Carlson poses for a photo
News

Carlson named Immunization Champion for Illinois

Published Date:

SPRINGFIELD, Il. - Douglas Carlson, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics, has been named an Immunization Champion for Illinois. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health Immunization Program presented the award to acknowledge outstanding efforts to ensure immunization access in Illinois' communities.

Carlson was recognized for making a significant contribution to public health in Illinois through his work in childhood immunizations and COVID vaccination of children and their families. His efforts have helped improve the health of the community as he continues to advocate to reduce barriers to immunization, including providing vaccines to children who qualify for Vaccines for Children and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) vaccines. He also made multiple appearances on local news outlets to explain the effects of COVID-19 in children and the safety, efficacy and benefits of immunization. 

Carlson and the SIU Department of Pediatrics administered more than 20,250 vaccines in the last year, an average of 1,688 a month. While Dr. Carlson served as the interim chief medical officer at SIU School of Medicine, more than 93 percent of colleagues were fully vaccinated against COVD and no major outbreaks occurred among staff. 

Before the pandemic, the CDC and the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) held this annual awards program to honor immunization champions across the United States, eight U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. This year the awards have been reinstated and expanded to provide more opportunities for recognition in our communities. Since 1999, AIM has provided a national voice for immunization programs and a forum for program managers to learn from each other, confront challenges and achieve success.

More from SIU News

White Coat group Class of 2029

Class of 2029 - SIU School of Medicine

Student roster with hometowns & family, listed by region
COVID Stories Save the Dates

Audition to tell ‘COVID Stories’

University of Illinois Springfield and SIU School of Medicine are partnering to present "COVID Stories," a reader’s theater using real interviews about local Illinois residents’ pandemic experiences.
Dr. Ruchika Goel & Dr. O.H. Wesly

Dr. Ruchika Goel honored with endowed chair in hematologic disorders

Dr. Ruchika Goel is the inaugural recipient of the O.H. Wesly Endowed Chair of Excellence in Hematologic Disorders. The investiture ceremony on August 26 honored both Goel’s remarkable career as a physician-scientist and the enduring legacy of Dr. Wesly, whose generosity made the endowment possible.