SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has awarded $1.1 million to downstate hospitals and other health care providers to improve access to health care services in rural areas of the state, Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, today announced.

Dr. Lumpkin said $305,000 in new grants was provided to seven hospitals and $871,950 to community-based primary care centers, rural hospitals and community health centers to continue state support of 16 previously approved projects. Funding for the grants comes from the state's general revenue fund.

"Access to health care is a critical issue throughout the state, but nowhere more important than in rural areas," Dr. Lumpkin said. "These grants will permit downstate health care providers to better serve citizens in their area."

The funds, which are authorized by the Rural/Downstate Health Act, have been providing financial assistance since 1993. A statewide committee made up representatives from federally qualified health centers, a rural hospital, local health departments, Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois, Western Illinois University and Illinois Health Education Consortium, reviewed 18 grants applications before selecting those to be funded. The projects are eligible to receive grants for up to six years.

Following are the new projects receiving grant funds:

• Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City, $1,275 – The hospital will purchase a patient care mannequin and venipuncture training arm module to use as skills enhancement teaching aids. This is a one-year grant.

• Illini Community Hospital, Pittsfield, $54,000 – Funds will be to used to renovate outpatient clinics for specialists; to replace mammography equipment, microbiology system, echocardiogram, surgery table and fracture table; and to upgrade oven, stove, freezers and dishwasher. This project will receive funds for the next six years.

• Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, $27,000 – The hospital will purchase teleradiology equipment. This is a one-year grant.

• OSF St. James Hospital, Pontiac, $60,000 – The hospital will renovate and equip AdvertureCARE, a specialized children's health center that provides assistive technology and works with children's mental health. This is a one-year grant.

• Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, $42,725 – The hospital will establish a mammography room. The funds will be used to purchase a mammography unit, to renovate a room to house the equipment and to maintain the equipment for three years.

• Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, $60,000 – The center will create a regional behavioral health network over the next six years.

• Washington County Hospital, Nashville, $60,000 – The grant will be used to construct a 25-bed assisted living facility next to the hospital. This is a three-year project.

Continuation grants were awarded to the following organizations: