Rural Health Stories
What Do You Love Most About Rural Health?
I love getting to know my patients. I get to develop a relationship with them by asking about their family, friends, job, etc. and truly caring about them long after the service in my department is completed. I will occasionally see my patients around town and it is like reconnecting with an old friend.
Seeing up close how improving the access to care for the community and surrounding area addressed not only acute needs but also laid the groundwork to improve health status for the residents. By providing financial support to employees who wanted to pursue careers in healthcare in exchange for coming back to the hospital, we were able to have staff who developed careers where they wanted to live. The community trust in people they knew increased the comfort of residents/patients about discussing the things they needed to do to improve their health for the future. "Growing Your Own" brings you people who are interested in being in their community and contributing to its future.
I love the personal connection we have with patients in the rural setting. It feels like we are taking care of our own family. A patient once told me that the care he received at RCH was prompt, attentive and very professional. He stated that bigger hospitals are lacking this more and more.
What I love most about serving in rural healthcare is the way everyone comes together. I see staff stepping into different roles when the ED is busy, lending a hand wherever it’s needed, and even buying food for a hungry patient. It’s more than healthcare — it’s neighbors caring for neighbors, friends caring for friends, and a team that treats every patient like family. That kind of compassion and connection is what makes rural health so special, and I’m proud to be part of it.
I know 75% of the people roaming the halls in our hospital and clinics - both patients and coworkers. It's incredibly rewarding serving your own community and directly impacting the lives of your family & neighbors.
When you need care and you are not feeling your best, you want to stay close to home and not travel long distances to get care. Being able to feel confident in your care in your community is important.
Rural healthcare is American Healthcare! We take care of the heart of the country. Rural America is so unique and we are blessed to be able to provide care for the Communities that helped build this country. The people are so kind and friendly and embody the phrase "will take the shirt off their back to help you.
I'm not only caring for patients, I'm caring for my first-grade teacher, my old neighbor, the lady who used to cut my hair, the owner of the restaurant I worked at during high school, and, most importantly, the community I care so much about!
I grew up in this rural community and I want to help take care of my community. Just because your hospital is small doesn't mean we can't do big things.
In contrast, my experiences working in larger urban healthcare organizations have revealed a striking difference: The sense of community and caring is often less pronounced. In these environments, individuals tend to work in isolation, with fewer connections beyond their immediate professional roles.
Driven by the values honed in my rural upbringing, I pursued a Master of Nursing with a clear mission: To prepare and support nurses to care not only for their patients but also for each other. As a nurse educator, I am committed to fostering a culture of empathy, collaboration, and resilience — where nurses are empowered to lean on one another and deliver exceptional care.
I take pride in the time I dedicate to interacting with patients and their families — time that allows me to build trust, understand unique needs, and tailor care in a compassionate, collaborative way. Investing in continuous education, including attending conferences, sharpens my clinical expertise and ensures I am up-to-date with evolving best practices, ultimately improving the quality of care I deliver.
With ample opportunity for one-on-one time, I can educate patients effectively — helping them understand their conditions, participate actively in decision-making, and adhere to treatment plans. This personalized education isn’t just beneficial — it leads to better health outcomes, fewer complications, and long-term improvements in wellness.
Seeing up close how improving the access to care for the community and surrounding area addressed not only acute needs but also laid the groundwork to improve health status for the residents. By providing financial support to employees who wanted to pursue careers in healthcare in exchange for coming back to the hospital, we were able to have staff who developed careers where they wanted to live. The community trust in people they knew increased the comfort of residents/patients about discussing the things they needed to do to improve their health for the future. "Growing Your Own" brings you people who are interested in being in their community and contributing to its future.
The beautiful thing about working in rural healthcare is the personal impact you can have on families. Knowing the community and understanding local resources can oftentimes aid in their recovery and healing.
What I love most about rural health is the sense of community. In a small town, your patients are also your neighbors, friends, and family. With our hospital, you can pull right up — no parking garages or long walks, no hassle of a city — and still receive the same high-quality care with the heartfelt touch that comes from being in a small town. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of something that feels so personal and genuine.
Why Did You Choose to Work in Rural Healthcare?
Having spent my entire life in a rural community, I have always been inspired by how neighbors unite during times of joy and hardship — together, they solve problems and uplift one another. This deep-rooted sense of compassion and mutual support is a defining feature of rural living.
I choose to transition from urban to rural health for the chance to make a significant difference while profoundly impacting an underserved population. There are also more opportunities for both personal and professional education and career growth.
While rural healthcare areas have their own unique set of challenges and fewer resources, this lends itself to greater autonomy and the opportunity to get creative with solutions! I love being able to work hand-in-hand with executive administration where the C-suite becomes the See-suite that we actually get to see, and they truly see us and the positive impact of our care!
After working many years in larger health systems, working in rural health allows me the opportunity to really give back and mentor my staff. With more than 50 years of experience, this is the chance I was looking for.
Working in rural healthcare provides a unique opportunity for developing a deep, personal connection with patients that is often not possible in urban settings.
My grandmother and father worked at Lawrence County. I am very honored to be able to carry on the kindness and care and the culture that created several years ago.
Growing up in a small town in Southern Illinois, I often visited our local hospital, especially after my grandmother had a stroke that resulted in an extended stay. This experience ignited my passion for healthcare, and I enjoyed watching and interacting with the nurses and other healthcare providers. In high school, I chose nursing as my career path and spent two years shadowing in the local emergency room as part of my Health Occupations dual credit course.
One pivotal moment during that time occurred when a family member arrived in the ER after a devastating accident. His injuries were so severe that he was unrecognizable. I watched in awe as the nurses and the ER physician worked diligently to save his life. Once stabilized, he was flown to a trauma center in a neighboring state, where he made a full recovery. The quick actions of our small-town ER were crucial in saving him; without their intervention, he wouldn’t have survived.
This powerful experience left a lasting impression on me. It is essential to have accessible healthcare and facilities in rural areas, and I am committed to being part of that vital narrative.
Giving back to the local community members by providing them with exceptional patient care and outstanding service without the need to leave the area.
My role as an executive leader is unique because I have transitioned away from hands-on nursing care, but the work I do is still crucial to maintaining a hospital in a small town. Our organization employs around 300 people within a community of around 6,000. Without it, people would be forced to travel for work and to care for their healthcare needs. This can be particularly challenging in a community where the most significant gap in care is due to a lack of transportation. I believe that all small-town hospitals are crucial.
This is where I was raised and grew up. I always wanted to stay local and I had the dream to one day work at CMH.
I choose to work in rural healthcare to better serve my community by making it safer!
I am from a rural community, and I really enjoy using my career to care for the community that I am from and the community that I live in. I have been given opportunities to grow my career that I would not have been given elsewhere.
I work in rural healthcare because it’s more personable, like a close-knit family.
From the first time I stepped into John & Mary E. Kirby Hospital, I knew it was “where I belonged.
I chose rural health because it reflects both the resilience of the communities and the kind of medicine I want to practice. In a rural setting, we serve not just as clinicians but as trusted generalists, able to provide broad, comprehensive care without always relying on endless resources or specialists. That challenge sharpens our skills and deepens our commitment. More importantly, the patients we care for are often our friends, family, and neighbors, and that sense of responsibility creates a deeper level of devotion to service and quality.
I chose rural healthcare for the people that I can impact. I am not at the bedside these days, my job is to impact the managers, their staff and empower them. All too easily, the front-line staff take for granted the impact they have on the patients they serve. I want to be the coach that inspires them. When we get inspired, magic happens.
I didn’t plan on working in healthcare. I was a COVID graduate — pushed out of college, moving back home, and just trying to figure out where I fit in the workforce. I started out at my local health department, but eventually found a more stable job at Ferrell.
This hospital has been here my whole life. When I couldn’t get to my pediatrician in Evansville, a quick trip to the clinic always got me taken care of. My grandparents spent a lot of time in and out of Ferrell, and my mom even started her career here fresh out of nursing school.
We talk a lot about our employees being the “Ferrell Family.” But what we don’t always say is how our own little families have relied on Ferrell for years. Generations of people that have been cared for by a team that really does feel like family. (And sometimes, they actually are family. We have parents and children, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and SO many cousins working on our staff!)
Rural healthcare really is something special. Before I started working here, I had no idea how much of a difference a hospital and its clinics make in the lives of the people around us. I’ve seen folks come in for cancer treatments and get care that’s just as good as what you’d find at the big hospitals and they’re able to stay close to home while doing it. It's remarkable.
What I love most is having such a strong healthcare team right here, local. It’s easy to overlook how rare that can be. And honestly, working with people who care about this community as much as I do makes it even better.
Ferrell Hospital experienced a three-month closure in 2024 due to flooding in our facility. For most of our staff and leadership, it felt like one of the hardest challenges since COVID. For me, it was a moment that showed just how strong our community is. (And taught me that I love emergency management, but that's a story for another day.)
From the immediate response to the long-term recovery, I don't think I've ever seen so much support for a vital service in our area. Right after water entered our facility, the volunteer fire department was on site to remove water ... and they didn't come alone. Naturally, they brought the high school football team. Nothing says "rural" quite like your football team showing up to help in an emergency.
Our patients were cared for, too. With a couple of quick calls, another local hospital accepted our swing bed patients and not one but THREE ambulance services offered to transfer our patients, ensuring a quick and comfortable transfer for them. These weren't strangers doing us a favor, they were people we frequently interact with and consider us a part of their family.
Even the company that managed our restoration, while technically a national group, has its home office in Carmi, the same small town we have a clinic in! Genuinely, everywhere we looked, we found a local connection.
Our hospital may have been closed, but the flood revitalized us. Our CEO, Rachael Prather, says our word coming out of this is "resilience." We were back open in three months, something that could not have been done without the overwhelming support from patients, community groups, and staff. Just like the community never gave up on us, we'll never give up on them!
My entire 30-year career has focused on providing access and quality care to rural communities and its citizens. While choosing to live rural, you should not have to choose sub-optimal healthcare.
It is a calling. Being able to care for your neighbors in their most vulnerable states and knowing you are here for them when they need you, is a wonderful feeling. When our organization has needed assistance, whether it be a tractor to move a tank, or the football team helping move office furniture, we work in a community partnership. We help our community, and they help us! It's a wonderful dance.
I chose rural healthcare because this is the community I was raised in and where my family live, work, and play.
My grandmother and father worked at Lawrence County. I am very honored to be able to carry on the kindness and care and the culture that created several years ago.
Working in HR in rural health has given me an incredible perspective into the administrative side of a healthcare organization. I’ve spent my career in government and nonprofit environments, so joining a hospital district felt like a natural fit for where my heart has always led me.
This is my first experience working in healthcare, and I’ve developed a deep passion for it. The level of care our providers, nurses, and staff give to our community is truly exceptional. I feel called to be part of this work, supporting the people who make such a difference every day.
Our employees and our community make the long hours and challenging situations worthwhile. There’s a strong sense of purpose here, and I honestly cannot imagine being anywhere else at this stage in my life.
What I love most about rural healthcare is the impact we make on our community. In a small, rural setting, you see firsthand how the care we provide changes lives. Our staff go above and beyond every single day to meet the unique needs of our community, often wearing many hats to make sure no one goes without the care they need.
Hearing the positive stories from patients and families, and seeing the difference our organization makes, fills me with pride. There’s a true sense of connection here, between the hospital, the employees, and the people we serve, and being part of that is incredibly rewarding.
I choose to work in Rural health because of the support I get from fellow coworkers and knowing the impact I can make on the community members. This is my hometown, so knowing I can take care of people who have known me since I was little is amazing.
Rural Healthcare Experience: Shared Stories
I took care of a patient from my community that I had loose ties with due to our children's relationship. I really didn't know this person well, but she recognized me. For years now, whenever our paths cross, she goes out of her way to tell everyone that I took great care of her. It makes me proud, especially when my kids know I was there for their friend's mom.
While we don't traditionally "deliver" babies at Kirby, there have been a few delivered in the ED setting unexpectedly during my time there and it never ceases to amaze me what a "well-oiled team" looks like. Unlike the big facilities, critical access hospitals are unique in every sense of the word.
