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

SIU Medicine will continue COVID-19 testing for the Springfield community in February. 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. Fridays: 1 – 4 p.m. (at Abundant Faith Christian Center, 301 West Reynolds Campus) Additional testing is conducted on Fridays, hosted by other area congregations. February 5, 9 a.m. - noon at Monroe Street Christian Church, 1229 E. Monroe St. February 12, 9 a.m. -

Frequently Asked Questions Are pregnant and breastfeeding women allowed to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Yes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG, the primary professional society of US OB/GYNs), the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM), and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) have all recommended offering the COVID-19 vaccine to women who are trying to get pregnant, currently pregnant or breastfeeding. It is important for pregnant women to be given the chance to get vaccinated in part because pregnant women

SIU Medicine is recruiting patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease to study a new drug that could become a potential treatment for the debilitating condition. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a nervous system disorder that affects movement, causing slowness, stiffness, tremors and walking and balance problems. Over time, patients diagnosed with PD experience a worsening of their symptoms. In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, symptoms may be mild and the diagnosis can be easily missed. The symptoms include: Slowed movement, also known as bradykinesia (difficulties getting out of a chair

All SIU Medicine COVID-19 testing sites are closed December 23 – January 3 for the holidays. Testing resumes on January 4, 2021. SIU Medicine will continue COVID-19 testing for the Springfield community in January. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, the testing operation will be hosted by the 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. Fridays: 1 – 4 p.m. (at Abundant Faith Christian Center, 301 West Reynolds Campus) Additional testing is conducted on Fridays, hosted