Fifteen medical students have been elected officers, representatives and committee members for the Class of 2007 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Carbondale.

The School is based in Carbondale and Springfield and is specifically oriented to educating new physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities. Since 1975, 1,847 physicians have earned SIU medical degrees and a majority are now in primary care fields. The School consistently ranks among the leaders of all U.S. medical schools in the percentage of graduates practicing in the primary care fields of family practice, general interest medicine, general pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

SIU School of Medicine Class of 2007 Officers

Catherine Gaffigan, daughter of Ed and Chris Gaffigan of Springfield, was elected chair of the freshman class and the student progress committee.

Jeremiah Smith, son of John and Mary Smith of Clinton, was elected vice chair of the freshman class and the Year 1 curriculum committee.

Sara Woodward, daughter of David and Theresa Woodward of Morton, was elected secretary of the freshman class.

Vivek Patel, son of Bhailal Patel of Melrose Park, was elected treasurer of the freshman class.

Kourtney Bradford, daughter of Joyce Bradford of Fairview Heights and Kent Bradford of Honolulu, Hawaii, was elected freshman class representative to the student general assembly.

Nicole Collins, daughter of Terry and Susan Collins of Effingham, was elected freshman class representative to the student general assembly.

Samir Shah, son of Dr. Prashant and Dolores Shah of Centralia, was elected to the Organization of Student Representatives committee and the information management policy/educational policy committee.

Kathy Lynch, daughter of Tom and Janet Lynch of Charleston, was elected to the Year 1 curriculum committee.

Amanda Victory, daughter of Tom and Vicki Victory of O'Fallon, was elected representative to the graduate professional student council.

Seema Afridi, daughter of Abdul and Fahima Afridi of Burnaby, Canada, was elected volunteer coordinator.

Amanda Wheeler, daughter of David and Ronna Wheeler of Dixon, was elected to the admissions committee.

Jason Stone, son of Marilyn Silvey of Carbondale and Errol Stone of Farmer City, was elected to the educational policy committee.

Herbert Zerth, son of Herb and Christine Zerth of Mokena, was elected to the information management policy committee.

Alan Siroy, son of Dr. Edwin and Salome Siroy of Shelbyville, was elected to the student advisory committee.

Donald (Mick) Sullivan, son of James and Nancy Sullivan of Munster, Ind., was elected to the student advisory committee.