SPRINGFIELD, IL – A new report describes the impact of COVID-19 on the existing rural opioid epidemic and identified opportunities to treat opioid addiction and reduce fatalities in rural Illinois. “The opioid epidemic continues to hurt rural regions in Illinois and the pandemic has worsened the economic and social factors that lead to opioid misuse,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Chair, SIU Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy. “We need to invest in new strategies and resources that prevent, treat and build appropriate systems of recovery for those struggling from the opioid epidemic

Beginning the week of Nov. 8, current SIU Medicine patients five years and older are eligible to receive a vaccine to protect them against COVID-19. SIU Center for Family Medicine will be vaccinating community children as well as SIU Medicine patients. Appointments for your child to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be available at the following days and times: SIU Pediatrics in Springfield (400 N. 9th) 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield (4th and Carpenter) 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays 9 a.m.-noon Fridays SIU Pediatrics in Decatur (400 W. Hay) Normal business

Most people who get infected with COVID-19 get better within weeks of the illness. Yet studies indicate about 1 in 4 experience lingering post-COVID symptoms. For these individuals, post-COVID issues extend a month or longer, and can include a wide range of new, returning or ongoing health problems. SIU Medicine has created a Post-COVID Recovery Clinic to support these “long haulers.” The patients can receive customized care from multidisciplinary specialists. Clinicians will help identify achievable health goals as a way to optimize patients’ quality of life and function. COVID-19 can affect

Most people who get infected with COVID-19 get better within weeks of the illness. Yet studies indicate about 1 in 4 experience lingering post-COVID symptoms. For these individuals, post-COVID issues extend a month or longer, and can include a wide range of new, returning or ongoing health problems. SIU Medicine has created a Post-COVID Recovery Clinic to support these “long haulers.” The patients can receive customized care from multidisciplinary specialists. Clinicians will help identify achievable health goals as a way to optimize patients’ quality of life and function. COVID-19 can affect

Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the regal King T’Challa in “Black Panther,” died of colon cancer Friday, August 28. Boseman was 43 years old. His family said he had been diagnosed in 2016, and was undergoing chemotherapy and surgery while still working on films. Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest cancer among men and women in the United States. Doctors are seeing colon cancer rates rising in young people. “Screening for colorectal cancer used to begin at age 50, but it has recently been recommended to start at age 45,” says Jan Rakinic, MD, professor of surgery at SIU Medicine. “That

Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the regal King T’Challa in “Black Panther,” died of colon cancer Friday, August 28. Boseman was 43 years old. His family said he had been diagnosed in 2016, and was undergoing chemotherapy and surgery while still working on films. Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest cancer among men and women in the United States. Doctors are seeing colon cancer rates rising in young people. “Screening for colorectal cancer used to begin at age 50, but it has recently been recommended to start at age 45,” says Jan Rakinic, MD, professor of surgery at SIU Medicine. “That

SIU Medicine joins other organizations and families around the country in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. We're doing our part to spread awareness about this leading type of cancer, including its signs and symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent it. An often overlooked aspect of breast cancer awareness is life after breast cancer surgery. Though a mastectomy can save a woman's life, it can also leave her reeling with unexpected emotions and challenges. For this reason, SIU Medicine encourages our communities to honor another

SIU Medicine joins other organizations and families around the country in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. We're doing our part to spread awareness about this leading type of cancer, including its signs and symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent it. An often overlooked aspect of breast cancer awareness is life after breast cancer surgery. Though a mastectomy can save a woman's life, it can also leave her reeling with unexpected emotions and challenges. For this reason, SIU Medicine encourages our communities to honor another

SIU Medicine joins other organizations and families around the country in celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. We're doing our part to spread awareness about this leading type of cancer, including its signs and symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent it. An often overlooked aspect of breast cancer awareness is life after breast cancer surgery. Though a mastectomy can save a woman's life, it can also leave her reeling with unexpected emotions and challenges. For this reason, SIU Medicine encourages our communities to honor another