Carle’s Beginning

Based in Urbana, IL, Carle Health is a vertically integrated system dedicated to being a trusted healthcare partner for the communities it serves. It has more than 16,800 employees in its hospitals, multispecialty physician groups and associated healthcare businesses including the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based medical school, and Methodist College. Health AllianceTM is a leading provider-driven health plan serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Washington, and FirstCarolinaCare health plan serves North Carolina.

Carle BroMenn Medical Center, Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital and Carle Foundation Hospital hold Magnet designations, the nation’s highest honor for nursing care. ®

Our History

1918 – Carle Hospital Founding Gift

The history of Carle began in 1918, when Margaret Burt Carle Morris left $40,000 to the city of Urbana to start a hospital. This led to the creation of The Urbana Memorial Hospital Association. Her name, Carle, is an enduring testimony to the roots of the organization. In 1931, J.C. Thomas Rogers and Hugh L. Davison, two doctors from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, moved to Urbana and opened Carle Memorial Hospital and the Rogers-Davison Clinic. Housed in the abandoned Eastern Illinois Medical Sanitarium, the clinic and 15-bed hospital introduced the concept of multi-specialty group practice to the area.

1989 – CarleCare HMO Becomes Health Alliance™

Health Alliance began serving members in east Central Illinois in 1980, under the name CarleCare HMO. In 1989, the name was changed to Health Alliance Medical Plans, and it was reorganized as a for-profit insurance company owned by Carle Clinic.

2010 – Carle Foundation Hospital Merges with the former Carle Clinic

Though separated into two organizations in 1946, the clinic and hospital reunited on April 1, 2010. Together known as Carle, Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Physician Group continue to provide high-quality healthcare and advancements in medical research. This vertical integration means we’ll improve the health of the people we serve for generations to come.

2011 – Carle Develops Rural Alliance

Rural Alliance was created to help rural providers collaborate together with Carle Health to ensure rural populations have consistent access to exceptional care and experiences.

Did you know?

For nearly a century, Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Physician Group have shared a vision for providing high-quality health care.

2012 – Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center (CHRHC) Joins the System

CHRHC, previously known as Hoopeston Memorial Community Hospital, opened in 1952 and added a 25 bed long-term nursing facility in the 1970s. In 2001, the first of many major renovations took place, with adding a 25 apartment independent living facility, upgrading many departments and adding a 10,000 square foot clinic. In 2011, the board of directors announced they would integrate with Carle Foundation Hospital. In July 2012, a multi-million dollar surgical suite and emergency department renovation was completed, including four new state-of-the-art inpatient rooms. On November 1, 2012, the integration became official and the hospital was renamed Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center. CHRHC now consists of one critical access hospital with 24 beds and eight clinical locations.

2015 – Carle Illinois College of Medicine is Founded

As the world's first engineering-based college of medicine, Carle Illinois College of Medicine leverages advanced technology to train doctor-innovators in delivering better, more compassionate and accessible care to patients worldwide.

2016 – Carle Richland Memorial Hospital (CRMH) Joins the System

Successor to the Olney Sanitarium, Richland Memorial Hospital opened its doors on July 16, 1953. It began its relationship with Carle Foundation Hospital in 2014 as a clinical affiliate. In 2016, Carle and Richland Memorial began exploring full integration to increase access to healthcare services and providers in southeastern Illinois. The board of directors of both voted unanimously to approve the integration, which became official on April 1, 2017. The facility is now known as Carle Richland Memorial Hospital. Administration, management and operations remain local with resources and oversight provided by Carle, to remain aligned in our mission and vision. In 2018 a formal agreement was made to provide air ambulance services to the entire county.

2020 – Carle BroMenn Medical Center (CBMC) and Carle Eureka Hospital Join the System

With its roots established in the late 1800s and early 1900s, BroMenn Healthcare was officially started in 1984 as a combination of Brokaw Hospital, Eureka Community Hospital and Mennonite Hospital. In 1995, BroMenn Medical Group was developed, consisting of primary care medical clinics in five communities and some specialty practices. From 2010-2020, the BroMenn system joined the Downers Grove, IL-based Advocate Health Care during which time BroMenn Regional Medical Center became Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and Eureka Community Hospital was renamed Advocate Eureka Hospital. In 2020, all related facilities in Bloomington, Eureka and Normal, IL and in regional areas joined Carle Health. This includes both the hospitals, now known as Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital, The Center for Outpatient Medicine (Ambulatory Surgery Center) and the Comfort and Care Suites (the Recovery Care Center).

2020 – FirstCarolinaCare and First Medicare Direct

Health Alliance provides administrative services for its affiliate, FirstCarolinaCare Insurance Company in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

2022 – CRIS Healthy Aging Joins the System

The center for research, resources and information for seniors in Champaign County and Vermilion County supports individuals over the age of 60, caregivers of grandchildren and caregivers of seniors so those over age 60 maintain a healthy, active lifestyle at home.

2023 – Carle Health Methodist Hospital, Carle Health Proctor Hospital and Carle Health Pekin Hospital Join the System

Formerly UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois, Methodist, Proctor and Pekin hospitals, Trillium Place, Methodist College, and related facilities integrated into the Carle Health system on April 1, 2023. Carle Health Methodist Hospital was founded through the efforts of deaconesses of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Carle Health Proctor Hospital traces its roots back to Cottage Hospital, which was founded in 1882. In 1907, the hospital was renamed after benefactor John C. Proctor. Carle Health Pekin Hospital was founded in 1913, chartered by a group of citizens led by F.C. Gale, J.E. Russell, Walter Teis Smith, A.L. Koeneke and W.R. Curran. The first permanent building opened on 14th Street in Pekin with only 20 beds on land donated by the Erhlicher brothers and their wives. Today, the Greater Peoria Carle Health services includes Methodist, a 349-bed hospital, Proctor, a 210-bed hospital, and Pekin, a 95-bed hospital, each leaders in bringing high-quality and compassionate care to the communities they serve. Methodist Hospital was the first downstate Illinois hospital to receive a Magnet® designation, the highest honor of excellence in nursing. Additionally, Methodist Birthing Center is the only certified Baby-Friendly Hospital in the central Illinois area. Trillium Place is proud to offer the most comprehensive addiction and mental health services for families throughout the area. In addition to providing quality care, Carle Health has a strong commitment to building the next generation of healthcare practitioners. Methodist College has grown to more than 600 students pursuing a certificate, a baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree in a variety of healthcare roles.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission:

To be your trusted partner in all healthcare decisions.

Vision:

Improve health by providing highly accessible, world-class care and service.

Values:

Excellence, Integrity, Inclusivity, Compassion, Accountability