SIU Medicine

01/28/2026

We’re proud to see our physicians recognized by community partners like Jacksonville Memorial Hospital. Dr. Olejnik is a certified menopause specialist in Jacksonville and is accepting new patients, expanding access to expert care for women at every stage of life.

Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Olejnik, a co-recipient of the 2026 AWIMS Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of Women in Medicine & Science from SIU Medicine! It recognizes leaders who promote gender equity, champion professional development and support work-life integration in the medical community. A well-deserved honor for this valued member of our staff.

01/27/2026

Members of SIU School of Medicine’s Class of 1995 were given a unique opportunity to see Broadway-level entertainment up close during a reunion in New York City. The musical was written by Dr. Mike Sheedy, one of their own. The Chatham family physician had worked on it for a decade.
Read the article -- and the reviews -- at https://loom.ly/WuO2eOc.

01/26/2026

CARBONDALE: Due to severe weather, SIU Medicine clinics in Carbondale are closed Tuesday, Jan. 27. Patients with scheduled in-person appointments will be contacted to reschedule or transition to telehealth. Existing telehealth appointments remain unaffected. Stay safe!

We will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th, due to weather.

01/26/2026

SIU School of Medicine leads the health care education industry in the use of standardized patients for medical training. One of our latest innovations is the use of virtual patients powered by AI. Medical students can hone their interviewing techniques with a variety of simulated patients who give more information as the students' clinical communication skills improve.
Read more:
https://loom.ly/4Og8IXw
https://loom.ly/Ic5ejwE

Medical schools and teaching hospitals in the U.K. and U.S. are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI)-generated patients to train future

01/26/2026

CARBONDALE: Due to severe weather, SIU Medicine clinics in Carbondale are closed Monday, Jan. 26. Patients with scheduled in-person appointments will be contacted to reschedule or transition to telehealth. Existing telehealth appointments remain unaffected. Stay safe!

SIU Carbondale Family Medicine

01/25/2026

Meet Megan Ferrill, PA-C 💜

Megan is a physician assistant at the Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness in Springfield, where she provides compassionate, personalized care for adults and older adults.

A lifelong central Illinois resident, Megan is passionate about serving her community and building lasting relationships with the patients and families she cares for. With years of experience in health care and a focus on wellness at every stage of life, she helps patients feel supported, understood and empowered in their care.

https://www.siumed.org/megan-ferrill

01/23/2026

Central Illinois—this cold is no joke. 🥶
With subzero wind chills expected this weekend, now’s the time to prepare:
✔️ Layer up
✔️ Limit outdoor exposure
✔️ Check on family, neighbors and pets

Frostbite and hypothermia can happen faster than you think. If something feels off, trust your instincts and seek care.
We’re here for you. Stay safe out there.

— SIU Medicine

01/23/2026

Practical tools to better help loved ones with memory loss or dementia - that's what Dementia Caregiving 101 is all about.

Led by the Smith Alzheimer's Center at SIU Medicine, join as experts dive into different and important topics each week for eight weeks. From behavior changes, home safety, driving and much more, you can choose what sessions you want to attend - all at no cost.

Our upcoming series will be held at Grace United Methodist Church on Mondays, with the first session starting January 26. Find out what topics are coming up and how to register here: https://loom.ly/KmVSnYI

01/22/2026

Sleep apnea doesn’t just affect your sleep; it affects your whole life.

Loud snoring. Gasping for air. Daytime exhaustion. These could be signs of sleep apnea, a condition that disrupts breathing throughout the night. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues like
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cognitive decline
• Dangerous daytime fatigue
Sleep apnea often goes unnoticed, but the risks are real. If you’re waking up tired or struggling to focus during the day, it may be time for a sleep study.

Treatment can protect your health and restore your quality of life.

Learn more about sleep apnea’s effects on your health: https://loom.ly/RDe4nrc

01/21/2026

No dinner plans? Consider grabbing some Chick-Fil-A today from 4 to 8 PM, and a portion of your meal's cost will support an SIU School of Medicine mission trip to Ecuador. A group of medical students, residents and attending physicians will be providing care to remote residents in March. 🐔
Note: Funds from mobile sales only - click the prompt!

01/21/2026

SIU Medicine, carrying our mission forward. This time, across oceans.

Dr. Matthew Johnson, along with a dedicated care team including one ENT nurse and resident, traveled to the Philippines to provide life-changing cleft care for children in communities with limited access to the specialized surgical care needed to restore both the form and function of their smiles.

Read this uplifting story: https://loom.ly/gPow094