Physician Relations Department

Cathy Blythe, MBA, FACHE

System Manager, Planning and Physician Recruitment
618.457.5200 ext. 67963 | cathy.blythe@sih.net

Cathy has been with Southern Illinois Healthcare since 1999, and joined the Physician Relations team in 2013. Dedicated to the recruitment of high quality, skilled clinicians, Cathy has oversight for all physician recruitment activities at SIH. In addition, she oversees the development and deployment of the SIH Strategic Plan. Cathy obtained a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and MBA with a focus in Healthcare Management from Southern Illinois University. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and member of the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters.

As a native of southern Illinois, Cathy receives great satisfaction contributing to the growth and enhancement of healthcare services for the area. Recruiting and retaining exceptional medical staff enables SIH to meet their mission of improving the health and well-being of all of the people in the communities served. Cathy is proud to be part of an organization with a focus on ensuring that healthcare needs are met while providing the highest quality of care to all patients.

Tara Gaugh, BS, FASPR

Physician Relations & Recruitment Specialist
618.457.5200 ext 67012 | tara.gaugh@sih.net

Tara has worked in healthcare since 2002, and is thrilled to be part of the Southern Illinois Healthcare’s Physician Relations team. She is passionate about matchmaking the right physician for each opportunity, and finding the best fit for the community.

Tara obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Maryville University, in St. Louis. In 2016, she became a Fellow of Association of Staff Physician Recruiters.

Michelle Castoldi, AAT, FASPR

Physician Relations & Recruitment Specialist
618.457.5200 ext.67136 | michelle.castoldi@sih.net

Michelle is a native of southern Illinois – born at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, raised in Carterville and residing in Marion. She attended both John A. Logan College and Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. A 20+ year veteran of the healthcare industry, Michelle joined Southern Illinois Healthcare in 2010. She takes pride in bringing the best possible physicians to the people of southern Illinois. She enjoys learning about multiple world cultures through the physician immigration process. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and taking in the beautiful sights of southern Illinois.

Kristin Pankey, MS

Physician Relations & Recruitment Specialist
618.457.5200 ext.67014 | kristin.pankey@sih.net

Kristin has worked in and around the healthcare field throughout much of her career, her first position being with Southern Illinois Healthcare back in 2008. While finishing up her MS in Applied Experimental Psychology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, she worked in SIH’s Facilities department as a Data Analyst. She also worked for many years as a consultant, assisting healthcare organizations in the areas of employee and physician engagement. Outside of healthcare, Kristin has also worked in several other fields and at several Fortune 500 companies across the country, enabling her to bring a multitude of experience to the physician recruitment role at SIH.

As a native of southern Illinois, Kristin feels that by bringing the highest quality physicians and medical staff to the area, the entire community benefits in receiving the best healthcare possible. She is thankful to have the opportunity to build strong relationships with those physicians and providers who decide to become part of the SIH family. Kristin is proud to be part of an organization that is forward thinking, financially strong, and constantly contributing to the growth of the community in which she calls home.

Toni Ledbetter, PACE

Physician Relations Coordinator
618.457.5200 ext 67133 | toni.ledbetter@sih.net

Toni has been with Southern Illinois Healthcare since 2004, and joined the Physician Relations team in 2016. Being a dynamic, resourceful and energetic individual, Toni is comfortable with being the ‘go to’ person for anything related to the smooth running of the department. She is experienced in providing full secretarial and department management support to her colleagues in a busy work environment. Having a proactive and flexible approach to juggling many different priorities, and ability to work autonomously and take ownership of all aspects of a task or project allows her teammates to focus on their recruitment priorities.

Gabe Tippy

Physician Relations & Recruitment Specialist
618.457.5200 ext 67161 | gabe.tippy@sih.net

Gabe joined the Physician Relations team at Southern Illinois Healthcare in 2017. He is a native of southern Illinois – born and raised in West Frankfort and currently resides in Carterville. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2007 with a BA in Psychology and from Canisius College in 2011 with a MS in Sports Administration. He has 2+ years of experience in the healthcare industry working as the Grant/Program Coordinator for the SIU Family Medicine Residency Program in Carbondale. Prior to his arrival at SIH, Gabe worked in athletic fundraising for 4+ years at the University of Houston and, more recently, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has had extensive exposure to several fundraising and sales opportunities in his career. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife (Nicole), 10 year old son (Hudson), and his extended family and friends. He also enjoys sports and the outdoors.

Alexis Depre, RN, BSN, MBA, DASPR

Physician Relations Manager
618.457.5200 ext. 67015 | alexis.depre@sih.net

Alexis has been with the Physician Relations Team for Southern Illinois Healthcare since 2007. She has over 20 years of progressive healthcare experience and management, including a graduate degree in Business with Healthcare Administration focus. Access and market share continues to grow with the help of the Physician Relations recruitment and retention efforts. Alexis strives for hospital-physician and physician-physician collaboration and is solution oriented. She is responsible for all provider outreach, physician partnership survey, physician and APP mentoring programs, and retention activities. Hospital System oriented, Alexis’ efforts have resulted in positive physician relations and retention at Southern Illinois Healthcare.

Alexis sits on several hospital committees including the Steering Committee for the SIH Foundation. Alexis is committed to teamwork approach; creating healthcare access for the region and connecting the work of Southern Illinois Healthcare with the region. Alexis is a subject matter expert in physician recruitment and has authored or contributed to several publications. Alexis is a member of ISPR, ASPR and several recruitment networks.