On April 6, 2020, my message to SIU Medicine employees focused on racial inequities in the delivery of health care, racial disparities in health care outcomes, and the overt and implicit systemic racism that lies at the root of these inequities and disparities for African Americans. On that day, using concepts articulated by Anthony Fauci, I wrote: “[The COVID-19 pandemic] has shined a light brightly and directly on America’s greatest shame – the inequities that African Americans have suffered and endured for centuries... Inequities have always existed for African Americans. Over four

On April 6, 2020, my message to SIU Medicine employees focused on racial inequities in the delivery of health care, racial disparities in health care outcomes, and the overt and implicit systemic racism that lies at the root of these inequities and disparities for African Americans. On that day, using concepts articulated by Anthony Fauci, I wrote: “[The COVID-19 pandemic] has shined a light brightly and directly on America’s greatest shame – the inequities that African Americans have suffered and endured for centuries... Inequities have always existed for African Americans. Over four

May 8, 2020 Beginning May 11, the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan allows elective procedures and surgeries to once again be performed. SIU Medicine providers will be performing procedures and surgeries at a variety of hospitals. Each hospital has slightly different restrictions, processes and prioritization criteria. Patients will be tested for COVID-19 prior to surgery to ensure the safety of the patient and the medical team. Each hospital will work with you to coordinate the required testing prior to your surgery or procedure. Emergent surgeries will be done without testing as we are

Central Illinois health-care providers promote correct mask use to reduce spread of COVID-19 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2020 CONTACT: Dean Olsen, Memorial Health System 217-836-1068 | olsen.dean@mhsil.com Erica Johnson, HSHS St. John’s Hospital 217-303-6344 | erica.johnson@hshs.org Guidance On Correct Use Of Masks Promoted by HSHS Illinois, Memorial Health System, SIU Medicine, Springfield Clinic SPRINGFIELD — Masks worn in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should cover the bridge of the nose, mouth and chin to be most effective, local health-care providers say. The advice comes in

Central Illinois health-care providers promote correct mask use to reduce spread of COVID-19 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2020 CONTACT: Dean Olsen, Memorial Health System 217-836-1068 | olsen.dean@mhsil.com Erica Johnson, HSHS St. John’s Hospital 217-303-6344 | erica.johnson@hshs.org Guidance On Correct Use Of Masks Promoted by HSHS Illinois, Memorial Health System, SIU Medicine, Springfield Clinic SPRINGFIELD — Masks worn in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should cover the bridge of the nose, mouth and chin to be most effective, local health-care providers say. The advice comes in

COVID-19 Update: May 3, 2020 This is a daily joint communication from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine updating you on the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sangamon County. This communication will come each day as necessary. At the time of this press release, we are announcing one new death in Sangamon County. The patient was a female in her 90’s that tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24th. She was an inpatient at Memorial Medical Center. We are also announcing five new

COVID-19 Update: May 2, 2020 This is a daily joint communication from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine updating you on the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sangamon County. This communication will come each day as necessary. At the time of this press release, we are announcing eleven new positive cases in Sangamon County. The total number of Sangamon County residents with confirmed cases between our five organizations is two hundred two, including twelve deaths. Memorial Medical

COVID-19 Update: May 1, 2020 This is a daily joint communication from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine updating you on the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sangamon County. This communication will come each day as necessary. At the time of this press release, we are announcing eleven new positive cases in Sangamon County. The total number of Sangamon County residents with confirmed cases between our five organizations is one hundred ninety-one, including twelve deaths. Memorial

COVID-19 Update: April 30, 2020 This is a daily joint communication from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine updating you on the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sangamon County. This communication will come each day as necessary. At the time of this press release, we are announcing one new death in Sangamon County. The patient was a female in her 70’s that tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24th. She was an inpatient at HSHS St.John’s Hospital. We are also announcing nine new

COVID-19 Update: April 29, 2020 This is a daily joint communication from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health along with Memorial Health System, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield Clinic and SIU Medicine updating you on the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sangamon County. This communication will come each day as necessary. At the time of this press release, we are announcing two new deaths in Sangamon County. The deaths include a female in her 80’s that tested positive for COVID-19 on April 21st and a female in her 80’s that tested positive for COVID-19 on April 27th. Both