Open house event offers community members opportunity to learn about and complete power of attorney for health care documents on-site
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is hosting a free, open house workshop to help community members understand the importance of a health care power of attorney (POAH) and complete their POAH paperwork on-site.
The event will take place on National Healthcare Decisions Day – Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Auditorium, located at 503 N. Maple St., Effingham. Attendees are asked to use the pre-surgical testing entrance on the hospital’s north side.
A health care power of attorney is a legal document that allows individuals to designate a trusted person to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. Having a POAH in place ensures that a person’s health care wishes are known and respected during critical moments.
The workshop is open to anyone over the age of 18. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to ensure personalized assistance.
“We strive to make it as easy as possible for members of our community to take this important step in planning for their future health care needs,” said Karla Marshall, Spiritual Care and Mission Manager for HSHS Central Illinois Market. “This workshop provides a supportive environment where individuals can learn about the process and complete their paperwork all in one visit.”
For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact Karla Marshall at karla.marshall@hshs.org.
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.
###
About HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, celebrating 150 years of serving the Effingham community, is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded in 1875. Dedicated to our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through high-quality Franciscan health care, HSHS clinicians provide exceptional care centered on the whole person. Based in Springfield, Illinois, HSHS employs nearly 11,000 colleagues who provide care in 13 acute-care, children’s and critical-access hospitals and home health and hospice programs in Central and Southern Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin. HSHS is aligned with more than 1,000 primary and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners through its owned affiliates HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular and its partnership with Prevea Health. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.