⭐ Meet Our Year One Wonder - Mandi Sill ⭐ We love celebrating nurses who make an impact early—and that’s exactly what Mandi did for her patients in the ER. In year one on the job, she’s showing compassion and confidence as a Registered Nurse. This recognition is all about honoring new nurses who step in, step up, and shine. ✨ New grad RN? This could be you next. If you’re starting your nursing career and looking for a place that recognizes your growth, supports your journey, and celebrates your wins, we’d love to meet you. 👉 New grads—apply now and start your story with us. https://bit.ly/4lwmFCB #BHSCareers #NewNurse #NewGrad
Blessing Health System names next CEO. The Blessing Corporate Services Board of Trustees has selected Mike Trachta as the system’s next president and chief executive officer, effective on May 1, 2026. Trachta has 27 years of healthcare leadership experience, in rural hospitals, urban hospitals, and most recently in a large integrated health system as Vice President of community hospitals and health system operations with MercyOne, based in Des Moines, Iowa. Blessing’s board engaged Furst Group, a national healthcare executive search firm with 40 years’ experience for the CEO search. The selection process involved gathering feedback from members of the Blessing boards, employee leadership and medical staff. “Mike matches the qualities the Board outlined when this search began last September,” said Gary Gillespie, chairman, Board of Trustees, Blessing Corporate Services. “He is a mission-driven, community-focused leader with a track record in community health, care quality and access, employee engagement, and organizational success and growth.” “I am honored to join the Blessing Health System team,” Trachta said upon accepting the position. “Blessing has an impressive reputation as a strong independent health system and I look forward to working with clinical, business, and community leaders to build on the success of this valuable regional asset.”
A hospital visit can seem a bit scary when you’re six, but Lylah’s experience at Blessing Hospital was made much easier thanks to a special surprise from Haley, a Blessing nurse who crochets handmade animals for young patients. 🧸 Haley’s handcrafted creations give young patients something to hold onto, helping ease fears and bring comfort during what can be a stressful moment. Watch this special story of how one small act of kindness makes a big difference in Lylah’s experience.
Our Team💙 Blessing Hospital’s Blessed Beginnings maternity care team received five awards at the recent Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) 13th Annual Conference. The ILPQC is made up of hospital teams, perinatal clinicians, patients, public health leaders, and policymakers committed to improving health care and outcomes for mothers and babies across Illinois. Blessed Beginnings earned: 💙 The Path to QI Excellence and Promoting Vaginal Birth QI Excellence awards for improving quality and reducing disparities, including sustaining initiatives like promoting vaginal birth 💙 The Patient and Community Engagement Champion Award for actively involving patients and their communities in quality improvement efforts 💙 The Perinatal Maternal Health Outstanding Launch Award and the QI excellence in the Equitable Safe Sleep in Infants initiative for the successful launches of these two initiatives “This accomplishment represents the consistent commitment to quality and improvement of outcomes by an entire multidisciplinary team of people who desire to enhance Blessing’s ability to provide a safe space to receive quality, equitable care for birthing people and their families,” said Jamie Kane, Ambulatory Associate Chief Nursing Officer.
Patient Care success goes international! 🌎 Blessing's own, (Laura Weigand, BSN, RN, CCRN, TNS; Tracy Viers, APRN, AC-AGCNS; and Eydie Tipton, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNML, EBP-C), had their quality improvement initiative published nationally and presented it in-person at the 2025 American Nurses Credentialing Center National Magnet Conference earlier this month. More than 14,000 nurses from around the world attended the conference, which showcases excellence in nursing practice and innovation. Blessing Health is doing BIG THINGS! 💪 Ready to join an innovative, patient-centered organization? We look forward to welcoming you to the team! https://bit.ly/2ZmCl1c #BHSCareers #Magnet #ExperienceTheBlessingDifference
Breathe easy, right? “I envisioned what every mother does - a day in the hospital, the golden hours with our baby, then heading right home to settle in to our new life.” - Katie Elmore Read more about this little fighter's neonatal journey and how our team at Blessing helped everyone get a breath of relief.
If you’re lucky enough to meet Illini Community Hospital nurse Ashley Holland, you might notice a small gold brain pin on her uniform. That pin isn’t just jewelry—it’s a badge of honor. Ashley is the very first Illini nurse to receive the Blessing Health System Stroke Recognition Pin for her quick action and lifesaving role in helping 78-year-old Linda Smith of Pittsfield. Heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes they wear scrubs and carry a heart full of compassion. Check out the full story https://bit.ly/4fRqzCW and join us in celebrating Ashley for her incredible impact!
If you’re lucky enough to meet Illini Community Hospital nurse Ashley Holland, you might notice a small gold brain pin on her uniform. That pin isn’t just jewelry—it’s a badge of honor. Ashley is the very first Illini nurse to receive the Blessing Health System Stroke Recognition Pin for her quick action and lifesaving role in helping 78-year-old Linda Smith of Pittsfield. Heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes they wear scrubs and carry a heart full of compassion. Check out the full story https://bit.ly/4fRqzCW and join us in celebrating Ashley for her incredible impact!
We have a number of ways to recognize our coworkers who go the extra mile to deliver high-quality, safe care and an exceptional experience - there is Kudos, The DAISY and Honey Bee awards and the newest award - the Exceptional Provider award. Six providers recently received the awards: Drs. Salvador Sanchez, behavioral health; Mary Kussman, anesthesiology; Pierre Raad, pediatrics; Michael Kirkpatrick, family medicine; Arthur Ankeney, emergency medicine and William Andel, APRN-BC, orthopedics and sports medicine. More than 60 providers were nominated for the award in the areas of service, quality, patient experience, teamwork and access. Also, as part of our 2025 Doctors Day observance, we recognize providers celebrating services anniversaries. Employed providers recognized included Drs. Josue Acevedo, Mark Baker, Myron Jones, Darr Leutz, Barry Werries, Adnan Mushtaq, Luc Tchapnda, Mark Wavrunek and Chad Noggle, PHD, ABPP-CN, ABN for 5 years of service; Dr. Mary Frances Barthel for 10 years; Dr. Hammock for 15 years; Arif Bari, Gina Dietrich, Michael Kirkpatrick and Salvador Sanchez for 20 years and for 30 years of service - Dr. Stuart Pyatt. Congratulations and thank you to each provider nominated as an Exceptional Provider, the six who won the inaugural award and those recognized for service anniversaries. We are proud to work alongside you in our quest to be exceptional!
Our Mt. Sterling Clinic and Outpatient Behavioral Services have teamed up to expand clinic access through a new service. Destiny Craven, psychiatrics mental health nurse practitioner, has joined the Blessing Health Mt. Sterling clinic team, offering on-site behavioral care for the first time since the clinic opened in 2021. Destiny has a passion for removing the barriers of travel and access that can stop rural residents from seeking behavioral care. The Mt. Sterling clinic team has a passion not only for providing convenient access to healthcare for rural residents but also providing the type of healthcare services that are needed the most. That makes Destiny a perfect fit for this team. Thanks to our expanded Mt. Sterling Clinic team for helping us as we work towards reaching our Access to Care Goal!
