
2025 Board of Governors
The 20-member board represents the interests of medical school graduates, residents, fellows, and students. The board serves as the official vehicle for alumni to maintain personal and professional relationships with the school. The board works to support the school’s mission, provide governance of the Alumni Society, and receive information of importance from SIU School of Medicine for the professional well-being of the alumni membership.
SIU School of Medicine Alumni Society Board of Governors

Sofya Asfaw, MD '09
Surgery
(Term expires 2027 w/ renewal 2030)

Richard Austin, MD '14
Emergency Medicine
(President 2024-2027)

Austin Beason, MD '17
Orthopedic Surgery
(Term Expires 2025)

Erick Butt, MD '18
Musculoskeletal Radiology
(Term expires 2028 w/ renewal 2031)

Elizabeth Montgomery Collins, MD, MPH, DTM '96
Pediatrics/Global Health
(Vice President 2024-2027)

Nicole Florence, MD '96
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
(Term Expires 2026)

Jason Gillihan, MD '06
Anesthesiology
(Treasurer 2024-2027)

Diane Hillard-Sembell, MD '86
Orthopedic Surgery
(Term expires 2025 w/ renewal 2028)

Breck Jones, MD '15
Neurological Surgery
(Secretary 2024-2027)

Gina Kovach, MD '76
Internal Medicine
(Term expires 2028 w/ renewal 2031)

Safiya McNeese-Ruffin, MD '13
Family Medicine
(Term Expires 2027 w/ renewal 2030)

Renee Mueller, MD '01
Colon and Rectal Surgery
(Term Expires 2026 w/ renewal 2029)

Amanda Mulch, MD '03
Obstetrics and Gynecology
(Term Expires 2026 w/ renewal 2029)

Michael Pick, MD '76
Rheumatology
(Term expires 2025 w/ renewal 2028)

Ron Romanelli, MD '83
Orthopedic Surgery
(Term expires 2027 w/ renewal 2030)

Thomas Selby, MD '13
Dermatology
(Term Expires 2026 w/ renewal 2029)

David Skillrud, MD '79
Pulmonary/Sleep Medicine
(Term Expires 2025)

Stephen Soltys, MD '80
Psychiatry
(Term Expires 2026)

Christine Todd, MD '93
Internal Medicine
(Term Expires 2025)

Elizabeth Valencia, MD '09
Radiology - Diagnostic
(Term Expires 2026 w/ renewal 2029)
Board of Governors Ex Officio

Wendi El-Amin, MD
Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Haneme Idrizi, MD '03
Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH
Dean and Provost, SIU School of Medicine

Cassie Mattson, CMP
Director of Alumni Relations, Development & Alumni Relations

Patsy Wappel
Director of Development, Development & Alumni Relations
Medical Student Representatives

Molly Smith
Class of 2025

Madison Stacey
Class of 2026

Tola Adeyefa
Class of 2027

Riley Hochstein
Class of 2028

Jack Carnduff
Class of 2027
Lincoln Scholars Program
Staff

Kate Moore
Program Coordinator, Development & Alumni Relations

Nicole Edmiston
Event Manager, Development & Alumni Relations

Emma Fenyi
Administrative Aide, Development & Alumni Relations