Sparta Community Hospital Celebrates Rural Health Day

The first ever National Rural Health Day was celebrated on Thursday, November, 17, 2011. Sparta Community Hospital held an open house from 10 am until noon honoring the entire staff at the hospital and clinics for their dedicated service in the healthcare field to rural communities. Mayor Charles Kelley presented a proclamation designating November 17th, 2011 as Rural Health Day in the city of Sparta annually. Dr. Morris Kugler, general surgeon and 2009 recipient of the Illinois Rural Health Practitioner of the Year, along with hospital board members Alene Holloway, Delbert Bollmann and CEO Joann Emge were present to greet guests. The Illinois Department of Public Health and Center for Rural Health also had a proclamation signed by Governor Quinn acknowledging the special day.