Southern Illinois Healthcare

08/12/2026

They came to explore healthcare careers. They left with a clearer vision for their future.

This summer, 52 students from across Southern Illinois participated in the SIH High School Summer Internship Program, spending six weeks learning alongside healthcare professionals throughout our hospitals and clinics.

For some students, the experience confirmed their goals. For others, it opened doors they never expected.

"Before, I thought I wanted to do just emergency department. Never thought about labor and delivery. You never know what you'll get."
- Rachael Reams, 2026 Herrin High School graduate

"If you want to do something in the medical field, this is a way to see everything."
- Ella Zimmerle, Carterville High School

Thank you to this year's interns and the SIH team members who shared their time, knowledge and experience with the next generation of healthcare professionals.

MORE HERE: https://www.sih.net/news/2026/sih-summer-interns-2026

📸 Congratulations, Class of 2026 Interns!

08/12/2026

When a family is facing the unimaginable, the smallest acts of kindness can mean everything.

After a cardiac arrest led to a devastating brain injury, one family spent two difficult days in the ICU hoping for a different outcome. Through every moment of uncertainty, fear and heartbreak, they found comfort in the compassionate care they received.

Allie Branch, RN, at SIH Herrin Hospital cared for both the patient and his loved ones with extraordinary kindness. When an EEG left his hair matted, a family member shared that he would have hated it looking that way. Allie didn't brush the comment aside. She offered to wash his hair, preserving a piece of the person they knew and loved.

Later, when the family made the heartbreaking decision to let him go, his wife, who was seven months pregnant, wanted nothing more than to hold him during his final moments. Knowing it would be difficult for her to get into bed with him, Allie brought in a reclining chair along with a blanket and pillow, creating a space where she could remain close, hold his hand and say goodbye.

"She went far above what she had to do, and it made this horrible experience a better one. She has such a big heart and was very kind and caring. I will never forget her and her kindness."

Thank you, Allie, for helping a family find comfort, dignity and compassion during one of the hardest days of their lives. 💙

Has an SIH nurse or caregiver made a difference for you or a loved one? Share their story and nominate them for recognition: https://www.sih.net/hmc/hmc-home/nominate-your-nurse-or-caregiver

08/11/2026

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Prairie Cardiovascular Symposium!

Join leading cardiovascular specialists and healthcare professionals for a full day of education, innovation and collaboration.

This full-day event will feature regional experts across cardiology, with a focus on streamlining acute care pathways, advancing procedural interventions and improving long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

📅 November 18, 2026
📍 SIU Student Center | Carbondale, IL

The event schedule and speakers are now available to view on the registration page, so you can see what's in store before you register.

Register today: https://events.sih.net/5f6MqdI7/4a2nPQwnl7

08/10/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO PACKING LUNCHES

Packing school lunches doesn't have to be complicated. 🍎🥪

A balanced lunch can help keep kids energized, focused and ready to learn throughout the school day.

Our SIH registered dietitians recommend building lunches with:
✅ Protein
✅ Whole grains
✅ Fruits
✅ Vegetables
✅ Healthy fats

Portion sizes vary by age and activity level, but the formula stays the same.

Swipe through for lunch-packing tips and age-based examples, from kindergarten through high school.

One more thing: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no caffeine for children under 12 and limiting caffeine to less than 100 mg per day for teens.

Visit sih.net/providers to schedule an appointment and start a conversation about your family's diet.

08/10/2026

💙 Compassion can make all the difference.

Melissa, one of our House Charge Nurses, recently showed what it means to care for patients with dignity, kindness and humanity.

When a critically ill patient arrived at the hospital without family nearby, Melissa supported the care team through a medical emergency and then stayed by the patient's side during their final moments.

She held the patient's hand, offered comfort and made sure they were not alone. It was a simple but powerful act of compassion that reflects the care our nurses provide every day across Southern Illinois.

Thank you, Melissa, for the difference you make for patients, families and your fellow caregivers. 💙

Has a nurse or caregiver at SIH made a lasting impact on you or a loved one? We'd love to hear their story. Nominate them for recognition here: https://www.sih.net/hmc/hmc-home/nominate-your-nurse-or-caregiver

08/08/2026

Headaches, nausea, vision loss, confusion, dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet, back or neck pain.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you may need to talk to your provider about possible brain or spinal conditions. These are all common symptoms for several conditions treated by our Neurosurgery team.

This month is Neurosurgery Awareness Month and we wanted to take a moment to highlight those common symptoms as signs that could point to conditions like brain tumors, peripheral nerve compression, TBI or chronic neck or back pain.

Our team at the SIH Brain and Spine Institute are equipped to investigate and treat those and other conditions.

Learn more about our neurosurgical services and make an appointment with your provider at www.sih.net/services/neuroscience/neurosurgery

08/08/2026

08/07/2026

Registration is now open for Camp BETA 2026.

Camp BETA is a free, overnight camp for ages 10-16 with Type 1 diabetes and gives campers the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and gain some camping skills alongside others who experience the same challenges living with diebetes.

The program is a collaboration between SIH, the Diabetes Today Resource Team, the SIU Touch of Nature Environmental Center and the SIU Dietetic Internship program.

Camp BETA will be held September 19–20 at SIU’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.

Learn more and register: www.hsidn.org/camp-beta

08/07/2026

"...while much of what happens in the lab takes place behind the scenes, the reality is the lab testing plays a role in the vast majority of medical decisions made for our patients...the lab is deeply connected to nearly every patient journey that comes to this hospital...this ribbon cutting is about more than just new analyzers. It represents an investment in the future of health care in this community."

On Thursday, SIH St. Jospeh Memorial Hospital celebrated the successful launch of new Abbott lab analyzers. The devices will play a key role in patient care helping offer advanced testing and faster results.

Check our our previous video highlighting the new equipment here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/936209349493226

08/06/2026

Some people never stop answering the call to care.

For Kathie Flowers, serving others isn't just a job, it's who she is.

A Southern Illinois native, Kathie has spent decades caring for her community. She serves as Assistant Fire Chief with the Zeigler Fire Department and as an Emergency Department nurse at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, supporting people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Whether she's responding to an emergency or caring for a patient, her mission is the same: be present, offer compassion and make a difference.

"I'm proud to give back to the people of Southern Illinois because this is home."

Watch Kathie's story and discover why Your Care Lives Here.