Rural Health Clinic in Virden to Open end of March!

By Cindy Ladage

The Carlinville Area Hospital is working diligently to bring the Rural Health Clinic to Virden with an anticipated opening date of March 31st.  Located at 1611 N. Springfield, the new clinic will include 10 exam rooms for Primary Care and a Walk-in Clinic. It will also have a lab, x-ray and therapy services for the people living in Virden and its neighboring communities.

Brian Burnside, President and CEO of Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics (CAH&C) said when interviewed on March 11th, “We just received the keys today. This marks an exciting step forward as we prepare to open our doors and serve our community with excellent care and dedication. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey – we welcome Virden to the CAH&C family.”

As we look back, CAH&C purchased the ground in March of 2023 This led into a great opportunity to place a Mobile Medical Unit in October of that same year. The unit allowed CAH&C to expand access to health care to underserved areas.

Jessica Heil, NP and Jennifer K. Tinsley, NP have been providing care at the mobile medical unit since it opened.  Both providers will be at the Virden Family Health Care clinic along with Anna Lentini, NP and Dr. Harald Lausen.  Dr. Lausen has been instrumental in the strategy of this new clinic. Brian also mentioned that without the support of Virden Mayor, George Murphy, the Virden City Works Department, and Virden City Council, that the clinic would not have been possible.

Jamie Arnett, Clinic System Director, stated that we are accepting new patients, and you may call 217.854.3881 now to set up an appointment.  We greatly appreciate all the community support we have received thus far.  We also hope that the community can join us for a Grand Opening Event that is scheduled for Thursday, March 27th from 4pm-6pm at the new Virden Family Health Care clinic.

CAH&C recently celebrated their 72nd year anniversary.  As an independent hospital, that independence allows the hospital to, Brian said, “Make decisions that focus on the patient experience at the local level, which is a huge asset to the patient. CAH&C is a Comprehensive Rural Health System that connects to 26 difference specialists.  The community can receive specialty care in our local, rural environment.  With CAH&C’s Comprehensive Rural Health System, residents of our Macoupin County rural communities now have better access to high quality medical care closer to home than before.”

Currently, the Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics Foundation contributed $1.5 million to kick off the fundraising in part for the brand-new, almost completed Rural Health Clinic in Virden and other major projects. Any contributions to help support local healthcare is greatly appreciated.

The Virden Community welcomes the Virden Family Health Care Clinic, bringing treatment and health to residents in Virden and the surrounding communities.  For more information, call 217-854-3881