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Mariah Bargman (left), Community Relations and Marketing Director, Memorial Hospital, recently received the 2022 “4 Under 40” Leadership Award from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network during ceremonies held November 10 at the I-Hotel in Champaign. She is shown here with Brett Bollmann, CEO.

The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) announced its “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership winners including Mariah Bargman, Community Relations and Marketing Director, Memorial Hospital, Chester, during its Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held November 10 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign.

Mariah is joined by Tyler Killpack, Director of Operations/Chief of Staff to the CEO, Mercyhealth Harvard Hospital; Kali Martin, Emergency Department Manager, Horizon Health; and Brandon Wietting, Revenue Cycle Director, Massac Memorial Hospital.

Nominated by Brett Bollmann, CEO, Memorial Hospital, Mariah was described as a visionary when it comes to the many projects her managers or staff bring to her. “She asks the right questions to ensure she understands and then she expands those concepts into amazing marketing ideas for the department or the hospital,” he said. “She also follows up on the results of each marketing effort and ensures we are obtaining the right outcomes.”

Mariah created programs that show long-term solutions including creation of the hospital’s Medical Explorers’ program. She organizes and leads this program for high school and college students. She advertises at local schools, schedules visits at each of the local schools to answer questions and conducts an open house for students and parents. Students that are accepted attend monthly educational sessions where she and a department leader teach about different healthcare positions within the hospital.

Considering the growing staff shortage in healthcare, this program has already paid dividends as students are completing their college programs and returning to the hospital for employment.

“Currently, we have hired four of the past Explorers to the hospital team,” said Bollmann. “Mariah strives to make communication, community, and health better for all, and she can see this vision for not just that moment, but for years ahead. Mariah doesn’t do all of this because it is her job, she does it because she loves her community and she sees the potential in all that is around her. She is very deserving of this award.”

ICAHN’s “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership Award is open to new and emerging leaders aged 40 and under employed by an ICAHN member hospital or as a member of this hospital’s board for at least two years with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance.