Illini Community Hospital has ribbon cutting, open house for new Express Clinic

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The public held a ribbon cutting and open house at the new Illini Express Clinic, 640 West Washington on the campus of Illini Community Hospital, on Thursday, January 25.

Formerly in leased space on the square in Pittsfield, the new Illini Express Clinic is designed for healthcare delivery. It features one drive-through bay that allows people seeking selected screenings or care for non-life-threatening conditions to remain in their vehicles and be treated by a provider. The clinic also houses a traditional examination room.

Another benefit of the relocation of the Illini Express Clinic to the hospital campus is that it allows hospital-based staff to more quickly and efficiently respond to the clinic during times of high demand for care to assist clinic caregivers.

“Since opening Dec. 15, the Illini Express Clinic has posted exceptional outcomes, including reducing the average time of a visit by 22 minutes,” Holly Jones, administrator at Illini Community Hospital, said in a press release.

Key features of the Illini Express Clinic are:

• No appointment is needed.
• Trained healthcare professionals provide a range of essential medical services, including care for common, non-life threatening conditions and selected lab testing, all from the convenience of the patient’s car.
• Streamlined check-in and electronic medical record systems ensure efficient and personalized care.
• Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; holidays 7-11 a.m., and closed Sundays.

“The new Illini Express Clinic promotes wellness,” Jones concluded. “It aligns with our mission to break barriers to healthcare access, ensuring that individuals receive timely and efficient medical attention when they need it most.”

Funding for the Illini Express Clinic project came from an $891,500 United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant with the remaining $730,000 invested by Blessing Health.