Memorial Hospital, West Central AHEC’s host institution, received the Outstanding Organization Award at the National Rural Health Association’s annual conference last week.

The prestigious award award recognizes hospitals and health care organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the health and well-being of rural communities across the country. It honors the hospital’s exceptional dedication to ensuring access to patient care and providing quality services to its community.

Opened in 1950, Memorial Hospital has not only kept its doors open in a time of economic hardship for rural hospitals, but has continuously expanded its medical specialties, technology, and facilities, earning multiple years of five-star ratings in patient satisfaction and high rankings nationally. It now operates seven clinics and, with more than 400 employees, is the second largest employer in Hancock County.

The hospital’s CEO, Ada Bair, said the award is an honor, as rural health care workers work with limited resources at times and creatively solve problems. She cited its caring culture, progressive leadership, engaged board, dedicated employees, and involved community.

“You have to work hard, you have to care harder,” Bair said. “Our team at Memorial is committed to providing the highest level of care to our patients and ensuring that our community has access to quality health care services”This recognition is a testament to our entire team’s hard work and dedication.”

Left to right Dr. Victoria Popela, Chief Clinical Officer; Mary Jane Clark, West Central Illinois AHEC Director; Ada Bair, CEO; Kristy Wisslead, FNP; and Dawn Owren, Chief Ancillary Services Officer.

The National Rural Health Association is a nonprofit national membership organization that works to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research.

Upon learning they were selected, the hospital invited to public to join them in a celebration on May 9 prior to receiving the award at a banquet of honor at the association’s 46th annual Rural Health Conference, in San Diego, on May 18.