OSF HealthCare has expanded and renovated the emergency department (ED) at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Illinois. The space has been expanded by 7,000 square feet, adding six additional rooms to accommodate patients.

OSF HealthCare held a Blessing & Dedication of the space on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

“We are deeply committed to meeting the growing healthcare needs of our community, and this expansion of the emergency department reflects that commitment. By investing in additional space, resources, and capabilities, we are ensuring patients and families have timely access to high-quality emergency care close to home,” says Zach Yoder, President of OSF St. Mary Medical Center. “This dedication is about more than growth. It is about strengthening our ability to serve the community with compassion, excellence and readiness for the future.”

Since the expansion, hospital leaders report a 30% decrease in time for patients to see a provider.

“This will allow us to provide timely, high-quality care for a greater number of patients. Adding a second triage room allows our Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) to evaluate patients from the waiting room without impacting the triage nurse’s ability to efficiently care for patients,” says Nathaniel Baker, MD, managing medical director of emergency medicine with OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center. “This change ensures patients’ care can move forward even while in the waiting room.”

OSF HealthCare leaders, physicians and staff attended, as well as community partners, celebrating this expansion which provides additional care to the Greater Galesburg region. This expansion echoes the commitment of OSF to the Greater Galesburg Area, and across the Ministry.

B-Roll

OSF OnCall, the digital and virtual care division of OSF HealthCare, has been recognized for Outstanding Contact Center Culture, honoring its commitment to a positive, empowering, and inclusive workplace where team members thrive and patient care is enhanced. The award will be presented at Healthcare Call and Contact Center’s 35th Annual Conference, June 3-5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.  
 

Serving patients and care teams across the entire OSF HealthCare Ministry, the OSF OnCall Contact Center has built a culture grounded in compassion, collaboration and continuous learning and it is a culture that is producing measurable results.

An annual confidential employee engagement survey shows the Digital Experience division, which includes the contact center, earned an engagement score of 4.5, with 61% of respondents classified as highly engaged — 0.41 points above the OSF average and 0.51 points above the national health care employee average.

That engagement translates directly into patient experience. Following the launch of an emotional intelligence training program in 2024, call quality scores increased by more than 15% within six months, and net promoter scores improved by an average of +14.66 points compared to the previous year. Patient feedback consistently highlights empathy, reassurance and clear communication.

The contact center’s culture has also driven dramatic improvements in recruitment and retention. Staffing grew by 44% from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2025, while turnover dropped from 31.6% to 10.1% — nearly a 70% reduction over two years.

The OSF OnCall Contact Center has received national recognition for its innovative virtual care, including the 2023 ICMI Global Contact Center Award for Best Strategic Value to the Organization. 

A key differentiator has been the creation of the Digital Experience Division Unit Practice Council, empowering Mission Partners at all levels to lead initiatives, strengthen communication and shape their work environment. The council has launched division-wide engagement activities, recognition programs and community outreach efforts, including an Angel Tree campaign benefiting children and families.

“The Best Contact Center Culture Award recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional employee engagement, leadership support, inclusivity and measurable business impact. OSF OnCall has shown it is excelling in all these important areas that contribute to a culture where employees want to work and patients are well served.”-Jessica Levco, Writer & Event Strategist, Healthcare Contact Center Times

For OSF OnCall, the recognition affirms that culture is not simply an internal priority — it is a strategic driver of performance, patient loyalty and long-term sustainability.

Effective Sunday, March 29, Yoder will transition to president of OSF HealthCare Holy Family Medical Center in Monmouth, OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee and OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.

Yoder has been serving as interim president of OSF St. Mary Medical Center and OSF Holy Family Medical Center for the last few months. Before this move, he was serving as the president of OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton starting in 2025. 

Lisa Schepers, DNP, will continue to serve as interim president for OSF Saint Anthony's as the search for president continues. Jackie Kernan, RN, MSN has been serving as president of OSF Saint Luke Medical Center for many years. With this change, Kernan will focus exclusively as president of OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon.

Yoder will direct all internal operations while focusing on high quality and cost-effective care for those OSF serves. Under his leadership, OSF Saint Anthony's achieved a CMS Star Rating improvement from 2 to 3 stars, multiple Leapfrog Safety Grade A ratings and secured its first-ever MAGNET accreditation with distinction.

Yoder earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Health Administration from Webster University in St. Louis. He continued his educational career, earning a Master of Healthcare Operational Excellence from Washington University in St. Louis.

The ceremony marked the start of construction on a new facility at the intersection of Route 150 and Maher Road in Brimfield. The new building will replace the current clinic located at 111 E. Knoxville St. and is designed to expand access to primary care services in the growing community.

The new medical office building reflects OSF HealthCare’s continued commitment to meeting patients closer to home and investing in the long-term health of the communities it serves.

“This groundbreaking represents more than a new building. It represents continued investment in the people and families of Brimfield,” said Robert Bevill, MD, OSF Medical Group - Primary Care in Brimfield. “We are committed to providing convenient, high-quality care and strengthening access to primary care services for our community.”

Construction is expected to continue throughout 2026. 

Over the next three years, OSF HealthCare will update 139 ultrasound units, creating a more consistent, efficient and scalable system of imaging technology across the Ministry’s hospitals and clinics. The phased deployment is designed to minimize disruption to patient care while ensuring facilities have access to reliable, advanced equipment.

Uniform configurations for probes, software and accessories will also help streamline workflows and ensure consistent imaging quality across sites.

OSF Mission Partners (employees) will receive initial training that combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning. Advanced onsite education will continue yearly to ensure clinicians can fully leverage evolving ultrasound technology.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to investing in technology that improves access to care, supports clinicians and strengthens patient outcomes across the communities OSF serves.

Zach Yoder has been appointed interim president of both OSF St. Mary and OSF Holy Family. He will step away from his current role as president at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton for up to six months to support this transition. During this period, Lisa Schepers, DNP, currently vice president and chief nursing officer, will serve as interim president of OSF Saint Anthony’s.

Moving forward, OSF plans to align OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee, OSF St. Mary and OSF Holy Family under a single president through the upcoming search process. This integrated leadership model will strengthen the regional approach for OSF to deliver care throughout the west central Illinois market. OSF Saint Luke will continue to be led by Jackie Kernan, MSN, RN, during this transition. Once this position has been filled, Kernan will remain as president of OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon.

These interim leadership changes will be effective January 5, 2026.

OSF HealthCare has again been recognized on the Forbes list of Best Employers by State for 2025. This marks the seventh year in a row OSF has been included in this prestigious recognition presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

The 100 top companies in Illinois were ranked with OSF HealthCare coming in at 67, the highest ranked health system outside of the Chicago area. The Peoria, Illinois-based integrated health system is founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. OSF employs nearly 26,000 Mission Partners (employees) in 150+ locations, including 17 hospitals throughout Illinois and Michigan.

“This recognition affirms the dedication of our Mission Partners, who live out our Mission every day across the Ministry,” said Michelle Conger, President of OSF HealthCare. “Being named by Forbes as a top employer matters because when patients see OSF is a great place to work, they also trust it as a great place to receive care. At the same time, this recognition reinforces our commitment to being an employer of choice, attracting and retaining the best talent so we can continue meeting the needs of the communities we are called to serve.”

America’s Best-in-State Employers are identified in an independent survey from a broad sample of over 160,000 employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S. from all industry sectors. The survey is conducted periodically over the course of the previous 3 years which allows a robust review of organizations that consistently perform well. Around 2 million employer evaluations are considered.

The evaluation was made on a state-by-state basis and is based on two distinct criteria:

• Personal Evaluations: Employees' willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family.
• Public Evaluations: Recommendations from friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.

This recognition reinforces the commitment by OSF Mission Partners and leadership to provide an exceptional workplace environment and employment opportunities.

Find the complete Forbes list here.

Kids played various games and engaged with student athletes in the heated, inflatable dual-membrane fabric air dome designed for year-round use by Redbird student-athletes. It also has artificial turf to match the current surface at Hancock Stadium. 

The open house celebration was held prior to the Illinois State football spring game. OSF STEAM hosted a table where kids learned about color blindness with special 3D glasses, plus they explored the human brain with specimens they could experience hands-on. They also took away a coloring page as part of activities designed to engage young people to think about the wonders of science and a potential career in medicine.

OSF decided to make a significant financial contribution to the long-anticipated ISU athletic indoor practice facility on the heels of a five-year agreement that made OSF HealthCare the official health care provider for Illinois State University athletics in an exclusive partnership. As part of that agreement, OSF HealthCare provides Illinois State University student-athletes with access to athletic trainers, sports medicine providers, orthopedic surgeons, and behavioral health professionals.

OSF HealthCare Eastern Region Chief Medical Officer Carol Friesen says the strong partnership between two long-standing community organizations is about contributing to better education, and health and wellness.

“It’s important that we take care of each other. Health care and academics are the lynchpin of every community and if we’re strong, then the whole community is vibrant. So, we wanted to make an investment in a meaningful way that would further what’s going on here at ISU.”

Friesen was astounded to learn 19 different sports on campus use the facility, along with community use by various travel sports teams. OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center President Eunmee (pronounced UHN-may) Shim was impressed by the size and scope of the facility and shared that the significant OSF investment reflects its Mission to serve with the greatest care and love. Plus, it supports a potential future talent pool.

“Investing in ISU makes perfect sense because we’ll be getting the talents from them. They are the anchor of the community we can serve together.”

Athletic Director Jeri Beggs says having an indoor practice facility is so necessary to remain a competitive program in NCAA Division 1 athletics. But even Beggs was surprised by how many sports are now using the building.

“Our golf team loves this space because they can chip and actually see the trajectory of the ball. Baseball and softball play almost legitimate games in here. They put home plate over here. Softball says it’s basically a real field for them except right field is a little short. So, all of our sports come in here – just doing sprints in here.” She adds, “It has changed every sport that we have.”

Retired former athletic director Larry Lyons started the fundraising and planning for the facility. Head football coach Brock Spack credits him with a vision for the indoor practice center, as well as for improving other facilities dating back to Spack's start with the university 15 years ago. But Spack says without financial support from OSF HealthCare, Lyon’s vision might not have become reality.

Spack also points out the impressive facility has helped with recruiting, and he says it has made a significant difference in the excitement and performance among student athletes.

“It doesn’t matter when we practice here – whether its spring or winter, or fall, they come in here and they play lights out because I think it has a big-time feel to it, and they feel like a big-time team in here. We have really good practices in here.”

Redbird Athletics dedicated and officially opened the newly named OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center on September 30, 2023. 

Carol Friesen & Eunmee Shim

Jeri Beggs & Brock Spack

B-roll of OSF-ISU Naming Celebration

OSF HealthCare is one of only nine organizations internationally to receive this prestigious award in 2024. Recipients are exceptional organizations that successfully ensure educational activities are designed using evidence-based criteria and that outcomes of those activities are measured.

ANCC Accredited Providers who receive the Premier Award™ serve as exemplars in the field of NCPD and have demonstrated excellence in leveraging the award criteria to achieve strategic goals and nursing professional practice excellence. Recipients are awarded for a two-year period.

“What an honor it is to confer these awards to diverse health care and nursing organizations who strive to promote the highest standards of nursing practice,” said Jennifer Graebe DrPH, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Director of Nursing Continuing Professional Development and Joint Accreditation Programs at ANCC. “This year’s recipients have demonstrated their organizational culture reflects the values that this award represents: shared decision-making, empowerment, interprofessional collaboration and nurturing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Lori Wiegand, DNP, RN, NEA-BC and CNO for OSF HealthCare states “We are honored to have received this prestigious award as it recognizes our nurses’ commitment to provide high-quality patient care and our commitment to nursing continuing professional development.”

The NCPD Accreditation Program was founded in 1974 as the flagship program of ANCC. To date, it remains the largest and leading premiere program in nursing accreditation standards.

The goal of this collaboration is to elevate the quality, efficiency and safety of orthopedic care by integrating clinical and administrative leadership. The collaboration will bolster resources, with an initial emphasis on general orthopedics and total joint care while continuing our focus on sports medicine. 

The OSF Orthopedics with OrthoMidwest office will be located at the expanded space within the current OSF Medical Group – Sports Medicine building at 2406 E. Empire in Bloomington. OSF Rehabilitation will also occupy space in this facility.

Joining OrthoMidwest will be Robert Seidl, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who focuses on sports medicine and serves as the medical director for Illinois State University athletics and Illinois Wesleyan University athletics through the relationships that OSF HealthCare has with both universities.

Additionally, Bryce Paschold, DPM, is a podiatrist who focuses on foot and ankle concerns.

Brad Cole, APRN, Joseph Meyer, PA, and Jeff Williamson, PA, will also join this team.

“At OSF Medical Group – Orthopedics, we further strengthen our commitment to providing exceptional personalized care for the community,” said Sarah Zallek, MD, chief medical officer at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center. “Our collaboration with OrthoMidwest allows us to bring additional resources, including leading-edge technological advancements, to enhance the experience for our orthopedic patients. With the support of our board-certified physicians and dedicated staff, we’re prepared to positively impact the orthopedic patient journey.”

“The expanded relationship between OSF HealthCare and OrthoMidwest is rooted in shared values of excellence, dedication, and innovative patient care,” said Derrick Frazier, interim president of OSF St. Joseph. “Our collaboration will facilitate the exchange of best practices, ultimately enhancing the standard of care to new heights.”

Tyler Neal, DO, an orthopedic surgeon, will be leaving Orthopedic Sports Enhancement Center to pursue new opportunities. We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to our patients and community.

The agreement between OSF HealthCare and OrthoMidwest took effect on December 1, 2024. Appointments to this team will continue to be made by calling the existing phone number of the previous Orthopedic & Sports Enhancement Center, which is (309) 663-9300.

The OSF HealthCare Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship program is adding emergency medicine to the list of tracks for fellows.

The OSF HealthCare APP Fellowship is accredited with distinction as an Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program by the American Nursing Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.

The 12-month program has more than a 97% graduation rate and offers 100% of graduates a permanent position within OSF HealthCare. The robust, cutting-edge APP Fellowship program at OSF is among the most mature of all health systems in the country.

The APP fellowship program focuses on professional growth by offering mentorship, regular feedback and skills assessment that build on the knowledge fellows learned in graduate school. At the end, they are more prepared to transition into full-time practice. OSF HealthCare is also leveraging federal grant money to extend primary care support to high-need communities with vulnerable populations, using resources such as OSF Care-A-Vans to support street medicine teams or on-site clinics.

The APP Fellowship curriculum stresses the importance of excellent communication with patients and colleagues. Other confidence-building exercises result in developing decision-making and other soft skills that often result in fellows advancing quickly to leadership positions within their area, region, or even across the OSF Ministry.

This new track in emergency medicine will allow fellows to rotate through a variety of emergency departments within our OSF HealthCare system, caring for different populations of patients in critical access hospitals to Level 1 Trauma Centers. Using the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center, the program will provide hands-on skills training to equip new APPs for any situation they may encounter.

If interested in joining the APP fellowship program, please fill out the form here to receive more information.