From Episode 1 to 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes with John Hesse of Carle Health
Our 100th podcast episode brought things full circle with our very first guest, John Hesse, Vice President for Business Development at Carle Health. Host Patrick Hoban sat down with him to reflect on six years of progress, regional collaboration, and what’s next for Central Illinois and surrounding markets.
When John first joined the podcast, Carle had just expanded into the Bloomington-Normal area. Today, his role covers the Bloomington-Normal, Greater Peoria, Champaign, and other Central Illinois markets—showing how interconnected our regional economies have become. Growth and success in one community benefit the entire region, strengthening both local employers and the broader workforce.
Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities
The conversation highlighted several key themes shaping Central Illinois:
Housing: Rapid growth from employers such as Rivian and Ferrero has created high demand for new housing options across multiple communities.
Workforce: From healthcare to manufacturing, regional collaboration is essential to attract and retain skilled workers.
Education: New programs at Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University, including nursing and engineering, are helping build the talent pipeline needed for future growth.
Healthcare, education, and industry remain deeply connected. Long-term success depends on continued investment in people, housing, and infrastructure to ensure that communities across Central Illinois can grow together.
Embracing Technology
The discussion also focused on the growing role of AI and automation. In healthcare, AI is helping fill workforce gaps and improve efficiency, while in economic development, data-driven tools are making it easier for businesses to invest and expand throughout the region.
Moving Forward
Together, communities like Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Champaign, and beyond are building a stronger, more connected future.
🎧 Listen to the full episode with Patrick Hoban and John Hesse https://youtu.be/bDMddzUo7SM?si=F9M8j3Ivf-A8IaEw.