SIU surgeon John Mellinger, MD, FACS, is the 2019 recipient of the SAGES Foundation’s Ponsky Master Educator in Endoscopy Award. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) will present Mellinger with the award at the 13 th Annual SAGES Foundation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 during the organizations' meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ponsky Master Educator in Endoscopy Award was established in 2009 by Dr. Jeffrey Ponsky to recognize a distinguished SAGES leader who exemplifies a pioneering leadership spirit and a strong dedication to surgical

Doctors from Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU will provide free cancer screenings from 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, March 9, at Hillsboro Area Hospital, 1200 East Tremont. “Early detection of cancer is so important in treating the disease,” said Aziz Khan, MD, executive director of Simmons Cancer Institute and chief of hematology/oncology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. “We are very glad to partner with Hillsboro Area Hospital to offer a second year of free screenings for area residents.” The Montgomery County Cancer Association is sponsoring the free event. Skin cancer screenings, home

Doctors from Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU will provide free cancer screenings from 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday, March 9, at Hillsboro Area Hospital, 1200 East Tremont. “Early detection of cancer is so important in treating the disease,” said Aziz Khan, MD, executive director of Simmons Cancer Institute and chief of hematology/oncology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. “We are very glad to partner with Hillsboro Area Hospital to offer a second year of free screenings for area residents.” The Montgomery County Cancer Association is sponsoring the free event. Skin cancer screenings, home

Congratulations to Kathy Semon, Carol Papps and Ron Bowman for receiving the Harbinger of Goodwill Award! Kathy Semon, Cancer Institute, “An elderly patient who until his recent surgery still worked and was healthy was not recovering from surgery well. She went above and beyond by scheduling and finding a pharmacy to deliver medications to him, contacted a service to go to his home to help with his daily living needs, arranged infusions for hydration, and called his family who lives out of state.” Carol Pappas, Surgery, “frequently adjusts her style of communication to accommodate our hearing

The Civil Service Employee of the Month for February 2019 is Melissa Smock, Medical Education Program Specialist, in the Office of Education and Curriculum. Her nominator said: “Melissa is cheerful, friendly, reliable, professional, dedicated, organized and willing to go the extra mile. She is proactive in learning new tasks and in expanding her skills. She is a self-starter and works well independently. She anticipates upcoming annual events and prepares for these events while completing daily assignments. She interacts well with others in a professional and friendly manner and is an asset to

The American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons has named Michael Neumeister, MD, FACS, chair of the Department of Surgery and a professor of surgery at SIU School of Medicine, the organization's first Outstanding Faculty Teacher. The council will present the award during its annual business meeting on Saturday, April 6, in Baltimore. Neumeister joined SIU Medicine as an assistant professor of surgery in 1997. In 2012, he was promoted to chair of the Department of Surgery. Neumeister is considered an international expert in reconstruction, hand and microsurgery. A native of Victoria, British

The American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons has named Michael Neumeister, MD, FACS, chair of the Department of Surgery and a professor of surgery at SIU School of Medicine, the organization's first Outstanding Faculty Teacher. The council will present the award during its annual business meeting on Saturday, April 6, in Baltimore. Neumeister joined SIU Medicine as an assistant professor of surgery in 1997. In 2012, he was promoted to chair of the Department of Surgery. Neumeister is considered an international expert in reconstruction, hand and microsurgery. A native of Victoria, British

" Great job,” your nurse says. “120/80!” If you’re not quite sure what those numbers mean, you’re not alone. But knowing your numbers and what they mean can go a long way in preventing heart disease and a host of other illnesses. The team at SIU Medicine is here to help you learn about your risk factors for heart disease, what is considered a normal blood pressure and what is a red flag. Experts agree: Understanding your results is key to controlling high blood pressure. The top number This number, also called systolic blood pressure, is the first of the two numbers in a blood pressure reading

" Great job,” your nurse says. “120/80!” If you’re not quite sure what those numbers mean, you’re not alone. But knowing your numbers and what they mean can go a long way in preventing heart disease and a host of other illnesses. The team at SIU Medicine is here to help you learn about your risk factors for heart disease, what is considered a normal blood pressure and what is a red flag. Experts agree: Understanding your results is key to controlling high blood pressure. The top number This number, also called systolic blood pressure, is the first of the two numbers in a blood pressure reading