Thirteen junior medical students have been elected officers, representatives and committee members for the Class of 2006 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.

The School is based in Carbondale and Springfield and is specifically oriented to educating new physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities. Since 1975, 1,919 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 internal medicine, general pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Jason Gillihan, son of Carrell and Anita Scammahorn of Mt. Carmel, was elected chair of the junior class.

Amanda Bishop, daughter of Bernard and Judy Bishop of Rolling Meadows, was elected vice chair of the junior class.

Benedict Figuerres, son of Benedicto and Teresa Figuerres of Spring Valley, was elected secretary of the junior class.

Marthe Phelps, daughter of Chris and Anita Phelps of Blue Mound, was elected treasurer of the junior class.

Joel Wietfeldt, son of Willard and Holly Wietfeldt of Auburn, was elected as junior class representative to the student general assembly and a member of the student advisory committee.

Amber Passini, daughter of Dave and Jean Passini of Dalzell, was elected as junior class representative to the student general assembly and a member of the educational policy committee.

Danielle Waldrop, daughter of Arnold and Patricia Waldrop of Norristown, Pa., was elected to serve on the Organization of Student Representatives and the Year 3 curriculum committees.

Joshua Ellison, son of Patrick Ellison of Wever, Iowa, and Sandi McQuinn of Poplar Grove, was elected to serve on the Year 4 curriculum committee.

John Froelich, son of Leo and Sue Froelich of Carbondale, was elected to serve on the admissions committee.

Bradley Dyrstad, son of William and Mary Dyrstad of Elgin, was elected to serve on the information management policy/educational policy committee.

Alison Witte, daughter of Charles and Donna Witte of Bloomington, was elected to serve on the information management policy committee.

Christina Meddows, daughter of Ken and Mary Kay Meddows of Swansea, was elected to serve on the student advisory committee.

Jody (Joe) Miller, son of Thomas and Deborah Miller of Paris, was elected to serve on the student progress committee and the library advisory committee.