CHESTER – Memorial Hospital is pleased to share a midyear update on the 2025–2026 Medical Explorers Program, now in its seventh year of inspiring local students to explore careers in healthcare. Since its launch, the program has welcomed more than 140 students, with 42% choosing to participate for two to three years, demonstrating strong interest and continued engagement. Open to students from their freshman year of high school through age 20, the program has historically included participants from Chester, Trico, Steeleville, Sparta, Gibault, Red Bud, Southwestern Illinois College, and homeschool programs.
Back row L-R: Claire Deterding, Megan Moeller, Katie Deterding, Eli Congiardo, Amelia Meyer, Kaylee Cowell, Kaila Jerkatis, Alayna Schmoll, Ella Tripp, Emily Melching, Maribeth Strate, Kamryn Patterson, Brenna Hammel, and Mariah Bargman, Program Director, Front row L-R: Kylie Zipfel, Jaimy Duran, Hadlie Cushman, and Rylee Shemonic. Not Pictured: Morgan Absher, Taylor Absher, Allie Bainter, Emma Batson, Aaliyah Berkbuegler, Logan Brace, Abby Carter, Hillarie Cowan, Ava Deterding, Karlie Kranz, Isabela Rafael, Kaylee Rogers, Lexi Smith, Aaron Steenson, Kenna Thompson, Karsen Wedemeyer, and Camryn Wolff.
The program provides handson learning, department tours, and direct interaction with healthcare professionals who are passionate about mentoring the next generation.
This year’s cohort includes 34 students from six area high schools, representing grades 9–12. From Chester High School, participants include Morgan Absher, Taylor Absher, Allie Bainter, Aaliyah Berkbuegler, Logan Brace, Abby Carter, Kaylee Cowell, Hadlie Cushman, Jaimy Duran, Brenna Hammel, Emily Melching, Isabela Rafael, Kaylee Rogers, Rylee Shemonic, Kenna Thompson, and Camryn Wolff.
Steeleville High School students include Emma Batson, Hillari Cowan, Karlie Kranz, Kamryn Patterson, Lexi Smith, Ella Tripp, and Karsen Wedemeyer.
From Gibault High School, participants are Eli Congiardo, Kaila Jerkatis, and Amelia Meyer.
Red Bud High School is represented by Ava Deterding, Claire Deterding, Katie Deterding, Megan Moeller, Alayna Schmoll, and Kylie Zipfel.
Trico High School is represented by Aaron Steenson, and Coulterville High School by Maribeth Strate.
Throughout this program year, participants have the opportunity to engage with professionals from Memorial Hospital’s Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab Center, Rural Health Clinics, Memorial Community Pharmacy, OR, MSU and ER Nursing, Anesthesia, and Diagnostic Imaging Departments. The program welcomes the following outside health and wellness organizations Rheinecker Chiropractic, ComWell, Chester Family Dental, MedStar Ambulance, Southern Illinois Eyecare, AirEvac, and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). These sessions allow students to observe realworld medical environments, ask questions, and gain insight into the skills and dedication required in healthcare careers.
Benefits of the program include handson demonstrations, observation of clinical procedures, and learning directly from providers across multiple specialties. The program also emphasizes career exploration through job shadowing, giving students the chance to discuss educational pathways, job responsibilities, and the realities of working in rural healthcare. Students in their Senior year of high school or enrolled in a college or university can apply for a Medical Explorer Scholarship offered by the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
As part of the program’s longterm impact, Memorial Hospital has proudly hired 12 former Explorers or eight percent of all past participants, with additional students serving as interns and completing a clinical rotations. Alumni have gone on to pursue a wide range of healthcare and serviceoriented careers, including Occupational Therapy, Social Work, SpeechLanguage Pathology, Nursing, Health Administration, Labor and Delivery Nursing, Pharmaceuticals, Physician Assistant studies, Surgery, and various military career paths.
Memorial Hospital remains committed to supporting the health and vitality of the region by investing in future healthcare professionals. Programs like Medical Explorers help strengthen the local workforce pipeline and inspire students to consider meaningful careers in medicine, allied health, and community wellness right here in the places they call home.