In 1975, the first class graduated from the then just five-year-old SIU School of Medicine. To look at the class photo, two things stand out for those of us looking at it with a 2017 gaze: in this small class of 24 people, there is only one person of color, and not one is female. The 1976 class, the charter class of the school, was significantly larger. The class of ’76 saw 43 graduates. Among those 43, there were no minorities, and just five women: Cris Anderson, MD, Brenda Baumann, MD, Regina Kovach, MD, Kathleen Link, MD, and Mary (Witges) Bengtson, MD. The charter women of SIU School of

In 1975, the first class graduated from the then just five-year-old SIU School of Medicine. To look at the class photo, two things stand out for those of us looking at it with a 2017 gaze: in this small class of 24 people, there is only one person of color, and not one is female. The 1976 class, the charter class of the school, was significantly larger. The class of ’76 saw 43 graduates. Among those 43, there were no minorities, and just five women: Cris Anderson, MD, Brenda Baumann, MD, Regina Kovach, MD, Kathleen Link, MD, and Mary (Witges) Bengtson, MD. The charter women of SIU School of

In 1975, the first class graduated from the then just five-year-old SIU School of Medicine. To look at the class photo, two things stand out for those of us looking at it with a 2017 gaze: in this small class of 24 people, there is only one person of color, and not one is female. The 1976 class, the charter class of the school, was significantly larger. The class of ’76 saw 43 graduates. Among those 43, there were no minorities, and just five women: Cris Anderson, MD, Brenda Baumann, MD, Regina Kovach, MD, Kathleen Link, MD, and Mary (Witges) Bengtson, MD. The charter women of SIU School of

“I encourage everybody. I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what letters you have behind your name—if you’re interested in learning about what I’m doing, I will teach you.” It’s that sort of egalitarian attitude that’s immediately striking about Sandra Ettema, who, despite not caring about the letters behind your name, has an alphabet behind hers: Sandra Ettema, MD, PhD, CCC/SLP. “Teaching my team and having them teach me is better overall for everybody,” says Dr. Ettema, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery who specializes in laryngology. “I want it to be more of a group

“I encourage everybody. I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what letters you have behind your name—if you’re interested in learning about what I’m doing, I will teach you.” It’s that sort of egalitarian attitude that’s immediately striking about Sandra Ettema, who, despite not caring about the letters behind your name, has an alphabet behind hers: Sandra Ettema, MD, PhD, CCC/SLP. “Teaching my team and having them teach me is better overall for everybody,” says Dr. Ettema, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery who specializes in laryngology. “I want it to be more of a group

Nothing says summer fun like an outdoor party by the pool or fire pit. But if you decide to drink alcohol during these steamy days, take precaution. Nearly one-third of motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment, according to the CDC. When it’s hot outside, our bodies become dehydrated more quickly. Drinking alcohol while dehydrated leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration. Studies also show that a higher blood alcohol concentration leads to a greater risk of injury from a traffic accident, and the injuries will be more significant too. While each person’s tolerance for

Nothing says summer fun like an outdoor party by the pool or fire pit. But if you decide to drink alcohol during these steamy days, take precaution. Nearly one-third of motor-vehicle deaths are related to alcohol impairment, according to the CDC. When it’s hot outside, our bodies become dehydrated more quickly. Drinking alcohol while dehydrated leads to a higher blood alcohol concentration. Studies also show that a higher blood alcohol concentration leads to a greater risk of injury from a traffic accident, and the injuries will be more significant too. While each person’s tolerance for

Have a child entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade this year? Be sure you have an appointment set up for a back-to-school physical before school starts. Physicals are required for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade and students who are new to Springfield Public Schools. Staying up-to-date on vaccines and having a routine physical helps families protect their children from the most serious illnesses. “When children enter kindergarten, they have to show proof of receiving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or the Tdap, their final polio, their

Have a child entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth or ninth grade this year? Be sure you have an appointment set up for a back-to-school physical before school starts. Physicals are required for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade and students who are new to Springfield Public Schools. Staying up-to-date on vaccines and having a routine physical helps families protect their children from the most serious illnesses. “When children enter kindergarten, they have to show proof of receiving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or the Tdap, their final polio, their

Newsradio WJPF Interview with Dr. Sameer Vohra on July 5th, 2017