to Sangamon County Medical Society Online with information, important updates, and news
of value to medical society members.
SCMS' Legacy on Race Relations:
Two Faces of Our History
CLICK HERE to learn more about Dr. Alonzo H. Kenniebrew, and here to learn more about Dr. Edwin A. Lee.
Dr. Alonzo H. Kenniebrew (left), whose patients included Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, was denied membership in the Sangamon County Medical Society in 1929. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Library Sangamon Valley Collection.
Dr. Edwin A. Lee was the first African American officer of the Sangamon County Medical Society and one of the most widely admired and respected members in its history. Photo courtesy of The State Journal-Register.
Remembering the Springfield
Race Riot of 1908
Several activities have been planned to commemorate the Race Riot of 1908, including an exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and a lecture by civil rights activist, Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, in conjunction with the NAACP Illinois State Conference, October 10.
CLICK HERE to view a flyer containing further details.
Physician Locator Service:
Is Your Doctor A Society Member?
One key service that the Sangamon County Medical Society (SCMS) provides to the general public is our Physician Locator tool. Physician Locator is a directory search tool providing valuable information on more than 580 SCMS member physicians, which includes doctors of medicine (MD) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). Information such as educational backgrounds and board certifications has been verified for accuracy and authenticated by accrediting agencies, medical schools, residency training programs, licensing boards, and other data sources.
In short, we have taken the guesswork out of evaluating a physician's credentials. SCMS also provides referral information for primary care and specialty physicians. Information may be obtained by accessing the Physician Locator on this Web site or by calling us at 217-525-0765.
August 2008
Dr. Sherry Simmons' Body Perfect
Named "Best Medical Spa" by Skin Inc. Magazine
On August 16, 2008, SCMS Member Dr. Sherry Simmons was presented the "Best Medical Spa" award at the Face & Body Healthy Aging Conference and Expo in San Francisco, CA. The award given by Skin, Inc. magazine was based on: offering the best medically enhanced spa options for clients, maintaining medical integrity, maintaining spa integrity, successfulness and industry votes.
"We are very excited to win this prestigious national industry award, and are proud that Springfield, Illinois, can compete and win against medical spas in New York, and California, and the fact that we came out on top is truly an honor," said Dr. Simmons.
Her Body Perfect spa offers an extensive array of aesthetic medical options, and a wide array of laser treatments, and "seeks to bring the spa atmosphere into the medical realm by exhibiting peace and beauty." Dr. Simmons also hosts a weekly cable TV and call-in radio shows.
Dr. Simmons is certified with the American Board of Family Practice, and is a fellow with the American Board of Lasers in Medicine and Science. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at SIU School of Medicine in 2004, and graduated from St. George's University School of Medicine, and finished two years of clinical training at Kent and Canterbury Hospitals in Canterbury, England in 1999. She completed a surgical internship at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, NE in 2001. Dr. Simmons opened Body Perfect, LLC, in November 2004, and currently has 2500 clients. To learn more about her medically enhanced spa options, click here, or visit her web site at www.bodyperfectusa.com.
President's Message
By Eric Bleyer, M.D.
The Congressional override that took place July 15, 2008, of the Presidential veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) speaks volumes for the impact physicians' voices can have when they unite to protect patients' access to care. This tremendous grassroots advocacy effort nationwide by physicians and their patients led to an override in the House of 383-41 (285 votes were needed), and in the Senate of 70-26 (65 votes were needed). This is definitive proof that together, we can make a difference.
PRESS RELEASE, August 12, 2008: Sangamon County Medical Society Issues Apology
To African American Physicians,
Prominent Physician Denied Membership in 1929
Good news! Sangamon County, or District V, will host the 2010 annual meeting of the House of Delegates of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS). Thanks to a decision by the ISMS Board of Trustees at their June meeting, the House will return to Springfield. Read the ISMS District V Trustees' Report online in Sangamon Medical News.
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Holds Ribbon-Cutting for
SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute Pictured is the new SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine, located at 315 W. Carpenter St. The state-of-the art $21.5 million facility is nearly complete and will be ready for patient care this fall. Photo courtesy of Public Affairs, SIU School of Medicine.
The following is an excerpt from remarks made by J. Kevin Dorsey, M.D., Ph.D., Dean & Provost, SIU School of Medicine, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony held July 10, 2008.
When the design of this building was first discussed with the architects, we wanted to create something special and make this the gateway to the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. I wanted it to be a warm, supportive building that wrapped its arms around patients and their families and made them feel secure. I felt it was important that it also have a spiritual element to lift up and restore the emotions of those in our care.
To me, the significance of this building, and especially the caring work that will go on inside, is critical. Not only because it represents our effort to fulfill the SIU School of Medicine's mission to improve the health of the region, but also because it is a monument to progress in health care — progress that is often measured in decades.
Sixty years ago, the summer meant a polio epidemic, quarantine and closed beaches. Now, thanks to research, it is unusual to find someone who has ever seen an iron lung.
