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Dr. Matthew Gaeta specializes in Gastroenterology. He provides outpatient clinics every other week along with same day surgery procedures at Memorial Hospital. Dr. Gaeta treats the following conditions: Heartburn Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Difficulty swallowing Abdominal pain Diarrhea Constipation Elevated liver enzymes Biliary disease Irritable bowel syndrome Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) Procedures: Colonoscopies EGDs (upper endoscopies) ERCPs (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) - treats gallstones, strictures, leaks, and cancer. To learn more about our specialists call Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic at (618) 826-4581 ext. 1366

Dr. Samuel Medaris provides ENT specialty clinic hours at Memorial Hospital on Fridays and utilizes the Same Day Surgery department for procedures. He specializes in Ear, Nose and Throat/Otolaryngology. To learn more about our specialists call Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic at (618) 826-4581 ext. 1366

According to the CDC, "Because of vaccines, some diseases (like polio and diphtheria) are becoming rare in the U.S. Vaccination can prevent certain deadly diseases in infants, children, teens, adults and travelers of all ages." Why Vaccinate? Vaccination throughout childhood are important because it aids in providing immunity prior to a child being exposed to life threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. Vaccines aren't just for children. Even adults should receive vaccines. It is important that adults keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity can wear off over time. As you age you become a risk for different diseases as well. When to Vaccinate: View the charts below for a list of child vaccinations from newborn to age 18 and adult vaccinations for adults 19 years and older. For additional information on Vaccinations, visit the Center for Disease Control and Preventions website at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines

Information on classes offered at Memorial Hospital and our Charity Care program. Resources Upcoming Events Randolph County Resource Guide Additional Resources: CMS Hospital Compare Randolph County He alth Department ComWell (formerly Human Service Center) NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois) Health Communities Alliance ( Formerly SISSA: Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Allian ce) Chester Chamber of Commerce Chester Rota ry Transportati o n: Monroe Randolph Transit District , Chester Senior Center Patient Family Engagement Council It is our mission to improve outcomes, by engaging the patient and family in the plan of care, which creates a patient-centered platform and improves safety. We Need Your Help - Providing feedback in a constructive way. - Providing ideas for improvement and potential activities. Who We are Looking For - People of all ages. - Someone who has had self or family experience with healthcare. - Someone willing to communicate with a group. To Apply Call Amy Eggemeyer at 618-826-4581 ext. 1141 Susan Diddlebock at618-826-4581 ext. 1700 Memorial Hospital Board To view a list of board members, meeting dates, agendas, and minutes visit the About Us page. Auxiliary The Auxiliary of Memorial Hospital is a self-directed body of volunteers responding to the needs of the hospital community through service. Auxiliary members join together to foster a supportive family spirit that supports patient care, community services and employees: and always upholds the hospital and its mission. To learn more about the Auxiliary and Volunteer programs visit the Volunteer page. Follow our Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Page on Facebook. Financial Assistance Persons may be eligible for financial assistance with their medical bills under the terms and conditions the hospital offers to qualified patients. For more information, please contact the Patient Accounts Department at 618-826-4581 ext: 1484 . To apply for the Financial Assistance Program: Download/Print the application . Complete and sign the application. Return the application, along with copies of supporting documentation to the Patient Accounts Department. The application may either be delivered in person, or sent by mail to: Memorial Hospital Attention: Patient Accounts 1900 State St., Chester, IL 62233 To apply for financial assistance for one of the rural health clinics, please see instructions here . Your Mental Health is Just as Important as Your Physical Health Depression and other mental health issues are common, and like physical illnesses they need to be treated. Mental health issues also can affect a person’s thinking, feelings, mood, how they relate to others, and even how they function throughout the day. However, depression is a serious condition — and it is helpful to know the signs and symptoms. Speak Up™ For Your Mental Health English Information Spanish Information Mental Health & Crisis Support Illinois Call4Calm Text Line (24/7) If you or a loved one are struggling with stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and need emotional support, text TALK to 552020 for English or HABLAR for Spanish (Message and Data Rates May Apply. See Terms and Conditions of Use). People seeking assistance remain anonymous and provide only their first name and ZIP code, which enables the service to link them to a counselor in the area who is knowledgeable about available local resources. Illinois Warm Line If you or one of you family members has mental health and/or substance use challenges and would like to receive support by phone, call the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953. Wellness support specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery in their own lives. They are trained in recovery support, mentoring, and advocacy and are ready to listen and support you. The Illinois Warm Line is not a crisis hotline but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover. Illinois Warm Line hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., except holidays. Illinois CARES Line (24/7) If your child is a risk to themselves or others, having a mental health crisis, or if you would like a referral to services for children, youth, and families, call the 24-hour Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) line to talk to a mental health professional. Call: 800-345-9049; TTY: 773-523-4504 Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances (24/7) If you or someone you know is suffering from an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorders, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances at 833-2FINDHELP to speak with a trained professional for support and advice or to be directed to customized resources or visit www.HelplineIL.org . 