April 4 is SIU School of Medicine Day in Illinois

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has proclaimed April 4, 2020, as Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Day. The honor is in recognition of SIU's 50th anniversary and its contributions to the health and well-being of residents and communities within the institution's 66-county service region in central and southern Illinois.

The proclamation's text is included here.

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Whereas:             In 1968, the Illinois Board of Higher Education recommended that Southern Illinois University create a medical school in downstate Illinois capable of graduating its first class of new physicians by 1978; and

Whereas:             The University determined that it could maximize location and expertise by basing the clinical education programs of the new school in Springfield and basic science programs in Carbondale, making use of the educational resources already available on the campus; and

Whereas:             Under the direction of the founding dean, Dr. Richard H. Moy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine was established in 1970 with a mission to educate physicians with a focus on primary care for central and southern Illinois; and

Whereas:             As part of the  Southern Illinois University System, the School of Medicine exists to improve the health, health care and health care education for downstate Illinois and to advance the discipline of medicine; and

Whereas:             SIU School of Medicine was among the first to incorporate problem-based learning, surgical skills simulation and standardized patients into the medical school curriculum; and

Whereas:             SIU School of Medicine engages in world-renowned research that covers a wide range of basic and clinical sciences, with special emphases on women’s health, cancer, hearing, regenerative medicine and aging; and

Whereas:             In its 50-year history, the SIU School of Medicine has trained more than 5,000 caring physicians and is internationally recognized for its innovative teaching and testing techniques; and

Whereas:             The School of Medicine has received five international awards for excellence in medical education for student engagement, student assessment, social accountability, medical simulation and curriculum innovation, and is the only medical school worldwide to hold five such awards; and

Whereas:             As a national leader in the percentage of graduates who enter primary care, SIU School of Medicine has more than 350 resident physicians and fellows training in 25 medical specialty areas; and

Whereas:             The health care professionals of SIU Medicine, the multispecialty group practice comprised of 284 physicians and their teams, provide comprehensive primary and specialty care for the people and communities of the region in medical offices, clinics, hospitals and community venues; and

Whereas:             SIU School of Medicine has furthered its mission through the establishment of specific educational programs for physician assistants, medical scientists and underrepresented groups in medicine; and

Whereas:             The school has been recognized for its diversity efforts and percentage of graduates from underrepresented groups in medicine; and

Whereas:             SIU School of Medicine is a community-based medical school that meets its mission through formal partnerships and collaborations with hospitals, health systems and community agencies throughout its 66-county region, serving 2.2 million residents; and

Whereas:             For 50 years, Southern Illinois School of Medicine has educated and trained generations of physicians and scientists to serve central and southern Illinois; and

Whereas:             The anniversary is a significant time to reflect on the past while considering the future contribution that the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will make to improve the health of the people and communities of Illinois  and the world through education, clinical care, medical research and service.

Now,

Therefore:          

I, J. B. Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois, hereby proclaim April 4, 2020, to be Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Day in Illinois and encourage all Illinoisans to join in this observance.