SIU School of Medicine

The Pelvic Wellness Center opened in October 2024 to support both women and men's pelvic health. The center offers specialized treatment for pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction. Mary Hitt, Director of the Pelvic Wellness Center at SIU Medicine, and Kaylie Caswell, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and Sexuality Counselor at SIU Medicine, spoke with Community Voices about common reasons people visit the center, as well as topics related to pelvic health and sexual health counseling and education. They emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations around sexual health and discussed how social media has influenced public perceptions of traditionally "taboo" topics. For more information about the Pelvic Wellness Center, click here.Listener discretion is advised.

Dr. Christopher McDowell is the Executive Associate Dean of SIU School of Medicine. He spoke to Community Voices about how he balances his practice in emergency medicine and his administrative duties. He also shared how SIU School of Medicine is working to make health care more accessible and why patients should come to the emergency room if they have a concern.

Dr. Stacy Sattovia is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Culinary Medicine at SIU School of Medicine. She spoke to Community Voices about the field of culinary medicine, cultural shifts leading to changes in nutrition and the importance of nutritious and tasty food. She also addressed managing a balanced diet amid rising food cost and how 4th year medical students are learning how to apply culinary medicine in the test kitchen.

The Standardized Patient Program, which is replicated at medical schools across the country, originated at SIU School of Medicine. Dr. Amelia Frank spoke to Community Voices about the program. She explained how this program uses trained individuals to simulate real patient scenarios, helping future doctors develop their clinical skills. Dr. Frank also explained the process of becoming a standardized patient, the importance of continued learning for doctors and the various methods they employ to stay current in their field.For more information on the Standardized Patient Program visit: https://www.siumed.edu/oec/sp/become-standardized-patient

Dr. Careyana Brenham is a physician, professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education at SIU School of Medicine. She also helps coordinate the SIU Gender Equity and Transgender Clinic. She spoke to Community Voices about her interest in medicine and teaching students to care for patients. She also explained how the Gender Equity and Transgender Clinic is helping the LGBTQ+ community, not only in Illinois, but in surrounding states as well.For more about the clinic visit: https://www.siumed.org/treatment/gender-equity-and-transgender-clinic

Dr. Dana Crosby is chair, program director, and professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at SIU School of Medicine. She is also Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery as well as Director of Otolaryngic Allergy. She spoke to Community Voices about what drew her to this medical specialty, what all Otolaryngology encompasses, and how chronic issues with the senses impact quality of life. Dr. Crosby also talks about working with residents as they prepare to become surgeons.

Tim Koschmann is the subject of the film “The Interaction Cowboy,” a documentary directed by his son Fred Koschmann. He spoke to Community Voices about the film and his journey to Ethnomethodology research at SIU School of Medicine. He also shared his thoughts on the state of the American education system and gives a brief history on the field of education research.

Dr. Susan Hingle is a professor at the SIU School of Medicine.

Professor Wiley Jenkins, with the SIU School of Medicine, spoke with reporter Kyle Abraham.

Dr. Ruchika Goel is a hematologist-oncologist at SIU School of Medicine and an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She spoke to Community Voices about new research that provides more insight into the firearm injury and mortality rates among children. You can read the research here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanam/article/PIIS2667-193X(23)00077-7/fulltext