Dr. Jeff Ripperda named 2024 Mentor of the Year
As medical students begin their journeys through clinical training, they rely heavily on the experienced physicians they observe. These mentor physicians must carefully instruct and guide the learners using best practices to diagnose and treat patients. There are literally life or death consequences for the roles of teacher and learner.
SIU School of Medicine is fortunate to have a cohort of more than 70 doctors in Carbondale and the surrounding area to lead its young men and women forward. The first-year students annually pick one physician as the best among the field of gifted instructors.
The Class of 2027 has selected Jeff Ripperda, MD, as the 2024 Mentor of the Year. Ripperda is a family practitioner at Shawnee Health in Murphysboro.
Nominator Divinity Rhodes said, “Dr. Ripperda sets an exemplary standard for patient care and physician-patient interactions. His approach is characterized by a compassion and empathy, ensuring each patient feels valued and understood. With meticulous attention to detail, he navigates through medical complexities, clarifying diagnoses, treatment options and potential outcomes in ways that empower patients and learners alike.”
Rhodes also commended him for his spirit of collaboration and pursuit of continuous learning to broaden his knowledge and improve care for his patients.
Dr. Ripperda earned his BA in biochemistry and Spanish from Knox College in Galesburg (2000) and his MD from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford in 2004.
He participated in the Rural Medical Education Program and has worked at Shawnee Health since 2007.
SIU Medicine’s mission is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois through education, patient care, research and service to the community. Established in 1970, the medical school is based dually in Carbondale and Springfield and is specifically oriented to educating new physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities. Since 1975, 3,311 physicians have earned SIU medical degrees.
Photo caption: 2024 Mentor of the Year Dr. Jeff Ripperda (center) with medical student Divinity Rhodes and Year One Doctoring Director Dr. Mick Lynch.
