For Litchfield native Ed Wernsing, the nickname Big Ed just came naturally. "In high school, I was 6'4, 240lbs, and all of the kids would call me Big Ed." The 75-year-old Litchfield owner of Wernsing’s Appliance shares. Big Ed has a big personality to match his towering height. However, Big Ed started to see changes in his health that took a toll on his mobility and go get 'em attitude. Big Ed’s health had begun to decline slowly. Once a formidable powerhouse of strength easily capable of moving refrigerators and ovens across his showroom floor, he began to lose his ability to walk while his

For Litchfield native Ed Wernsing, the nickname Big Ed just came naturally. "In high school, I was 6'4, 240lbs, and all of the kids would call me Big Ed." The 75-year-old Litchfield owner of Wernsing’s Appliance shares. Big Ed has a big personality to match his towering height. However, Big Ed started to see changes in his health that took a toll on his mobility and go get 'em attitude. Big Ed’s health had begun to decline slowly. Once a formidable powerhouse of strength easily capable of moving refrigerators and ovens across his showroom floor, he began to lose his ability to walk while his

SIU School of Medicine will be closing its COVID-19 testing operation on March 30 as planned with the Sangamon County Department of Public Health (SCDPH). During the past 8 months, SIU conducted more than 38,000 tests of area residents, resulting in 35,093 negative findings and 2,359 positives, with a monthly average of 200 tests for children under 18. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the County to provide this critical community service in a time of crisis. SIU Medicine also wants to acknowledge Abundant Faith Christian Center and all other area congregations and community

Closing Care Gaps with Telehealth Expansion in Illinois A global pandemic has accelerated the use of telehealth services to keep patients healthy at home and to protect health care professionals on the front lines. Across the country, academic medical centers like SIU School of Medicine (SIU SOM) are using emergency, temporary rules for telehealth to reach medically underserved populations in small urban and rural areas in need of better health outcomes. Health disparities and care gaps for rural and underserved communities preceded COVID-19 and will remain when the crisis has ended. It’s time

SIU Medicine will continue COVID-19 testing for the Springfield community in March. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the testing operation will be hosted by Abundant Faith Christian Center located at 2525 Taylor Ave. Mondays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Tuesdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Thursdays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. Additional testing is conducted on Fridays, hosted by other area congregations. March 5, 9 a.m. - noon at Second Timothy Baptist Church, 1122 E. Pine Street March 12, 9 a.m. - noon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut Street March 19, 9 a.m. - noon at

A major gift to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will transform the health care of people throughout Illinois and beyond. Dale and Deborah Smith recently donated a substantial financial gift to the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders at SIU Medicine to expand research, enhance programming and improve care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and assist their caregivers. The center will now be named the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at SIU Medicine. The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at

A major gift to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine will transform the health care of people throughout Illinois and beyond. Dale and Deborah Smith recently donated a substantial financial gift to the Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders at SIU Medicine to expand research, enhance programming and improve care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and assist their caregivers. The center will now be named the Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at SIU Medicine. The Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment at