Southern Illinois Healthcare

Kim had her routine screening mammogram at the SIH Breast Center in Carbondale. She consistently had her mammogram each year since she turned 40, which was only six years prior. A few days later, she was asked to return for a diagnostic mammogram, where the team discovered a cancerous spot on her breast. “There's no breast cancer in my family, so I always tell people I'm a wild card,” Kim says. “I have been getting my mammograms for six years, seven years. Never had anything come up on any of them, so this was a complete shock.” Kim received a phone call from SIH Breast Center Medical Director and breast surgeon Dr. Catherine O’Connor with her diagnosis of stage 2A breast cancer on September 25, 2023. In addition to being in her breast, the cancer had spread to one lymph node. Hear more of Kim's Story: https://www.sih.net/kim

Tonight is the SIH Years of Commitment Ceremony, recognizing employees for their milestone years of service and contributions to the longstanding success of SIH. Approximately 500 staff members will be recognized for their milestone years of service, as well as Employees of the Quarter and Employees of the Year. All together, these employees have worked with SIH for 5,860 years! When asked why she chose to stay with SIH for 30 years, Carol Stone of Makanda simply says, “It’s because I love my job. I’ve always loved my job. Ever since I started full-time, I’ve loved the people and the loyalty they have to SIH.” Watch as Carol reminisces on her career with SIH and what she loves about her position in the System Office.

SIH hosted its 2024 Healthcare Career Fair Expo at The Pavilion in Marion. This marked the third consecutive year for the healthcare career exploration event. Initially held for Herrin junior high and middle school students in its first year and for Carterville and Herrin middle, junior, and high school students in its second year, SIH expanded the scope in 2024 to include public and private school students, as well as home-schooled students across the region. More than 600 students attended throughout the two-day event, where 20+ SIH service line teams provided hands-on demonstrations and question-and-answer opportunities. These service lines included surgery, nursing, pharmacy, lab services, imaging, physical and occupational therapy, cardiology, neurosciences, respiratory therapy, Innovation Technology (IT), SIH Mulberry Center (behavioral health), the SIH Cancer Institute, the SIH Birthing Center, Continuous Improvement, and more.

We invite you to the SIH Trauma Symposium 2024, a pivotal event for healthcare professionals focused on advancing trauma care. This year’s speakers will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including various types of trauma, effective treatment strategies, and best practices that lead to optimal patient outcomes. Set in the picturesque Walker’s Bluff Casino and Resort, this two-day event will feature in-depth presentations on key subjects such as Cardiovascular Services, Neurosciences, Trauma, and Emergency Medical Services. Join us to gain valuable insights, learn from leading experts, and connect with fellow professionals committed to excellence in trauma care. Enhance your skills and knowledge—be part of this essential symposium! https://lnkd.in/gv2tQ3AC

BLACKOUT CANCER: Saturday night was an amazing experience at Saluki Stadium. SIU and the SIH Foundation teamed up for the annual Blackout Cancer game benefiting the Coach Kill Cancer Fund. Bids on game-worn jerseys raised more than $28,500 that will benefit local cancer patients in Southern Illinois. Thanks to everyone who donated and came out to support this great cause! The Blackout Cancer Basketball games are coming up in early 2025. #cancer #cancercare #blackoutcancer #salukis #sih #healthcare #siu

ICYMI: We welcomed community leaders and other folks from across the region to SIH Herrin Hospital last week to officially celebrate minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery coming to the facility. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ezqtenKC #roboticassistedsurgery #healthcare #sih #community #technology

Step inside MEGA Breasts: SIH brings interactive education with 'larger-than-life' exhibit “It just allows you to see what the normal part of the breast looks like on one side, with globules and ducts. But then once you cross over the midline [in the exhibit], it shows what the cancer can look like with the lymph nodes — just what normal versus abnormal looks like.” https://lnkd.in/gzNY6fCq #healthcare #breastcancer #megabreasts #exhibit #sih #mammogram

For the past two months our expert surgeons have been using the latest robotic technology to offer minimally-invasive procedures. SIH Chief of Surgery Don Arnold spoke about it with WJPF Radio Thursday morning. https://lnkd.in/g37-89XJ #roboticsurgery #minimallyinvasivesurgery #sih #healthcare #riverradio #technology

"Minimally invasive surgery has grown exponentially...we've seen the benefits in terms of faster recovery times, smaller incisions..." Drs. Cyril Kamya and Don Arnold explain how the latest technology is helping surgery patients at SIH Herrin Hospital have better outcomes. They also dispel some of the myths about robots in operating rooms. LEARN MORE HERE: https://lnkd.in/ezqtenKC #roboticsurgery #technology #davincixi #minimallyinvasive #healthcare #sih #herrinillinois

Today marks the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, set aside to provide support to those affected by the disease and increase screening mammograms across the world. SIH recommends annual screening mammograms for women of average risk beginning at age 40. Kim's life was changed after her routine mammogram. Without it, her team at the SIH Breast Center wouldn't have caught her stage 2 breast cancer. After her diagnosis, Kim was able to receive a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to her needs. Now she's back to being busy and is an example to her family of what's important. “The important thing about consistent screening mammograms is having something to compare results to,” says SIH Breast Center Medical Director Dr. Catherine O’Connor. “You're looking for small subtle changes that may not have been on past mammograms. Finding something early and getting it taken care of while it’s small, your outcomes are so much better.”