SPRINGFIELD, IL – A new report describes the impact of COVID-19 on the existing rural opioid epidemic and identified opportunities to treat opioid addiction and reduce fatalities in rural Illinois. “The opioid epidemic continues to hurt rural regions in Illinois and the pandemic has worsened the economic and social factors that lead to opioid misuse,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Chair, SIU Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy. “We need to invest in new strategies and resources that prevent, treat and build appropriate systems of recovery for those struggling from the opioid epidemic

Orders are due by Thursday, November 18, 2021 and plants will be ready for pickup on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Pick-up Information: Tuesday, November 30, 2021, 10 am to 5 pm at 913 N. Rutledge Street, North Entrance, Room 1010 Our staff will be available to run orders out to cars, so there will be less contact. Masks will be required. Please follow us on Facebook@ThinkFirstSIUSOM and we will post pictures of the novelty poinsettias and extras we have left that are available for purchase after 1 pm on November 30, 2021. To order send completed form & check via: Mail: Campus Mail code: 9604 or

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, SIU Medicine has resources to help. Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Katherine Hild-Mosley offers guidance for patients and members of the community seeking assistance for their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Q: Can patients speak with their OB-GYN or physician if they are experiencing domestic abuse? A: Yes! A patient is encouraged to speak to her physician about any concerns she may have at any time. The American College of Obstetricians and

SPRINGFIELD, IL – A new report dissects the impact of COVID-19 on the rural health workforce and identifies methods the state can utilize current health workers more efficiently while committing to long-term rural health workforce recruitment strategies. “Pre-pandemic, rural regions suffered from significant healthcare provider shortages, which often required rural residents to travel long distances or wait longer for appointments,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Chair, SIU Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy. “Despite rural health workers’ heroic efforts during the pandemic, job

We have a number of options for you to help support and stay informed about the latest from the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer's Research and Treatment.

Some, but not all, cancer treatments cause hair loss. Ask your cancer team if your treatment is likely to cause hair loss. The Just for You Wig Salon at Simmons Cancer Institute offers wigs, hats, and scarves at no cost to cancer patients. The salon benefits from funds raised by BJ Grand Salon & Spa. Appointments Please make an appointment by calling Jessica Fleck, 217-545-7495 or email to come into the salon for a personalized fitting.

Classes and programs are held in-person and virtually. Cancer patients, survivors and/or caregivers can attend classes at no cost, regardless of where they are receiving treatment. No registration is necessary. To receive links for virtual classes, please email simmons@siumed.edu . Monday and Wednesday classes Pilates 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Pilates emphasizes maintaining the natural spinal curves while strengthening the core muscles and teaching students proper stabilization and alignment of all joints. Students must be comfortable getting up and down from the floor. Yoga 10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a

SIU Medicine, ThinkFirst and the Illinois Department of Transportation invite you to have your car seats checked by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians. Please bring the child who will be riding in the car seat, the vehicle's owner's manual and the car seat instruction manual, if possible. Car seat checks take approximately 30 minutes.

Closing Care Gaps with Telehealth Expansion in Illinois A global pandemic has accelerated the use of telehealth services to keep patients healthy at home and to protect health care professionals on the front lines. Across the country, academic medical centers like SIU School of Medicine (SIU SOM) are using emergency, temporary rules for telehealth to reach medically underserved populations in small urban and rural areas in need of better health outcomes. Health disparities and care gaps for rural and underserved communities preceded COVID-19 and will remain when the crisis has ended. It’s time