Two southern Illinois organizations have partnered to develop a new “community paramedicine” program. The Center for Rural Health & Social Service Development at Southern Illinois University Medicine and SSM Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon say a community paramedicine program could prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and reduce the likelihood a patient must return to the hospital for care. A one-year, $100,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – Federal Office of Rural Health Policy is funding the program’s research and development phase.