University of Illinois College of Medicine

10/14/2026

As we continue to highlight recipients of this year's Alumni Awards, today we're celebrating Nikita Baclig, MD/MPH '16, PhD.

Dr. Baclig is advancing cancer research at the intersection of aging, survivorship and supportive care. Through her research on treatment burden, frailty and quality of life, she is working to develop patient-centered approaches that preserve function and improve cancer care for older adults.

Read more about her impact and legacy: https://go.uic.edu/aa26

10/12/2026

This week, we'll be celebrating the 2026 recipients of our Alumni Awards on our social media channels. First up is the recipient of our Alumni Humanitarian Award, Thomas A. Cornwell, MD.

Tom Cornwell, MD ’86, has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for vulnerable and homebound patients. From making more than 35,000 house calls himself to helping establish home-based primary care programs across the United States and internationally, his work has transformed how care reaches patients where they live.

Read more about his impact and legacy: https://go.uic.edu/aa26

09/18/2026

Last night's Golden Alumni Society Dinner welcomed the UI COM Class of 1976 to celebrate their 50th . Attendees reflected on their medical school years, while members of the Golden Alumni Society from the Classes of 1961, 1966 and 1971 reconnected with classmates, colleagues and friends.

09/16/2026

UI COM Interim G. Stephen Irwin Executive Dean Enrico Benedetti, MD has been spotlighted in Chicago Medicine Magazine's latest "Who's Who" feature. "All my initiatives came with the intent to serve patients," he said. "All of of innovations are invariably linked to one patient who I met with a particular problem." You can read the full article in September's issue: https://go.uic.edu/ChiMedBenedetti

09/14/2026

Happy Healthcare Simulation Week! Sponsored by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), Healthcare Simulation Week is a global celebration of the role simulation plays in healthcare education, patient safety, teamwork, systems improvement, and clinical practice.

This year’s theme, “Sim Found Me,” celebrates the many paths that bring people into the field of healthcare simulation and the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise that shape the field.

This week, all are welcome to join University of Illinois Simulation and Integrative Learning (SAIL) for its programming:
➡️ "Sim Found Me: Stories from Our Simulation Community" on display at SAIL all this week
➡️ Rehearsal for Authenticity: Conflict Resolution Simulation with two virtual sessions on Thursday, September 17
➡️ Technology-Based Simulation Open House on Friday, September 18 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Learn more and register:

SAIL Celebrates Healthcare Simulation Week 2026 Posted on September 09, 2026 Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) The University of Illinois Chicago’s Simulation and Integrative Learning Institute (SAIL) will celebrate Healthcare Simulation Week, September 14–18, 2026, with interactive eve...

09/04/2026

One week left to register!

Registration for the UI COM Alumni Reunion closes Thursday, September 10.

Did you graduate from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in a year ending in 1 or 6? Join us for Reunion 2026, September 17-19, and reconnect with classmates, friends, and the College of Medicine community.

Register by September 10 to join us for Reunion 2026!

View the schedule and register today: go.uic.edu/COMReunionRegistration

08/14/2026

Wishing a warm welcome to the University of Illinois College of Medicine Class of 2030, who were honored at today's White Coat Ceremony!

Details and more photos: https://go.uic.edu/whitecoat2026news

08/06/2026

Dr. Masrur and Dr. Reed recently spoke with NBC Chicago about rising calls to Illinois poison centers from GLP-1 users. View the segment:

07/20/2026

University of Illinois College of Medicine alumnus Garth Walker, MD ’14 has been confirmed as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). A native Chicagoan, Dr. Walker grew up in Hyde Park and previously served as chief medical officer for Rush Health. In 2024, he received UIC’s Rising Star Leadership Award for his accomplishments and community impact.

In late 2025, Dr. Walker was featured on University of Illinois Chicago's Black Excellence podcast discussing his path through Chicago Public Schools and the delivery of health care in our community. You can listen to that episode in the UIC podcasts archive: https://go.uic.edu/podcastwalker

07/15/2026

Postdoctoral Fellow Lindsey Ramirez, PhD has been chosen among six winners of The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation's first video contest. Biomedical graduate students and health professions trainees were invited to describe a biomedical research question they are studying or would like to explore, and how it could be addressed to benefit science and patients in the future. Winners have received scholarship funds to be used for educational expenses.

Lindsey's video “Understanding the Effects of Alcohol on Behavior” investigates why some individuals experience stronger positive effects from alcohol than others by examining brain activity and gene expression in a brain region associated with addiction and withdrawal.

Additionally, Lindsey's work will be featured in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and on the Lasker Foundation's website.

Congratulations to Lindsey!

Lasker Foundation: https://go.uic.edu/LaskerEssay
Journal of Clinical Investigation: https://www.jci.org/
Lindsey's website: https://www.ramirez.science/