This release is posted on behalf of the Illinois Rural Health Association, which includes SIU School of Medicine as a member. Media contacts can be made to Lori Williams, 217-341-2090.

November 9, 2005

IRHA Recognizes Rural Physicians during Doc Hollywood Day Event in Springfield

Springfield – Rural physicians were honored during an awards ceremony held in Springfield at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, which included an official proclamation naming November 9 as Doc Hollywood Day in Illinois.

The Rural Physician of Excellence Awards was awarded to 18 rural physicians who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide health care to rural residents throughout Illinois. Award winners were nominated by local community leaders in appreciation for the contributions made by the hometown physicians.

During the celebration, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, Chairman of the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, officially proclaimed November 9 as Doc Hollywood Day in Illinois.

"These are exemplary physicians working in rural counties of Illinois who go beyond the call of duty to care for rural residents and help build our rural communities," said Lt. Governor Quinn. "They deserve our gratitude for the care and commitment they bring to our communities."

Doc Hollywood Day was created this year by the National Rural Health Association to honor rural physicians and raise awareness of the need for additional rural health care providers. Like Dr. Aurelius Hogue and his protégé, Dr. Ben Stone, in the 1991 movie "Doc Hollywood," rural physicians work diligently to serve rural residents and help community leaders build a foundation for health care in rural regions.

"I'm pleased that these rural physicians, including many of whom are long-time practitioners in their communities, are being honored.  I'm particularly proud that four of these are our own alumni," said Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, dean and provost of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.  "Because of our experience training our own graduates for service in Illinois, we know that it takes a special commitment to practice in a rural community.  These honorees all serve as inspiration to the next generation of physicians."

"Doc Hollywood Day in Illinois gives us all an opportunity to thank our local doctors and recognize their commitment and dedication to rural residents," said Roger Holloway, Illinois Rural Health Association board member.

Sponsors of the event included the Illinois Rural Health Association, SIU School of Medicine, the National Center for Rural Health Professions and the Illinois Hospital Association.

Rural Physician of Excellence Recipients (Bios for recipients follow; * Present in Springfield]

Dr. John Arnold, Bushnell Family Practice in Bushnell

Dr. Artemio Cajigal, Genesis Health Group in Alpha

Dr. Martin Cleary, FHN Family Healthcare Center in Warren

Dr. Russell R. Dohner, Private Practice in Rushville

Dr. William Farley, Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru

Dr. Richard Garretson, Crossroads Family Medicine in Mt. Vernon

Dr. Paul Hakes, BroMenn Medical Group/ El Paso Crossroads Medical Associates

Dr. John Kreckman, Mendota Community Hospital in Mendota

Dr. James Lindbom, Kewanee Hospital in Kewanee

Dr. Christine Lucas, Anna Rural Health in Anna

Dr. Louis R. Lukancic, St. Margaret’s Family Health Center in Spring Valley

Dr. P.D.L. Nayak, Effingham Urology Associates, S.C., in Effingham

Dr. Debra Phillips, East Adams Clinic in Golden

Dr. Robert A. Purdy, Private Practice in Shabbona

Dr. Charles Runde, Runde Clinic in Teutopolis

Dr. Jose Alberto B. Salazar, SIPCA in Fairfield

Dr. Warren Tuttle Harrisburg, Medical Center in Harrisburg

Dr. Philip Zumwalt, Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka

* Dr. JOHN ARNOLD, Family Practice, Bushnell
Nominated by Steve Russell, Bushnell mayor -- Opened clinic in Bushnell; Recruited another physician and nurse practitioner to Bushnell; Opened clinic in Ipava; Provides home visits; Trains medical students and residents; Serves low-income women through county health department; Provides sports physicals to junior high and high school athletes and donates $10 fees back to the school; Donates to Shop with a Cop Program; Supports after prom programs.

Dr. ARTEMIO CAJIGAL, Family Practice, Alpha
Nominated by multiple individuals -- Distributed 2,100 pairs of glasses to Paraguay; Served as flight surgeon for Illinois Air National Guard in Persian Gulf; Volunteers at school-based physical clinics and donates funds to AlWood School District; Makes house calls for homebound patients; Accesses pharmaceutical programs for the poor and helps clients use them; Provides free eye exams and eyeglasses for those in need; Goes on medical missions to foreign countries; Serves on the Henry County Board of Health.

Dr. MARTIN CLEARY, Family Practice, Warren
Nominated by Linda Wilson, Freeport Health Network -- Has served rural residents for 20 years.

Dr. RUSSELL DOHNER, Family Practice, Rushville
Nominated by Kathy Love, Rushville Chamber -- Provided 51 years of service to Rushville; Has office fee of $5 and only takes off Thursday afternoons; Works Sundays before and after church; Makes house calls when needed; Served in World War II; Honored by Chamber of Commerce with Dr. Dohner Day in August 2004; Plants trees in the Rushville area.

Dr. WILLIAM FARLEY , Obstetrics/Gynecology/Anesthesia, Peru
Nominated by Steven Hayes, Illinois Valley Community Hospital -- Has served Illinois Valley for 55 years and has delivered more than 16,000 babies; Honored by the Midwife Association of Illinois; Serves the Women’s Health Center in Peru.

