Roger Joy, M.D., an internist at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, is working with Erica (Barkau) Ibendahl, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Dr. Joy’s office in Centralia. The preceptorship is part of a 16-week program conducted by the Rural Medical Education initiative.
Centralia - A St. Mary’s Good Samaritan physician who recently started practicing in Southern Illinois is working to help a future physician join his ranks.
Erica (Barkau) Ibendahl is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine currently participating in a 16-week RMED (Rural Medical Education) preceptorship under the supervision of Dr. Roger Joy, an internist practicing in Centralia.
The RMED program seeks to recruit, admit and prepare medical students from the state of Illinois, who will, upon completion of residency training, locate and practice in rural Illinois. During this preceptorship, Ibendahl will be participating in patient care in both the clinic and hospital setting. During her time in Centralia, Ibendahl also will be conducting research on the effectiveness of the NEXT (Nutrition Exercise Training) Program. This program, located at the Centralia Recreation Complex, emphasizes exercise and portion control as a means of weight loss and improving patient wellness.
“My staff and I welcome Erica to Centralia and our practice,” said Dr. Joy. “It is our goal to make this a rewarding learning experience for her as she continues to grow and develop into a physician. The making of a physician is an intricate process and I was elated when asked to serve as her mentor.”
Ibendahl is originally from Okawville and upon completion of a residency training in general surgery, plans to return to the area.
“The Rural Medical Education Program with the University of Illinois is a great benefit to us and the community,” said Greg Sims, Vice President of the Medical Group and Occupational Therapy at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan. “It brings medical students the opportunity to experience health care in a rural setting. This program also gives us opportunity to attract quality physicians to this area. We are very pleased that Erica chose St. Mary’s Good Samaritan to complete her preceptorship.”
“Medicine has always been an honorable but difficult profession,” added Dr. Joy. “We face many challenges in the near future and it is these young professionals that will take the lead as the profession undergoes a redesign. I wish her the best in her career.”
Roger Joy, M.D., an internist at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan, is working with Erica (Barkau) Ibendahl, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Dr. Joy’s office in Centralia. The preceptorship is part of a 16-week program conducted by the Rural Medical Education initiative.