Memorial Hospital has been named the 2025 Community Project winner by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) for Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile. The award was presented during ICAHN’s Annual Conference, held November 3–4 at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.
This award celebrates hospitals that create meaningful partnerships and strengthen the health and well-being of the communities they serve. Across rural Illinois, pediatric mental health needs continue to grow, yet resources remain limited. Families often face barriers such as transportation challenges, work schedules, and a lack of appointment availability after school hours.
To close that gap, Memorial Hospital transformed a used RV into a fully functional mobile clinic, providing a private and welcoming space for counselors to meet with pediatric patients directly on rural school campuses.
The impact was immediate. Within the program’s first six months, more than 700 sessions were completed, supported by an attendance rate of 90 percent—significantly higher than rates typically seen in traditional clinic settings. Because students were already at school, access was easier, fewer parents needed to take time off work, and more children received timely care during moments of crisis.
“The results we’re having are just mind-boggling,” said Gavin O’Neil, LCSW from Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile. “Kids are our future. I’m passionate about kids and working with them because they become our future leaders.”
To learn more about Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile, visit: https://www.mhtlc.org/clinics/memorial-medical-clinic-mobile/
To view the video shown at the ICAHN Conference, click here: https://youtu.be/yoLRBazRcUQ
About ICAHN: Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 60 small, rural hospitals committed to strengthening rural healthcare through collaboration. ICAHN is nationally recognized for its leadership in supporting rural health initiatives.
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Pictured: From Left to Right: ICAHN Board President Pam Pfister, Memorial Medical Clinic Mobile LCSW Gavin O’Neil, and Memorial Hospital’s Chief Human Resources Officer Will Stuflick.
