Pinckneyville Community Hospital is proud to highlight the success of its “Grow our Own” program, an initiative designed to invest in local talent and support employees as they advance their healthcare careers.

One of the program’s newest participants, Mallory Higgerson, represents the very heart of the hospital’s “grow our own” mission—developing future healthcare professionals right here in the community.

Mallory began her healthcare journey while attending Pinckneyville Community High School, where she participated in the school’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and completed her clinical training at Pinckneyville Community Hospital. She also took part in AHEC (Area Health Education Center) career exploration activities, gaining early exposure to careers in healthcare.

Today, Mallory is employed at the hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant, working in both the Med-Surg unit and Emergency Department while continuing her education.

Mallory has been accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at Rend Lake College, where she will further develop her clinical skills and training as she works toward becoming a Registered Nurse.

Through the hospital’s “Grow Our Own” program, a significant financial investment is made in employees like Mallory—covering the full cost of tuition, fees, and books, which can total upwards to $15,000.

Her goal is to continue her career at Pinckneyville Community Hospital as an RN and eventually pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with long-term plans of advancing into a specialized nursing role.

“Being able to learn and grow in the same community where I started is incredibly meaningful,” said Higgerson. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue my education while working alongside such a supportive team.”

Hospital leadership says Mallory’s story is a perfect example of how local partnerships and workforce development efforts can make a lasting impact.

“Mallory’s journey—from high school student to CNA and now future nurse—is exactly what our ‘Grow Our Own’ program is all about,” said Kara Jo Carson, Chief Financial Officer. “She represents the future of healthcare in our community, and we’re proud to support her every step of the way.”

By investing in employees like Mallory, Pinckneyville Community Hospital continues to strengthen its workforce while ensuring that high-quality, compassionate care remains close to home for generations to come.