The Southern Illinois University Family and Community Medicine program in Carbondale has received highest recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home, praised for its dedication to quality care and care coordination. This is the third recognition the Carbondale program has received from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health-care quality.

Patients living with severe back pain, progressive spine conditions or bone or muscle tumors have a new option for care close to home. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine assistant professor of surgery Nitin Kukkar, MD, has partnered with Orthopedic & Sports Care Enhancement Center to bring specialized orthopaedic care to patients of McLean County. The center is located at 2406 E. Empire St. in Bloomington.

Michael Hyun-ook Kim, MD, MMM, FACC, FHRS, has joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as the chief of the Division of Cardiology and a professor of medicine. He is also a member of SIU HealthCare, the School's group practice.

Children with specific urological conditions requiring surgery have a new option for care closer to home. Ranjiv Mathews, MD, has partnered with Effingham Urology Associates to bring specialized pediatric urological care to Effingham County. Mathews will see patients at 414 W. Virginia Ave. in Effingham. He is the only pediatric urologist in an 80-mile radius.

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine alumnus Traves Crabtree, MD, '95, has returned to his alma mater as a professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He also a member of SIU HealthCare, the medical school's group practice.

Aug. 31, 2016 - Southern Illinois University School of Medicine resident and fellow alumnus Dae Hyoun (David) Jeong, MD, has rejoined the SIU School of Medicine faculty as an assistant professor of family and community medicine. He is also the director of geriatric sports and musculoskeletal medicine and the assistant director of geriatric medicine and palliative care. Geriatricians are specially trained to meet the unique health care needs of older adults. Jeong is a member of SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield.

Aug. 30, 2016 - Youssef Georges Chami, MD, FACC, has joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as an associate professor of internal medicine, specializing in interventional cardiology. He is also a member of SIU HealthCare, the School's group practice.

Aug. 16, 2016 - Kari M. Wolf, MD, has joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as chair of the Department of Psychiatry. She is also a member of SIU HealthCare, the School's group practice.