cancer awareness, prevention tips and the power of early detection. Enjoy giveaways, education and a raffle — let’s take charge of our health together! For questions about the Community Health Fair, contact Ann Hembree at 937-523-8617.

Sponsored by the Clark-Champaign County Colorectal Coalition.

02/06/2026

Our Mercy Health — Springfield team suited up for National Wear Red Day! What a treat to see their red attire as we all take a stand against heart disease! February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the number one killer of both men and women.

Coming up later this month, Mercy Health — Springfield invites the community to a special Heart Month Dinner on Wednesday, Feb 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The 2026 Mercy Health — Springfield/Urbana Heart and Vascular Dinner will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in downtown Springfield. Attendees will enjoy cocktails and a meal, along with presentations from physicians on heart health and stroke awareness. There will also be an emotional testimonial shared from a heart attack survivor who can speak firsthand to the importance of heart health awareness.

Tickets are $55.20 per person and can be purchased by clicking the link in the comments. All proceeds from the event will help fund heart health education as well as heart disease prevention and awareness events throughout the local community.

02/05/2026

Certain symptoms can’t wait: severe chest pain, trouble breathing, major injuries. If you experience one of these, head to the Mercy Health — Springfield Regional Medical Center emergency department immediately.

02/03/2026

In her 17 years with Mercy Health — Springfield's Heart House, Ariel Sterner, APRN-CNP, never dreamed that one of those patients she would see at their worst would be her husband of 18 years, Ted, who works in quality control for an automaker.

Just one year ago, Ted experienced a heart attack from a severe blockage in his heart’s biggest artery, known as the widow maker. It was 99% blocked at an intersection with another large artery that was 98% blocked.

Following a heart cath performed by Ariel’s coworker, cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael Siegenthaler performed a quadruple bypass on Ted. Surgery went well, but recovery was a challenge.

Ted had pain issues from his previous back problems and could not breathe deeply, which is key to recovery. In the days following his surgery, he went into congestive heart failure and began taking on what would total 26 pounds in excess fluid.

“I knew heart failure was possible,” says Ariel. “It was a reality I had seen before. But as a mom and wife, my nerves were a constant, every second of the day. It was a terrifying time.”

Amid his post-surgery battle with heart failure, Ted had a birthday, and the Sterners decided to bring in their son and daughter, ages 11 and 13.

“When our kids came in, that was a rough day,” Ted says. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see them again.”

But the care team at Mercy Health — Springfield Regional Medical Center was laser-focused on Ted. They were able to get fluid off and get him moving, and once they relieved the side effects from the congestive heart failure, Ted said it was like night and day.

“The level of care was top-notch, and I had phenomenal nurses. During my 11 days in the hospital, I never worried or questioned my care; I knew I was in good hands,” he says.

He gives all the credit in the world to his smart, savvy wife. “If Ariel weren’t a nurse practitioner, I would have had no idea anything was wrong — and I wouldn’t have gone to the emergency department.”

Has the compassionate care you or a loved one received at Mercy Health made a lasting impact on your life? Visit the link in the comments to share your story with us.