![Mars mission 'Sandbox'](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/Sandbox%20w%20Jones.jpg?h=c52406ed&itok=aVU7Vp6C)
SIU Medicine alum begins NASA Mars mission
On June 25, Springfield emergency medicine physician and SIU School of Medicine alumnus Dr. Nathan Jones will begin a NASA mission that simulates living on Mars.
![Robotic-assisted brain surgery - Breck Jones, MD](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/Breck%20Jones%20stealth%20auto%20brain%20surgery.jpg?h=34bbd072&itok=uzje_KRE)
Neurosurgeon performs new robot-assisted brain procedure
When neurosurgeon Dr. Breck Jones of SIU Medicine performed a brain biopsy on a local patient earlier this month at Springfield Memorial Hospital, he had a new assistant helping guide him to the location of the suspected tumor – a robot.
![PA Nashville Conference](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/Jennifer-Orozco-AAPA-horiz.jpg?h=5b0bf8d9&itok=cmzzLFFM)
A busy week in Nashville for SIU PA team members
SIU School of Medicine Physician Assistant program and the Doctor of Medical Science degree program teams experienced an exciting and eventful week in May. They made their presence known at the American Academy of Physicians Associates conference in Nashville, where alums, faculty and current students from both programs gathered.
![Mary Hoffman](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/HoffmanM-sq.jpg?h=67204d73&itok=bFKY7rJf)
Hoffman selected for ELAM Fellowship
Family medicine physician Rebecca Hoffman, MD, has been accepted as a member of the 2023-24 class of Fellows in the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program.
![Eubanks family - Mentor award](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/Eubanks%20MOY%202023-horiz.jpg?h=10c07d83&itok=oLuD6fx0)
Eubanks named 2023 Mentor of the Year
SIU's Class of 2026 has selected Harrisburg primary care physician Blaine Eubanks, MD, as the 2023 Mentor of the Year.
![Brenham-Careyana-MD](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/BrenhamC-web-sq.jpg?h=1e66e246&itok=68P_IyDQ)
Brenham named Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Dr. Careyana Brenham has been selected as the new associate dean for graduate medical education (GME) at SIU School of Medicine.
Annual lectureship celebrates legacy of SIU surgeons
On October 19, 1983, at a dinner meeting held to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the General Surgery Residency Program, Dr. Roland Folse and Dr. Alan Birtch were honored when an official
![Firearm study US map](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-06/Figure%202a.jpg?h=745d2148&itok=sUJY0_X2)
New study shows toll of firearm injury on U.S. children
Since 2020, firearm injuries have become the No. 1 cause of death in American children, according to the CDC. SIU Medicine's Dr. Ruchika Goel and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University studied national data to learn more about the children and adolescents affected, as well as the burden on hospitals and health care providers.
![FFRI awareness](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-05/Farm%20Family%20Resource0302.jpg?h=1a8731fc&itok=AuJRz0RU)
Farm Family Resource Initiative efforts highlighted
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello highlighted the availability of mental health resources through the Farm Family Resource Initiative while in Carbondale on May 30. He was joined by representatives of SIU Medicine and Josh and Emily Reinhardt, dairy farmers from Red Bud, Illinois.