One concern about living in a small town is whether you will be able to find adequate health care without traveling all over the state to different locations for different needs. OSF HealthCare has been leading the way in rural health, providing everything from general surgery to advanced surgery for the residents of western Illinois.
Joe Osborne’s Surgery
For instance, when Joe Osborne, of Kewanee, found out he needed a benign tumor removed, he was happy to learn that Dr. Sara Glassgow could perform the surgery at OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center.
“I don’t know why people leave the area for care. People can receive a lot of the treatments that they go to Peoria or the Quad Cities for, right here,” Joe said. “OSF Saint Luke is much more than a band aid station.”
Patients can also find support right down the road in Galesburg and Monmouth where OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center and OSF HealthCare Holy Family Medical Center are located.
More than band aid stations
Like OSF Saint Luke, OSF St. Mary and OSF Holy Family are much more than band aid stations. The Surgical Services Departments of the three hospitals have over 10 operating suites with access to over 20 surgeons.
“The experience I had at OSF Saint Luke was incredible. I was blessed to have Dr. Glassgow and the great nursing team take care of me,” Joe said. “I like the fact that I don’t have to drive all over the country for my health care.”
The three hospitals have experienced anesthesiologists, private rooms and excellent nursing staffs to guide patients through surgery, from the initial interview before coming into one of the hospital to the follow-up phone call after the surgery is over.
“Our goal to provide excellent care. People have a misconception that they need to drive past their local hospital to the bigger cities for care,” Dr. Glassgow said. “It is a misconception we battle all of the time. There is no need to drive anywhere. We have the resources and talent here in western Illinois.”
Need surgery? We’ve got you covered.
While access continues to be an issue for rural communities nationwide, western Illinois is covered by OSF St. Mary, an acute care hospital capable of advanced inpatient treatment, anchored between OSF Saint Luke and OSF Holy Family, both critical access hospitals designed for basic care and emergency stabilization with advanced surgical capabilities.
“Even though OSF Saint Luke and OSF Holy Family are critical access hospitals, either hospital can perform most surgeries, as well as provide basic health services and rehabilitation,” Dr. Glassgow said. “But, if needed, additional resources are a short drive away.”
All three of the hospitals surgical departments have been built, upgraded or renovated in the last 10 years: the new OSF Saint Luke facility opened in 2008; the OSF Holy Family surgical department was completely renovated in 2014; and the OSF St. Mary surgical department is currently being renovated.
“I have lived in Kewanee my whole life and have watched this hospital grow,” Joe said. “It has been great for the area. I want to tell everyone how great the doctors, nurses and physical therapists took care of me.”