Dr. Tyler Fulks & SIU providing emergency care at state fair
As families flock to the Illinois State Fair for deep-fried delicacies and dizzying rides, an essential team works quietly behind the scenes to ensure their safety.
At the helm of this effort is Dr. Tyler Fulks, an emergency medicine physician with SIU School of Medicine who coordinates emergency medical services at the fair’s first-aid station.
What was once a simple stop for Band-Aids and water has, under Fulks’ direction, become a robust point of care capable of handling a wide range of non-life-threatening issues, ensuring visitors can return to enjoying the fair instead of heading to the ER.
“We’re not trying to create a hospital,” Fulks says, “but within the guidelines of basic first aid care, we want to provide the highest level of service we can to fairgoers, volunteers and staff.”
This approach not only eases the pressure on local EMS services but also creates a more comprehensive and compassionate care environment. “If it’s something minor, something simple, that we can easily evaluate and treat right here, we can get them back to the reason they came here in the first place,” he adds. Whether it’s heat-related illness, blisters or allergic reactions, Fulks’ team works to stabilize and support without disrupting the fair experience.
Fulks’ ability to stay calm, decisive and empathetic in unpredictable situations is no accident. It was forged in the crucible of his career in central Illinois as well as recent work with Indiana Task Force One, a FEMA-aligned urban search and rescue team. He recently returned from a deployment in Kerrville, Texas, following catastrophic flooding. As the medical team manager, he led support for more than 80 personnel, ensuring their health during grueling 12-hour days.
“You’re interacting with people on what is the worst day of their life,” Fulks says. That empathy is something he brings to every role he takes on, whether it’s stabilizing a fairgoer suffering from dehydration or supporting a rescue worker with heat exhaustion in a disaster zone.
Despite the intensity of both roles, Fulks acknowledges the unique energy of the fair. “I wouldn’t say it’s a vacation, but it’s definitely one of the things I look forward to most every year,” he admits. “The world of pre-hospital medicine… that’s my true passion. And here in Springfield, this is the largest mass gathering we have each year. I love it.”
His approach exemplifies what emergency care should be: prepared, professional and always human-centered. Whether responding to devastation or dizziness, Dr. Fulks brings the same level of care, humility and dedication—and Illinois is better for it.
