Applications for the 2020 summer lab internships at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine are being accepted through March 9. Four positions will be awarded on a competitive basis to qualified undergraduate college students who plan a career in medicine or research with a focus on cancer. Established in 2009, the paid internship program provides hands-on experience for college undergraduates. It is funded through Denim & Diamonds, the cancer institute’s annual gala to benefit cancer research, patient programs and needs of SCI’s patient

As part of our continuing mission to provide exceptional patient experience at SIU Medicine, and in tandem with our Forward Together colleague recognition program, we are sharing positive patient experience highlights. Our September 2019 Patient Experience Highlight comes from the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Surgery, Colorectal Division for creating access and delivering fantastic patient care. Christopher McDowell, MD, saw a patient who was stable on Sept. 17. In collaboration with colorectal surgery, this patient was able to be seen by Prasad Poola, MD, the very

As part of our continuing mission to provide exceptional patient experience at SIU Medicine, and in tandem with our Forward Together colleague recognition program, we are sharing positive patient experience highlights. Our September 2019 Patient Experience Highlight comes from the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Surgery, Colorectal Division for creating access and delivering fantastic patient care. Christopher McDowell, MD, saw a patient who was stable on Sept. 17. In collaboration with colorectal surgery, this patient was able to be seen by Prasad Poola, MD, the very

As part of our continuing mission to provide exceptional patient experience at SIU Medicine, and in tandem with our Forward Together colleague recognition program, we are sharing positive patient experience highlights. Our September 2019 Patient Experience Highlight comes from the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Surgery, Colorectal Division for creating access and delivering fantastic patient care. Christopher McDowell, MD, saw a patient who was stable on Sept. 17. In collaboration with colorectal surgery, this patient was able to be seen by Prasad Poola, MD, the very

The employee of the month for January 2020 is Rhonda Loyd , Office Manager, in the Department of Surgery. Her nominator said: “Rhonda consistently demonstrates the behavior standards. She helps to train and orient new staff. She has an extensive knowledge base developed over many years of experience in her role and she shares this knowledge. She explains processes thoroughly and models excellence. There have been many changes within our department and the School, and she embraces those changes and is willing to learn and continuously grow. We are very fortunate to have Rhonda on our team.”

The employee of the month for January 2020 is Rhonda Loyd , Office Manager, in the Department of Surgery. Her nominator said: “Rhonda consistently demonstrates the behavior standards. She helps to train and orient new staff. She has an extensive knowledge base developed over many years of experience in her role and she shares this knowledge. She explains processes thoroughly and models excellence. There have been many changes within our department and the School, and she embraces those changes and is willing to learn and continuously grow. We are very fortunate to have Rhonda on our team.”

SIU Medicine’s December 2019 patient experience highlight recognizes Sandra Ettema, MD, Department of Otolaryngology. Informing patients and their families of a terminal illness is not something that most of us would think about daily. For our providers, that is a different story. Dr. Ettema received a card in the mail last month from a patient’s family. In the card was a letter describing the meaning of this patient to the family but most impressively, the gratitude and appreciation shown to Dr. Ettema for her kindness in the delivery of the news and explanation of the diagnosis of cancer

The Center for Human and Organizational Potential hosted a contest to establish Little Free Libraries (LFL) around the SOM campus during November 2019. Department teams planned and created impressive original designs. Here are the winners. Longest Standing LFL (10+ years) & Best Variety (books + DVDs): Quincy Family Medicine Most Creative: Department of Pharmacology’s Pharm Barn Best Presentation: Department of Population Science and Policy, 201 E. Madison Atrium Gathering Space Table/Lending Library Most Comfy and Cozy: Department of Psychiatry, Centrum Building