The inaugural edition of SCOPE was introduced only a year ago, a humble dream of a group of first and second year medical students who envisioned a journal that would spotlight the talents and showcase the sentiments that imbue our medical community. Using poetry, prose and art, this magazine iIlustrates the diverse thoughts and experiences that touch our daily lives.

As we present the second edition, we hope it is as thought-provoking and original as its predecessor. Though space limitations gave us the difficult task of selecting only few works from the many that were submitted, our heartfelt gratitude goes to all authors and artists who gave to SCOPE a part of themselves. Indeed, your contributions make this magazine a warm and intimate collection of the experiences that shape all of our learning, teaching and healing.

We extend our gratitude to the School of Medicine for providing an environment that fosters such cooperative and creative endeavors. Our special thanks to Dean Carl Getto, the SIU Foundation and the Caduceus Guild for their generous financial support. Moreover, the advice and guidance of Dr. Phil Davis, Dr. Jacqueline Scolari, Roger Robinson, John Record and Nancy Calvert were instrumental to the production of this second edition of SCOPE.

With their continued support we hope that SCOPE will remain a symbol of the creative energy of our medical community.

SCOPE congratulates the following individuals who were awarded prizes: