(Centralia, IL) SSM Health was honored by Kaskaskia College at the Community College’s Annual Awards Banquet with the Business & Industry Partnership award. This award celebrates a joint initiative aimed at enhancing the healthcare workforce in Southern Illinois by promoting education and career opportunities in nursing and allied health fields.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing local students for in-demand healthcare careers while addressing workforce shortages that disproportionately affect rural communities. Kaskaskia College offers nursing and allied health programs, such as nursing, radiologic technology, laboratory sciences, respiratory therapy, and other clinical support roles. Students gain both classroom instruction and practical clinical experience, which often leads directly to employment at SSM Health facilities after graduation.
Rural hospitals across Southern Illinois play a critical role in providing access to care close to home and rely on strong, stable teams of nurses and allied health professionals to support physicians and advanced practice providers. As demand for care continues to grow, these frontline roles are essential to maintaining access, quality, and continuity of services in rural communities.
Strengthening local education-to-career pipelines for healthcare students helps stabilize the rural care environment. “Our partnership with Kaskaskia College not only develops the healthcare workforce; it also helps ensure that care is delivered by professionals who are trained locally and committed to the communities they serve,” said Damon Harbison, president of SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, and SSM Health’s Rural Health Network of Illinois. “Together, we are investing in local talent to support the next generation of caregivers and ensure access to care for Southern Illinois.”
The recognition underscores the impact of education and industry partnerships in strengthening rural healthcare and supporting sustainable workforce solutions for the communities SSM Health serves.
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About SSM Health
Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, SSM Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system working to advance health equity and empower all people to achieve their full potential.
With care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, SSM Health provides convenient access to high-quality community-based services as well as world-class academic medicine, clinical trials and research studies. The organization’s footprint includes hospitals, physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a fully transparent pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company and an accountable care organization. As one of the largest employers in every community it serves, the organization’s 40,000 team members and 15,000 providers are dedicated to fulfilling SSM Health’s Mission: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” For more information, find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
