Memorial Hospital’s Bair honored for leadership, 
service to state hospital network

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Ada Bair, chief executive officer at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, received the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network’s highest award for exemplary and visionary leadership in rural healthcare, the Presidential Award, during the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network’s annual conference on Nov. 18 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center.

As a registered nurse and longtime CEO, Ada used her clinical leadership skills to propel her hospital to become a “5-Star Provider of Choice,” a title recently granted to Memorial Hospital, its staff and administration during the Healthcare Service Excellence Awards in San Diego. 

Memorial Hospital also was lauded by the State Offices of Rural Health as Illinois’ “Community Star” during virtual ceremonies on Nov. 18, celebrated across the nation as National Rural Health Day. The “Community Star” award is granted to only one individual or organization recognizing the finest in rural healthcare in each state.

Ada was recognized at the ICAHN conference for serving as the founding co-chair of the Illinois Rural Community Care Organization, as past secretary-treasurer, president-elect and president of ICAHN’s Board of Directors, and for being instrumental in establishing the “Opioid Crisis Next Door” conference.

“Ada is the first person to delve into new projects or to put forth the work to apply for new grants,” said Pat Schou, executive director for ICAHN. “She is the first person to share ideas and experiences with her fellow CEOs and any others needing her vision. She is the first one to step forward to help her staff, hospital and community. She embodies the true spirit of rural America, and we commend her for such extraordinary leadership during such challenging times.”

ICAHN, located in Princeton, Ill., is a network of 57 small, rural Illinois hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration.