The Torch

Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that Rhonda Mott, Lead Radiologic Technologist, has been named the 2026 Healthcare Mentor of the Year by South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to mentoring and developing future healthcare professionals.

We’re proud to welcome two experienced ear, nose, and throat specialists, Dr. Rebecca Brandsted and Dr. John Park, to our Specialty Clinic this June. Appointments are now being scheduled for both providers. Talk to your primary care provider about a referral today. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic at (618) 826-4581 ext. 1366.

Throughout the camp, participants received an up-close and personal look at the many opportunities within the medical field, hearing from 13 different healthcare professions and engaging in interactive demonstrations across multiple departments.

Memorial Hospital recently partnered with the Chester Police Department to provide an impactful Verbal and Physical De‑Escalation Training for staff, reinforcing the hospital’s ongoing commitment to workplace safety and high‑quality patient care. The training emphasized proactive safety measures, situational awareness, and communication strategies designed to reduce escalation before it becomes physical.

Memorial Community Pharmacy is proud to partner with the Randolph County Health Department to expand access to a vital public health initiative offering free sharps containers and safe disposal services to Randolph County residents. “Providing free sharps containers through our pharmacy is one more way we can help patients safely manage their healthcare at home while protecting the broader community.”

Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Haley Fulmer, ORT, for her recent graduation and outstanding performance as a valued member of the perioperative team.

Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Kristina Jany, RN, for earning the Nurse Lead III (Expert) designation through the hospital’s Professional Practice Development Program. This recognition honors nurses who demonstrate a high level of professional growth, leadership, continued learning, and commitment to excellent patient care.

Memorial Hospital is proud to celebrate Alyssa Williams, RN, on completing the hospital’s 18-week Nurse Residency Program, where she gained experience caring for patients in both the Medical-Surgical Unit and Emergency Room.

By applying what they learned at the conference, the team continues to uphold Memorial Hospital’s value of Excellence committing to ongoing education, embracing innovation, and taking pride in providing the best possible care for their patients.

Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that Kaila Jerkatis, a senior at Gibault High School, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Memorial Hospital Medical Explorers Scholarship.

Memorial Hospital in Chester, IL is currently accepting applications through June 1, 2026 for nursing and healthcare career scholarships. Awards range from $1,000-$8,000.

On May 8, 2026, Memorial Hospital of Chester held its DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognition ceremony. Nominees for the first half of 2026 were presented with a pin and certificate. The nominees included Brittany Casarez, RN and Rebekah Luthy, BSN, RN from Memorial Hospital, and Robin Bixby, LPN and Molly Ebers, LPN from the Rural Health Clinics.

Memorial Hospital is proud to welcome Physician Assistant Jennifer Sanders, DMSc, PA-C, to our Convenient Care walk-in clinic. She is excited to work in the clinical setting again and looks forward to seeing patients in convenient care when she is available outside of her academic role.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary for their continued commitment to advancing patient care,” said Sara Harris, RN, CPRC Nurse Manager. “This donation gives our team advanced tools to deliver safer, more effective rehabilitation.”

Isabel Carron, CCC-SLP is bringing an advanced level of care to the local community, offering a valuable service for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease who may struggle to be heard and understood. Clear communication plays a vital role in maintaining independence, relationships, and overall quality of life, and this specialized training helps ensure patients receive targeted, effective support close to home.

“These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and continuous improvement,” said Mike Whitt, Laboratory Director. “By investing in both technology and trusted partnerships, we’re ensuring our lab is well‑positioned to meet the needs of our patients today and into the future.”

Memorial Hospital has completed an improvement project in its Operating Rooms with the installation of new flooring in both surgical suites. The project was driven by the OR team’s proactive commitment to maintaining a safe, high-quality surgical environment. Staff worked collaboratively to prepare the operating rooms for the upgrade while ensuring all equipment, procedures, and standards continued to be met throughout the process.

Memorial Hospital offers free car seat safety inspections. When it comes to protecting children on the road, even well-cared-for car seats may not be as safe as they appear.

Memorial Hospital is proud to recognize Adrienne Caby, RN, BSN, Vascular Access RN, for earning the Nurse Lead III (Expert) designation through the hospital’s Professional Practice Development Program. This honor marks a high level of professional growth and leadership in patient care.

In celebration of Patient Safety Week, Memorial Hospital employees were invited to nominate peers who exemplify extraordinary dedication to safety. Fourteen employees across the health system were recognized as Patient Safety Advocates, reflecting the diverse roles and teamwork required to protect patients every day.