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7; available nationally) The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Mental Health (IDHS-DMH) launched 988, a national three-digit dialing code for the Lifeline and for calls on July 16, 2022. Individuals experiencing a crisis or any other kind of emotional distress- whether that is related to suicide, mental health and/or substance use crisis can dial 988 for support. The Lifeline provides information and support to concerned family, friends, and caregivers. Crisis Text Line (24/7; available nationally) The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, 24 hours a day. Text HELLO to: 741741. Trained crisis counselors will respond and help you or visit their website at https://www.crisistextline.org. We Know the Feeling (Problem Gambling) If you or someone you know is suffering from gambling disorder, call 800-GAMBLER, text ILGAMB TO 53342, or visit weknowthefeeling.org to be connected to resources and to treatment programs. National Helpline | SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Free and confidential treatment referral and information service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 800- 622-4357 (HELP) National Runaway Safeline This 24 hour, 7 days a week national Safeline is for youth at risk of running away or already have and are looking for help. 800-Runaway (800-786-2929) or text 66008 Veteran's Crisis Line Call to reach caring, qualified responders within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; many of them are veterans themselves. This free support is confidential, available 24/7, and serves all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve, and their families and friends. Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255, support for deaf and hard of hearing: 800-799-4889. Online chat is available at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ . Violence Prevention & Intervention Support Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline 877-TO END DV or 877-863-6338 (Voice), 877-863-6339 (TTY) For the Illinois Department of Human Services Service Provider Partner Abuse Intervention Program (PAIP), visit here . National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE (7233), 800-787-3224 (TDD), 800-787-3224 (TTY),Chat for deaf or hard of hearing individuals 855-812-1001, video for deaf callers (nationaldeafhotline@adwas.org), Español available plus another 200+ languages not specified. Find your local Illinois Rape Crisis Center at https://icasa.org/crisis-centers. Reporting of Child Abuse or Abuse of an Older Adults or Adult With a Disability Safe2Help Illinois A 24/7 program where Illinois students can use a free app, text/phone, website (www.Safe2HelpIllinois.com ), and other social media platforms to report school safety issues. Once vetted, the tips will be shared with local school officials, mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement, depending on the nature of the tip. The program also will help local officials by connecting them with mental health or other Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Reporting Hotline 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873; 800-358-5117 (TTY); https://dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov/ Hours: 24/7/365 | Languages: English, Español; other languages not specified Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Reporting Hotline 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873; 800-358-5117 (TTY); https://dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov/ Hours: 24/7/365 | Languages: English, Español; other languages not specified Substance Misuse & Recovery Resources Al-Anon - Sparta, IL Family Group Meetings at 1:00pm 215 West Jackson Street, Sparta, IL 62286 Celebrate Recovery (First Baptist Church - Chester, IL) 12-step Christ-centered recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. 719 State Street, Chester, IL 62233 618-826-3198 https://chesterfbc.org/celebrate-recovery/ ComWell Counseling Services - help individuals, couples and families with life's challenges, including substance misuse and recovery; includes emergency counseling 24/7 for individuals contemplating suicide 24 Hour Crisis Line - 888-855-0034 2517 State Street, Chester, IL 62233 | 618-826-4547 10257 State Route 3, Red Bud, IL 62278 | 618-282-6233 104 Northtown Drive, Sparta, IL 62286 | 618-443-3045 https://comwell.us/ Life Recovery Meetings Thursdays at 6:00pm Chester, IL = 618-615-7007

