Jessica Hanks, MD, Named 2024 Distinguished Alumni by Peoria College of Medicine
Distinguished Alumni Award Heading link
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria awarded Jessica Hanks, MD, with its 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. A 2003 graduate of UICOMP, she becomes the 19th graduate (among more than 2,300 medical school alumni) to receive this honor in the College’s 54-year history. Dr. Hanks has devoted her career to her dual passions of medicine and education. After completing her residency training in medicine-pediatrics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she served as pediatric chief resident there before returning to Peoria as faculty.
In her clinical role, she serves as an ambulatory medicine-pediatrics physician where she works closely with residents during their training. She plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of medical education at the Peoria regional campus with her dual roles as associate dean for academic affairs and as head of the Department of Health Sciences Education and Pathology.
Dr. Hanks contributed to the development of the Phase 1 curriculum, and her leadership has contributed to UICOMP’s expansion of offerings in medical education. She has received numerous teaching and service awards, including Introduction to Clinical Medicine Preceptor of the Year, Ambulatory Faculty Teaching Award in Internal Medicine, and a three-time recipient of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program Teaching Award. She led the collaboration between the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Bradley University to establish an Early Assurance Program which helps students secure a path to medical school at UICOMP.
“The Peoria regional campus is proud of its role as part of the pipeline educating and training physicians for important work in their chosen disciplines and careers. Dr. Jessica Hanks is a key player in our contributions to support that pipeline,” says Meenakshy Aiyer, MD, UICOMP regional dean. “Her hard work and dedication to establish an Early Assurance Program with Bradley University is just one example of her visionary leadership. Not only is she a gifted clinician who is compassionate, knowledgeable and dedicated to her patients, but she is also an exceptional teacher who fosters learning, growth and excellence for every student she mentors.”