Residency | Fellowship | Research Interests | The Cancer Institute | The Breast Center | The Trauma Center | SIUSOM

Gary L. Dunnington, MDGary L. Dunnington, M.D., is Medical Director for the Breast Center at SIU. He joined the faculty of SIU School of Medicine as Professor and Chair of the General Surgery Division in the fall of 1997. In January of 2000, he became Chair of the Department of Surgery and is now the
J. Roland Folse Professor and Chair of Surgery.
He came to the School from the Kenneth Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, where he was an Associate Professor of Surgery (1991-97), Founder and Medical Director of the USC/Norris Breast Center and served as Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (1996-97). He also was Assistant Professor of Surgery at both Creighton University School of Medicine (1989-91) and the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center (1985-89).
Dr. Dunnington earned his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine (1980) and completed his residency at the University of Arizona (1985). He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American Colleges of Surgeons. He is a member and Past President of the Association for Surgical Education and a member of the Association for Academic Surgery, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the American Surgical Association.

His research has focused on surgical education and breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. He has published more than 100 books, book chapters, articles and abstracts.

 

Christine M. Carver, APN,FNP-BCChristine M. Carver, APN, FNP-BC Christine Carver is an Advanced Practice Nurse for the Breast Center at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.  She completed her Family Nurse Practitioner degree at SIU-Edwardsville in 2008.  She obtained her Master’s of Science in Nursing from SIU-Edwardsville in 1992.  Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree at McKendree College in Lebanon in 1982 and a diploma in nursing at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chesterfield, Missouri in 1976.  She is board certified by the ANCC as a Family Nurse Practitioner. 

Ms. Carver provides screening and diagnostic services to clients with a variety of breast health issues including breast cancer, genetic counseling, and general follow-up patient care.  She also oversees the WISER (Women in Support of Each Other’s Recovery) support group.

Prior to joining Southern Illinois University, Ms. Carver was the Program and Policy Supervisor for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program for the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

Ms. Carver is a member of several organizations including the Oncology Nurse Society (ONS), Illinois Society of Advance Practice Nurses (ISAPN) and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nursing. 

For more information or to make an appointment with Ms. Carver, please call SIU Health Care
at 217-545-7432.

The Breast Center staff consists of two registered nurses, a receptionist/office assistant, and a medical assistant.  Sheri Polistina and Erin Nelson are registered nurses who work at the Breast Center.  Both nurses are certified by the Oncology Nurse Society as Certified Breast Care Nurses. 
Terri Webster is our receptionist/office assistant.  She meets and registers our patients when they arrive for their appointments.  She works with referring hospitals and clinics to obtain mammogram and pathology information when necessary.  Terri has been at the Breast Center for several years. Kathy Williams is a Certified Medical Associate who joined the staff in March 2011. She has previously worked several years in the Oncology Clinic. She helps room patients, gets vital signs, schedules tess and appointments.

Other SIU Physicians who are part of the team

John Godwin, MDJohn E. Godwin, M.D., M.S., is Professor and Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine and Associate Director of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU. Previously, he was Professor of Medicine and Pathology at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. Dr. Godwin received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. He completed his residency as well as his fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in tandem with a Master of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health.

He is a recipient of the National Research Service Award and a research fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Dr. Godwin is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of several medical organizations and societies. He sees various cancer patients at SIU. His special area of expertise is in malignant blood diseases, including acute/chronic leukemias, lymphoma, myeloproliferative diseases, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloma.

He also is a nationally known expert in bleeding and clotting disorders. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and directed national clinical trials in cancer.

Aziz U. Khan, MDAziz U. Khan, MD
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine

Dr. Khan is an educator for the Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Medical Residents in the Division of Hematology/Oncology. He is also working with development of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program. He Specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies, leukemias, lymphomas and other blood-related malignant and non-malignant disorders. Dr. Khan is also one of the Medical Oncologists seeing breast cancer patients.

Robert S. Mocharnuk, MDRobert S. Mocharnuk, MD
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
Specializes in breast cancer and genitourinary cancers, as well as non-malignant bleeding and clotting disorders.

He is board certified in Hematology, Internal Medicine, and Medical Oncology. Dr. Mocharnuk received his medical degree from Texas Tech University School of Medicine, and served his residency and fellowship at Los Angeles County, USC/Keck School of Medicine.

Krishna Rao, MDKrishna Rao, M.D.,Ph.D is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine with the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and SIU Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Rao received his medical degree from the University of Miami, School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. He completed his Internal Medicine residency ay Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota followed by a three-year fellowship in Hematology/Medical Oncology at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington. Dr. Rao has completed his Ph.D. in Pathology at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Dr.Rao has experience in bone marrow transplantation.

