Wendi El-Amin, MD

Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Medical Education

    About me

    Wendi Wills El-Amin, MD, is the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She is also on faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and  provides care at the Center for Family Medicine in Springfield. Dr. El-Amin is dually appointed to the SIU’s Department of Medical Education.

    El-Amin served as assistant dean of medical education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville (2007-10). She also served as director of outreach at the Center on Health Disparities and director of the UVA Cancer Center Health Disparity Initiative (2006-10) and as an assistant professor of family medicine and public health (2005-10), all at the University of Virginia. El-Amin was in private practice at Wills Diagnostic Clinic in Houston, TX. (2001-03).

    She completed her residency in family practice and community medicine as chief resident at the University of Texas-Houston (2001). She earned her medical degree at Georgetown Medical School (1998) and a bachelor’s degree in biology at Hampton University in Virginia (1993).

    Dr. El-Amin is board certified in family medicine and is a member of the National Medical Association, where she chaired the Women’s Health Section (2008 – 2019). She has been a community health advocate and activist. She is the mother to three little girls, who she calls her earth, wind, and fire.

    Dr. Wendi’s passion for equity and dismantling the systems that underpin health disparities is unparalleled in our community. She has won numerous awards and accolades for her teaching, and she brings a heart for service, justice and healing to everything she does. Dr. Wendi serves on the boards of the Central Illinois Boys and Girls Club, Springfield YMCA, and the Community Foundation of the Land of Lincoln and is a member of the ELAM 2020 class of fellows.

    Gender

    Female

    Education & training

    Positions
    Physician
    Board Certifications
    Family Medicine
    Medical School
    Georgetown Medical School, Washington, DC
    Undergraduate Degree
    Hampton University-B.A. Biology with Honors 1989-1993 Hampton, Virginia
    Residency
    University of Texas, Houston, TX - Family Practice and Community Medicine

    Research

    Research Interests
    Family and Community Medicine including wellness and care of women and children.

    Publications

    Peer reviewed publications

    1. Hauck FR, Neese BH, Panchal AS, El-Amin W.Identification and management of latent tuberculosis infection. AAFP.2009; Vol. 79 No. 10
    2.  El-Amin, Wendi W., Woods, Mia.  Health Literacy:  A Threat to Health.  AAFP Home Study Self-Assessment Clinical Update Series. 2008; Clinical Update 348
    3. El-Amin, Wendi W.  Health Status of the Incarcerated:  Opportunity to Address Health Disparities.  AAFP Home Study Self-Assessment Clinical Update Series. 2006; Clinical Update 332

    HEALTH NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS:                                                   

     El-Amin, W.W.  “Depression in the African American Community” The Tribune.  2006

     El-Amin, W.W.  “HypercholesterolemiaThe Tribune.  2006

     El-Amin, W.W.  “Colorectal Cancer: Reduce your risk! Get Screened!”  The Tribune.  2006, Vol.56, Num. 89  pg A6

    El-Amin, W.W.   “NAACP Tackles Obesity in the African American Community”  The Tribune.  2006, Vol.56, Num.78, pg. A6.

    El-Amin, W.W.   “Creating A Healthy Legacy With Love Become a part of Black History”  The Tribune.  2005, Vol.55, Num.85, pg. A6.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “ Depression in the African American Community: It’s a Disease Not A Weakness.” African _American Reflector.  2004, Vol.2:10, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “A Life of Wellness: Your Greatest Investment”  African  American Reflector.  2004,  Vol.2:8, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “ Hypertension in the African American Community: The Silent Killer” African American Reflector.  2004, Vol.2:7, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Childhood Obesity: The New Epidemic” African American Reflector.    2004, Vol.2:6, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Physical Activity: The Strongest Medicine” African American Reflector.   2004, Vol.2:5, pg.10

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Smoking and The African American Community” African American Reflector.  2004, Vol.2:4, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Colorectal Cancer: Are You Reducing Your Risk?” African American Reflector   2004, Vol.2:2, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Stress Management” African American Reflector . 2004, Vol.2:1, pg.11.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Maximizing Your Doctor Visit” African American Reflector .  2004, Vol.2:1, pg.10.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Obesity: The Fast Food Dilemma” African American Reflector.  2004, Vol.1:20, pg.10-11.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “Obesity and Health Consequences: Are you at Risk?” African American Reflector   2004, Vol.1:19, pg.10-11.

    El-Amin, W.W.   “Health your Greatest Possession” African American Reflector.   2004, Vol.1:18, pg.11.

    El-Amin, W.W.  “A Journey to Health and Wellness with Dr. Wendi” African American Reflector .  2004, Vol.1:18, pg.10

    Grants

    April 2007–2010  El-Amin (PI)  “Health D.E.P.O.T.S (Disseminating Education Places Outside Traditional Settings)” IRG American Cancer Society Role: Principal Investigator  $20,000

    2010  El-Amin (PI)  “Buckingham County Breast Program” Susan G. Komen Grant  Role: Principal Investigator  $50,000                     

    2010  El-Amin (PI)  “Resilience: Sisters Conquering Cancer” University of Virginia Cancer Center  Role: Principal Investigator  $10,000

    Awards

    • Dr. Sharon L. Hostler Women in Medicine Leadership Award 2010
    • UVA Health System Community Service Award 2007
    • Chief Resident, Family Practice, University of Texas- Houston 2000-2001
    • Board Member- Phoenix Outreach Youth Center, 5th Ward Houston 2000-2002
    • Outstanding Family Practice Resident Award, University of Texas- Houston 2000
    • Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, University of Texas, Houston 2000
    • Georgetown SNMA Peer Award 1996-1997
    •  Journal for Minority Medical Students Campus Representative of the Year  1997-1998 (Awarded to the individual with the greatest contributions to the journal)
    •   SNMA President of Georgetown Chapter 1995-1996
    •   Associate Regional Director of SNMA, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. 1996-1997
    •   Presidential Scholarship Recipient – Hampton University 1989-1990
    •   MARC Scholarship Recipient 1991-1993
    • Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society Award 1992 1993
    • Dean’s Honor List 1989-1993
    • Student Leader Hampton University 1991-1992
    • Health Editor for the Script, Hampton University paper

    Related articles

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    Kenniebrew events on February 8-9 to encourage health equity

    Each February, SIU hosts a series of events to honor Dr. Alonzo Kenniebrew, the first Black physician in the United States to build and operate a private surgical hospital. This year, one of the gatherings is being renamed to honor the late Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese.
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    SIU Medicine is hosting an event to educate women, especially those in the Black community, about early detection, breast cancer screenings, advocating for care, supporting others who have breast cancer and options for breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery.