Kim Uphoff Community Update
(1/06/23)
New Year’s Greetings
During the past year, more people than ever before have come to us for care. 
We are pleased to provide this care to our friends and neighbors and thank everyone for trusting us with their health.
Typically, we see more people throughout the winter months due to seasonal illnesses and a desire to get necessary elective surgeries done before the end of the year. Thursday, Jan. 5, was a historic day for us as we cared for more people in a single day than ever in our 45-year history. While some people may have influenza, RSV and COVID-19, the vast majority of them have other illnesses.
We believe the number of patients seeking care from us, may be our new normal due to growth and expanded services in our region. To accommodate our patients’ needs, we created additional bed space in other areas of the Health Center including in our:
- Cath Lab (first floor)
- Emergency Department (first floor)
- Surgery Recovery (PACU-first floor)
- Women & Children’s Center (second floor)
- Pediatrics (second floor)
- Center for Interventional Pain (first floor, suite 106)
While the rooms may look different than our rooms on the second, third and fourth floors, patients will receive the same excellent care. Every single patient is important to us and we will do our very best to help them recover from their illness or surgery. We look forward to using the 20 new patient rooms under construction on the northside of the building in early Fall.
If you have a minor illness, please call your medical provider or go to one of our walk-in clinics in Mattoon, Charleston, Tuscola and Effingham. They are open from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. You can check the wait times in the upper righthand corner of the website, www.sarahbush.org.
We never want you to delay necessary medical care. Our doors are always open for anyone in need. We are honored you choose to receive care at Sarah Bush Lincoln.
Stay safe and warm,
Kim Uphoff
SBL President & CEO
Below are links to up-to-date information, daily updates and more
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
- Daily updates
- SBL important numbers
- Managing respiratory symptoms at home
- Temporary closings
- Frequently asked questions