Thirty years ago, many had a family member die suddenly from a heart attack, whereas today, thanks to research and technology, aggressive treatment within sixty minutes of arrival at the ER means a patient can go home 24 hours later.
Many of us have had a family member die of cancer in spite of treatment. Now, this building is a symbol of hope that the next generation of physicians we train here will look back and say that premature death from cancer was something that happened "in the old days."
The SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU will focus on those cancers which disproportionately affect citizens of southern and central Illinois and will not only care for those patients in a unique, comprehensive way, but will also perform the research needed to bring more effective treatments to this region.
Thanks to all of you, and especially those who will work and learn and care for patients here, you who will make this dream a reality and provide all of us with immeasurable hope for the future.
The following is an excerpt from remarks made by K. Thomas Robbins, M.D., Director, SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On behalf of my colleagues and staff at SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute (SCCI), I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in this project, including the leaders at Southern Illinois University who conceived the idea many years ago; our state representatives who approved the funding; the architects and the SIU building committee who designed it and developed its function; the craftsmen for creating the physical structure; and the teams of health care workers and researchers who ultimately will provide the services to the region.
What stands in front of us today is highly symbolic as it represents a new and important landmark for SIU and our communities, and signifies a milestone in the history of the cancer program at SIU.
However, its greatest importance is yet to come. This facility symbolizes the beginning of the next phase in the evolution of our academic cancer program at SIU. As we combine our multidisciplinary cancer care teams with our research collaborations, we will develop best practice models and discover new ones that lessen the burden of cancer for many. The new facility will serve to strengthen, streamline and consolidate various activities now conducted at several sites.
The next phase includes further recruitment of key cancer specialists to provide the full spectrum of care to our patients. We will strengthen and integrate our talented cancer researchers to better serve our mission and reach our vision of becoming the premier, comprehensive cancer program for rural Illinois. We will work with surrounding counties and communities to establish a cancer network as part of our strategy to lessen the cancer burden for all citizens.
This handsome state-of-the-art building will serve as the nerve center from which all of these activities will be launched as we continue to make cancer history here in central and southern Illinois.
To learn more about SCCI's physician and research faculty, patient services, cancer care teams, active clinical trials and research grants, please visit their web site, www.siumed.edu/cancer. The main phone number at SCCI is 217.545.6818.
Orthopaedic Center of Illinois
Breaks Ground for New Facility
On July 22, 2008, the Orthopaedic Center of Illinois (OCI) held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new facility that will expand their practice for patients requiring musculoskeletal care. The 50,000 square-foot building is being constructed on the southwest corner of Old Jacksonville and Koke Mill Roads. The $13 million facility includes 36 exam rooms, office space for approximately 100 full and part-time employees, a state-of-the-art imaging center (complete with MRI, Open MRI, CT, bone density testing, and EMG), physical therapy, and a fitness center.
One of the new aspects of the practice is physical therapy. As part of the expansion, the physical therapy sector will include a HydroWorx resistance rehabilitation pool, an advanced technology used in aquatic therapy. "Adding physical therapy to our practice really complements the orthopedic rehabilitation experience," Dr. Ron Romanelli, President of OCI's Board of Directors, added. "Workers, athletes, and those suffering from normal wear-and-tear are now able to come to us for diagnosis, testing in our state-of-the-art imaging center, treatment, rehabilitation, and if needed, surgery." Orthopaedic Center of Illinois physicians, along with Mayor Davlin and representatives from the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, O'Shea Builders, and Hurwitz Enterprises officially break ground at the site of their new facility on the corner of Koke Mill and Old Jacksonville Road. The 50,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed next summer.
Get On The SCMS
Or SCMS Alliance Group Email Lists!
If you have an email address, and would like to receive updates and action alerts from either the Sangamon County Medical Society or our Alliance, please let us know. More and more of our communications in the near future will be sent electronically. You can get newsletters faster and eliminate paper clutter on your desk. Don't worry, we won't inundate your inbox!
Your email address is safe with us. We do not share, sell or distribute email addresses to anyone. SCMS also sends periodic news by email to office managers of our members.
Send us your information to join either of our group email lists. Include your full name, which organization's email list you are joining, your email address, mailing address, phone number, office manager, and manager's email. Note: SCMS will promptly forward Alliance information to them upon receipt.
Dr. Alonzo H. Kenniebrew (left), whose patients included Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, was denied membership in the Sangamon County Medical Society in 1929. Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Library Sangamon Valley Collection.
directory search tool providing valuable information on more than 580 SCMS member physicians, which includes doctors of medicine (MD) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). Information such as educational backgrounds and board certifications has been verified for accuracy and authenticated by accrediting agencies, medical schools, residency training programs, licensing boards, and other data sources.
On August 16, 2008, SCMS Member Dr. Sherry Simmons was presented the "Best Medical Spa" award at the Face & Body Healthy Aging Conference and Expo in San Francisco, CA. The award given by Skin, Inc. magazine was based on: offering the best medically enhanced spa options for clients, maintaining medical integrity, maintaining spa integrity, successfulness and industry votes.
