History
Medical Education in Peoria since 1970
In 1970, a group of local physicians and community leaders founded the Peoria Medical School. Their goal was to train physicians who would remain in Peoria and central Illinois communities to practice medicine.
Today that vision has come to fruition as the medical school, now named the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP), prepares future physicians, provides clinical services, and conducts impactful research.
1960's & 1970's Heading link
June 1968
“Education in the Health Fields for State of Illinois Board of Higher Education”, commonly called “The Campbell Report”, recommends that the University of Illinois College of Medicine develop a clinical center for teaching in Peoria, IL.
Summer 1970
The Peoria School of Medicine (PSM) opens in the First National Bank in Peoria. The first employee is Mrs. Midge Parks, the secretary.
July 1, 1970
Dr. Nicolas J. Cotsonas Jr., a graduate of Harvard and Georgetown Universities, becomes our first dean. He completed his residency at the District of Columbia General Hospital and served in the Medical Corps.
June 1971
Affiliation agreement is approved with the Peoria Board for Medical Education, Inc., St. Francis Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Proctor Community Hospital, the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the George A. Zeller Zone Center.
1970 Years Heading link
September 24, 1971
Orientation is held for the first students, who are transfer students from Chicago. The new students are 18 juniors (M3s) and 3 seniors (M4s). There is just 1 female student.
January 31, 1972
The Peoria School of Medicine moves to Burgess Hall on the Bradley University campus.
1970 Years Heading link
1973
UICOMP’s James Scholar program is established. James Scholars must be in the upper 1/3 of their class and complete an independent study research project under the direction of a faculty mentor.
1970 Years Heading link
June 1, 1973
The first class graduates!
Summer 1973
The Peoria School of Medicine has a softball team in the Peoria Park District Recreation League called “The Quacks”. They finish the season with 5 wins and 9 losses.
September 9, 1974
Groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent facility.
Fall 1976
After 4 years at Bradley University, PSM moves to its new facility located at 123 S.W. Glendale Avenue.
1970's Heading link
1977
Plans to build the tennis courts are approved. In September and October, the first annual PSM Tennis Classic is held. The championship match is held between Dr. John McLean and Roger Watters (M3). Dr. Mclean takes the victory!
1970 Years Heading link
1978/1979
The Urban Health Program comes to Peoria with the appointment of Hazel Scott, PhD, as the Coordinator of Health Professions Opportunity Program.
1980's Heading link
1982
The Peoria School of Medicine is renamed the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria
1980's Heading link
1984
The Board of Trustees names Dr. Jerry I. Newman as “Director of the College of Medicine at Peoria. Dr. Newman had served as the Acting Dean since Dean Cotsonas’ departure in 1979. The title of Director is part of a College of Medicine reorganization that allowed for just one Dean.
May 31-June 1, 1986
The Children’s Miracle Network Telethon comes to Peoria for the first time raising $91,000 in the Peoria area. All the money raised locally stays to benefit the pediatric education, research, and service programs of UICOMP and the Saint Francis Medical Center (OSF) and the joint UICOMP/OSF pediatric residency program.
1990's Heading link
September 1, 1990
Dr. William Albers is appointed Acting Director and Acting Senior Associate Dean of UICOMP.
June 1, 1991
Dr. Michael D. Bailie is appointed the new Director and Senior Associate Dean of UICOMP.
1990's Heading link
October 12, 1991
Governor Jim Edgar announces a commitment of $2.4 million in state bond funds to establishing a premier medical research program at the College of Medicine at Peoria.
1990's Heading link
Spring 1992
The Illinois Neurological Institute (INI) is formed by UICOMP, Saint Francis Medical Center (OSF), and Methodist Medical Center.
1990's Heading link
June 1993
Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) is founded. The PRC is started by Dr. Kay Saving and Dr. Andrew Morgan and is affiliated with the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. The PRC specializes in providing services to abused and neglected children.
