410 ILCS 65/3.1

(410 ILCS 65/3.1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 8053.1)

Sec. 3.1. Southern Illinois University shall expand its focus on rural health care as a component of health professions education programs on its several campuses, including, but not limited to, its programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and technical careers, and through research and technical assistance programs. The University shall further encourage the regional outreach mission of its School of Medicine through the establishment of a dedicated administrative entity within the School with responsibility for rural health care planning and programming. The University may work with communities, state agencies, other colleges and universities, private foundations, health care providers, and other interested organizations on innovative strategies to respond to the health care needs of residents of rural areas.

The University shall have the authority:

(a) To establish such clinical centers as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this Act according to the following priorities:

(1) Preference for programs which are designed to facilitate the education of health professions students.

(2) Preference for programs established in locations which exhibit potential for locating physicians in health manpower shortage areas.

(3) Preference for programs which are located away from communities in which medical school and residency programs are located.

(4) Preference for programs which are geographically distributed throughout downstate Illinois.

(b) To receive and disburse funds in accordance with the purpose stated in Section 2 of this Act.

(c) To enter into contracts or agreements with any agency or department of the State of Illinois or the United States to carry out the provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 86-1187.)