Steeleville Clinic, part of Sparta Community Hospital, has been recognized for achieving the highest HPV vaccine coverage among participating clinics in its region. The award was presented at the Vaccines for Children Summit held in Carbondale.
The clinic’s proactive approach includes making vaccine education a regular part of discussions with parents. Steeleville Clinic Supervisor Shannon Rubach explained, “When families understand the long-term protection the HPV vaccine provides, they feel confident choosing it for their children.” Rubach added, “We are proud of our Steeleville Clinic team for setting the bar high. We’ve shown that small town can deliver big results for the community.”
HPV is a common virus linked to several cancers later in life, including cervical and throat cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends starting HPV vaccination at ages 11–12, though it may begin as early as age 9.
Peter Hertzing, Director of Clinic Management at Sparta Community Hospital, stated, “This recognition is about more than statistics—it’s about protecting our kids from preventable cancers. Reaching 83.3% first-dose coverage shows how committed our team and community are to prevention.”
Sparta Community Hospital emphasizes prevention across all its clinics and encourages families whose children have not yet received the HPV vaccine to speak with their healthcare providers.
To schedule an appointment at any clinic location, patients can call 618-443-1DOC (1362).
