About me
Wendi Wills El-Amin, MD, is the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She is also on faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and provides care at the Center for Family Medicine in Springfield. Dr. El-Amin is dually appointed to the SIU’s Department of Medical Education.
El-Amin served as assistant dean of medical education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville (2007-10). She also served as director of outreach at the Center on Health Disparities and director of the UVA Cancer Center Health Disparity Initiative (2006-10) and as an assistant professor of family medicine and public health (2005-10), all at the University of Virginia. El-Amin was in private practice at Wills Diagnostic Clinic in Houston, TX. (2001-03).
She completed her residency in family practice and community medicine as chief resident at the University of Texas-Houston (2001). She earned her medical degree at Georgetown Medical School (1998) and a bachelor’s degree in biology at Hampton University in Virginia (1993).
Dr. El-Amin is board certified in family medicine and is a member of the National Medical Association, where she chaired the Women’s Health Section (2008 – 2019). She has been a community health advocate and activist. She is the mother to three little girls, who she calls her earth, wind, and fire.
Dr. Wendi’s passion for equity and dismantling the systems that underpin health disparities is unparalleled in our community. She has won numerous awards and accolades for her teaching, and she brings a heart for service, justice and healing to everything she does. Dr. Wendi serves on the boards of the Central Illinois Boys and Girls Club, Springfield YMCA, and the Community Foundation of the Land of Lincoln and is a member of the ELAM 2020 class of fellows.
Gender
Education & training
Research
Publications
Peer reviewed publications
- Hauck FR, Neese BH, Panchal AS, El-Amin W.Identification and management of latent tuberculosis infection. AAFP.2009; Vol. 79 No. 10
- El-Amin, Wendi W., Woods, Mia. Health Literacy: A Threat to Health. AAFP Home Study Self-Assessment Clinical Update Series. 2008; Clinical Update 348
- El-Amin, Wendi W. Health Status of the Incarcerated: Opportunity to Address Health Disparities. AAFP Home Study Self-Assessment Clinical Update Series. 2006; Clinical Update 332
HEALTH NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS:
El-Amin, W.W. “Depression in the African American Community” The Tribune. 2006
El-Amin, W.W. “Hypercholesterolemia” The Tribune. 2006
El-Amin, W.W. “Colorectal Cancer: Reduce your risk! Get Screened!” The Tribune. 2006, Vol.56, Num. 89 pg A6
El-Amin, W.W. “NAACP Tackles Obesity in the African American Community” The Tribune. 2006, Vol.56, Num.78, pg. A6.
El-Amin, W.W. “Creating A Healthy Legacy With Love Become a part of Black History” The Tribune. 2005, Vol.55, Num.85, pg. A6.
El-Amin, W.W. “ Depression in the African American Community: It’s a Disease Not A Weakness.” African _American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:10, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “A Life of Wellness: Your Greatest Investment” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:8, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “ Hypertension in the African American Community: The Silent Killer” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:7, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “Childhood Obesity: The New Epidemic” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:6, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “Physical Activity: The Strongest Medicine” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:5, pg.10
El-Amin, W.W. “Smoking and The African American Community” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.2:4, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “Colorectal Cancer: Are You Reducing Your Risk?” African American Reflector 2004, Vol.2:2, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “Stress Management” African American Reflector . 2004, Vol.2:1, pg.11.
El-Amin, W.W. “Maximizing Your Doctor Visit” African American Reflector . 2004, Vol.2:1, pg.10.
El-Amin, W.W. “Obesity: The Fast Food Dilemma” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.1:20, pg.10-11.
El-Amin, W.W. “Obesity and Health Consequences: Are you at Risk?” African American Reflector 2004, Vol.1:19, pg.10-11.
El-Amin, W.W. “Health your Greatest Possession” African American Reflector. 2004, Vol.1:18, pg.11.
El-Amin, W.W. “A Journey to Health and Wellness with Dr. Wendi” African American Reflector . 2004, Vol.1:18, pg.10
Featured In
INVITED PRESENTATIONS:
June 2016 American Association of Medical Colleges GSA-CIM-OSR Professional Development Conference Exploring Resilience: Medical Student Focus Group St. Louis, MO
June 2016 American Association of Medical Colleges GSA-CIM-OSR Professional Development Conference Shattering the Mental Glass Ceiling: Academic Enhancement through Stereotype Threat and Limiting Mindsets St. Louis, MO
May 2016 International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry African-American Voices: On Becoming a Physician in 2015 Champaign-Urbana, IL
Grants
April 2007–2010 El-Amin (PI) “Health D.E.P.O.T.S (Disseminating Education Places Outside Traditional Settings)” IRG American Cancer Society Role: Principal Investigator $20,000
2010 El-Amin (PI) “Buckingham County Breast Program” Susan G. Komen Grant Role: Principal Investigator $50,000
2010 El-Amin (PI) “Resilience: Sisters Conquering Cancer” University of Virginia Cancer Center Role: Principal Investigator $10,000
Awards
- Dr. Sharon L. Hostler Women in Medicine Leadership Award 2010
- UVA Health System Community Service Award 2007
- Chief Resident, Family Practice, University of Texas- Houston 2000-2001
- Board Member- Phoenix Outreach Youth Center, 5th Ward Houston 2000-2002
- Outstanding Family Practice Resident Award, University of Texas- Houston 2000
- Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, University of Texas, Houston 2000
- Georgetown SNMA Peer Award 1996-1997
- Journal for Minority Medical Students Campus Representative of the Year 1997-1998 (Awarded to the individual with the greatest contributions to the journal)
- SNMA President of Georgetown Chapter 1995-1996
- Associate Regional Director of SNMA, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. 1996-1997
- Presidential Scholarship Recipient – Hampton University 1989-1990
- MARC Scholarship Recipient 1991-1993
- Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society Award 1992 1993
- Dean’s Honor List 1989-1993
- Student Leader Hampton University 1991-1992
- Health Editor for the Script, Hampton University paper
Related articles
![Dawn Defraites & Stcy Grundy](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2024-02/Defraties%2BGrundy.jpg?h=f09465d4&itok=s6G7PZiA)
Kenniebrew, McNeese awards celebrate champions of equity, inclusion
![Alonzo Kenniebrew, MD](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2024-01/kenniebrew2.jpg?h=02153356&itok=ChIHEynU)
Kenniebrew events on February 8-9 to encourage health equity
![BRA Day event](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_1120/public/2023-10/Faces%20Races%20Paces.jpg?h=26f169f1&itok=DEWYl6Ha)