The Torch

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.

Memorial Hospital is proud to celebrate Patient Safety Week by announcing the successful installation of new Pyxis MedStations; advanced medication dispensing systems now serving the Medical-Surgical Unit, Emergency Room, Operating Room, and Infusion & Chemotherapy Departments.

This February, our ER Trauma Room hosted a hands‑on pediatric training led by Dana Rolland, RN from Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis. The session featured a mock pediatric code. During the simulation, our ER nurses, Cardiopulmonary team, and OR Manager worked together to complete a rapid primary survey and respond to a life‑threatening scenario.

Robin Pratt, Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist adds a highly specialized skill set to the Therapy & Sports Rehab Center team through advanced certifications and a patient-centered approach to restoring function and reducing pain.

At the March Board Meeting, Auxiliary President Mardell Granger presented a check to Board Chairman Tom Search, highlighting the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting the hospital through community-driven philanthropy. The contribution represents proceeds from the Auxiliary Gift Shop, Auxiliary Funds, and the annual Tree of Remembrance fundraiser.The donated funds will support two major equipment purchases, a SciFit Pro2 Total Body Exerciser and four Staxi Patient T

Memorial Hospital hosted its annual Living Our Best Life: Go Red for Women 2026 event on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Chester Country Club, bringing together 98 women for an evening focused on heart health, education, and community connection.

Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the upcoming 2026 dates for its free Prenatal and Family Education Classes, offering parents‑to‑be an engaging and confidence‑building learning experience.

Memorial Hospital is celebrating a remarkable milestone as its Swing Bed Program surpassed 1,000 days of patient care in 2025, marking a significant achievement for the team and the community.

Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce the opening of its Convenient Care clinic in a new location as of February 9, 2026. Now housed inside the Medical Office Building addition alongside the Chester Clinic, the updated space offers a more comfortable environment and greater convenience for patients seeking timely, affordable care.

On February 3, 2026, Evelyn Schuwerk was presented with a plaque by Brett Bollmann, CEO and Tom Search, Board Chairman at Memorial Hospital, recognizing her exceptional, 14 years, of dedicated service as a Board Member. Evelyn was first appointed in March 2011 and chose to conclude her term in November 2025.

Memorial Hospital is proud to celebrate the remarkable career of Becky Bunselmeyer, Director of Performance Improvement, following her retirement on February 3 after 33 years of dedicated service. As Becky steps into this new chapter, Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce that Sarah Rathert, RN, has been selected to serve as the hospital’s new Quality and Clinical Compliance Officer.