1990's Heading link
February 28, 1994
Positive Health Solutions, formerly the Heart of Illinois HIV/AIDS Center or HIHAC, opens its doors. The center was begun with $1 million dollar award from the Ryan White Care Act. The center provides medical care, case management, counseling, and outreach services.
October 24, 1994
The Peoria Medical Alumni Council holds its first meeting.
1990's Heading link
November 1996
The Rural Student Physician Program (RSPP) is born, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Federal Bureau of Health Professions. The program is described as “a rural, community-based, extended family medicine preceptorship that will immerse third-year students into an intense, comprehensive educational experience in clinical medicine with a rural family physician.”
September 24, 1996
Mike Singletary, of Chicago Bears fame, speaks at the second annual dinner for the Pediatric Resource Center and raises over $20,000.
1990's Heading link
May 6, 1999
The Family Medical Center is dedicated and houses the Family Medicine Residency Program, the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and a community clinic.
2000's Heading link
2001
The Peoria NEXT collaborative is born. Peoria NEXT is a consortium of education, research, and business institutions focused on the knowledge economy and creating a healthier future for the Peoria regional community. UICOMP is a founding member.
2000's Heading link
January 22, 2001
Dr. Donald E. Rager is officially named Regional Dean. He has been the Interim Regional Dean since December 1999.
2003
The Manual Science Enrichment Program is founded to encourage minorities and students of low socioeconomic backgrounds to gain more interest and knowledge in science and pursue careers in medicine. The program, which is taught by UICOMP students, includes a series of interactive classes.
June 2005
Donald E. Rager, M.D. Clinical Skills Laboratory opens. The lab utilizes computerized mannequin technology to teach or reinforce clinical skills and emergency procedures to healthcare professionals and students.
July 1, 2005
Dr. Rodney Lorenz is named Interim Dean of UICOMP.
January 2008
Dr. Sara L. Rusch becomes Regional Dean.
April 5, 2008
The “Mighty Docs” hit the ice in the Physicians vs. Firemen Challenge Cup hockey game. They raised $5,059 for the Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
2000's Heading link
November 2008
The first HEARTs session was held at Peoria Friendship House. HEARTs (Health Education Awareness and Resources Teams) is a student-run health education program.
Fall 2009
After a few months of planning, the Senior Scholars Group (SSG) is formed. The group facilitates connections between senior physicians/medical school advocates and volunteer opportunities at the medical school, as well as, providing social and learning opportunities to members.
2000's Heading link
October 7, 2009
First Annual Celebration of Excellence is held. This special recognition event honors our faculty for their teaching and service as well as the recipients of the Community Health Award.
2010's Heading link
August 16, 2010
UICOMP breaks ground on the Cancer Research Center.
January 2011
The GUIDES (Guide, Understand, Inform, Drive, Educate, and Serve) program is born. The program’s goal is: to mentor underserved students in the Peoria community, build trust between the underserved community and the medical community, and teach young students about medicine with hopes that the interaction will lead them to train in and pursue future medical careers.”
2010's Heading link
September 16, 2011
UICOMP and OSF Healthcare break ground on the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center, funded in part from a $25-million gift from Jump Trading.
2016
The Equity Innovation Medicine (EquiMED) program begins in 2016. IRGmed is a 4-year longitudinal elective program allowing students to learn more about low-resource healthcare settings. Innovating new tools and technologies to better serve rural populations in the US and abroad is core to the program.
2017
First annual Sim Wars is held at The Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center, bringing medical students from across the state of Illinois.
August 2017
For the first time ever, UICOMP welcomes first-year students.
2010's Heading link
August 2018
UICOMP accepts its largest class ever. The Class of 2022 has 67 students.
2020's Heading link
2020
The First UICOMP global innovation education partnership takes place, with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Uganda.
February 2022
Meenakshy Aiyer, MD, is named Regional Dean. She had served as Interim Regional Dean since April 2019, following Dr. Sara Rusch’s retirement.