Medical school community displays creativity in 2024 Scope
SIU School of Medicine unveiled the 2024 edition of SCOPE, its student-produced literary magazine, at an awards reception April 12. The booklet contains short stories, poems and artwork from students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the school. First published in 1994, Scope showcases the artistic and creative energy of the SIU Medicine community.
Prizes were awarded to the top three entries in the categories of poetry, prose and visual art. The winners, selected by the editorial staff, received monetary awards.
The first-place poetry winner was Mackenzie Peck, a neurology researcher, for “A Field Guide to the Plants of Our Childhood.” The second-place winner was Ireland Smith, a third-year medical student from East Alton, for “The Price of Success.” The third-place winner was Jenna Ribbing, a second-year medical student from Anna, for “Two Boys.”
The first-place prose winner was Kanicia Green, a fourth-year medical student from Springfield, for the short story, “Courageously You.” The second-place prose award went to Ribbing, for her story “Burden of Safety.” Third place was awarded to Susan Nagele, MD, an alumna from the class of 1981, for “Jennifer.”
The first-place visual art award was presented to Morgan Suhre (pictured above), a fourth-year student from Edwardsville, for her acrylic painting of a pair of horses, “Mr. and Mrs.” The artwork is featured on the cover of this year’s SCOPE. The second-place winner was Divinity Rhodes, a first-year medical student from Springfield, for her acrylic painting of a space explorer entitled “In the Depths.” Third-place winner was Lynne Ling, an auditory researcher, for her digital photo “Glorious” (pictured at right).
Community member Thomas Hingle’s digital painting of a dog, “Iggy,” received the People’s Choice Award. A charcoal sketch, “Scrub In, Scrub Out,” by Morgan Suhre, received the Dean’s Choice Award from Dr. Jerry Kruse.
Fourth-year medical student Emma Johns from Villa Grove served as editor-in-chief of Scope. At the luncheon, Johns presented a new prize in the writing category – the Editor’s Choice Award – to third-year medical student Reem Khader of Carbondale for her poem, “Heads or Tails.”
A special edition of Scope was also published this spring and distributed at the luncheon. It features short stories written by faculty, staff and students on the subject of vulnerability. Dean Emeritus Dr. Kevin Dorsey served as the editor-in-chief, producing the 40-page booklet with support from the Macy Foundation.
All SCOPE editions, including the new editions, are posted online at siumed.edu/scope. Contact Kristie Parkins, Medical Humanities, 217-545-4262 weekdays for additional print copies. Submissions for the 2025 edition of Scope will be accepted through January 2025.