Before you view the pricing information for any hospital, we wanted to provide you with some basic background information about: The provided pricing information. How it relates to a final hospital bill or pricing information included in an explanation of benefits from your health insurer. Understanding Pricing for Healthcare Services Before you view the pricing information for any hospital, we wanted to provide you with some basic background information about: The provided pricing information How it relates to a final hospital bill or pricing information included in an explanation of benefits from your health insurer While this information should help you compare prices from hospital to hospital, it is unlikely that your final bill will exactly match the prices listed. We’ll explain more about that later. Each hospital sets a “gross charge” for every individual service rendered to patients within their "chargemaster" or CDM (charge description master). These gross charges do not include any discounts that may be offered, and they serve as the starting point from which payment is negotiated with individual insurance payers for specific insurance plans. As a patient receives services throughout their visit, a charge for each service provided is generated on their account, resulting in a claim that is submitted to the patient’s insurer. You should know that patients will almost never pay the listed gross charge for healthcare services. However, under federal law, all insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, must be billed the amount listed on the chargemaster for those services. These charges are rarely paid in full due to the contracted payment rates negotiated between hospitals and insurers. The EOB provided by individual insurers details each patient’s actual cost for services provided. Hospitals typically cannot publicly disclose the negotiated rates, making it difficult to compare final prices from one hospital to the next using the gross charge information from the chargemaster. The Information You Will See: Standard Charges & Shoppable Items Standard Charges Medicare has defined several different types of standard charges that should be available for patients to see. They are: Gross charges Discounted cash price Payer-specific negotiatedcharge De-identified minimum negotiated charge De-identified maximum negotiated charge Here’s a quick overview of each. Gross Charges The gross charge is the full list price from the hospital chargemaster. Gross charges can vary, sometimes greatly, from hospital to hospital for the same procedure or service based on how each hospital manages its charges and costs. Charges can vary based on geography, physician supply and medication preferences, the kinds of services the facility typically provides, and the expertise required to deliver these services. External factors also play a role: The cost of living in a given area can have a significant effect on wages, which is a major factor in cost calculations for hospitals. Drug and supply costs also vary greatly depending on which (if any) group purchasing organization the hospital is part of. Discounted Cash Price The second type of standard charge defined by Medicare is called a discounted cash price, which is the price offered to patients willing to pay in cash at the time of service without involving insurers. Payer-Specific Negotiated Charge The payer-specific negotiated charge is the charge that a hospital has negotiated with a third-party payer for an item or service; this is sometimes referred to as the "allowed amount" on an EOB. This charge amount will likely vary from payer to payer and even between insurance plans for the same insurance payer. De-identified Minimum Negotiated Charge The de-identified minimum negotiated charge is simply the lowest charge that a hospital has negotiated across all insurers for an item or service. De-identified Maximum Negotiated Charge The de-identified maximum negotiated charge is the highest charge that a hospital has negotiated with all insurers for an item or service. Shoppable Services The high degree of variation in charging practices and differences in reimbursement methodologies between insurance payers make it difficult for patients to get the intended full-benefit of “pricing transparency.” Medicare wanted to give patients another way to compare prices, so they’ve also asked hospitals to create a list of shoppable services. Medicare defines "shoppable services" as a service that typically can be scheduled by a patient in advance on a non-urgent basis. Medicare has identified 70 shoppable services that all hospitals should include and has asked hospitals to each choose at least 230 additional shoppable services that they perform most frequently. Every shoppable service will contain an easy-to- understand description of the item or service and standard charges information, including the gross charge, discounted cash price, average negotiated charge for each insurance payer, de-identified minimum charge, and de-identified maximum charge. You'll also see a specification for whether the procedure is done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, as procedures done on an inpatient basis may incur additional charges, such as room and board charges View Pricing Information Where Can You Get More Information? Calling your insurer is always a good idea if you're considering an elective procedure and want to get a general idea of your out-of-pocket costs. Your insurer can help you understand how your coverages and deductibles work as well as your current payment history as an essential first step. If you want to get a more general idea of costs or compare your likely costs to those incurred by others, there are a few public pricing resources to consider: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Medicare releases annual payment information for inpatient and outpatient procedures. For more information, visit cms.gov . All-Payer Claims Database Some states have large-scale databases that collect medical, pharmacy, and dental claims, as well as eligibility and provider files from private and public payers. For more information, visit apcdcouncil.org . FAIR Health Medical Cost Look-Up This is a consumer-oriented tool that provides information on out-of-pocket costs to consumers. For more information, visit fairhealthconsumer.org . If You Have Questions If you have questions about pricing or paying for procedures or services, we urge you to contact us at 618-826-4581. We will be happy to help you with any questions you may have and want to help you understand your costs for care received at our facilities.

