School of Medicine staff, alumni recognized

Three Southern Illinois University School of Medicine alumni, and a faculty member in the medical school’s Quincy family practice program received honors Nov. 9 for their work as rural physicians in Illinois.

They each received Rural Physician of Excellence Awards during ceremonies at the School of Medicine. The awards recognize rural physicians who go above and beyond the call of duty in providing health care to rural residents in the state.

Dr. Debra M. Phillips, of the East Adams Medical Clinic in Golden, a professor in the School of Medicine’s Quincy Family Practice program, and a family practice residency alumnus was honored.

School of Medicine alumni honored were:

• Dr. Paul Hakes, BroMenn Medical Group/Crossroads Medical Associates, El Paso.
• Dr. Christine Lucas, Anna Rural Health, Anna.
• Dr. Philip Zumwalt, Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka.

A total of 18 rural physicians from throughout Illinois were honored during "Doc Hollywood Day," created this year by the National Rural Health Association to honor rural physicians and raise awareness of the need for additional rural health care providers like Dr. Aurelius Hogue and his protégé, Dr. Ben Stone, in the 1991 movie "Doc Hollywood."

Event sponsors included the School of Medicine, Illinois Rural Health Association, the National Center for Rural Health Professions, and the Illinois Hospital Association.