SR1027 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1027 LRB101 19836 MST 69356 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1968, the Illinois Board of Higher Education recommended that Southern Illinois University (SIU) create a medical school in downstate Illinois capable of graduating its first class of new physicians by 1978; and

WHEREAS, SIU determined that it could maximize location and expertise by basing the clinical education programs of the new school in Springfield and basic science programs in Carbondale, making use of the educational resources already available on the campus; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of the founding dean, Dr. Richard H. Moy, the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine was established in 1970 with a mission to educate physicians with a focus on primary care for central and southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, As part of the Southern Illinois University System, the School of Medicine exists to improve the health, health care, and health care education for downstate Illinois and to advance the discipline of medicine; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine was among the first to incorporate problem-based learning, surgical skills simulation, and standardized patients into the medical school curriculum; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine engages in world-renowned research that covers a wide range of basic and clinical sciences, with special emphases on women's health, cancer, hearing, regenerative medicine, and aging; and

WHEREAS, In its 50-year history, the SIU School of Medicine has trained over 5,000 caring physicians and is internationally recognized for its innovative teaching and testing techniques; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine has received five international awards for excellence in medical education for student engagement, student assessment, social accountability, medical simulation, and curriculum innovation and is the only medical school worldwide to hold five such awards; and

WHEREAS, As a national leader in the percentage of graduates who enter primary care, the SIU School of Medicine has over 350 resident physicians and fellows training in 25 medical specialty areas; and

WHEREAS, The health care professionals of SIU Medicine, a multi-specialty group practice comprised of 284 physicians and their teams, provide comprehensive primary and specialty care for the people and communities of the region in medical offices, clinics, hospitals, and community venues; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine has furthered its mission through the establishment of specific educational programs for physician assistants, medical scientists, and underrepresented groups in medicine; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine has been recognized for its diversity efforts and percentage of graduates from underrepresented groups in medicine; and

WHEREAS, The SIU School of Medicine is a community-based medical school that meets its mission through formal partnerships and collaborations with hospitals, health systems, and community agencies throughout its 66-county region, which includes 2.2 million residents; and

WHEREAS, For 50 years, the SIU School of Medicine has educated and trained generations of physicians and scientists to serve central and southern Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 4, 2020 as Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this anniversary is a significant time to reflect on the past while considering the future contribution that the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will make to improve the health of the people and communities of Illinois and the world through education, clinical care, medical research, and service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the SIU School of Medicine as a symbol of our respect and esteem.