Health Care


There are many reasons that Jefferson County is one of the progressive counties in the Southern Illinois region. Keeping its citizens and others in the region healthy is at the top of the list.

Jefferson County is the only county outside the St. Louis market in Southern Illinois that can boast of two major hospitals located in its largest town, Mt. Vernon.

Crossroads Community Hospital is a 47-bed hospital that is a part of the network with hospitals in Marion, Union County, Red Bud and Granite City. Crossroads has been a part of the community for  more than 30 years.

SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon is a 134-bed hospital in the SSM Health network that has 20 hospitals in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Although the building and location are new, the hospital has been a part of Jefferson County for more than 70 years.

Virtually all medical specialties are represented by the hundreds of physicians in Jefferson County, whether they are hospital based, in clinics or in group and private practices. In addition to medical doctors and mid-level care providers, there are also hundreds of nurses and medical technologists working in various practice settings in Jefferson County.

When you add ancillary doctors to this health care mix (dentists, optometrists, chiropractors) and assisted living and extended care facilities, you have a health care capability that makes Jefferson County the leader in health care for the region.

Crossroads Community Hospital serves Jefferson County and the surrounding region with emergency care, surgical care and medical care. In 2013 the hospital completed a $23 million expansion resulting in all new patient rooms, laboratory department, radiology department, admitting offices and same-day surgery offices. Crossroads Community Hospital emergency department pledges to see all patients within 30 minutes of their arrival. The average time patients spend in the ER before they were seen by a health care professional is 16 minutes, which is below national and state averages. In 2016, CCH received a “Grade A” Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group. This safety grade shows the commitment and effort that Crossroads Community Hospital has for its patient safety and care.

SSM Good Samaritan Hospital is a nonprofit organization. SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon along with SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Centralia, is part of one of the largest health care networks in the region with over 200 active medical staff, 2,200 employees, numerous specialty programs, and a network of rural outreach facilities. SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital offers advanced services in breast care, surgical, cardiology and pediatrics. Their network of southern Illinois hospitals, clinics, home health services and doctors deliver a shared promise to the communities they serve. That promise is to be exceptional in every way – through exceptional people providing exceptional experiences while delivering exceptional value.

In addition to two quality hospitals, Mt. Vernon is home to a host of ancillary medical providers such as SSM, Express Care, Orthopaedic Center of Southern Illinois, Neuromuscular Orthopaedic Institute, Asbery & Associates, Heartland Women’s Healthcare, Mt. Vernon Community Health Center, Oza Cancer Center and many more, making Jefferson County a mecca for your medical needs.

To expedite your check in process to our SSM Health Express Clinic and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room, please visit www.ssmhealthillinois.com and click the “Check In To Express Clinic” tab and choose your desired location. This can also navigate you to our 2015 Women’s Choice Award for “America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care” Emergency Department. Other awards consists of Healthgrades “Patient Safety Excellence Award” three years in a row, 2015 “Outstanding Patient Experience Award” and the 2015 “Distinguished Hospital Award for top 5% Clinical Excellence” recognition, the Leapfrog Group 2016“A” grade and many more awards and recognitions.