Mt. Vernon, IL – To help empower wellness throughout the region, SSM Health Illinois placed MedDrop Collection Kiosks at each of their health ministry’s Emergency Department entrances. In 2024, these kiosks collected just over 550 pounds of unused or expired household medications from homes, reducing incidents of accidental ingestion and misuse of household medications.
SSM Health understands that health care is not just medicine. “Wellness is a lifestyle that is impacted by a variety of social and environmental factors. Overall, good health begins long before community members become patients. Wellness begins within the households and neighborhoods that make up our community,” said Damon Harbison, President of SSM Health Good Samaritan and St. Mary’s Hospitals.
The regional health care system collaborated with community members and local leaders to gain a deeper understanding of regional health concerns by conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Using feedback from this survey, SSM Health partnered with locals and other organizations to provide resources that promote wellness and help reduce community health concerns.
“This process of surveying and interviewing revealed a deep concern for substance abuse throughout Marion and Jefferson County. It was identified as one of the top three health problems for both youth and adults from our community health survey,” said Julie Robertson-Brook, Community Health Manager for SSM Health in Southern Illinois.
These kiosks provide community patrons with a free, safe, secure, and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired household medications. MedDrop collection kiosks also protect the environment by mitigating the contamination of waterways and drinking water systems as a result of improper disposal from flushing.
As one of the largest employers in every community they serve- the organization’s 40,000 team members and 13,900+ providers are dedicated to fulfilling the SSM Health mission of providing exceptional health care services and revealing the healing presence of God. Just as their founding sisters passionately served their communities, they continue to do the same today. In 2023, SSM Health reported giving $470 million for community benefits including providing more than $346 million in uncompensated health care to those in need.
About SSM Health Illinois
SSM Health Illinois is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system serving the comprehensive health needs of communities across southern Illinois through a robust and fully integrated health care delivery system. The organization’s 1,000 team members and more than 100 providers are committed to providing exceptional health care services and revealing God’s healing presence to everyone they serve.
With care delivery sites in Benton, Centralia, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, and Salem, SSM Health Illinois includes 2 hospitals, more than 43 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, comprehensive home care and hospice services, and an intensive outpatient adult behavioral health program. It is one of the largest employers in every community it serves. For more information, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook.
