IDPH: Important Update for Infectious Disease Reporting Partners
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) recently issued an update that the upcoming September release of the Illinois Disease Surveillance System (IDSS) will complete reporting for all conditions by adding in reportable communicable disease. Click here to access an IDPH communication that provides advance notice about the deployment schedule, including important dates to be aware of and directions on how to manage reporting during the downtime.
IDPH said in the coming weeks it will share written, step-by-step guidance covering exactly what to do before, during and after each offline window—including the list of priority diseases and where to send them. The Department will hold a webinar on Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. CT on the deployment schedule, how providers will report during the downtime and the move to IDSS for communicable diseases. The session will include time for questions. Webinar registration information can be found here.
Free Continuing Education for Illinois Pharmacists and Prescribers
The Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (ILPMP), in collaboration with the SIUE School of Pharmacy, is offering a comprehensive continuing education series for Illinois pharmacists and prescribers focused on pain management, safe opioid prescribing, toxicology, and opioid stewardship. Hospital staff who work in units serving individuals with substance use needs, including emergency department clinicians, may find this series particularly helpful.
Offered at no cost, the course topics include:
- Pain assessment and non-opioid treatment options.
- Safe and appropriate opioid prescribing.
- Opioid risk mitigation strategies.
- Drug toxicology and emerging substances of misuse.
- Evidence-based approaches for opioid use disorder.
Click here for more details, including registration information to access the continuing education series.
Cybersecurity Advisory Issued on Medusa Ransomware Activity
Recent activity observed by Medusa, a foreign ransomware-as-a-service variant, has prompted the release of an updated joint cybersecurity advisory from the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Critical infrastructure, including healthcare, has been a frequent target of Medusa operations.
Medusa developers and affiliates use a double-extortion model where they encrypt victim data and threaten to publicly release the stolen data if a ransom is not paid. The ransomware has impacted more than 500 victims as of April 2026. The FBI noted Medusa ransomware is unrelated to the MedusaLocker variant and the Medusa mobile malware variant. The advisory includes more information about Medusa’s affiliate model, payment ranges for initial access brokers and a broader list of exploited vulnerabilities, among other new information.
In an American Hospital Association (AHA) update, John Riggi, AHA national advisor for cybersecurity and risk said, “Medusa ransomware has been used by threat actors to conduct malicious activity against U.S. hospitals and health systems over the last several years. This year, Medusa claimed responsibility for a high-impact attack against a regionally important Level 1 trauma center, disrupting care delivery and posing a risk to patient and community safety.”
Cyberattacks like those undertaken by Medusa underscore the importance of hospitals and health systems strengthening cyber resiliency through heightened defensive measures and clinical continuity procedures.
Dr. Heidi Overton Nominated for FDA Commissioner
Dr. Heidi Overton has been selected to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), President Donald Trump announced yesterday. Dr. Overton currently serves as deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. She will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data
The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.
Briefly Noted
Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) and Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) yesterday announced $50 million in grant funding has been awarded to 21 grantees through the Community Health Center Construction Grant Program. This funding was made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which provides up to $3 million grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers and look-alikes for capital improvement projects. Funding can be used to renovate healthcare infrastructure, increase facility capacity, and expand access to care and services in Illinois communities, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has announced its fall household hazardous waste one-day collection events that will be held in eight Illinois communities. For a list of acceptable products click here. These collection events are open to all Illinois residents and operate on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. CT. Click here for locations, dates and registration information. Pre-registration is required for all Fall 2026 collection events.
Leading the News
SSM Health in Southern Illinois expands cardiology services to region
WJBD
A cardiologist at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon has introduced cardiac procedures commonly performed at St. Louis to Southern Illinois. Dr. Lincoln Shenje is now performing heart catherization as well as CT scans and ultrasound imaging at Good Samaritan in cooperation with St. Louis University Hospital. As a result, patients will only have to drive to St. Louis once or twice during the treatment process.
OSF named one of America’s best-in-state employers by Forbes
WRAM
OSF HealthCare has again been recognized on the Forbes list of Best Employers by State for 2026. This marks the eighth 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 54 rural emergency hospitals by state
Becker’s Hospital Review
Fifty-four hospitals across 22 states have converted to rural emergency facilities since the law that created the designation took effect in January 2023, according to data from CMS.
