TAYLORVILLE, Ill. – Taylorville Memorial Hospital is the 2026 Community Partner Award winner for University of Illinois Extension in Christian County. For the past decade, the hospital has been an invaluable partner in advancing health and wellness throughout the community, providing steadfast support for Extension programs and helping expand access to nutrition and chronic disease prevention and management education for residents of all ages. The workshops offered by Extension and Taylorville Memorial Hospital not only provide nutrition education but also opportunities for community members to come together, practice making healthy meals, and connect. Beyond promoting programs, the hospital has played an active role in their success by offering accessible space for hands-on workshops, assisting with events, and supporting outreach and marketing efforts. Their commitment to community health extends further through their use of local data to advocate for nutrition education and healthy living initiatives in Christian County. “Their willingness to work together, provide insight into the health needs of our community at every level, combined with their genuine commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community, has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless residents,” said Lisa Peterson, food and nutrition educator.
University of Illinois Extension, serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties, is exceptionally proud to present this award to Community Health Consultant Jay Boulanger in recognition and gratitude for his significant contributions to the success and lasting impact of this partnership. “Illinois Extension relies on strong community partnerships in all aspects of our work. From providing facilities or volunteers that assist with programming to offering financial support or exposure to new audiences, Extension staff and volunteers are grateful and appreciative of each of our community partners and the support they provide,” said Sara Marten, Extension county director.
This award is sponsored by the Extension Council of University of Illinois Extension, serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties. The council recognizes a community partner throughout our four counties each year. Extension Council is a volunteer board that serves in an advisory role cooperating with Extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, evaluating, and financing an Extension program designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.