Mt. Vernon, Illinois – SSM Health Breast Center in Southern Illinois has further strengthened its quality of care following the introduction of RadPartners, Inc radiology group in November of 2025.
The leaders of the program – which is housed in SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia – have championed RadPartners for their high standard of service and keeping patient outcomes and experiences at the forefront of every reading.
“We have a great partnership with RadPartners. There’s such a mutual respect and team approach to what we do, and it’s made for a new, elevated patient experience,” said Amy Williams, RN Nurse Navigator at SSM Health. “We’re in a smaller, more intimate area here. Our patients are going to get in quicker, and we’re all going to know your name. Staying local provides elevated experiences, and RadPartners is helping us take that patient care even further.”
Dr. Merrilee Brandt, who works alongside Williams and her team between both SSM Health - Southern Illinois ministries as an independent provider, said she has witnessed firsthand the impact and benefit RadPartners has provided patients and staff since arriving last fall.
“RadPartners are very involved. The radiologists there that are reading breasts are reading breasts exclusively, and they give us very thorough reports. They always give feedback and we can easily get in touch with them if we ever have a question,” said Dr. Brandt. “Some of the radiologists at RadPartners are people I have known for years, and they have built trust in this community.”
Willams and Dr. Brandt said the addition of RadPartners has only helped solidify the SSM Health – Southern Illinois breast program as the go-to resource for comprehensive breast care in our immediate region, as well as throughout Illinois and its surrounding states.
“This is an amazing breast program, and we are fortunate to have Dr. Brandt working with us,” said Williams. “This is a one-stop shop. When it comes to breast care, you can get everything done right here, and we need women to know that.”
SSM Health in Southern Illinois Breast Care centers provide comprehensive breast health services. Our breast care centers offer advanced imaging, diagnostics, surgical care, and seamless support for routine screenings and complex cancer treatments.
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, visit ssmhealth.com or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