Dr.Rao is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and is an accomplished researcher in the area of breast cancer. Bone marrow transplantation and breast cancer are two major areas of Dr.Rao's interest.

Nicole Sommer, MDNicole Sommer, M.D., is an assistant professor of plastic surgery at The Plastic Surgery Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She is qualified to treat all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery. She has particular interest and training in all types of breast surgery including reconstruction, augmentation, reduction and asymmetry surgery. Dr. Sommer also has interest in noninvasive facial aesthetic procedures including peels, laser, botox, collagen and fat injections.

Dr. Sommer received both her medical degree and plastic surgery training from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Dr. Sommer recently completed a fellowship in breast and aesthetic surgery at the Nashville Plastic Surgery Center.
She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. She has authored several book chapters and given national presentations.

Dr. Sommer and her husband Eric live in Springfield with their 2 sons and daughter.

Michael Neumeister, MDMichael W. Neumeister, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Toronto. He had previously completed a degree in physiology and pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Neumeister was an emergency physician in Toronto, Ontario, for one year following his internship at the Toronto East General Hospital. He started in a general surgery residency at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and went on to complete his plastic surgery residency at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Dr. Neumeister attended Harvard University's Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston as a microsurgery fellow. He completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine's Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Springfield.

Dr. Neumeister is board certified in Plastic Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC). He is a member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Neumeister has received awards for presentations given regionally, nationally and internationally, has co-authored several book chapters and articles, and has multiple research interests.

Dr. Neumeister and his wife, Nadine, have three daughters and reside in Springfield.

Laura Rogers, MDLaura Rogers, M.D., M.P.H. is an Associate Professor with the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and SIU Physicians & Surgeons.

Dr. Rogers earned her medical degree in 1984 from the University of South Florida School of Medicine in Tampa. She served both her internship and residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and completed a faculty development fellowship program at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She recently completed her masters of public health degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Dr. Rogers is involved with extension research and training grant programs in conjunction with the American Heart Association and has received multiple honors and awards including the American Medical Association’s Physicians Recognition Award six straight years in a row. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Society of General Internal Medicine.

Dr. Rogers offers primary care services and has a special interest in preventive medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Laura Rogers, please call the SIU Physicians & Surgeons Internal Medicine
Clinic at 217-545-0182.

Dr. Shelda Borders received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University. In addition to an interest in general mental health and wellness, she has a special interest in health psychology. She has worked with individuals with a variety of health issues such as cancer, chronic pain, spinal cord injury, fertility concerns, and bariatric surgery candidates. Her research interests also lie in the area of health psychology; particularly regarding coping and adjustment to illness or disability. Dr. Borders joined the Division of Behavioral and Psychosocial Oncology at the Simmons Cancer Institute in September 2011. She is delighted to be a part of the team at the Simmons Cancer Institute, as she believes that serving and supporting cancer patients and their families is vitally important. She has also found this to be extremely meaningful and rewarding experience. Dr. Borders closely covers the Breast Center and has a special interest in providing for the emotional needs of women and men with breast cancer and other health issues.

 

Collaborating Members of the Breast Cancer Team

The SIU Breast Center enjoys a collaborative relationship with both Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Women’s Services.  The radiology and pathology staff at these institutions is vital to the screening and diagnosis of our patients through mammography and pathology.  They attend the Multidisciplinary Conferences to provide expertise that is valuable in determining the course of therapy.  Radiation Oncologists are also a part of the Breast Center Team; helping determine the best course of therapy for those individuals who need radiation therapy.  A list of our collaborators is included in the Tables below.

RADIOLOGY  - Mammography, Ultrasounds and Biopsies

Breast Imaging Team at Memorial Medical Center

Breast Imaging Team at St. John’s Women's Center

PATHOLOGY – examination of the tissue specimen after biopsy or surgery

The Mammography Centers at both facilities are fully compliant with the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) which is a requirement for licensure.  They are both “Centers of Excellence” as determined by the American College of Radiology.  The “Centers of Excellence” indicates the staff is certified in mammography, stereotactic biopsy and Breast Ultrasound including ultrasound guided biopsy.  Achieving “Centers of Excellence” designation is voluntary and difficult to attain.  All of the physicians are Board Certified.  Digital mammography is available at both locations.  

Memorial Medical Center

St. John’s Hospital/CJV

The pathologists at both facilities are Board Certified and maintain their certification through attendance at nationally recognized conferences and seminars.  The laboratories at both facilities are Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified. 

RADIATION ONCOLOGY – provides radiation therapy

The radiation oncologists provide radiation therapy services at both hospitals.  All of the radiation oncologists are board certified with many years of experience in the field of radiation oncology.