Healthcare COIs
Connect SI in partnership with the region’s healthcare providers are utilizing increased collaboration and technology to improve the quality of care and increase access to healthcare services in the region. To achieve these goals Connect SI has established three committees focused on increasing the educational pipeline for healthcare professionals, increasing the availability of broadband connectivity, and working to improving health outcomes.
Healthcare Professions Committee
Connect SI is currently working as one of two pilot sites in the state on a Governor’s Sub-Cabinet on Economic Development nursing initiative.
To date Connect SI has received $200,000 to plan a complete P-20 pipeline solutions framework to address the shortage of nurses, and an additional $250,000 grant to begin implementation of the solutions.
Examples of solutions include:
• creating blended online Registered Nursing programs through the six community colleges;
• providing laptops for participating incumbent worker nurses;
• providing scholarships for Masters level nurse educator preparation; and
• aligning K-12 educational skills to better prepare the youth for post secondary healthcare programs.
Broadband Connectivity Committee
The function and focus of this committee is:
• furthering the advancement and adoption of new technologies for health prevention and medical practice;
• working with the Connect SI Network Provider COI to provide affordable broadband to the healthcare providers in southern Illinois;
• working with Illinois Rural HealthNet on their project to provide fiber connectivity to rural hospitals in southern Illinois through a $21 million FCC grant; and
• assisting in the facilitation of discussions among healthcare providers regarding shared applications including community-based electronic health exchange systems.
Healthcare Outcomes Committee
Connect SI is working with healthcare providers to develop a formal integrated healthcare network to improve coordination of care in rural communities and strengthen our rural healthcare system as a whole.
This committee is working on a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded effort with goals of improve health status, healthcare access and outcomes and increased coordination of prevention, treatment, chronic disease management, and surveillance across the continuum of care.
The 20-county Connect SI region is served by 21 hospitals and numerous clinics, health centers, and specialty clinics.
Hospitals in Southern Illinois
Access the following for specific information on those hospitals in the 20-county region.
Crossroads Community Hospital, Mt. Vernon
Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Fairfield
Ferrell Hospital, Eldorado<
Franklin Hospital, Benton<
Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro
Harrisburg Medical Center, Harrisburg
Hardin County General Hospital, Rosiclare
Heartland Regional Medical Center, Marion
Herrin Hospital, Herrin
Marshall Browning Hospital, Du Quoin
Massac Memorial Hospital, Metropolis
Memorial Hospital, Carbondale
Memorial Hospital, Chester
Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Pinckneyville
Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud
St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, Murphysboro/a>
St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, Mt. Vernon
Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta
Union County Hospital, Anna
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Marion
Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel
Community Health Centers in Southern Illinois
Please click the links below to find more information about each community health center and their affiliated centers.
Christopher Rural Health Planning Corporation
Community Health and Emergency Services, Inc. (CHESI)
Rural Health, Inc.
Shawnee Health Service
Primary Care Group
If you are a healthcare provider in the Connect SI region and would like to have a link to your website added to this page please email
If you have any questions about the information on this page or would like to learn how you can help with any of the above projects, please call Cary Minnis at (618) 998-0970 ext. 211.