Think First Group

Keeping Communities Safe

The ThinkFirst chapter at SIU School of Medicine was awarded the ThinkFirst Chapter of the Year Award at the Annual National ThinkFirst Conference this summer.
Photo of nurse working with family

Community Care programs strengthening clients, making homes safer

“Many of our clients are young mothers who don’t have all the resources they need, so we’re able to help.” Nurse Lisa Homeier makes herself available 24/7, so “we can talk like we’re sisters.”
Photo of students participating in Day of Service

Cleaning, bonding, role modeling: Students serving in the community

For more than 10 years, SIU medical students have organized and volunteered for a spring cleaning day in the Enos Park and Pillsbury Mills neighborhoods.
Aspects Advocating for Amber

Advocating for Amber

Community health worker Nicol Moore met Amber Hinkle, 41, during a 2021 neighborhood celebration in Comer Cox Park. Amber had chronic leg pain and had become discouraged with her physician. “I’d bring
SIU Medicine staff work in community garden

New program puts community health workers at ground level

Establishing rootsCommunity health worker Kaye Barnes sports a purple SIU Medicine T-shirt to complement her green thumb as she works in Springfield’s community gardens. A native of the city’s north
Kruse & Durbin in Lincoln

Durbin releases plan to address health care workforce shortages in rural Illinois

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin held a news conference with Illinois health care leaders Monday, May 22, to release his “Roadmap to Grow Illinois’ Rural Health Workforce.” The partnership with hospitals, community health centers, medical and nursing schools, community colleges, dentists, physicians, and nurses will organize efforts and provide new funding to address health care workforce shortages and staffing crises in rural Illinois.
rainbow young woman

Nominations sought for new community engagement award

AWIMS is seeking nominations for its first-ever Colors of Health Community Engagement Award. The recipient will be honored during the fashion show June 2 in Springfield.
Nurse-Family Partnership home visit

Nurses available to first-time parents in Sangamon County

SIU Medicine is offering personal nurses to qualifying families through the Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County.
Nurse-Family Partnership

New parents-to-be can receive at-home nurse visits

SIU Medicine is offering care to qualifying families through Nurse-Family Partnership of Sangamon County.