The SIU Centers for Family Medicine, in coordination with the State of Illinois and the Illinois Primary Health Care Association, is expanding access to COVID-19 testing for Illinoisans with COVID-19 symptoms and those at high risk. The expansion of testing will help reduce the transmission of the disease and improve health outcomes for those in our communities. SIU Centers for Family Medicine in Carbondale, Quincy and Springfield are hosting sites beginning Monday, April 27. Carbondale’s testing site is located at the SIU Center for Family Medicine, 300 West Oak St., and is open for testing

Police brutality illuminates a dark history in our society. There is no single universally agreed upon definition or guideline for when to use force. However, we know it when we see it. Police brutality was clearly on display when adults, children and our community witnessed George screaming he couldn’t breathe, crying out for his mother, and passing away as a knee was placed on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. We saw a profound, inconceivable tragedy. As physicians, we take a Hippocratic Oath. Witnessing this brutality without taking action violates our oath. Our collective response

On April 6, 2020, my message to SIU Medicine employees focused on racial inequities in the delivery of health care, racial disparities in health care outcomes, and the overt and implicit systemic racism that lies at the root of these inequities and disparities for African Americans. On that day, using concepts articulated by Anthony Fauci, I wrote: “[The COVID-19 pandemic] has shined a light brightly and directly on America’s greatest shame – the inequities that African Americans have suffered and endured for centuries... Inequities have always existed for African Americans. Over four

On April 6, 2020, my message to SIU Medicine employees focused on racial inequities in the delivery of health care, racial disparities in health care outcomes, and the overt and implicit systemic racism that lies at the root of these inequities and disparities for African Americans. On that day, using concepts articulated by Anthony Fauci, I wrote: “[The COVID-19 pandemic] has shined a light brightly and directly on America’s greatest shame – the inequities that African Americans have suffered and endured for centuries... Inequities have always existed for African Americans. Over four

The Correctional Medicine IDOC COVID-19 Help Line will be operational 24-hours a day during the pandemic The Office of Correctional Medicine, in partnership with the Department of Internal Medicine, recently established a dedicated COVID-19 hotline for the Illinois Department of Corrections to assist with managing the health and well-being of its workforce during this difficult time. SIU Medicine’s expertise and efforts will take a large burden off of IDOC management while adding consistency to COVID-19 monitoring processes throughout our communities. The Correctional Medicine IDOC COVID-19

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and SIU School of Medicine will establish a new Pandemic Health Worker Program to support the health and wellness needs of people at home during this pandemic. The goal of the program is to remove barriers to health and community services for the underserved population and those at risk during the pandemic. Pandemic Health Workers and teams will be deployed in communities in downstate Illinois to identify those in need and deliver health and wellness services to them through wellness check-ins, home deliveries, telehealth services

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and SIU School of Medicine will establish a new Pandemic Health Worker Program to support the health and wellness needs of people at home during this pandemic. The goal of the program is to remove barriers to health and community services for the underserved population and those at risk during the pandemic. Pandemic Health Workers and teams will be deployed in communities in downstate Illinois to identify those in need and deliver health and wellness services to them through wellness check-ins, home deliveries, telehealth services

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) are partnering to provide health care for individuals at state correctional facilities. “We are eager to offer a new approach to care for our corrections population,” said Rob Jeffreys, acting director of Corrections. “SIU School of Medicine has a reputation for quality medical care and innovation. This new partnership gives us the opportunity to explore a different health care model, one that’s more patient-centered and outcome-based.” SIU’s Office of Correctional Medicine will initially focus on

A dramatic crash reenactment will show Illini Central High School students what can happen when young people drive or ride with distracted or impaired drivers. SIU School of Medicine’s injury prevention program, ThinkFirst, is assisting the Mason County Coroner and Mason County Sheriff’s Office in the reenactment at 1 pm, Wednesday, October 9, at Illini Central High School, 208 North West Avenue in Mason City. At the event, emergency personnel summoned after a car crash will simulate their tasks, and guest speakers will provide insights to the afternoon event. “This shows the real-life