Our AHEC is part of a facility that encourages leaders to lead, physicians to practice, staff to have a career, and patients to expect the highest quality care with the highest level of respect. The center builds on a continued reputation of helping students throughout the region and supporting professionals with preceptorships and learning experiences.

Host organization: Memorial Hospital in Carthage, an affiliate of UnityPoint Health, is a vital force in establishing and maintaining the well-being of residents in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. The hospital is the second-largest employer in the county, with a workforce of more than 300, and is known for its friendly, qualified health professionals and state-of-the-art technology. It is also one of the few small hospitals in the state that still provides obstetrical services. Memorial Hospital is passionate about caring for all stages of life while integrating amazing opportunities for students. It also encompasses the Hancock Village, which offers supportive living and memory care.

Area opportunities: Our passion for students being fully integrated into our hospital, having opportunities to develop new programs and services, and flourishing in their field of study provides resume building activities for students. Educational institutions include Augustana, Knox and Monmouth Colleges. The region is host to 19 hospitals and a variety of ancillary health care facilities.

Community partners: Community partner organizations serve as our local connection to help identify needs, available resources and potential opportunities to provide experiences outside the classroom. We work actively with local schools, and colleges including Western Illinois University, Carl Sandburg College and Southeastern Community College. The health department and groups such as Illinois Rural Health Association, Hancock County Addiction Coalition and Economic Development Department, and the Hancock and McDonough County CEO Programs make important contributions to our work.

Demographics: This region, with a population of approximately 500,000, is predominately rural and overwhelmingly White; it includes one substantial city. Relatively free of environmental challenges, most counties are in the average range for common health measures. Life expectancy is lower than average in many counties, and the injury death rate is higher than average in 14. Twelve counties report higher than average proportions of children living in poverty, and in 15 unemployment exceeds the state average.

Local health challenges: Residents in all the counties reported poor or fair health and higher than average numbers of both physically and mentally unhealthy days. Smoking rates are above the state average in all counties. Residents in eight counties struggle with obesity; in 12, rates of physical inactivity are elevated, and in all counties residents reported poor opportunities to exercise. The teen birth rate is high in 13 counties.

Our programs: Our programs and activities bring participants in touch in a practical way with health care in our underserved communities. Take a look.

Our region: Both the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers are located in the region and offer areas of natural beauty and outdoor activities. There are local festivals and fairs throughout the summer, as well as historical treasures, civil war re-enactments, wineries, theaters, and opera houses. As valuable to us is the rural life culture and Midwest hospitality, with family farms and close-knit communities, strong ties to local businesses, churches, and our high schools and college teams.

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Advisory Board

West Central AHEC uses Memorial Hospital’s Agency Collaboration Team, which consists of numerous local agencies and has close to 100 members.