Urology

Welcome to the web site of the Division of Urology in the Department of Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Our mission is to support the overall mission of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to assist the citizens of central and southern Illinois in meeting their health care needs through education, patient care service and research. In support of that mission, we provide specialized urologic care to adults and children in central and southern Illinois and surrounding areas. We aim to improve the urologic health of the population we serve by educating medical providers on the latest principles and practices in urologic care, conducting research to identify new treatment methods, and providing treatment for patients in a convenient, caring environment utilizing the highest quality medical practices.

Our faculty are surgeons who are credentialed as sub-specialists, with fellowship training and other advanced training. They are board certified by the American Urologic Association and are nationally recognized authorities in Urologic surgery, Pediatric Urology, Minimally-invasive and laparoscopic surgery, Female Incontinence, and Oncologic urology. In addition, our surgeons practice their specialty in an environment of research and teaching, which provides them access to and involvement in the latest technological advancements in their field.

Our residents experience a five-year residency program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and upon completion are eligible for certification by the American Board of Urology. Our medical students are integrated into our clinical and didactic experiences which provide them with knowledge of genitourinary diseases and conditions encountered in urologic practice.

Patrick McKenna, M.D.
Professor and Chairman
Division of Urology

SIU Med School Announces Members for Honor Society

Nine new members have been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.  All nine were inducted at the spring banquet for SIU’s Eta chapter.

Newly elected student members from the Class of 2011 are Blake Cohen, son of Brian and Pam Cohen of Dunlap; Minh-Bao Le, daughter of Thong and Minh-Tam Le of Waterloo; Adam Rodos, son of Jerry and Joyce Rodos of Western Springs; and Mary Sterrett, daughter of Paul and Marguerite Sterrett of New Baden.

Resident physicians from SIU training programs selected were Dr. Brooke French, a plastic surgery resident from Springfield; Dr. Masaya Higuchi, a family medicine resident from Japan; and Dr. Abiy Kelil, an internal medicine resident from Ethiopia.

Dr. Thomas Tarter, SIU associate professor of urology, was elected an honorary faculty member.  Dr. Roxanne Guy, a plastic surgeon in Melbourne, Fla., and 1977 graduate of SIU, was elected an alumni member. 

The AOA volunteer clinical faculty award was presented to Dr. Lynne Barkmeier, a vascular surgeon in Springfield and a volunteer faculty member with SIU since 1989.  Her nominators said Dr. Barkmeier “went above and beyond in teaching medical students.  She took time to explain each step of what she was doing and was happy to talk students through the procedures.”

Election to AOA is based on integrity, leadership, compassion and fairness and scholastic excellence.  The only national honor medical society in the world, AOA recognizes and works to perpetuate excellence in the medical professions.