SIU Medicine will continue COVID-19 testing for the Springfield community in December. All SIU Medicine COVID-19 testing sites are closed December 23 – January 3 for the holidays. Testing resumes on January 4, 2021. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the testing operation will be hosted by Abundant Faith Christian Center located at 2525 Taylor Ave. All participants should be in line before 3 p.m. to ensure same day testing. Mondays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Thursdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. On Fridays, the testing operation is hosted by other area

Carbondale, IL – The Southern Illinois University System President’s Office released recommendations from its first Veteran’s Summit held last fall in Mt. Vernon. The two-day gathering of education, non-profit, policy and government leaders, sponsored by the McCormick Foundation, addressed challenges facing veterans including access to healthcare, educational opportunities and legal assistance in order to create a strategic blueprint to improve veteran’s services in central and southern Illinois. “The summit was very successful because it was able to shine more light on veterans in central and

Do you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or know someone who does? SIU School of Medicine has launched a clinical trial to study the safety and efficacy of an investigational drug for PTSD. Local researchers are evaluating an investigational drug that has received FDA approval for schizophrenia and as an adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder. In the new study, doctors want to evaluate the investigational drug in combination with the drug sertraline for treatment of PTSD. Jeffrey Bennett, MD , is associate professor of psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine and the

Family physicians in several Illinois communities are hosting students from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine through December 18. The students are participating in the school’s Family Medicine Preceptorship Program. The experience provides an opportunity for students to use their medical knowledge in a clinic setting under the supervision of an experienced physician. The students choose from more than 160 family practice physicians in Illinois for their preceptorship experience. They will graduate from medical school in May 2022, then pursue advanced training in a specific area

According to the National Institute on Aging, there are more than 41 million licensed drivers age 65 and older on the roads, up from 26 million just 20 years ago. As a person ages, changes in health, including problems with vision, hearing, and reflexes, may affect driving skills. The risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash also increases as a person ages. When a person has dementia, the risk increases more. What happens when the person with dementia is no longer able to stay safe on the roadways? Click here to read an how to recognize an unsafe driver and what to do when your

According to the National Institute on Aging, there are more than 41 million licensed drivers age 65 and older on the roads, up from 26 million just 20 years ago. As a person ages, changes in health, including problems with vision, hearing, and reflexes, may affect driving skills. The risk of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash also increases as a person ages. When a person has dementia, the risk increases more. What happens when the person with dementia is no longer able to stay safe on the roadways? Click here to read an how to recognize an unsafe driver and what to do when your

Abdul Swied, MD , an advanced endoscopist in SIU’s Division of Gastroenterology, has begun using the world’s first single-use duodenoscope approved by the FDA. The Boston Scientific EXALT Model D is a disposable ErCp scope used to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts and treat severe, often life-threatening conditions. Dr. Swied is the first physician in Illinois and Missouri to use the revolutionary scope. Its single-use design eliminates the need for reprocessing and repairs, and minimizes infection risk to patients. “We have come to another technological crossroad in health care that will

Abdul Swied, MD , an advanced endoscopist in SIU’s Division of Gastroenterology, has begun using the world’s first single-use duodenoscope approved by the FDA. The Boston Scientific EXALT Model D is a disposable ErCp scope used to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts and treat severe, often life-threatening conditions. Dr. Swied is the first physician in Illinois and Missouri to use the revolutionary scope. Its single-use design eliminates the need for reprocessing and repairs, and minimizes infection risk to patients. “We have come to another technological crossroad in health care that will

SPRINGFIELD – Area farmers who need someone to talk to about the everyday stresses of farming and pandemic-related challenges now have a new resource. A new helpline ( 1-833-FARM-SOS ) will connect farmers to health professionals and services through the Farm Family Resource Initiative. In addition to the helpline, the initiative offers ongoing outreach, education and training to rural partners working to improve the health and safety of farm families. Free webinars and trainings on psychological signs of stress and Mental Health First Aid offer program participants skill-building tools to