Dr. Cornelius oversees both HSHS Holy Family Hospital, a 28-bed rural hospital, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, a 25-bed critical access hospital. She brings 19 years of progressive leadership experience at HSHS to her role as chief administrative officer. Dr. Cornelius began her career at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland in 2006 as a registered nurse and advanced through charge nurse, nurse manager, director, COO and CNO roles before serving as interim CEO prior to her appointment to her current role in June 2024. She is particularly passionate about substance use disorder recovery, donating her time to organizations including the Partnership for Drug-Free Communities, the Metro East Recovery Council and the Bond County Recovery Council. She also supports Overdose Awareness Days and safe drug disposal programs at both hospitals. Under her leadership, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland earned the 2023 Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network “Community Project Award” for its work reducing overdoses and expanding resources for those struggling with substance use disorder. The hospital has also received CMS 5-star ratings for nurse communication, cleanliness and low catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. Dr. Cornelius also led HSHS Holy Family Hospital through a reimagining of its inpatient floors and supported the hospital’s achievement of Joint Commission accreditation in 2023.
