Eighteen first-year medical students have been elected officers, representatives and committee members for the Class of 2008 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, 1,919 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.

Robert Kinzinger, son of Arthur and Susie Kinzinger of Roberts, was elected chair of the freshman class.

Sarah Linn, daughter of Edward and Joyce Linn of New Memphis, was elected vice chair of the freshman class.

Susan Ireland, daughter of Michael and Donna Ireland of Quincy, was elected secretary of the freshman class.

Katie (Mary) Guignon, daughter of Mike and Patty Guignon of Belleville, was elected treasurer of the freshman class.

Alexia Hillard, daughter of Ed and Michele Hillard of Monticello, was elected as freshman class representative to the student general assembly and a member of the student advisory committee.

Stephanie Sea, daughter of Doug Sea of Chapin and Ronda Mitchell of Decatur, was elected as freshman class representative to the student general assembly.

Rebecca Hook, daughter of Rod and Rita Hook of Abingdon, was elected to serve on the Organization of Student Representatives committee and as activities co-coordinator.

Holley Hoefgen, daughter of Rita Hollingsworth of Martinsville, was elected to serve on the

Year 1 curriculum committee.

Catherine Rapp, daughter of Mary Rapp-Kincaid of Columbia, was elected to serve on the

Year 1 curriculum committee.

Nereida Rojas, daughter of Sergio and Mirian Rojas of Chicago, was elected as volunteer coordinator.

Sapa Pham, daughter of Nhat Pham and Ngoi Van of Pearland, Texas, was elected to serve on the admissions committee.

Pritesh Patel, son of Aroona Patel of Rolling Meadows, was elected to serve on the educational policy committee.

Patrick Rheaume, son of J. P. and Jamie Rheaume of Carrier Mills, was elected to serve on the information management policy committee.

Catherine Veeder, daughter of Mike and Helen Veeder of Peoria, was elected to serve on the information management policy committee/educational policy committee.

Jennifer Hardwick, daughter of Jerome Hardwick of Cleveland, Ohio, and Linda Hardwick of McHenry, was elected to serve on the student advisory committee.

Jacqueline Harris from Macon, Ga., was elected to serve on the student progress committee.

Tabatha Wells, daughter of J. Robin Wells and Charlene Wells, both of Chicago, was elected to serve on the Year 1 student-to-student handbook committee.

Renee Pegg, daughter of Edward and Carol Pegg of Hudson, was elected as activities

co-coordinator.