When It Comes to Choosing a Hospital, There is Power in Local.
For generations, Culbertson Memorial Hospital has been a familiar part of our lives — a steady presence quietly woven into the fabric of the community. Whether you’re heading to the local grocery store, attending a Rockets game, or just enjoying a peaceful night at home on the front porch, Culbertson has been quietly supporting families and neighbors for decades. Most people don’t think much about their local hospital until the moment they truly need it. And then suddenly, its importance becomes unmistakable.
CEO Gregg Snyder often reflects on that relationship between the hospital and the people it serves.
“Culbertson isn’t just where you go for care,” he says. “It’s been part of this community’s story for decades — and the community is genuinely part of ours.”
In a world that’s constantly changing, there’s something deeply comforting about having dependable care, close to home, delivered by people who know your family, your town, and your needs. That’s the quiet power of a community hospital.
A Hospital with History—and Heart
Ask longtime Rushville residents, and many can recall childhood checkups, late-night emergency visits, or the day a new baby arrived. Culbertson has been a backdrop for countless personal milestones — some joyful, some scary, all meaningful.
The hospital has grown and modernized over the years, but the heart of the mission has stayed the same: serving the community with compassion, skill, and a personal touch you don’t always find elsewhere.
Culbertson has long been woven into community life. Staff members are the same people coaching youth sports, attending local festivals, or volunteering at community events. The hospital’s presence has always been part of what makes Rushville and the surrounding area feel like home — a place where history and people’s daily lives intertwine. After all, Rushville itself is steeped in history. Abraham Lincoln delivered speeches here in 1858 and practiced law at the former courthouse. The historic Ray House, built in 1850 by local banker and U.S. Congressman William H. Ray, was later expanded twice and even hosted Lincoln himself. It’s a tangible reminder of the town’s rich past — and the current Culbertson Memorial Hospital is part of the story of the present.
Fueling the Local Economy — More Than You Might Think
Hospitals are often among the largest economic engines in rural communities. Nationwide research underscores the ripple-out effects of a thriving rural hospital — supporting jobs, boosting local businesses, and sustaining the economic foundation of the entire region.
According to the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and related economic studies:
- A typical rural hospital often acts as one of the top employers in town — sometimes the first, second, or third largest.
- The economic impact isn’t just about direct employment: “You take it back to an indirect impact on food service within the town, construction, even the florist shop,” says Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association*.
- Loss of a rural hospital can trigger losses in hundreds of jobs, closing of businesses, and can signal a downward spiral for the local economy.
For Rushville, that means:
- Families earning stable paychecks
- Local businesses — restaurants, retail shops, and service providers — bustling with regular customers
- Reliable work for local contractors and vendors
- A stable tax base and vibrant community life
In short: when Culbertson does well, many surrounding businesses and families do too.
Keeping Care Local — Because No One Wants a 2 Hour Drive for an X-Ray
Let’s be honest: driving to Peoria, Springfield, or Quincy for routine care is nobody’s idea of a good time. Traffic, parking garages, long waits, and feeling like a number in a giant system don’t exactly make for a comforting healthcare experience.
Culbertson Memorial Hospital keeps care right here in Rushville. Close. Convenient. Familiar. Care like:
- Primary care and checkups
- Emergency services
- Imaging and diagnostics
- Therapy services
- Outpatient Specialty Clinics
- Surgery
Snyder often says: “Local care means decisions are made by people who live here and understand the real needs of this community.”
That difference matters.
Community Engagement: More Than Medicine
Culbertson isn’t the kind of hospital that’s only visible when the ambulance pulls up or the waiting room fills. This hospital shows up — again and again — to support the well-being of the community in everyday life. Examples include community education workshops like Cooking with Culbertson and events such as Pampered Pink, an annual celebration focused on health and breast cancer awareness. Culbertson sponsors many community events, and its employees generously volunteer their support throughout the year.
These events aren’t just “programming” — they’re relationship building, showing Culbertson’s commitment to caring for the entire community.
A Place Where Neighbors Care for Neighbors
One of the remarkable things about Culbertson is how personal the care feels. Staff members often treat people they know: former teachers, parents of their kids’ classmates, old friends, retired colleagues.
It creates a different kind of healthcare experience. More understanding. More trust. More heart.
A Home for Careers — and Hometown Pride
Culbertson isn’t just a place where people receive care. It’s a place where people build careers — and stay for decades. The hospital offers:
- Competitive pay and strong benefits
- Tuition assistance and ongoing training
- A supportive environment that values teamwork
- Clear opportunities for career growth
Local students often return home after college or technical school because they know they can build a meaningful career right here. That keeps families connected, businesses supported, and Rushville thriving.
A Future Supported by the Community It Serves
Culbertson Memorial Hospital has always been strengthened by the community’s trust, support, and belief in its mission. Those relationships make it possible for the hospital to grow, update technology, expand services, and stay responsive to local needs.
And like any great partnership, the hospital gives that support right back — through care, jobs, programs, and a commitment to always do what’s best for the people who call this place home.
*Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association. “Rescuing Rural Health Care.”