The Illinois Rural Health Association selected Sharon Smaga, MD, professor of family medicine in Carbondale, to receive a 2017 Physician of Excellence Award. The award is presented to doctors who have made a significant impact on the health of communities and shown dedication toward improving access to care in medically underserved areas of the state. Dr. Smaga retired from full-time service this summer at SIU Carbondale Family Medicine. She joined the SIU faculty in August of 1987. During her years of service, she has provided care for tens of thousands of patients and helped establish the

The Illinois Rural Health Association selected Sharon Smaga, MD, professor of family medicine in Carbondale, to receive a 2017 Physician of Excellence Award. The award is presented to doctors who have made a significant impact on the health of communities and shown dedication toward improving access to care in medically underserved areas of the state. Dr. Smaga retired from full-time service this summer at SIU Carbondale Family Medicine. She joined the SIU faculty in August of 1987. During her years of service, she has provided care for tens of thousands of patients and helped establish the

The Illinois Rural Health Association selected Sharon Smaga, MD, professor of family medicine in Carbondale, to receive a 2017 Physician of Excellence Award. The award is presented to doctors who have made a significant impact on the health of communities and shown dedication toward improving access to care in medically underserved areas of the state. Dr. Smaga retired from full-time service this summer at SIU Carbondale Family Medicine. She joined the SIU faculty in August of 1987. During her years of service, she has provided care for tens of thousands of patients and helped establish the

For Sohail Siddique, MD, time in the military taught him how to be a good doctor. Written by Courtney Hall | Photography by Jason Johnson Published in Aspects Magazine, Autumn 2017 (40-4) The role of ship doctor on a naval vessel is more involved than on land. “On some ships, you’re the dentist,” says Sohail Siddique, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at SIU School of Medicine. “You’re the food inspector. I was on the damage control training team.” Dr. Siddique also underwent firefighter training and helicopter crash training. “When helicopters go upside

For Sohail Siddique, MD, time in the military taught him how to be a good doctor. Written by Courtney Hall | Photography by Jason Johnson Published in Aspects Magazine, Autumn 2017 (40-4) The role of ship doctor on a naval vessel is more involved than on land. “On some ships, you’re the dentist,” says Sohail Siddique, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at SIU School of Medicine. “You’re the food inspector. I was on the damage control training team.” Dr. Siddique also underwent firefighter training and helicopter crash training. “When helicopters go upside

written by Courtney Hall | artwork by Jordan Hammer Published in Aspects Magazine Autumn 2017 (40-4) “Your body just breaks down. It’s like being a football player. Everything breaks down more quickly than the average person.” That’s what one veteran, who wished to remain anonymous and will be referred to as Sam for this story, told us about his experience in the military. “You’ve got to watch out for orthopedic issues even at 25 or 26 because of the stress you’re putting on your body.” That’s one of many health concerns that affect our returning troops. Going into combat is a world most of us

Spreading the word about HPV’s Highly Protective Vaccine Written by Steve Sandstrom Published in Aspects Magazine, Autumn 2017 (40-4) The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It can cause genital warts, anal cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat (oropharyngeal cancer)regardless of gender. It can also cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and of the penis. In 2012, about 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths occurred from cervical cancer worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all sexually

Spreading the word about HPV’s Highly Protective Vaccine Written by Steve Sandstrom Published in Aspects Magazine, Autumn 2017 (40-4) The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It can cause genital warts, anal cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat (oropharyngeal cancer)regardless of gender. It can also cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and of the penis. In 2012, about 528,000 new cases and 266,000 deaths occurred from cervical cancer worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all sexually

Written by Lauren Murphy | Photos by Jason Johnson Published in Aspect s magazine, Autumn 2017 (40-4) As American lifespans increase due to progress on other medical frontiers, the toll from Alzheimer’s disease grows. More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease, and by 2050 this number could rise as high as 16 million, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Since 1987, the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (CADRD) has diagnosed, treated and educated Illinois residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related problems. In the last year, the center, along