Dr. RICHARD GARRETSON, Family Practice/Emergency Medicine, Mt. Vernon
Nominated by Greg Sims, Crossroads Community Hospital -- Has practiced in Mt. Vernon for 41 years; Served as Jefferson County Coroner for 20 years; Volunteer and participant with Jefferson County Health Department; Is board certified in Emergency Medicine and provides emergency services at local hospital; Currently serves 3,000 patients and never turns anyone away who needs services; Will barter for services for those who cannot afford to pay; Makes house calls for those unable to travel; Works at Good Samaritan Hospital; Serves the uninsured; Helps patients enroll in pharmaceutical support programs.

* Dr. PAUL HAKES, Family Practice/Geriatrics, El Paso
Nominated by Cathy Nottoli, BroMenn -- Began a practice in his hometown; Brought a former classmate to work with him as his patient list grew; Affiliated with BroMenn; Built a new facility and began hosting clinics where specialists would provide services; Opened satellite clinic in Lexington; Serves nursing homes in the region; Serves as medical director for BMPC; Leads “Grand Grounds” for continuing education; Donates sports physicals to local sports teams.

Dr. JOHN KRECKMAN, Family Practice, Mendota
Nominated by Dr. Jared Rogers, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria -- Works in emergency department on nights and weekends; Active in community and hospital affairs; Raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Has battled through his own illnesses and his daughter’s leukemia and still continues to serve Mendota area residents.

* Dr. JAMES LINDBOM, Family Practice, Kewanee
Nominated by Margaret Gustafson, Kewanee Hospital -- Serves on numerous hospital committees; Is medical director of the Critical Care Unit and the swing bed services; Serves on task force for credentialing; Is medical advisor for infection control.

Dr. CHRISTINE LUCAS, Family Practice, Anna
Nominated by Dr. Tom Firestone, Southern Illinois Healthcare -- Helped to open a free clinic and has served as the medical director for five years; Teaches primary care to SIU residents and MedPrep students and serves as role model for them; Promotes access issues in Southern Illinois.

Dr. LOUIS R. LUKANCIC, Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Spring Valley
Nominated by Representative Frank Mautino, Spring Valley -- Provides support for local sports teams.

* Dr. DEBRA M. PHILLIPS, Family Practice/Geriatrics, Golden and Adams County
Nominated by Maureen Kahn, Blessing Hospital -- Helped to open the East Adams County Rural Health Clinic, which serves over 10,000 patients a year; Brought electronic medical records to the clinic; Created indigent program at the clinic; Currently raising money for West Central Illinois Community Center; Provides home visits; Serves as medical director for five nursing homes; Served on National Rural Health Association board for 10 years; Always puts the patient first.

* Dr. ROBERT A. PURDY , Family Practice, Shabbona, Retired 8/05
Nominated by Representative Robert Pritchard -- Served rural for 52 years and still delivered babies until he retired; Chaired committee to build new community hospital; Traveled to residents before EMS services; Served as Army doctor in Japan and Korea; Chairs Kishwaukee Health Council; Is Chief of Family Practice Department at Kishwaukee Community Hospital; His services will continue in Shabbona with new physicians.

Dr. CHARLES RUNDE, Family Practice/Obstetrics/Pediatrics, Teutopolis
Nominated by Daniel Woods, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Effingham -- Serves town of 1,200; Still delivers babies; Takes referrals from local crisis pregnancy center; Mentors medical students and residents; Serves all residents regardless of ability to pay.

Dr. JOSE ALBERTO B. SALAZAR, Internal Medicine, Fairfield
Nominated by Katherine Bunting, Fairfield Memorial Hospital -- Is on call 24/7 as he is on call for himself; Shares night clinic duties in his Fairfield office to see patients who haven’t been seen during the day.

Dr. WARREN TUTTLE, Family Practice, Harrisburg, Deceased 7/05
Nominated by Danny Lampley, Harrisburg Medical Center -- Almost 60 years serving rural residents; Purchased two Harrisburg facilities to expand to night coverage; Helped create the Southeastern Illinois College Nursing Program; Served as Medical Director of Performance Improvement; Chaired Saline County TB Board for 20 years; Was Harrisburg Medical Center Chief of Surgeons, Chief of Staff and board member, Southeastern Illinois College board of trustees, ISMS Insurance Board, and many bank and civic boards; Passed away on July 22 at the age of 86.

Dr. PHILIP ZUMWALT , Family Practice/Obstetrics, Watseka
Nominated by Valerie McCann, Iroquois Memorial Hospital -- Has served Watseka for 25 years; On Wednesdays, he provides free or reduced health care for the poor at the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department; Never refuses care to anyone regardless of their ability to pay; Serves as clinical instructor for RMED and clinical assistant professor for SIU Department of Family and Community Medicine; Served as Chief of Staff for Iroquois Memorial Hospital five times and vice president of the Iroquois County Medical Society; Is member of ISMS and AMA.