We had a patient that had to be in our Swing Bed program off and on over the years. She unfortunately passed. Her husband donated her power chair and transport chair. We were able to issue it to a department and a current patient who was in need within 24 hours. This was due to the staff knowledge of the situation and personal touch received at our hospital.
During a monthly CCM call it was discovered a patient had been discharged from a large facility in the city after a major surgery, this patient required a specific diet, which he never received. Along with needing physical therapy, however the referral was never made for the patient’s therapy evaluation. I was able to reach out to the PCP and large-city facility where the patient was discharged from and coordinate both a diet for the patient and a physical therapy evaluation. The patient thanked me and I felt as if I had make a difference that day.
This was very personal to my family. My father fell and broke his hip. The doctor that performed his surgery told him that due to his age and comorbidities that he probably would never walk again. He was placed in our swing bed program at LCMH for a few months and the staff and therapy team worked and pushed him every day. They not only built him up physically but also mentally where he was able to walk better than he had for years. They worked not only with him but also my mother to help in his care once he arrived home. If was not for our local hospital and team, I do not believe anyone else would have put the work and effort into his care. in rural areas, we are truly family and friends caring for family and friends.
A few months ago, we had a patient who had a robot knee replacement. She stated that from beginning to end, her care was better than when she had her other knee procedure, at a bigger hospital. She was very pleased with how attentive and knowledgeable the orthopedic team was. She stated her family and friends were in awe as to how well she recovered and that she is recommending surgery at Rochelle Community Hospital, to everyone looking. That is what it's all about.
I can honestly say I hear so many people say they are thankful that we are in the community and that they have access to healthcare without having to travel far away. So, my story may seem simple, but access to get the help our community needs is the memory that I will walk away with when I retire. I am a part of that story that will continue to live in the lives of many.
My story is about a small opportunity that led to enormous growth. I was working the morning shift at Hardee's and I was frustrated at getting passed over for promotions when I heard about a billing job at Culbertson. I had no idea what a biller did, the closest I knew was I was making payments on a bill I owed at Culbertson. I applied, thinking I have no experience or college education so I will be lucky if I even get an interview. That day was 32 years ago. Little did I know I would learn so many new things and grow into a leader of an organization. Rural healthcare is about the only employer that "grows their own" anymore.
Just the other day, we had a code in our fitness center. All of our training paid off so well. The call to announce the code went slick, the response time was about 30 seconds and we had doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, respiratory, imaging, therapy all present. The patient assessment and transport to ER all went well. Watching them all work as a team was impressive. It was a good outcome as well. Then you see them later at Walmart, and they ask "how are you doing"? Just great to work with these people.
Throughout my career as an Emergency Department nurse, my greatest fulfillment came from being present for patients and their families during critical, vulnerable moments. One particular case stands out vividly: A woman experiencing an evolving ischemic stroke arrived at our rural hospital, brought in by her devoted husband. As her condition progressed, our team swiftly administered clot-dissolving medication, reversing the stroke’s effects and significantly improving her prognosis. Throughout this emergency, I had the privilege of providing one-on-one care — remaining by her side, offering reassurance, and extending compassionate support to her husband.
Once she was safely transferred and privacy guidelines (HIPAA) limited my ability to follow up, I didn’t know her long-term outcome. Then, a touching moment occurred: One year later, on Valentine’s Day, her husband returned to the ED with a heart-shaped box of chocolates. He told me that because of our timely care, his wife was alive, well, and with only minimal residual effects. He explained that every Valentine’s Day now felt like her “rebirth” or second birthday.
My favorite experience has been ongoing throughout the over 15 years that I have been employed with CCH. I have 4 amazing kids, and my youngest son has a medical condition along with developmental delays. This has involved numerous out-of-town doctor visits and inpatient stays over the years. CCH has always supported me and my family by allowing me to always be with my son and never missing taking him to any appointments. They never made me feel stressed about work and have helped me stay caught up.
I love the relationships I have built with my patients in cardiopulmonary rehab. over the years. I love to see them get healthier and stronger knowing that I played a role in their recovery. They are so appreciative of us!
