Kirby Medical Center Receives ICAHN 2025 Community Award for Kirby and Piatt County School Collaborative

KIRBY MEDICAL CENTER RECIEVES ICAHN 2025 COMMUNITY AWARD FOR KIRBY AND PIATT COUNTY SCHOOL COLLABORATIVE

CHAMPAIGN IL—The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) announced its 2025 “Community Project” winner, Kirby Medical Center, for its Kirby Medical Center and Piatt County School Collaborative, at its Annual Conference held November 3 – 4 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign.

The Community Award recognizes ICAHN member hospitals that have implemented a program that strengthened the health and well=being of their communities and builds a partnership with community organizations such as schools, elderly services, children’s groups, prevention groups, or faith-based organizations.

The Kirby team set out to enhance the health, well-being, and future career opportunities of Piatt County students through education, engagement, and partnerships with local school districts.

The group targeted 7^th grade students with a Wellness & Nutrition program, also integrating mental health awareness and the education of coping skills into the program. A guest speaker program featuring healthcare professionals from Kirby specifically for health and science courses also is offered at middle and high school levels.

Looking toward the students’ futures, the group expanded career exploration opportunities for Piatt County middle and high school students with a quarterly Healthcare Pathways program, offering exposure to a variety of healthcare careers through interactive presentations and experiences. A Healthcare Pathways summer camp provides hands-on exploration of healthcare careers with a target enrollment of 15 – 20 students each year.

Finally, the Kirby group wanted to introduce early safety education and let students interact with local first responders. Its Adopt-a-Medic safety program across all Piatt County schools engages at least 250 students in seven essential safety education events. An annual Touch-a-Truck event for all 2^nd grade students in Piatt County provides a safe, interactive opportunity to meet first responders, explore emergency vehicles – including fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and medical helicopters – and observe a drug-detection K9 demonstration. This popular program fosters familiarity with emergency services and prepares students to respond confidently in crisis situations.

Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 60 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals who have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural healthcare, administering several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.