Mary Schinkel, DO, joined the physician staff at Alton Memorial Hospital on July 1. Board certified in Otorhinolaryngology/facial plastic surgery, she joins Daren Kest, DO, Gerald Moritz, MD, and family nurse practitioner Amy Cooley, who all practice in the ENT specialty. To schedule an appointment, call 618-463-7247. Dr. Schinkel is located in Suite 230 of Medical Office Building B on the AMH campus.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community, Alton Memorial Hospital’s annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball raised $100,000 on June 2. The money will purchase a new AMH ambulance that will honor Barry and Gaye Julian, longtime champions of the event.

Alton Memorial Hospital has added The C.A.R.E. Channel for patient room televisions. The 24-hour broadcast, offered on Channel 17 of all AMH televisions, is uniquely designed to reinforce the day/night cycle, which is a significant factor for the body’s ability to heal. All televisions are programmed to have the C.A.R.E. Channel showing when the set is turned on.

The Alton Memorial Hospital cardiac cath lab has undergone a remodeling that includes state-of-the-art equipment to assure patients they are receiving the best heart care possible.

The following letter was received at AMH from a retired nurse about the treatment she received at the hospital's Cancer Care Center.