FMH Chief Executive Officer Katherine Bunting has been recognized as the 2019 Rural Health Hero by the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Bunting was recognized at the National Rural Health Day Event in November held in Rockford, Illinois.
Dr. Bunting received this recognition for her ongoing efforts to serve as a rural health advocate for our community and surrounding communities. Dr. Bunting serves on several Boards to include the Illinois Hospital Association as a voice for healthcare in rural America. She has been guest speakers at national conventions for the American Hospital Association and Becker’s Healthcare discussing topics that are relevant to rural communities. She has been recognized numerous times by Becker’s Healthcare as a CEO and Leader to Know.
Dr. Bunting began her tenure at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in 1998. Under her direction, Fairfield Memorial Hospital has seen the completion of the expansion project in 1999; addition of Senior Life Solutions, Pain Clinic, Health Careers, Urgent Care, Behavioral Health, and Rural Health Clinics in Fairfield, Cisne, Grayville, and Carmi (scheduled to open in 2020); expansion of Therapy Services; construction of a state of the art Medical Arts Complex and new Dietary Department; State and National Recognition of Skilled Care Unit and HCAHPS scores; as well as, the upcoming expansion project that will result in a new ER and Urgent Care, expanded Surgical Suites, additional physician office space, and a brand new Skilled Care Unit. Fairfield Memorial Hospital has grown to be Wayne County’s largest employer with over 300 full-time and part-time employees.
Fairfield Memorial Hospital is a private, not for profit hospital that is operated solely on the revenues it generates as it does not receive tax monies like county hospitals in other surrounding communities do. Under Dr. Bunting’s guidance, the hospital remains a financially strong organization while providing high quality services to FMH’s patients and their loved ones.