Memorial Hospital's Familiy Practice Providers service the Chester, IL area at our Rural Health Cinics. Memorial also provides Specialty Clinics which brings quality care closer to home so our patients don't have to travel to receive the exceptional care they need. Providers & Specialists Specialty Clinic Calendar View This Month's Schedule Accepting New Patient Appointments Dr. Zachary Orme, D.O. Family Medicine Dr. Monica Lukose, M.D. Family Medicine James Kirkpatrick, M.D., PhD Family Medicine Learn More Joseph Molnar, D.O. Family Practice Learn More Cassie Chambers, APRN, FNP-BC Description Learn More Ziya Baghmanli, M.D. General Surgery Learn More Vamsi Chilluru, M.D. Nephrology Learn More Dr. Robert Bell, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgeon Learn More Amanda Hart, D.P.M Podiatry Learn More Wesley Howell, PAC Urology Learn More Lisa Lowry-Rohlfing, M.D. Family Practice Learn More Zachary Orme, D.O. Accepting New Patient Appointments - Family Practice Learn More Mindy Dudenbostel, APRN, FNP-C Family Nurse Practitioner Learn More Margret De Guzman, M.D. General Surgery & Wound Center Specialist Learn More Justin Floyd, D.O. Medical Oncology/Hematology Learn More John Groll, M.D. Cardiology Learn More C. Joseph Hopper, IV, AuD Audiology Learn More Samuel Medaris, M.D. Otolaryngology/ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Learn More Monica Lukose, M.D. Accepting New Patient Appointments - Family Practice Learn More Valerie Blechle, APRN, FNP-BC Advanced Practice Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified Learn More Angela Albertini, PA-C Family Practice Physician Assistant-Certified Learn More Terry M. Brown, D.O. Sleep Medicine Learn More Michelle McQuillan, DNP,FNP-BC Oncology/Hematology Learn More Frederick Ochieng', M.D. Cardiologist Learn More Dr. Bart Jones, M.D. Ophthalmology Learn More Dr. Tong Zhu, M.D. Pain Medicine, Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Learn More Our Providers Family Providers Dr. James Kirkpatrick, M.D. Dr. James Krieg, M.D. Dr. Lisa Lowry-Rohlfing, M.D. Dr. Monica Lukose, M.D. Dr. Joseph Molnar, D.O. Dr. Zachary Orme, D.O. Valerie Blechle, APN, FNP-BC Cassandra Chambers, FNP-BC Mindy Dudenbostel, FNP-C Angela Albertini, PA-C General Surgeons Dr. Ziya Baghmanli Dr. Margret De Guzman Therapy & Sports Rehab Providers Ryan Schaal, Physical Therapist Kristyn Riley, Physical Therapist Isabel Hotop, Speech-Language Pathologist Megan Stewart, Occupational Therapist Dietitian Melissa Soellner, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Specialty Providers Dr. Matthew Gaeta - Gastroenterology Dr. Terry M. Brown - Sleep Medicine Dr. Vamsi Chilluru - Nephrology Dr. Justin Floyd - Oncology/Hematology Michelle Voudrie, NP for Dr. Floyd Dr. Robert Bell - Orthopaedics Dr. John Groll - Cardiology Dr. Frederick Ochieng' - Cardiology Dr. Amanda Hart - Podiatry Dr. Joseph Hopper - Audiology Dr. Bart Jones - Ophthalmology Surgeon Wesley Howell, PA - Urology Dr. Samuel Medaris - Otolaryngology/ENT Dr. Tong Zhu - Pain Management

Kathy Winkler, Retired Director of Pharmacy 2025 Memorial Hospital announces the retirement of Kathy Winkler, Director of Pharmacy, who has been a part of their team since October 1989. After over 35 years of dedicated service, Kathy retired on March 31, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of care, innovation, and collaboration.   Reflecting on her time at Memorial, Kathy shared, “Memorial has been like family to me. I have spent more than half of my life at the hospital. When you work at Memorial, it is more than a job—it is family. The team atmosphere here is second to none, and I have been blessed with wonderful coworkers not only within the pharmacy department but beyond. Every department works as a team, and we know we are all working toward the same goal: fulfilling Memorial's mission to take care of the patients and each other."   Beyond her role in the pharmacy, Kathy also helped organize the Memorial Hospital “Popeye Pedlars,” who joined St. Louis's Pedal the Cause event from 2018 to 2022, raising funds for cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman for Kids at Children’s Hospital.   “Kathy’s Leadership and collaboration have shaped the success of the Hospital and Retail pharmacy services. She was instrumental in many Memorial Hospital medication safety and giveback programs that have greatly benefited our community” said Brett Bollmann, CEO.   While her many professional achievements are noteworthy, Kathy’s fondest memories center on her colleagues and patients. From navigating the challenges of the 1993 flood, by commuting to work by boat, to fostering lifelong friendships. Kathy’s journey at Memorial exemplifies a life dedicated to service. She now looks forward to relaxing at the lake, crafting, reading, and spending more time with family and friends.   Amy Kloos, Director of Pharmacy As Memorial celebrates Kathy’s remarkable career, they are excited to welcome Amy Kloos, PharmD as their new Director of Pharmacy. Amy has been a dedicated pharmacist at Memorial since 2003 and brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for patient care.

At Memorial Hospital, our top priority is the safety of our patients. Our mission is to ensure their well-being through the best safety practices. Every one of our employees dedicates themselves to ensuring the best safety practices possible to reduce harm and improve patient outcomes. Memorial recognized Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 9-15, by recognizing patient safety advocates throughout the organization who were nominated by their co-workers. During Patient Safety Awareness Week, employees nominated coworkers in recognition of their outstanding efforts as safety advocates at Memorial Hospital. Those nominated were Heather Williamson and Kathy Winkler. Heather Williamson and Kathy Winkler Heather Williamson, RT(R)(M)(CT)(MR) – Diagnostic Imaging Department “Being an MRI tech requires much more than operating the machine and achieving quality images. The number one priority is patient safety. Heather takes the role very seriously and is very well versed in keeping her MRI patients safe. She must thoroughly screen every patient getting a scan. If the patient has an implantable device, she can sometimes spend hours making sure the device is compatible and safe for the patient. She deserves to be recognized for the behind the scenes and daily safety of her MRI patients.” “As the lead MRI and lead CT technologist, Heather is knowledgeable in her field and provides good patient care. She goes above and beyond to meet the demands of many modality environments (x-ray, mammography, CT and MRI) and offers feedback for best practices for physicians and staff who value her input. She serves as a mentor to newer x-ray technologists. She commonly receives positive feedback from patients for her exceptional care and goes to great measures to provide comfort during their exam. She stays on top of regulatory and physicist safety and imaging standards. As a result, imaging techniques, protocols, and workflows are improved to provide good quality and safe patient care to the community.” Kathey Winkler, RPh, Director of Pharmacy – Pharmacy Department “Kathy has been instrumental in the medication safety and patient safety programs at Memorial. She makes safety a top priority in approaching any project no matter how big or small, or how much she has on her plate; she gives her time and shows the utmost dedication as an employee. She is excellent at analyzing each aspect of the situation to find the safest and most practical solution. She participates in multiple committees and is always willing to collaborate with others or take on projects to expand and improve services to the patients, improve processes for staff, and increase safety. All her contributions make a very long list and the value she adds to the organization is tremendous. Her work ethic and conscientious approach to safety is outstanding. She truly does go above and beyond, is a leader and role model for others, and makes the input of others on the team feel valued and appreciated.” “Kathy is always going out of her way to ensure that a patient has the best education on drugs, and when possible, she assists patients in finding better cost savings so they can afford their medications. I have witnessed her care with patients that need assistance, and she will stop her tasks to be a helping hand to them.” We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all employees and departments for their unwavering commitment to patient safety. Their dedication reflects Memorial Hospital’s longstanding commitment to professional excellence, compassionate care, and service to our patients, community, and each other.

Memorial Hospital's Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) strive to provide the best quality care possible this is why they are transitioning to a team-based approach.   Starting, February 12, 2024, the RHCs are moving to a paired system, meaning each physician is paired with an Advanced Practice Provider (APP); Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. The pair works TOGETHER as a team to ensure your needs are being met with the same consistent providers every time you visit the clinic. Having a team approach allows for more patients to be seen, for collaboration in care and continuity of services.   If you are unable to see your doctor on the day you need to, you will be scheduled with their APP partner. This allows staff to get you in as soon as possible with the appropriate provider who is familiar with your unique health needs.   By ensuring you see the same providers every time you visit, you can have the confidence knowing that they are knowledgeable about your health history. The APP and physician work together and collaborate on your care plan. You now have a TEAM of professionals assessing your needs. Updated 3/27/2025 What does this mean regarding scheduling my appointment? If your Primary Care Provider (PCP) does not have an opening, and their APP does, then you can be scheduled with them that same day.   If your PCP and APP schedules are both full or if they are off that day, you can schedule an appointment with another APP for same-day, acute issues. If a same-day appointment is not necessary, you are welcome to schedule a future appointment with your PCP or APP.   Questions? If you have questions regarding this team approach to your healthcare, please contact one of the Rural Health Locations; in Chester 618-826-2388 or in Steeleville 618-965-3382