SIU Medicine

04/06/2026

Healthy aging starts with prevention. 💙

Chronic conditions often develop over time, which is why having a trusted primary care provider matters. At the SIU Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness, we focus on the whole person, from preventive screenings to chronic disease and mental health support.

Learn how primary care helps you stay well at every stage: https://loom.ly/98I1tBY

For older adults, an important part of staying healthy is preventing illnesses before they start. Many chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes,

04/05/2026

Meet Saliha Saleem, MD 💜

Dr. Saleem is an infectious diseases physician at SIU Medicine in Springfield, providing expert care for adults with complex infections. She specializes in tropical medicine, helping patients navigate diagnosis, treatment and prevention with confidence and clarity.

With a compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Saleem works closely with each individual to develop personalized care plans and support long-term health and recovery.

siumed.org/saliha-saleem

04/03/2026

Discover the stories that shape SIU Medicine. Recently, we opened the doors to Aspects, our new hub for news, features, and multimedia. Explore the people, discoveries, and partnerships driving patient care, research, education, and community service across central and southern Illinois—all in one place. Check out SIU health in action. Visit Aspects https://loom.ly/SApOWjA

04/02/2026

Some teens miss school for a cold. Annie missed school because of pain that wouldn’t let up.

For years, severe cramps, nausea and heavy bleeding disrupted her daily life — until she received a diagnosis of endometriosis from SIU Medicine’s Dr. Terah Holland.

Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women, yet it often goes undiagnosed for years. Annie’s story highlights the importance of recognizing when period pain is more than “just cramps” and seeking answers early.

Today, with the right treatment, Annie is back to focusing on school and the moments that matter.

Learn the signs and why early care matters: https://loom.ly/_OS9xcU

A teen’s severe menstrual pain disrupts daily life until an endometriosis diagnosis brings validation, treatment and relief, highlighting delayed diagnosis, warning signs and the importance of early care.

04/01/2026

In recognition of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Brette Harding shares how expert, compassionate health care is available close to home.

03/31/2026

This year, the Smith Alzheimer's Center at SIU Medicine celebrates 40 years of research, care and outreach.

“We’ve made meaningful progress over the past 40 years, but we’re not stopping here,” said Erin Hascup, PhD, executive director of the Smith Alzheimer's Center. “Our commitment remains the same: Push the science forward and bring hope to every person facing Alzheimer’s.”

Even decades after Alois Alzheimer identified an “unusual disease” in 1906, Alzheimer’s disease remained widely misunderstood. Families faced the disease with

03/31/2026

Discover the stories that shape SIU Medicine.

Recently, we opened the doors to Aspects, our new hub for news, features and multimedia. Explore the people, discoveries and partnerships driving patient care, research, education and community service across central and southern Illinois—all in one place.

Check out SIU health in action. Visit Aspects https://loom.ly/SApOWjA

03/30/2026

Congratulations to biomedical researchers Andrew Wilber, PhD, an associate professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, and Frank Park, PhD, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). These researchers have been awarded the Orphan Dream Award for their groundbreaking work advancing MiNiRoLu, a next-generation gene therapy designed to treat sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Learn more - https://loom.ly/i7JBUMQ

03/29/2026

SIU graduate students brought brain science to life for Springfield eighth graders at Franklin Middle School, turning curiosity into hands-on learning and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Learn more - https://loom.ly/QWC9z0Y

03/29/2026

Meet Kara Fellers, FNP-C 💜

Kara is a family nurse practitioner at SIU Medicine Express Care in Springfield, where she provides convenient, compassionate care for patients of all ages. She supports individuals and families with a wide range of everyday health needs, helping them feel confident and cared for when it matters most.

With a patient-centered approach, Kara is dedicated to delivering timely, high-quality care and building trusting relationships with those she serves.

siumed.org/kara-fellers

03/28/2026

💙 March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — and this year, it hits closer to home than ever.

In just the past few years, we've lost beloved public figures to this disease:

• 🎬 Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) — age 43, lost in 2020
• 🎤 Kirstie Alley (Cheers) — age 71, lost in December 2022
• ⚽ Pelé, soccer legend and three-time World Cup champion — age 82, lost in December 2022
• 📺 James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek) — age 48, lost on February 11, 2026

What's striking? Many of them were healthy, active and had no obvious warning signs.

James Van Der Beek said it best: "I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, and I had Stage 3 cancer, and I had no idea."

This disease is largely preventable and highly treatable — but only if we catch it in time.
Please don't put off that screening. Talk to your doctor. Share this post. It could save a life.

03/27/2026

Neighborhood artists from Enos Elementary School were honored at the Enos Art Reception on March 24 at the SIU Medical Library in Springfield.
Congratulations, all -- and keep up the creativity! 🎨