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Creating a community that better understands Alzheimer's and dementia fosters a better environment for all. One where shop owners understand unusual behavior, where waiters can provide more patience with a confused customer, and one where caregivers have allies and neighbors who better comprehend their situation. The Dementia Friends initiative is about turning your new understanding of dementia into practical actions, helping others in your community. An estimated 250,000+ people are living with dementia in Illinois. Every action counts. Led by Debbie Kuhns, program director at the Smith

Dr. Don Torry’s career reads like a classic academic success story: a small-town kid from Washington, Ill., rises through the ranks to become a leading researcher in reproductive immunology. But behind each achievement lies a more complex narrative familiar to scientists: dealing with the unexpected.

Fifteen years ago, Randy Burnside, PhD, was in New Orleans with his wife, her family and a new 2-month-old son when Hurricane Katrina struck, pushing 8 feet of water into their home. He had just been hired to teach at SIU and was preparing to move to southern Illinois. This year, Burnside began a new job as director of MEDPREP just as the coronavirus was making inroads into the United States. He had traversed the Carbondale campus to get there, as an associate professor teaching public administration courses in SIU’s Department of Political Science. His research was focused on behavior

Dr. Randy Burnside received the 2025 Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to advancing antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion across SIU campuses.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and SIU Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative invites members of the farming community to help us bring awareness to this important topic. We need to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Let's start by debunking four common myths surrounding mental health. How many of these have you heard? Myth #1: You can tell someone has a mental health problem. An estimated 1 in 5 Americans has some form of mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This means that you probably know several people who are dealing with mental

A biochemistry laboratory at SIU School of Medicine is sequencing the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 viruses that cause COVID-19 to determine if distinct variants exist in different Illinois communities and specifically in rural versus metropolitan areas. “We’re looking for the ‘personality’ of the genome, to see how it’s changing over time,” says Keith Gagnon, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. “There are a couple of variants and we need to determine which is the most dangerous. Based on what we learn, we can tell the virus’ point of origin, whether it’s

Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at SIU Medicine will host its 17th Annual Butterfly Release at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 , in the Thomas Garden of Hope, Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter St., Springfield. The public is invited to the free event. Registration begins at 9 a.m. SCI’s Butterfly Release is a celebration of support for anyone facing a health-related issue. The event also recognizes family members, friends and professional caregivers who provide understanding and assistance during health challenges. Butterfly sponsorships are available for $25 by calling 217-545-2955 or