As the calendar turns to 2026, two hospitals—separated by continents but united by the challenges and triumphs of modern healthcare—find themselves at pivotal crossroads. In Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute is set to launch a groundbreaking head and neck cancer survivorship clinic, a first for both the institution and the Midwest. Meanwhile, across the globe in Kashmir, SKIMS Medical College & Hospital Bemina grapples with a swelling tide of patients, a crisis laid bare by a recent official audit that warns of mounting risks to patient safety and staff well-being.
On January 8, 2026, OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute will open its inaugural head and neck cancer survivorship clinic, operating from 8 a.m. to noon. According to OSF HealthCare, this initiative marks a significant milestone, positioning the institute among the most advanced oncology care providers in the nation. The move comes as the institute’s head and neck oncology program reports a staggering 300% increase in patients treated for head, neck, and endocrine cancers over the past three years—a surge that underscores both the growing need for specialized care and the institute’s expanding reputation as a destination for comprehensive oncology services.
What sets this new clinic apart is its multidisciplinary approach. Patients will be seen individually by specialists in head and neck surgery, survivorship cancer navigation, voice and swallow therapy, physical therapy, and dietetics—all within a single coordinated visit. Family members are encouraged to participate in these appointments, fostering a holistic environment that addresses not just the medical, but also the emotional and practical needs of survivors. The clinic operates under the medical supervision of Dr. Jamal Ahmed and Dr. Guy J. Petruzzelli, both highly respected head and neck surgeons. Dr. Petruzzelli, who also serves as surgeon-in-chief and surgical quality officer, said, "Survivorship care is essential to helping patients thrive after cancer treatment. This clinic is another example of our Mission Partners’ dedication to making OSF Cancer Institute a world-class destination for comprehensive oncology care. It positions our program among the most advanced in the nation."
OSF HealthCare itself is no small player. Founded by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and headquartered in Peoria, the system encompasses 18 inpatient facilities—including 16 licensed hospitals—across Illinois and Michigan. With 2,141 licensed beds and more than 27,000 employees (or "Mission Partners," as they’re known within the organization), OSF’s reach is vast. Its portfolio includes the third-largest pediatric hospital in Illinois, OSF Children’s Hospital, as well as digital health innovations through OSF OnCall and investment in healthcare startups via OSF Ventures. Recognition from Fortune as one of the nation’s most innovative companies and a nod from Forbes as a top employer for healthcare professionals further cements OSF’s standing in the industry.
While OSF HealthCare is expanding its services to meet the needs of a growing patient population, the situation at SKIMS Medical College & Hospital Bemina in Kashmir presents a starkly different picture. An audit conducted by the Local Audit Party AMG-I-K05, dated December 31, 2025, has sounded the alarm about the hospital’s ability to cope with a dramatic surge in patient load—a 300% increase over the past few years, with no corresponding rise in manpower or infrastructure. The audit’s findings, published January 6, 2026, paint a picture of a "high-pressure tertiary care referral centre" buckling under the weight of escalating demand.
The numbers are staggering. Outpatient and Accident & Emergency (A&E) attendance soared from 91,279 cases in 2021-22 to 254,531 cases in 2024-25, marking a 179% increase in just three years. In the first half of 2025 alone, the A&E department handled 154,115 cases—a relentless influx that, according to the audit, could have catastrophic consequences if not addressed. The report explicitly warns that, "the disproportionate growth of service must have been responded to by strengthening of infrastructure, bed strength and manpower availability, which has not happened."
Every department feels the strain. General Medicine, a key referral hub, saw outpatient attendance jump from 38,708 to 136,411 and inpatient admissions more than double from 1,987 to 4,155. The Orthopedics department is particularly overwhelmed: outpatient numbers nearly tripled, and minor surgeries exploded from 485 to 12,741 over the same period. Major orthopedic surgeries also rose, from 1,684 to 2,228. Gynaecology & Obstetrics has not been spared, with outpatient attendance rising from 58,753 to 72,638, inpatient admissions more than doubling, and surgical interventions—both major and minor—skyrocketing. The audit notes, "Without proportionate expansion of labour rooms, neonatal support and nursing staff, this may adversely impact maternal and neonatal outcomes."
The Psychiatry department’s threefold rise in outpatient demand, from 26,733 to 85,111, signals a growing mental health crisis in the region. Yet, the infrastructure and trained psychiatric manpower have not kept pace. Pediatrics, too, saw outpatient attendance rise from 16,651 to over 82,073—a jaw-dropping 393% increase. The audit does not mince words in its warning: risks to patient safety, quality of care, staff burnout, and potential negative impacts on post-operative care capacity are all looming threats. The relentless operational pressure, it cautions, could compromise "response time, patient triaging and medico-legal compliance."
SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina, serves as a major multi-specialty hub for patients from across Kashmir, especially the northern regions. Its role as the backbone of healthcare delivery in the area makes the findings of the audit all the more concerning. The report urges immediate action to expand bed strength, infrastructure, and staffing—without which, the hospital’s ability to provide safe, high-quality care hangs in the balance.
The juxtaposition of these two institutions—one expanding its services and embracing multidisciplinary survivorship care, the other struggling to keep pace with overwhelming demand—offers a telling snapshot of the complexities and disparities in global healthcare. While OSF HealthCare’s new clinic sets a benchmark for patient-centered innovation, the crisis at SKIMS Medical College & Hospital Bemina is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by hospitals operating at the limits of their capacity.
As 2026 unfolds, these stories highlight the urgent need for both innovation and investment in healthcare systems worldwide. Whether through new clinics that address the unique needs of survivors or through infrastructure and staffing upgrades that ensure no patient is left behind, the path forward demands attention, resources, and—above all—a commitment to the well-being of every patient who walks through the hospital doors.
