After Labor Day, SIU Medicine will launch a new testing site at Abundant Faith Christian Center and other sites to meet COVID-19 response needs throughout the community. The final day for SIU Medicine testing at the Sangamon County Department of Public will be today, Sept. 4. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Sangamon County Department of Public Health to provide testing throughout the last two months,” said Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH, Dean and Provost of SIU School of Medicine. “As the seasons change and we prepare for colder temperatures, we are pleased to be moving the testing center

Autumn Bohac of Effingham was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 16 years old. Now a 29-year-old mother of four, her health care journey reveals the everyday anxiety and pain that rural patients feel. Autumn lives just a few blocks away from her town’s hospital. However, specialty care teams she has needed to manage her diabetes and four high-risk pregnancies have always been almost two hours away. With her first two pregnancies, seeing a specialist required 1.5 hours of travel. However, during her 3rd and 4th pregnancies, she was able to use telehealth for appointments with SIU

Instead of renting a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, driving two hours and risking exposure to COVID-19, the Hall family from Tuscola, Illinois jumped at the chance to have a telehealth visit with an SIU Medicine surgeon. Suffering from multiple sclerosis, Vicki Hall often makes the painful trip to see her various doctors in Central Illinois, including the trek to Springfield to see several of her SIU Medicine doctors. In January 2018, she was also diagnosed with esophageal cancer. After radiation treatments, her cancer is now in remission, but she struggles to swallow. To see if she’s a

SIU Urology welcomes Dr. M Francesca Monn. Dr. Monn is an Assistant Professor of Urology at SIU Medicine. She is a fellowship-trained Reconstructive Urologist and is passionate about treating urethral and ureteral strictures, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, and genital anomalies. Dr. Monn earned her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine. She received a Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health where she received concentrations in Surgical Trials and Outcomes Research and Health as a Human Right. She

SIU Urology welcomes Dr. M Francesca Monn. Dr. Monn is an Assistant Professor of Urology at SIU Medicine. She is a fellowship-trained Reconstructive Urologist and is passionate about treating urethral and ureteral strictures, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, and genital anomalies. Dr. Monn earned her medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine. She received a Masters in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health where she received concentrations in Surgical Trials and Outcomes Research and Health as a Human Right. She

SIU Urology welcomes Dr. Kara Babaian to the faculty. Dr. Babaian is an Assistant Professor in Urology and the Director of Urologic Oncology at SIU School of Medicine. She provides comprehensive urologic oncology clinical care for men and women diagnosed with urologic malignancies. Dr. Babaian performs open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, individually tailored for the needs of patients with cancers of the kidney, bladder, and prostate. Dr. Babaian earned her medical degree from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She then went on to complete a Urology

SIU Urology welcomes Dr. Kara Babaian to the faculty. Dr. Babaian is an Assistant Professor in Urology and the Director of Urologic Oncology at SIU School of Medicine. She provides comprehensive urologic oncology clinical care for men and women diagnosed with urologic malignancies. Dr. Babaian performs open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, individually tailored for the needs of patients with cancers of the kidney, bladder, and prostate. Dr. Babaian earned her medical degree from The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She then went on to complete a Urology

SPRINGFIELD – Local healthcare organizations on Friday emphasized that anyone visiting a hospital or clinic must wear a mask at all times , saying that the public’s compliance is critical to reduce the community spread of COVID-19. All visitors must wear masks for the entire duration of their visit, including at all times while in a patient’s room. Visitors who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter or will be asked to leave the facility if they do not comply. “We realize there are times when it is beneficial to a patient to have a loved one physically present,” said Dr. David

August 5, 2020 – SIU Medicine, in coordination with the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH) and the Office of the Mayor, recently relaunched a testing site at SCDPH to meet the immediate need for expanded testing in Sangamon County. Testing is now available only on select days at 2833 S. Grand Avenue East in the parking area adjacent to the public health building. All testing slots are open during the following times, weather permitting. The site is closed on Wednesdays. Testing hours are: Monday: 9-11 a.m. | 4-7 p.m. Tuesday: 9-11 a.m. | 4-7 p.m. Thursday: 9-11 a.m. | 4-7 p.m