REGISTER: IHA Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting on June 18
Policy shifts and new technologies are reshaping the healthcare landscape, opening the door for small and rural hospital leaders to adopt new approaches to care delivery and leverage artificial intelligence organization-wide. The 2026 IHA Small & Rural Hospital Annual Meeting will bring together rural-focused national experts and small and rural hospital leaders to share practical strategies to strengthen healthcare.

Designed for hospital leadership teams, the June 18 meeting at the Crowne Plaza Springfield will feature: 

• Executive-level perspectives emphasizing leadership decisions and organizational impact;
• Peer-driven learning showcasing small and rural hospital leaders who’ve implemented solutions; and
• Opportunities for networking with peers and hearing about potential solutions from IHA Corporate Partners.

Sessions include “The Future of Healthcare: Redefining the Rural Hospital of Tomorrow,” the keynote address by Shawn DuBravac, PhD, CFA, a global futurist, author and president of the Avrio Institute consultancy.

Tommy Ibrahim, MD, MBA, MHA, will present “Strengthening Access, Quality and Affordability Through Rural Healthcare Transformation," exploring the transformation journey of Sanford Health, where he is executive vice president and chief transformation officer.

You’ll also hear from IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi in his annual president’s address to small and rural hospital leaders and trustees. Breakout sessions will cover advocacy, chronic conditions data and workforce strategies.

New this year, pre-conference workshops held June 17 will offer ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. A networking reception will follow.

See our program webpage for the Annual Meeting team registration discount, pre-conference workshop registration and more. IHA’s discounted room rate at the Crowne Plaza Springfield is available through May 27. Register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

IHA’s Wilhelmi to Moderate Will County Healthcare Panel
IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi will moderate an upcoming panel discussion, The Health of the Healthcare Industry, bringing together hospital leaders for conversations on key issues shaping healthcare delivery in Will County. 

This in-person event, hosted by the Workforce Investment Board of Will County in partnership with IHA, will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. CT on April 28 at Crest Hill City Hall, located at 20600 City Center Blvd., in Crest Hill. Panelists include Michael Mutterer, President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital; Yvette Saba, President of Edward Hospital; and Larry Coomes, CEO of St. Joseph Medical Center.

The event will explore workforce challenges, access to care and innovations driving the future of healthcare in the region. Healthcare leaders, frontline staff, public health professionals, and workforce and education partners are encouraged to attend. The discussion will offer insights into how providers are addressing ongoing industry challenges while working to strengthen care delivery across communities.

Those interested in attending can register here. For questions, contact John Hall at john.hall@willcountyillinois.com.

ASPR to Expand U.S. Production of Essential Hospital Medicines
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) yesterday announced plans to expand domestic manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredients propofol and metoprolol. Propofol is a sedative used for anesthesia and intensive care unit sedation. Metoprolol is a medication used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as arrhythmias and hypertension and can also reduce lung inflammation in intensive care settings. Both of the medications are included on the Food and Drug Administration’s List of Essential Medicines, Medical Countermeasures, and Critical Inputs. The API Innovation Center, based in St. Louis, was awarded $8.3 million to produce both ingredients. The investment is the latest in a series of projects by the federal government to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign resources and increase the domestic production of essential medications and their active pharmaceutical ingredients.

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

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Early Alert today that B. Braun Medical Inc. has sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Correction recommending certain Streamline Airless System Hemodialysis Bloodlines and B3 Low Volume Bloodlines only be used if no alternative is available. Air bubbles detected in the line during use may lead to a delay in treatment or life-threatening blood loss. No serious injuries or deaths associated with this issue have been reported.

Leading the News

IL lawmakers renew push for prescription drug affordability board

WAND
State lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to create a prescription drug affordability board to help lower drug prices. A prescription drug affordability board could evaluate high-cost drugs and set upper payment limits for what Illinois consumers pay. 

136 hospitals with 5+ Magnet designations

Becker’s Hospital Review

Approximately 2% of the nation’s 6,093 hospitals have achieved Magnet designation at least five times, according to data from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

CDC tracks new COVID variant: 5 notes 

Becker’s Hospital Review

The CDC is tracking a new SARS-CoV-2 variant — BA.3.2 — that has been identified in 23 countries, including the U.S.