Carle Health

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady acknowledged in a WGLT interview the city has already begun to go its own way in project advocacy. Brady has been critical of the annual One Voice collective community lobbying trip to Washington. The city sent its delegation a day early this year to push its own projects.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday approved an agreement with Carle Health and Deneen Brothers Farms that paves the way for the regional medical campus on 35 acres within the Empire Business Park.

Despite local and national struggles of the health care industry, Dr. Robert Cavagnol, new president of Carle Health's central region, hopes to continue making advances at the Bloomington-Normal health care provider.

A program that works to reduce caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years. It's the Frequent User System Engagement, or FUSE program.

Health care providers and educators worry a $100,000 lifetime limit on borrowing for graduate nursing programs, wrapped in the fine print of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could put a wrench in the workforce pipeline.

Carle Health has named Dr. Robert Cavagnol as its new president of the Bloomington-Normal service area. Cavagnol will assume the position on Feb. 2, replacing Colleen Kannaday.

Carle said it will limit patient rooms to two visitors at a time and will not allow visitors under age 18. Carle is also strongly encouraging anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms to wear a mask while visiting one of its health facilities.

OSF, a Catholic health care system based in Peoria, said in a statement it was “saddened” to hear the governor signed the bill into law. Health care providers are not required to participate.

From community celebrations to free breakfasts, coffee and meals, there are plenty of ways McLean County is showing appreciation for those who’ve served ahead of and on Veterans Day next week.

Colleen Kannaday has served as president of both hospitals for over a decade and has worked in health care for 30 years.